AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURING COMPUTING DEVICES THROUGH INPUT DEVICE

• US 20090182901A1
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Callaghan, David, MacDonald, Sandra E., Robbins, Daryn E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/454 Multi-language systems; Localisation; Internationalisation

Abstract

Localization and/or customization of computing devices are accomplished automatically through an add-on input device. Operating system or a separate application in the computing device is arranged to communicate with or recognize the input device such as a keypad and configure parameter of the computing device such as language, user interface arrangement, communication setup, and the like accordingly without user interaction.

Claims

1. A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for customizing computing device functionality based on a connected input device, the method comprising:

detecting the connected input device;

determining customization parameters based on the connected input device;

automatically customizing a configuration of computing device functionality based on the determined customization parameters; and

providing the computing device functionality based on the custom configuration.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device functionality includes at least one from a set of:

user interface language, date and time format, currency, assignment of special functions to select keys, implementation of communication parameters, and accommodation of disability assistance features.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the input device includes one of:

a keyboard, a keypad, an enhanced keypad with touch-sensitive pad, an enhanced keypad with a wheel-mouse, and a virtual keyboard.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the computing device to an end user with a default configuration; and

customizing a current configuration anytime a new input device is connected to the computing device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the computing device with the default configuration includes a default input device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the connected input device includes determining an identity of the connected input device by one of active communication and passive communication with the connected input device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the active communication includes at least one from a set of:

short range wireless communication, wired communication, optical communication, and communication with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on the connected keyboard.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the passive communication includes at least one from a set of:

scanning a symbol on the connected input device, keying on the connected input device, one or more index pins on the connected input device, and a key stroke combination from the connected input device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the connected input device includes determining an identity of one from a set of:

a skin, a cover, a cover plate, a slip-on cover, a clip-on cover, a template, and an indexing template attached to a default input device integrated to the computing device through passive communication.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the customization parameters are retrieved from one of:

a storage within the computing device, a server connected to the computing device through a network, and the connected input device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device includes one of:

a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a smart phone, a smart auto console, and a digital recording device with a removable keypad.

12. A mobile computing device with a removable keypad and a default configuration, comprising:

a memory;

a data store;

a processor coupled to the memory and the data store, wherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions for;

detecting an identity of one of;

a newly connected keypad and newly attached keypad accessory by one of;

active communication and passive communication;

retrieving customization parameters based on the detected identity;

automatically customizing the configuration of the computing device based on the retrieved customization parameters;

providing computing device functionality based on the custom configuration; and

repeating the customization anytime one of;

a new keypad and new keypad accessory is detected.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the configuration is customized by one of:

an operating system of the computing device and an application controlled by the operating system of the computing device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein one of the customization parameters includes user interface language, and wherein at least a portion of the remaining customization parameters are linked with the user interface language.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile computing device is capable of communication through a plurality of communication modes, and wherein the customization of the configuration includes activation of at least one of the plurality of communication modes.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the customization of the configuration further includes one of activation and deactivation of a plurality of mobile computing device functionalities.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile computing device is capable of utilizing a plurality of custom configurations based on the detected identity.

18. A key-based input device for connection to a computing device, comprising:

a keyboard module having keys for textual input; and

a connection module for providing the textual input to the computing device;

wherein the connection module is configured to provide an identity of the input device to the computing device such that the computing device is able to;

detect the identity of the input device;

determine customization parameters based on the detected identity;

automatically customize a configuration of the computing device based on the determined customization parameters; and

provide the computing device functionality based on the custom configuration.

19. The key-based input device of claim 18, further comprising:

a communication module capable of providing the input device identity to the computing device through at least one from a set of;

short range wireless communication, wired communication, optical communication, and communication with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on the connected keyboard.

20. The key-based input device of claim 18, further comprising:

a removable key description accessory that includes one from a set of;

a skin, a cover, a cover plate, a slip-on cover, a clip-on cover, a template, and an indexing template, the key description accessory being capable of providing the input device identity to the computing device through passive communication.