Electronic device input/output system and method

Abstract

A system and method for coupling a peripheral to a device such as a smart phone. In a most general embodiment, the invention includes a first circuit for converting data signals output by the peripheral to analog signals; a connector for coupling the circuit to an input port of the device; and a second circuit disposed within the device for converting analog signals to data signals. In the illustrative embodiment, the first circuit is a frequency shift key generator and the second circuit is a frequency shift key detector. A host controller is coupled to the peripheral and a microcontroller coupled to the host controller. A serial port is coupled between the microcontroller and the host controller. A communication controller is coupled between the serial port and the frequency shift key generator. In a more specific embodiment, the device further includes a frequency shift key to binary data converter and a scan code to character set mapper and an arrangement for receiving and processing signals wirelessly via an infrared receiver.

1 . A system for coupling a peripheral to a mobile device, the system comprising:
 a first circuit configured to convert data signals produced by said peripheral to analog signals;   an arrangement configured to couple said signals into said mobile device; and   a second circuit disposed within said mobile device and configured to convert said analog signals to data signals,   wherein said arrangement is configured to couple said analog signals into said mobile device via wireless transmission,   wherein said peripheral attaches via Bluetooth,   wherein said peripheral comprises a credit card reader, and   wherein said mobile device comprises an iPhone.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises said peripheral. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said second circuit comprises a portable, battery powered, pocket-sized apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said arrangement is a wireless receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said arrangement includes a radio receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said arrangement includes an infrared receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said arrangement includes an optical receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data signals carry data, and
 wherein the system further comprises an iPhone software application configured to receive said data based on said analog signals coupled into said mobile device.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said system comprises said iPhone. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a host controller coupled to said peripheral. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , comprising a microcontroller coupled to said host controller. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising a serial port disposed on said microcontroller and coupled to said host controller. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising a communication controller coupled to said serial port. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 by a credit card reader, obtaining data from a credit card;   modulating an analog signal according to the obtained data;   using Bluetooth, transmitting the analog signal to an iPhone;   responsive to said transmission of the analog signal to the iPhone using Bluetooth, by the iPhone, obtaining the data; and   by a software application installed on the iPhone, receiving the obtained data.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said analog signal comprises an analog audio signal. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said modulating the analog signal according to the obtained data comprises by a portable, battery powered, pocket-sized apparatus, modulating the analog signal according to the obtained data comprises. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said credit card reader comprises an interface through which information flows,
 wherein an apparatus comprises a connection to said interface,   wherein the apparatus is portable, battery powered, and pocket-sized, and   wherein said modulating the analog signal according to the obtained data comprises modulating the analog signal according to the obtained data using the apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . A system comprising:
 a serial port connected to a credit card reader to receive data provided by the credit card reader;   a transmitter configured to:
 receive the data, 
 pair with an iPhone and create a Bluetooth connection with the iPhone, and 
 transmit to the iPhone over the Bluetooth connection an analog signal that conveys the data; and 
   a communication controller connected between the serial port and the transmitter to control communication between the serial port and the transmitter.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the system is a portable, battery powered, pocket-sized apparatus comprising a microcontroller. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein a portable, battery powered, pocket-sized apparatus comprises the serial port, the transmitter, and the communication controller, and
 wherein the system further comprises a software application that is configured to:
 run on the iPhone; and 
 when running on the iPhone:
 cause the iPhone to receive the analog signal; 
 obtain the data conveyed by the analog signal; and 
 cause the iPhone to transmit the data over the Internet.