IP Library Granted Patent US 8,447,696
Granted Patent B2
US 8,447,696 · App. 12/576,737 · Granted May 21, 2013

System and method for handling peripheral connections to mobile devices

Inventors: Neil P. Adams (Waterloo, CA); Herbert A. Little (Waterloo, CA); Christopher E. S. Pattenden (Waterloo, CA); Michael K. Brown (Waterloo, CA); Michael G. Kirkup (Waterloo, CA)
Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,447,696
App. No.
12/576,737
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral. The mobile device is configured to determine whether to handle user approval of the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral. Through the mobile device, an input mechanism is provided for the user to provide input. The input is used in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral.

Claims (29)

1. A method of establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral, comprising:

receiving a request from the peripheral device that an approval process for the data connection be handled by the mobile device;

providing through the mobile device an input mechanism to provide input for use in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral; and

determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral based upon the input.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data connection is to allow data to be transferred between the mobile device and the peripheral.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the data connection includes a USB (universal serial bus) connection between the peripheral and the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the data connection includes a wireless connection between the peripheral and the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral is a personal computer.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral is a smart card reader.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral is a memory card.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral is a hardware cryptographic-related token.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral is a camera.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing through the mobile device a prompt to provide the input.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the approval is required before data can be transferred between the mobile device and the peripheral.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein input instructions generate a user interface display asking for an input and configured to generate the region on the user interface in which the input can be provided.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input is a password for the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data connection is opened based upon the determining whether to approve the data connection step.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is in a locked state at the time when a connection is established between the mobile device and the peripheral, wherein a password is provided as the input both for unlocking the locked mobile device and for use in the step of determining whether to approve the data connection.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein an approved data connection results in opening of the data connection, wherein the opening of the data connection allows application data to be transferred between the mobile device and the peripheral.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a mobile wireless communications device.

18. A computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement a method comprising:

receiving a request from the peripheral device that an approval process for the data connection be handled by the mobile device;

providing through the mobile device an input mechanism to provide input for use in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral; and

determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral based upon the input.

19. An apparatus for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral, comprising:

a processing unit; and

connection handler instructions processed by the processing unit to receive a request from the peripheral device that an approval process for the data connection be handled by the mobile device; output instructions processed by the processing unit to provide through the mobile device a prompt to provide input for use in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral;

wherein the processing unit uses the connection handler instructions to determine whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral based upon the input.

Assignments (8)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDED PATENT NUMBER TO REMOVE PATENT NO. 8,873,407 AT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 64066 FRAME 1. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE DATE MARCH 20, 2023. Recorded Feb 2, 2026
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074921/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE COVER SHEET AT PAGE 50 TO REMOVE 12817157 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 063471 FRAME 0474. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 064806/0669 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT 12817157 APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064015 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064807/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064066/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064015/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 063471/0474 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 20, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033205/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2012
From: ADAMS, NEIL P.; LITTLE, HERBERT A.; PATTENDEN, CHRISTOPHER E.S.; BROWN, MICHAEL K.; KIRKAP, MICHAEL G.
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028822/0894 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 11067239 · Feb 25, 2005
Provisional Application 60566774 · Apr 30, 2004
Related Publication 20100031371A1 · Feb 4, 2010