Universal peripheral connector

Abstract

A universal connector apparatus for a mobile device and in communication with the mobile device, the apparatus comprising: at least one universal serial bus (USB) connector providing at least one connection; at least one USB host controller configured to control the at least one USB connection; a microprocessor configured to control the at least one USB host controller, the microprocessor having an operating system; a USB device control interface on the mobile device configured to communicate and control the universal connector apparatus; and a USB driver configured to operate within the operating system to enable the mobile device to connect to one or more peripherals via the at least one USB connector

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first port configured to connect to a host device;   a second port configured to connect to a peripheral device; and   a controller configured to:
 access a peripheral driver adapted to control the peripheral device; 
 receive a communication from the host device via the first port; and 
 drive the peripheral device based on the communication using the peripheral driver to provide at least one functional feature. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral driver accessed by the controller is located in the host device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a memory, wherein the peripheral driver is located in the memory. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral driver is located in a remote repository. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the controller accesses the remote repository via a wireless connection. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first port is configured to connect directly with a port on the host device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a connecting portion configured to receive the host device, the connecting portion including the first port. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the connecting portion is specially adapted to allow insertion of the host device and to connect the first port with the port on the host device when the host device is inserted. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the connecting portion further comprises a cavity specially adapted to fit the host device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral device is an input device, a printer, a camera, a storage device, a projector or a display. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a connecting portion wherein the connecting portion is specially adapted to allow insertion of the peripheral device and to connect the port on the peripheral device when the peripheral device is inserted. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one functional feature comprises one or more of the following:
 storing information, retrieving information, capturing images, displaying images or information, printing, and receiving information from a user interface. 
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first port configured to connect directly with a host port of a host device;   a second port configured to connect to a peripheral device;   a connecting portion configured to receive the host device, the connecting portion including the first port and being specially adapted to allow insertion of the host device and to connect the first port with the host port when the host device is inserted, and   a controller configured to:
 access a peripheral driver adapted to control the peripheral device; 
 receive a communication from the host device via the first port; and 
 drive the peripheral device based on the communication using the peripheral driver to provide at least one functional feature. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 connecting a host device to a first port;   connecting a peripheral device to a second port; and   accessing a peripheral driver adapted to control the peripheral device;   receiving a communication from the host device via the first port; and   controlling the peripheral device based on the communication using the peripheral driver to provide at least one functional feature.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the accessed peripheral driver is located in the host device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the accessed peripheral driver is located in the peripheral device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the accessed peripheral driver is located in a remote repository. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the remote repository is accessed wirelessly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the host device is a mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the peripheral device is an input device, a printer, a camera, a storage device, a projector or a display. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the at least one functional feature comprises one or more of the following:
 storing information, retrieving information, capturing images, displaying images or information, printing, and receiving information from a user interface. 
 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a universal peripheral connector and a host device;   the universal peripheral connector comprising:
 a first port configured to connect to the host device; 
 a second port configured to connect to a plurality of peripheral devices, the plurality of peripheral devices including a first peripheral device; 
 a host connection portion configured to receive a UPC connection portion of the host device, the host connection portion including the first port; and 
 a controller configured to:
 access a first peripheral driver adapted to control the first peripheral device; 
 receive a communication from the host device via the first port; and 
 drive the first peripheral device based on the communication using the first peripheral driver to provide a functional feature; and 
 
   the host device comprising;
 a UPC port configured to connect to the universal peripheral connector; 
 the UPC connection portion configured to insert into the host connection portion, the UPC connection portion including the UPC port; 
 UPC control software configured to transmit the communication via the UPC port; and 
 a client application; 
   wherein the functional feature comprises the client application exchanging data with the first peripheral device; and   wherein the first port is directly connected to the UPC port when the UPC connection portion is inserted into the host connection portion.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the plurality of peripheral devices comprises one or more of the following:
 an input device, a printer, a camera, a storage device, a projector or a display. 
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the host device is a mobile data device. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the host device is further configured to communicate with other devices over a data network. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the host device is a two-way wireless communication device having data communication capabilities. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the host device further comprises a memory, wherein the first peripheral driver is located in the memory. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the universal peripheral connector further comprises a memory, wherein the first peripheral driver is located in the memory. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the host device further comprises a memory, wherein a plurality of peripheral drivers are located in the memory, the plurality of peripheral drivers comprising the first peripheral driver. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the universal peripheral connector further comprises a memory, wherein a plurality of peripheral drivers are located in the memory, the plurality of peripheral drivers comprising the first peripheral driver.