Portable, computer-peripheral apparatus including a universal serial bus (usb) connector

Abstract

A portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. The apparatus is operable to communicate with a computer terminal (e.g. a ‘PC’). Following connection to the PC, the apparatus initialises (i.e. presents or enumerates itself) as a HID keyboard and then sends to the terminal a first predefined sequence of keycodes automatically without manual interaction; the keycodes complying with the human interface device (HID) keyboard standard protocol. Each keycode represents and simulates a keystroke, such as those performed when a user strikes a key on the PC keyboard. The keycode sequence automates the direct access to content, and/or or the initiation of a task or other process.

1 . A portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the apparatus being operable to communicate with a computer terminal such that, following connection to the terminal, the apparatus initialises or presents itself as a HID keyboard and then sends to the terminal a first predefined sequence of key codes automatically without manual interaction; the keycodes complying with the human interface device (HID) keyboard standard protocol, wherein the first predefined sequence of key codes is hard for a user to remember. 
     
     
         2 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the keycode sequence automates the direct access to content, and/or the initiation of a task or other process. 
     
     
         3 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a second sequence of HID keycodes is transmitted in addition to the first sequence, following a mechanical interaction with the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a second sequence of HID keycodes is transmitted in addition to the first sequence, following a mechanical interaction with the terminal's user-interface. 
     
     
         5 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , including in addition; means of communicating with the terminal wirelessly, wherein the first HID sequence causes the terminal to accept subsequent wireless communication from the apparatus without further manual interaction. 
     
     
         6 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first sequence of HID keycodes causes the terminal to access data at a remote location. 
     
     
         7 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the remote location holds personal data such as email information. 
     
     
         8 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the keycodes include unique data identifying or authenticating a user and/or the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the remote location holds content that changes from time-to-time. 
     
     
         10 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is in the form of a toy and includes an additional manually operated input. 
     
     
         11 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is in the form of a toy and includes a sensor. 
     
     
         12 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes mechanical actuators that move in response to signals from the terminal. 
     
     
         13 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the apparatus holding additional data files, wherein the: first HID sequence causes the terminal to access said additional data files. 
     
     
         14 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a visual representation associated with actions caused by the HID sequence of keycodes. 
     
     
         15 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a web-mail key that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open a browser running on the terminal to enable web-mail on a remote server to be accessed. 
     
     
         16 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a toy that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open a browser running on the terminal and/or to enable web-based story data associated with the toy to be accessed. 
     
     
         17 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a music download key that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open a media player application running on the terminal and/or to cause that application to initiate or request the streaming of a specific track, or a set of tracks to the terminal. 
     
     
         18 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a business card from an individual that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open an email application running on the terminal and/or to open a new e-mail message that is automatically completed with recipient data, stored on the apparatus, corresponding to the individual. 
     
     
         19 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a drawing tool that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open a paint or drawing application running on the terminal. 
     
     
         20 . Portable apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable apparatus is a portable USB compliant apparatus adapted to operate as a key to a retailer's web site that, when plugged into a computer terminal, sends HID keyboard or CD emulation data to open a browser running on the terminal and/or to automatically open that web site. 
     
     
         21 . Method of communication between a portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a computer terminal, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) the portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, following connection to the terminal, initialising or presenting itself as a HID keyboard, and   (ii) the portable computer-peripheral apparatus then sending to the terminal a first predefined sequence of key codes automatically without manual interaction; the keycodes complying with the human interface device (HID) keyboard standard protocol, wherein the first predefined sequence of key codes is hard for a user to remember.   
     
     
         22 . Computer program product embodied on a non-transitory storage medium, the computer program product executable on a portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the computer program product executable on the portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector to:
 (i) following connection of the portable computer-peripheral apparatus comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector to the terminal, to initialise or to present the portable computer-peripheral apparatus as a HID keyboard, and   (ii) then send to the terminal a first predefined sequence of key codes automatically without manual interaction; the keycodes complying with the human interface device (HID) keyboard standard protocol, wherein the first predefined sequence of key codes is hard for a user to remember.