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 the initiation of a task or other process.

1 . A method of enabling a computing device to connect to a remote mail server, comprising the steps of:
 (a) a user inserting or connecting a USB autorun peripheral device to the computing device;   (b) the USB autorun peripheral device sending to the computing device a sequence of data complying with a standard protocol;   (c) the sequence of data being processed at the computing device to automatically open a connection to the remote mail server; and   (d) in which the sequence of data, without any prior input of a website address or login data for that website or prior input of unique data identifying the device at any earlier time by a user, automates the direct access, over the internet, to the remote mail server.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device does not require the installation of a driver or software on the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sequence of data includes at least one of a URL, unique identifier information, a login, a password, a query string, a launch command, a confirmation command, and an execution command. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device automates access to web-mail. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein content within an Internet browser on the computing device sends commands to the USB autorun peripheral device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device is in bi-directional communication with the computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein signals are sent from the computing device to control the USB autorun peripheral device and are interpreted by a processor of the USB autorun peripheral device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising an output device integrated with the USB autorun peripheral device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the output device responds to USB communications from the computing device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device integrates a momentary switch. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device is programmed with unique information that represents personal access to web-mail. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein content in a web browser is controlled by manual mechanical interactions with the USB autorun peripheral device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device sends the sequence of data when a button on the USB autorun peripheral device is pressed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral device only sends a portion of login data. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB autorun peripheral facilitates delivery of unique content to the user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the new content is incrementally delivered each subsequent time the USB autorun peripheral is connected. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising a USB autorun peripheral device and a computing device, in which, in response to a user inserting or connecting the USB autorun peripheral device to the computing device, (a) the USB autorun peripheral device sends to the computing device a sequence of data complying with a standard protocol, (b) the sequence of data is processed at the computing device to automatically open a connection to a remote mail server; and
 (c) in which the sequence of data, without any prior input of a website address or login data for that website or prior input of unique data identifying the device at any earlier time by a user, automates the direct access, over the internet, to the remote mail server.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , in which the system includes the remote mail server. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising a USB autorun peripheral device and a remote mail server, in which, in response to a user inserting or connecting the USB autorun peripheral device to a computing device, (a) the USB autorun peripheral device sends to the computing device a sequence of data complying with a standard protocol, (b) the sequence of data is processed at the computing device to automatically open a connection to the remote mail server; and
 (c) in which the sequence of data, without any prior input of a website address or login data for that website or prior input of unique data identifying the device at any earlier time by a user, automates the direct access, over the internet, to the remote mail server.