Methods and apparatuses for configuration automation

• US 8,849,206 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kennedy, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Eugene
• Application Number:
  US14/145,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20140113567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/445, 455/461, 455/566, 455/557, 455/552.1, 715/700
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/006 Call diverting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for automated configuring of user preferences. In one aspect of the present invention, a method to operate a data processing system, includes: detecting whether or not a portable device is connected to the data processing system; and automatically configuring one or more user preferences of the data processing system according to an identity of the portable device in response to a change in whether or not the portable device is connected to the data processing system. In one aspect of the present invention, call forwarding of at least one of a land line phone and a mobile phone is automatically configured when the mobile phone is brought close to the land line phone or when the mobile phone is taken away from the land line phone.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a portable device that includes first circuitry for communicating using a first wireless protocol and second circuitry for communicating using a second wireless protocol, wherein the first wireless protocol is a short range wireless protocol, wherein the second wireless protocol is usable to place and receive telephone calls over a cellular network, and wherein the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol are different, performing operations for;

connecting to a data processing system, wherein the data processing system includes a graphical user interface; and

transmitting, using the first wireless protocol, user data from the portable device to the data processing system in response to the connecting, wherein the data processing system is adapted to configure a setting of the graphical user interface in response to receiving the user data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting comprises:

detecting the data processing system with the first circuitry; and

connecting to the data processing system using the first circuitry.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the graphical user interface includes at least one of window sizes;

colors;

fonts;

background; and

arrangement of icons.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processing system is in a car.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable device is a cellular phone.

5. A method, comprising:

at a data processing system that includes a display for displaying a graphical user interface and a wireless circuit for communicating according to a first wireless protocol, wherein the first wireless protocol is a short range wireless protocol, performing operations for;

connecting to a portable device that communicates using the first wireless protocol and a second wireless protocol, wherein the second wireless protocol is usable to place and receive telephone calls over a cellular network, and wherein the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol are different;

receiving, using the first wireless protocol, user data from the portable device; and

configuring a setting of the graphical user interface of the data processing system in response to receiving the user data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data processing system is part of a car.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein connecting to the portable device comprises coupling the portable device to the data processing system with a wire.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the connecting to the portable device comprises wirelessly coupling the portable device to the data processing system.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the setting of the graphical user interface comprises adjusting at least one of window sizes, colors, fonts, background, and arrangement of icons.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the portable device is a cellular phone.

12. A portable device, comprising:

a processor;

first circuitry for communicating using a first wireless protocol, wherein the first wireless protocol is a short range wireless protocol; and

second circuitry for communicating using a second wireless protocol, wherein the second wireless protocol is usable to place and receive telephone calls over a cellular network, and wherein the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol are different;

wherein the processor and the first circuitry perform operations for;

connecting to a data processing system, wherein the data processing system includes a graphical user interface;

transmitting, using the first wireless protocol, user data to the data processing system in response to the connecting, wherein the data processing system is adapted to configure a setting of the graphical user interface in response to receiving the user data.

13. The portable device of claim 12, wherein, when connecting to the data processing system, the processor and the first circuitry perform operations for:

detecting the data processing system; and

connecting to the data processing system.

14. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the setting of the graphical user interface includes at least one of window sizes;

colors;

fonts;

background; and

arrangement of icons.

15. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the portable device is a cellular phone.

16. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the data processing system is in a car.

17. A data processing system, comprising:

a processor;

a display for displaying a graphical user interface; and

a wireless circuit for communicating using a first wireless protocol, wherein the first wireless protocol is a short range wireless protocol; and

wherein the processor, the display, and the wireless circuit perform operations for;

connecting to a portable device that communicates using the first wireless protocol and a second wireless protocol, wherein the second wireless protocol is usable to place and receive telephone calls over a cellular network, and wherein the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol are different;

receiving, using the first wireless protocol, user data from the portable device; and

configuring a setting of the graphical user interface in response to receiving the user data.

18. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein connecting to the portable device comprises coupling the portable device to the data processing system with a wire.

19. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein connecting to the portable device comprises wirelessly coupling the portable device to the data processing system.

20. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the setting of the graphical user interface includes at least one of window sizes;

colors;

fonts;

background; and

arrangement of icons.

21. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the portable device is a cellular phone.

22. The data processing system of claim 17, wherein the data processing system is in a car.