| Mobile device interface for input devices using existing mobile device connectors -> Monitor Keywords |
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Mobile device interface for input devices using existing mobile device connectorsRelated Patent Categories: Telecommunications, Transmitter And Receiver At Same Station (e.g., Transceiver), Radiotelephone Equipment Detail, Interface Attached Device (e.g., Interface With Modem, Facsimile, Computer, Etc.)Mobile device interface for input devices using existing mobile device connectors description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060223580, Mobile device interface for input devices using existing mobile device connectors. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/667,416 filed Mar. 31, 2005. The contents of these documents are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates towards mobile device interfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to using a mobile device earphone or microphone connector as an input device interface. [0004] Advances in technology have resulted in smaller and more powerful personal computing devices. For example, there currently exist a variety of portable personal computing devices, including wireless computing devices, such as portable wireless telephones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and paging devices that are each small, lightweight, and can be easily carried by users. A wireless device is any device that can communicate with other devices without being physically attached to them. Most wireless devices communicate with each other through radio frequencies. [0005] More specifically, the portable wireless telephones, for example, further include cellular telephones that communicate voice and data packets over wireless networks. Further, many such cellular telephones are being manufactured with relatively large increases in computing capabilities, and as such, are becoming tantamount to small personal computers and hand-held PDAs. [0006] However, these smaller and more powerful personal computing devices are typically severely resource constrained. For example, the screen size, amount of available memory and file system space, amount of input and output capabilities and processing capability may each be limited by the small size of the device. Due to severe resource constraints, it is often typically desirable, for example, to maintain a limited size and quantity of software applications and other information residing on such remote personal computing devices (client devices). [0007] Some of the personal computing devices utilize an application programming interface (API) or application programming interfaces (APIs), sometimes referred to as runtime environments and software platforms, that are installed onto their local computer platform and which are used, for example, to simplify operations of such devices, such as by providing generalized calls for device specific resources. An API is a set of routines used by an application program to direct the performance of procedures used by the computer's operating system. [0008] Further, some APIs are also known to provide software developers the ability to create software applications that are fully executable on such devices. In addition, some of such APIs are known to be operationally located between the computing device system software and the software applications such that the computing device system software and the software applications such that the computing device computing functionality is made available to the software application without requiring the software developer to have the specific computing device system source code. Further, some APIs are known to provide mechanisms for secure communications between such personal devices (i.e., clients) and remote devices (i.e., servers) using secure, cryptographic information. [0009] Examples of such APIs, some of which are discussed in more detail below, include versions of the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless.RTM. (BREW.RTM.) developed by QUALCOMM, Inc., of San Diego, Calif. BREW.RTM. can operate with a computing device's (e.g., a wireless cellular phone) operating system, and can, among other features, provide interfaces to hardware features particularly found on personal computing devices. BREW.RTM. can also provide these interfaces on such personal computing devices at a relatively low cost with respect to demands on device resources and with respect to the price paid by consumers for devices containing the BREW.RTM. API. Additional features of BREW.RTM. include its end-to-end software distribution platform that provides a variety of benefits for wireless service operators, software developers and computing device consumers. At least one such currently available end-to-end software distribution platform includes logic distributed over a server-client architecture, where the server performs, for example, billing, security, and application distribution functionality, and the client performs, for example, application execution, security and user interface functionality. [0010] Mobile communication devices (e.g. wireless telephones) may include a built-in input device (e.g., a keypad) to allow a user to input alpha-numeric data. Due to the limited size of such mobile devices, the input device is often relatively small, which can be difficult and/or slow to use for a typical user. [0011] Many of the mobile devices that are currently-available include an earphone/microphone interface. A conventional earphone/microphone interface can allow a user to connect an external earphone/microphone assembly (e.g., a handset) to the mobile device. Many of these types of interfaces use a standard earphone/microphone socket connector that accepts a standard plug. [0012] The foregoing description of the related art is merely intended to provide an overview of wireless devices and some of the known uses of APIs and as an introduction to the BREW.RTM. platform, which can be used in various embodiments of the invention. However, the invention is not to be construed as being limited to a specific physical configuration, implementation, operating platform or environment. SUMMARY [0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method for using a mobile device earphone or microphone connector as an input device interface. [0014] Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention can be an apparatus for receiving data in a mobile electronic device from a data input device. An apparatus for receiving data in a mobile electronic device from a data input device, can include logic configured to detect connection of a device to a connector coupled to the mobile electronic device by using at least one of the following circuits: an examination circuit to examine an operational state of a device included within the mobile electronic device; an electrical sensing circuit to determine a presence of the data input device; a mechanical sensing circuit to determine a presence of the data input device; using any combination of examining the examination circuit, the electrical sensing circuit or the mechanical sensing circuit; logic configured to determine whether the connected device is a data input device; and logic configured to collect and process data generated by the data input device after determining that the connected device is a data input device. [0015] Another embodiment of the invention can include a method for receiving data in a mobile electronic device from a data input device. The method includes detecting connection of a device to an earphone/microphone connector of the mobile electronic device; determining whether the connected device is a data input device by using at least one of the following in any order: a) examining an operational state of a device included within the mobile electronic device; b) determining a presence of the data input device using an electrical sensing circuit; c) determining a presence of the data input device using a mechanical sensing circuit; using any combination of a), b) or c) above; and collecting and processing data generated by the data input device in response to determining that the connected device is a data input device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by the reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which are presented solely for illustration and not limitation of the invention, and in which: [0017] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a wireless network architecture that supports client devices and servers in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; [0018] FIG. 2 is a more detailed exemplary diagram of a wireless network architecture that supports the client devices and servers in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; [0019] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a mobile electronic device and a data input device configuration in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; [0020] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a more detailed view of a mobile electronic device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; Continue reading about Mobile device interface for input devices using existing mobile device connectors... 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