System and method for sharing resources and interfaces amongst connected computing devices

Abstract

A computing device is provided that includes a plurality of user-interactive mechanisms. The computing device may also include a universal communication port that is capable of receiving a connection from a device that belongs to any one of a plurality of device classes or types. The device may be equipped or configured with logic. The logic may configure or otherwise enable an operative state of user-interface mechanisms on the device. Additionally, the logic may (i) detect a connected device that connects to the universal communication port, and (ii) determine a set of functionality that the connected device is capable of performing when connected to the universal communication port. The logic may perform, or cause performance, of operations that are for use with or by the connected device. The logic may also perform at least one of (i) selectively route data to the connected device over the universal communication port, or (ii) selectively disable one or more of the plurality of user-interactive mechanisms while performing the operations.