Patent · US Active

Multi-function device ID with unique identifier

US8365201B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 14, 2007
Grant dateJan 29, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/4411
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A computer system that recognizes multi-function devices and associates functions with multi-function devices. Each multi-function device may be represented by a multi-function object, allowing tools, applications or other components within the computer to take actions relating to the entire device or relating to a function based on the association of that function with other functions in the same device. These actions include displaying information about devices, instead of or in addition to information about functions. Actions also include selecting functions based on proximity within a device. Functions may be associated with a multi-function device using a unique device identifier provided by the device or generated for the function based on a connection hierarchy between functions and the computer. Devices may be configured to provide the same identifier regardless of the transport over which the device is accessed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.