Method of configuring electronic devices

Abstract

A multifunctional mobile telephone handset is connected to a PC using a Universal Serial Bus. During bus enumeration, a device class descriptor is returned by the handset to the PC. The PC's operating system receives information relating to one of the functions of the handset and assigns an appropriate device driver.

1 . A method of configuring first and second electronic devices, said second device being able to perform a plurality of predefined functions, the method comprising: 
 receiving, at said second device, preference information relating to one of said plurality of functions of said second device,    providing said first device with information relating to said one function and    providing, at said first device, an interface for interfacing with said one function so as to allow said first device to use said one function.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first device is a Universal Serial Bus host.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second device is a Universal Serial Bus device.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second device is a mobile telephone handset.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting said first and second devices together by a bus for transmitting signals.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising exchanging configuration signals between said first and second devices through said bus for establishing addressable communication between said first and second devices.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said exchanging of configuration signals includes said providing said first device with information relating to said one function.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said providing said first device with information comprises sending a message from said second device to the first device.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising said first device requesting information relating to a function from said second device.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said providing said first device with information includes providing data identifying said one function.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said providing said interface comprises assigning a device driver.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said providing said interface comprises executing a computer program.  
     
     
         14 . A method of using data processor for communication with an electronic device, the method comprising: 
 receiving first information relating to a first function of said device;    providing a first interface for interfacing with said first function so as to allow said data processor to use said first function;    receiving second information relating to a second function of said device and    providing a second interface for interfacing with said second function so as to allow said data processor to use said second function in preference to said first function.    
     
     
         15 . A method of configuring an electronic device for communication with data processor, the method comprising: 
 receiving preference information relating to one of a plurality of predefined functions of said device and    providing information relating to a first function to said data processor.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  further comprising allowing said data processor to use said one function.  
     
     
         17 . A computer program comprising computer code for a data processor configured for communication with an electronic device, to make said data processor: 
 receive preference information relating to a first function of said device;    provide a first interface for interfacing with said first function so as to allow said data processor to use said function;    receive second information relating to a second function of said device and    provide a second interface for interfacing with said second function so as to allow said data processor to use said second function in preference to said first function.    
     
     
         18 . A computer program comprising computer code for an electronic device able to perform a plurality of predefined functions and configured for communication with a data processor, to make said device: 
 receive information relating to one of said plurality of functions and    provide information relating to said function to said data processor.    
     
     
         19 . A computer program according to  claim 18  further to make said device allow said data processor to use said one function.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus comprising first and second electronic devices, said second device being able to perform a plurality of functions, said apparatus including: 
 an input for receiving preference information relating to one of said plurality of functions of said second device,    a link for providing to said first device information relating to said one function and    a controller for providing an interface for interfacing with said one function so as to allow said first device to use said one function.    
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first device is a Universal Serial Bus host.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the first device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the second device is a Universal Serial Bus device.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the second device is a mobile telephone handset.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said link for providing said first device with information comprises an output for sending a message from said second device to the first device.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said controller for providing an interface for interfacing includes an operating system for controlling operation of said first device.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said interface comprises a device driver.  
     
     
         28 . An electronic device which is able to perform a plurality of functions comprising: 
 an input for receiving preference information relating to one of said plurality of functions and    an output for providing to another device information relating to said one function.    
     
     
         29 . A device according to  claim 28  further comprising a link for allowing said other device to use said one function.  
     
     
         30 . A device according to  claim 28  which is a mobile telephone handset.  
     
     
         31 . A Universal Serial Bus device able to perform a plurality of predefined functions comprising: 
 an input for receiving preference information relating to one of said plurality of functions and    an output for providing to a host information relating to said one function.    
     
     
         32 . A device according to  claim 31  further comprising a link for allowing said host to use said one function.  
     
     
         33 . A device according to  claim 31  which is a mobile telephone handset.