The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 24, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 02, 2008
Eric Chang, Beijing, CN;
David Dehghan, Sammamish, WA (US);
Stanley Sun, Beijing, CN;
Weihun Liew, Beijing, CN;
Kong-kat Wong, Seattle, WA (US);
Yongzhi Yang, Beijing, CN;
James Cao, Beijing, CN;
Zhifeng Wang, Beijing, CN;
Rebecca Sundling, Beijing, CN;
Eric Chang, Beijing, CN;
David Dehghan, Sammamish, WA (US);
Stanley Sun, Beijing, CN;
Weihun Liew, Beijing, CN;
Kong-Kat Wong, Seattle, WA (US);
Yongzhi Yang, Beijing, CN;
James Cao, Beijing, CN;
Zhifeng Wang, Beijing, CN;
Rebecca Sundling, Beijing, CN;
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A universal passive interface for connecting external systems to smart devices such as cell phones and PDAs. The passive system includes a cradle for receiving a compatible smart device that connects the functionality of the smart device to a wide variety of external systems (e.g., printers, large display, input devices, etc.). The passive interface includes a USB hub, network port, and other common connector ports for peripherals and other systems. The smart device can connect to the passive system via the cradle slot, a tether, and/or wirelessly. The external systems to which the passive system serves at the interface to the smart device include, but are not limited to, large displays (e.g., television), external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). A wizard allows the user to configure the external systems to work with the smart device.