Implementing a second computer system as an interface for a first computer system

• US 7,987,424 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Jeffrey Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US11/768,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 715/733, 715/744, 715/740, 715/736, 715748-749, 715715-719, 715/864, 709/253, 710/303
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation

Abstract

A second independent computer system is docked into a first computer system. Then, the first computer system uses at least one of an input interface and an output interface of the second independent computer system as a peripheral device for interfacing with the first computer system. While the second independent computer system is undocked from the first computer system at least one of the input interface and the output interface of the second independent computer system are peripheral devices for interfacing solely with the second independent computer system.

Claims

1. A first computer system, comprising:

a first controller comprising a first processor and memory configured to;

dock a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

receive an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system;

synchronize data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system;

said second independent computer system further comprising a microphone for detecting speech by a user;

said second independent computer system comprising a second controller configured to;

match the speech with a particular voice entry from among a plurality of voice entries stored on said second independent computer system, wherein each of said plurality of voice entries is associated with a separate name of a user; and

when said second independent computer system is docked, send a particular name associated with said particular voice entry to said first computer system as an input to said first computer system for said first computer system to match with a particular messaging address and initiate a network based communication to said particular messaging address, wherein when said second independent computer system is undocked, said speech input received at said second independent computer system is utilized to control dialing of a phone number associated with said particular voice entry by said second computer system.

2. A method for controlling a first computer system, comprising:

docking a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system;

synchronizing data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system;

detecting speech captured by a microphone at the second independent computer system;

matching the speech at the second independent computer system with a particular voice entry from among a plurality of voice entries stored on said second independent computer system, wherein each of said plurality of voice entries is associated with a separate name of a user;

responsive to detecting said second independent computer system docked into said first computer system, sending a particular name associated with said particular voice entry to said first computer system as an input to said first computer system for said first computer system to match with a particular messaging address and initiate a network based communication to said particular messaging address; and

responsive to detecting said second independent computer system undocked from said first computer system, utilizing said speech input received at said second independent computer system to control dialing of a phone number associated with said particular voice entry by said second independent computer system.

3. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 2, further comprising:

sending an output signal from said first computer system to said second independent computer system as an output signal to an output interface of said second independent computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

4. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 2, wherein receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first system further comprises:

translating said input to said second independent computer system from a handwritten symbol detected on a handwriting recognition surface of said second independent computer system into a character input recognizable by said first computer system.

5. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 2, further comprising:

only allowing operation of said first computer system if said second independent computer system is docked.

6. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 2, further comprising:

only allowing access to a selection of software and data on said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked.

7. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 2, further comprising:

only allowing operation of said first computer system if a user passes the security requirements for use of said second independent computer system through at least one input entered through an input interface of the second independent computer system.

8. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer readable-program for controlling a first computer system, wherein the computer-readable program when executed on a computer cause the computer to:

dock a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

receive an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system; and

synchronize data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

detect speech captured by a microphone at the second independent computer system;

match the speech at the second independent computer system with a particular voice entry from among a plurality of voice entries stored on said second independent computer system, wherein each of said plurality of voice entries is associated with a separate name of a user;

send a particular name associated with said particular voice entry to said first computer system as an input to said first computer system for said first computer system to match with a particular messaging address and initiate a network based communication to said particular messaging address, in response to detecting said second independent computer system docked into said first computer system; and

utilize said speech input received at said second independent computer system to control dialing of a phone number associated with said particular voice entry by said second independent computer system, in response to detecting said second independent computer system undocked from said first computer system.