Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.

Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device. The host device can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device, while the accessory device can serially exchange data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the intermediate device can control serial communication parameters between the intermediate device and the accessory in response to commands received from the host.

Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and circuits for managing power among portable computing devices and one or more accessories. One example provides commands to improve power management between a portable computing device and one or more accessories. Other examples provide commands that may allow a portable computing device to charge at a maximum available current level while providing an accessory with sufficient current for its proper operation. Another may help prevent a portable computing device from drawing a high level of current that could be detrimental to an accessory, while others provide commands that may allow a battery pack to instruct a portable computing device to not charge its internal battery. Another example may allow a portable computing device to determine which power supply among multiple power supplies should be used to power an accessory, while others may allow an accessory to retrieve charging current parameters from a portable computing device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and circuits for managing power among portable computing devices and one or more accessories. One example provides commands to improve power management between a portable computing device and one or more accessories. Other examples provide commands that may allow a portable computing device to charge at a maximum available current level while providing an accessory with sufficient current for its proper operation. Another may help prevent a portable computing device from drawing a high level of current that could be detrimental to an accessory, while others provide commands that may allow a battery pack to instruct a portable computing device to not charge its internal battery. Another example may allow a portable computing device to determine which power supply among multiple power supplies should be used to power an accessory, while others may allow an accessory to retrieve charging current parameters from a portable computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device. The host device can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device, while the accessory device can serially exchange data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the intermediate device can control serial communication parameters between the intermediate device and the accessory in response to commands received from the host.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for testing media player accessories. One example includes an accessory validation system including hardware, firmware, and software. This example provides two test modes, referred to a sniff mode and an emulation mode. In the sniff mode, a test box may be inserted between an accessory and a media player. Traffic between the accessory and media player may be monitored and the presence of errors may be determined. In the emulation mode, the accessory validation system hardware emulates a media player. The emulator provides various types of responses to the accessory that would otherwise occur infrequently with an actual media player. The tests to be completed in these modes are compiled based on the category of functions that an accessory maker wishes to claim for the accessory. These category claims are then converted into a number of rules. From these rules, specific tests are generated.

Abstract: A modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. The device is formed by joining at least two separable modules, a first key device module containing vehicle access and/or operation authorizing elements, such as a keyless entry transmitter and/or an ignition key, and a module for off-vehicle storage of personal adjustment settings and/or other data. With each use of the modular key device, the data in the storage module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure the operator's settings and information are always present. Separating the storage module from the key device module allows others to operate the vehicle while ensuring the operator's personal data cannot be lost. Separation also enables easy transfer of an operator's settings to a like vehicle. Other embodiments allow the operator to allow vehicle operation by others, such as valets, while limiting use of individual vehicle components, such as radios.

Abstract: A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.

Abstract: A modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. The device is formed by joining at least two separable modules, a first key device module containing vehicle access and/or operation authorizing elements, such as a keyless entry transmitter and/or an ignition key, and a module for off-vehicle storage of personal adjustment settings and/or other data. With each use of the modular key device, the data in the storage module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure the operator's settings and information are always present. Separating the storage module from the key device module allows others to operate the vehicle while ensuring the operator's personal data cannot be lost. Separation also enables easy transfer of an operator's settings to a like vehicle. Other embodiments allow the operator to allow vehicle operation by others, such as valets, while limiting use of individual vehicle components, such as radios.

Abstract: A modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. The device is formed by joining at least two separable modules, a first key device module containing vehicle access and/or operation authorizing elements, such as a keyless entry transmitter and/or an ignition key, and a module for off-vehicle storage of personal adjustment settings and/or other data. With each use of the modular key device, the data in the storage module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure the operator's settings and information are always present. Separating the storage module from the key device module allows others to operate the vehicle while ensuring the operator's personal data cannot be lost. Separation also enables easy transfer of an operator's settings to a like vehicle. Other embodiments allow the operator to allow vehicle operation by others, such as valets, while limiting use of individual vehicle components, such as radios.

Abstract: Interactive radio frequency tags that are responsive to external stimuli to change state are disclosed. The tags preferably include a passive radio frequency transponder, having an antenna, an interface for receiving an external stimulus, and one or more integrated circuits responsive to the external stimulus received at the interface to change the state of the transponder. Also disclosed is a “sensor tag” which changes state in response to a particular environmental stimulus. In addition, either of these “button” or “sensor” features may be combined with an output feature which visually, audibly, tactilely or otherwise signals the state or change of state of an RF tag, or the tag may be designed to produce an output in response to the external stimulus of the RF signal received at the tag's antenna.

Abstract: A method of dealing with a microprocessor used in a first vehicle system control unit becoming obsolete. The method comprises providing a second vehicle system control unit for performing substantially the same operation as that of the first vehicle system control unit, wherein the second vehicle system control unit includes a microprocessor emulation unit having a programmable hardware device adapted to emulate the operation of the core functional portion of the microprocessor. The programmable hardware device may comprise a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, a field programmable logic device (FPLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), a mask programmable logic device (MPLD), a programmable array logic (PAL) device, or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The microprocessor emulation unit may include substantially the same firmware and physical interface of the obsolete microprocessor.

Abstract: A modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. The device is formed by joining at least two separable modules, a first key device module containing vehicle access and/or operation authorizing elements, such as a keyless entry transmitter and/or an ignition key, and a module for off-vehicle storage of personal adjustment settings and/or other data. With each use of the modular key device, the data in the storage module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure the operator's settings and information are always present. Separating the storage module from the key device module allows others to operate the vehicle while ensuring the operator's personal data cannot be lost. Separation also enables easy transfer of an operator's settings to a like vehicle. Other embodiments allow the operator to allow vehicle operation by others, such as valets, while limiting use of individual vehicle components, such as radios.

Abstract: Provided are telecommunications devices and systems which incorporate and use radio frequency (RF) tag technology. Telecommunications devices in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention incorporate RF transceivers (readers) which are configured to read associated RF transponders (tags) in order to automatically dial desired telephone numbers without the need for a manual user interface. Tags in systems in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may be attached to or incorporated with a myriad of items, including picture frames, consumer products and packaging, advertising and promotional material, electronic business cards, record-keeping systems, etc. Devices and systems in accordance with the present invention have a variety of telephony and non-telephony applications.