Interface Device for Securely Extending Computer Functionality
First Claim
1. A portable interface device for extending the functionality of a computing device, comprising:
- a first communication interface configured to facilitate communication between the computing device and the portable interface device;
a second communication interface configured to facilitate secure communication between the portable interface device and a first extension device; and
a controller configured to enable the computing device to access functionality of the extension device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable interface device for extending the secure functionality of a computing device includes a plurality of ports and a controller, the ports being configured to facilitate communication between the interface device and one or more computing devices and between the interface device and one or more extension devices. The interface device extends the functionality of one or more computing devices by communicating to the computing device the functionality of one or more extension devices. Extension devices can be chained, and the interface device can emulate the combined functionality of the chained extension devices. A method for extending the functionality of a computing device detects an extension device for the computing device, identifies a functionality of the extension device, and communicates the functionality of the extension device to the computing device.
186 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A portable interface device for extending the functionality of a computing device, comprising:
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a first communication interface configured to facilitate communication between the computing device and the portable interface device; a second communication interface configured to facilitate secure communication between the portable interface device and a first extension device; and a controller configured to enable the computing device to access functionality of the extension device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A portable interface device for extending computing functionality, comprising:
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a casing, a plurality of interfaces configured to facilitate communication with a computing device and an extension device by the portable interface device, the plurality of interfaces coupled to the casing; and a controller providing functionality access between the computing device and the extension device through the plurality of ports, the controller coupled to the casing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable interface device for securely extending computing functionality, comprising:
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one or more antennas for communicating with a first wireless device and a second wireless device; interface logic for connecting to a first wireless device and a second wireless device using the one or more antennas; security logic for facilitating secure communication with the first wireless device and the second wireless device; and a controller for managing communication between the portable interface device and each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device, the portable interface device communicating with the second wireless device using near Field Communication Protocol, the portable interface device communicating with the first wireless device using a wireless protocol other than near field communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for facilitating extended functionality by a portable interface device, comprising:
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initializing one or more extension devices detected by a portable interface device through one or more interfaces; receiving input from a first extension device; processing the input by the portable extension device; and providing output to a second device, the output derived from the processed input. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method for facilitating extended functionality by a portable interface device, the method comprising
initializing one or more extension devices detected by a portable interface device; -
receiving input from a first extension device; processing the input by the portable extension device; and providing output to a second device, the output derived from the processed input.
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42. A system for extending the secure functionality of a computing device, comprising:
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a computing device; an extension device; and a portable interface device for extending the secure functionality of a computing device, the portable interface device being configured to facilitate secure communication between the computing device and the portable interface device, to facilitate secure communication between the portable interface device and an extension device; and
to facilitate extended functionality between the computing device and the extension device, whereby the computing device can access functionality of the extension device.
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43. A portable interface device for extending computing functionality, comprising:
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one or more antennas for communicating with a first wireless device and a second wireless device; interface logic for connecting to a first wireless device and a second wireless device using the one or more antennas; a controller for managing communication between the portable interface device and each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device; and a hardware switch that controls the operation of at least one of the one or more antennas, the portable interface device communicating with the second wireless device using near Field Communication Protocol, the portable interface device communicating with the first wireless device using a wireless protocol other than near field communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification