Context aware functionality in an electronic device

• US 9,495,307 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2013
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Zadesky, Stephen, Rothkopf, Fletcher, Lynch, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Abad, Farley
• Assistant Examiner(s): YU, HENRY W
• Application Number:
  US14/020,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20140075051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 710/3, 710/8, 710/62, 710/305, 455/404.1, 370/315, 717/171, 719/313, 726/4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/122 where hardware performs an I/O function other than control of data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A method for operating a portable electronic device includes receiving an identifier associated with an accessory connected to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device then determines a set of actions to be performed for that accessory based on the received identifier. The portable electronic device then performs the determined actions.

Claims

1. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

receiving, by the electronic device, identification information that includes a serial number that uniquely identifies an accessory connected to the electronic device and further identifies a category of the accessory;

determining that the electronic device has been configured to perform a first set of actions based on the serial number;

performing the first set of actions;

determining, from the received identification information, that the electronic device has been configured to perform a second set of actions based on the category of the accessory; and

performing those actions in the second set of actions that are not overridden by any action in the first set of actions, wherein at least one action in the second set of actions is not included in the first set of actions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the first set of actions comprises comparing the serial number to a list of serial numbers stored in the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the first set of actions comprises comparing the serial number to a list of serial numbers stored external to the portable electronic device to determine one or more actions associated with the identification information.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification information is stored in memory disposed in a connector associated with the accessory.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first set of actions or the second set of actions includes setting a setting on the accessory and the step of performing at least one of the first set of actions or second set of actions includes formulating and sending a command to the accessory to set the setting.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first set of actions or the second set of actions includes setting a setting on the portable electronic device.

11. The method of operating an electronic device set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

if the electronic device has not been configured to perform a first set of actions based on the serial number, displaying a configuration menu on the electronic device that enables a user to identify one or more actions to be associated with the accessory and performed when the accessory is subsequently connected to the electronic device;

receiving, by the electronic device, a selection of one or more actions from the one or more actions;

generating, by the electronic device, association information between the serial number and the one or more actions; and

storing the association information in a computer-readable memory within the electronic device.

7. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

an accessory communication interface coupled to the processor, wherein the processor in conjunction with the accessory communication interface is configured to;

receive identification information that includes a serial number that uniquely identifies an accessory connected to the portable electronic device and further identifies a category of the accessory;

determine that the electronic device has been configured to perform a first set of actions based on the serial number;

perform the first set of actions;

determine, from the received identification information, that the electronic device has been configured to perform a second set of actions based on the category of the accessory; and

perform those actions in the second set of actions that are not overridden by any action in the first set of actions wherein at least one action in the second set of actions is not included in the first set of actions.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 7 wherein the accessory communication interface includes a first connector configured to mate with a corresponding second connector of the accessory;

and

wherein the first connector is further configured to receive the identification information stored in the second connector.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 7 wherein the processor is further configured to access a list to determine at least one of the first set of actions or second set of actions, and wherein the list stores association information between the identification information and one or more actions performable by the portable electronic device.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 7 wherein the first set of actions includes one or more actions associated with one or more capabilities supported by the portable electronic device.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 7 wherein the processor in conjunction with the accessory communication interface is configured to:

if the portable electronic device has not been configured to perform a first set of actions based on the serial number, display a configuration menu on the portable electronic device that enables a user to identify one or more actions to be associated with the accessory and performed when the accessory is subsequently connected to the electronic device;

receive a selection of one or more actions from the configuration menu;

generate association information between the serial number and the one or more actions; and

store the association information in a computer-readable memory within the electronic device.