Method and system for sharing a communications port

Details Method and system for sharing a communications port Method and system for sharing a communications port

1998-10-22

2001-05-29

Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Peripheral adapting

C710S002000, C710S036000, C710S072000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240472

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly to communication between computer devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many computer devices including hand-held personal computers, palm-size personal computers, scanners, printers and digital cameras are configured to communicate with a desktop computer through a communications port. For example, each such device typically has a serial port which connects via a cable or infrared signals a counterpart port on the desktop computer. To exchange information with the desktop computer, each of these devices require that the desktop computer run a specific communications program corresponding to that device. Normally, the communications program occupies the communications port for the duration of its execution. At the same time, it is desirable that the communications program be running at all times so that the user may easily connect on demand and simply use the device, instead of having to locate the appropriate application, execute it, and then connect the device.
While this is adequate when the user has a single device, users with more than one device are unable to run multiple such programs simultaneously, since each tries to exclusively access the communications port at the same time. As a result, users of multiple devices heretofore have had to manually close the running communication program before running another communication program, or manually configure certain communications settings. Some programs, such as in association with a serial mouse, cannot easily be shut down. In short, the user cannot simply unplug one device, plug in another, and get the communications to work through intuitive user action on the computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention provides a method and system for dynamically sharing a communications port of a computer system by selectively occupying that port. A communications program is loaded and run, operating in a resident state that does not occupy the communications port. Upon detection of a user action related to a need to communicate through the communications port, such as opening a particular folder related to device communication, the communications program enters an exclusive state that exclusively occupies the communications port. Upon detection of a second user action related to no longer needing the communications port, such as closing the folder, the communications program re-enters the resident state and frees the communications port.
The method and system facilitate the sharing of a communications port by providing a communications program that intelligently occupies the communications port only when needed, and frees it when no longer needed, in response to intuitive user actions. A preferred communications program is implemented in a shell extension. While in the resident state, the user can connect for network communications while leaving the communications port available.
Other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:


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