Method and system for connecting remote devices for communication with each other

1. A data processing system operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the data processing system being configured when not in the powered-down mode to detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means, and in response to such detection to initiate a connection procedure, without the data processing system resetting, to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means that is unknown to the data processing system at the time said procedure takes place.

2. A data processing system according to claim 1 comprising an operating system and volatile data storage, wherein in the powered-down mode the operating system is not stored in the volatile data storage.

3. A data processing system according to claim 2 further comprising non-volatile data storage, wherein in the powered-down mode the operating system is entirely stored in the non-volatile data storage.

4. A data processing system according to claim 2 wherein in the powered-up mode at least a part of the operating system is stored in the volatile data storage.

5. A data processing system according to claim 1 further comprising a central processing unit, wherein in the powered-down mode the central processing unit is configured not to execute instructions.

6. A data processing system according to claim 1 configured in the powered-down mode to detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means and in response to such detection to initiate a start-up procedure causing the data processing system to enter the powered-up mode.

7. A data processing system according to claim 6 configured to be responsive to the same one of the second set of user input means to: (i) when not in the powered-down mode, initiate the connection procedure; and (ii) when in the powered-down mode, initiate the start-up procedure.

8. A data processing system according to claim 6 configured to initiate the connection procedure only in response to a user input from one of the second set of user input means during the start-up procedure.

9. A data processing system according to claim 8 configured to perform the following steps in response to the said user input during the start-up procedure:

(a) suspend the start-up procedure;

(b) initiate the connection procedure; and

(c) after the connection procedure is complete, resume the start-up procedure.

10. A data processing system according to claim 9 further configured to resume the start-up procedure automatically in response to completion of the connection procedure.

11. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the said communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means is wireless.

12. A data processing system according to claim 11 wherein the said communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means is by means of the Bluetooth protocol.

13. A data processing system according to claim 12 wherein the connection procedure comprises setting a link key to enable secure communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means.

14. A data processing system according to claim 13 comprising a Bluetooth module.

15. A data processing system according to claim 14 wherein the connection procedure further comprises transmitting a USB command to the Bluetooth module in order to initiate the setting of the link key.

16. A data processing system according to claim 14 wherein the Bluetooth module is embedded within the data processing system.

17. A data processing system according to claim 12 wherein the connection procedure involves transmitting an inquiry message from the data processing system.

18. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the step of detecting a user input from one of the second set of user input means comprises determining the duration of a button press.

19. A data processing system according to claim 18 configured to initiate the connection procedure only if the determined duration is less than a predetermined time.

20. A data processing system according to claim 18 configured to initiate the connection procedure only if the determined duration is greater than a predetermined time.

21. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the second set of user input means is a subset of the first set of user input means.

22. A method for use in a data processing system operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the method comprising:

when the data processing system is not in the powered-down mode, detecting a user input from one of the second set of user input means; and

in response to such detection, initiating a connection procedure, without the data processing system resetting, to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means that is unknown to the data processing system at the time said procedure takes place.

23. A initiating device for use in a data processing system that is operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the initiating device being arranged to:

when the data processing system is not in the powered-down mode, detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means; and

in response to such detection, initiate a connection procedure, without the data processing system resetting, to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means that is unknown to the data processing system at the time said procedure takes place.