Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-07-17
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C710S010000, C710S015000, C710S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263381
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating switching computer connections between electronic peripheral devices, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for preconditioning and switching electronic peripheral device-computer connections wherein dedicated launch buttons automate the preconditioning and the switching.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional phone, e-mail devices, internet systems, electronic address systems, handheld computing devices, personal digital assistants, printers, video conferencing systems, and the like have each typically been connected to a computer by one of a myriad of serial and parallel port connection cords. To connect a particular external device/system, the user was required to connect the particular connection cord, such as a parallel connection RS232 for a printer, to the corresponding port on the computer, and then the user needed to run a set-up program to initialize the external device/system.
In some instances, an infrared connection has been established between the computer and the external peripheral device/system, but since most computers have only one infrared connection port, each time an external peripheral device needed to be utilized with the computer, any previously connected infrared connection peripheral device had to be moved, and the new peripheral device had to be positioned in proximity to the infrared port and initialized. Also, since more extensive error correction is needed for infrared connections than for direct electrical connections, using infrared connections for peripheral devices is typically more expensive than simply using a direct connection cord. Thus, many electronic peripheral devices that couple to computers do not include infrared connection capability.
The introduction of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) has facilitated connections of peripheral devices, since the USB replaces all the different kinds of serial and parallel port connectors with one standardized plug and port combination for computers having USB compatible ports. USB-compliant computers and peripherals may simply be connected with electrical cords having USB connections. The USB eliminates the need to use add-in cards to the computer and also does away with having to reset DIP (dual in-line package) switches or IRQs (interrupt request settings). The USB connection allows the user to attach or remove a peripheral device without turning off the computer and restarting it. The USB also permits multiple USB connections, either by using multiple USB ports on the computer or by daisy-chaining a plurality of peripheral devices and connecting the daisy-chain to the computer. When the USB is connected to a plurality of peripheral devices, the USB connector “senses” the power needed and distributes the required power without the need for a separate power supply attachment.
Thus, there is a need for a method and device to facilitate preconditioned, computer connection to a selected peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an automatic preconditioning connection device and method that utilize a graphic user interface (GUI) for facilitating coupling of a selected external peripheral device to a computer. The device is coupled to a plurality of external peripheral devices and to a computer. The plurality of external peripheral devices may be daisy-chained or may be individually coupled to the automatic preconditioning connection device.
The invention facilitates quick connection of the selected external peripheral device with the computer. The automatic preconditioning device generally includes a housing on which are mounted a plurality of automatic peripheral preconditioning connection buttons. Each button is typically a hot launch button for controlling and optimizing an external peripheral device selected from a plurality of external peripheral devices.
The present invention facilitates the use of the hot launch buttons for downloading, automatically, predetermined conditioning software or predetermined conditioning parameters associated with a particular hot launch/connection button by activating a graphical user interface of the computer that enables a user, for example, to quickly select participants for a telephone or video conference. The preconditioning software or parameters optimize the operation of the programmable digital signal processor (DSP) or another processor with respect to the selected external peripheral device and optimize the microphone and speakers of the invention for the selected function. The hot launch buttons are coupled to the programmable DSP or processor, which in turn is coupled to at least a first port for the automatic preconditioning device. Though in the preferred embodiment, the port is USB compliant, clearly the at least first port may also be a serial or parallel configuration port. The external peripheral devices are either coupled individually to ports of the automatic preconditioning device, or are daisy-chained and then connected to the port of the automatic preconditioning device.
For example, if video conferencing is selected, the video camera and audio system are automatically configured to preselected optimized configurations, and a central address hot launch button is utilized to connect video conferencing participants (described in more detail below), automatically activating the selected activity.
In a preferred embodiment, the automatic preconditioning connection device includes a plurality of speakers that are coupled to receive input from the computer and/or the external peripheral devices.
In one embodiment, along a middle portion of the housing, a top portion of the housing is configured to include a catch-cup that fits into a catch-cup well on a bottom portion of the housing, facilitating attachment of the top portion of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
In a preferred embodiment, a microphone is operably coupled to the programmable DSP or processor and to at least the first port and is located adjacent to a plurality of parallel, elongated openings in the housing. The microphone is housed in an acoustical lens such that sound waves from a prespecified direction are amplified. For voice recognition operation, upon activation, the microphone automatically downloads predetermined voice recognition software or preselected parameters corresponding to a selected peripheral connection button to facilitate voice activation or control of the associated peripheral device or devices.
The method of the present invention corresponds to the operation of the automatic preconditioning connection device.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which are shown in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5428748 (1995-06-01), Davidson et al.
patent: 5548782 (1996-08-01), Michael et al.
patent: 5752232 (1998-05-01), Basore et al.
Lee Thomas C.
Perveen Rehana
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