# US 8,543,739 B2 · Dynamic interpretation of user input in a portable electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,739 B2 - Document ID: US8543739B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/753,296 - Filed: 2013-01-29 - Published: 2013-06-06 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-20 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Bryan J. James; Jeffery T. Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543739B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/01: Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) - G06F 3/011: {Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00)} - G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of dynamically interpreting a user input event of an electronic device, comprising: by a processor in the electronic device; determining the connection state of the at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit, the connection state of the at least two ports having at least two distinct values; determining from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected to the at least two ports; receiving the user input event through at least a first input interface; associating the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of specific device responses based on the determined connection states of the at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports; wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit; and causing the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising setting an operation state of the electronic device to an inactive state when all determined connection states are determined to be a null connection state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the user input event is a button press and hold, and in response to the user input event, the method further comprising: causing the electronic device to display a menu when determined a connection exists to between any port of the electronic device and an external circuit; and causing the electronic device to power off when the determined connection state of all ports of the electronic device are determine to be a null connection state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determined circuit type of the external circuit is a passive external circuit or an active external circuit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the passive external circuit is a headphone and the active external circuit is a computer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of external circuit types includes at least an input device configured to transmit signals to the electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of external circuit types includes at least an output device configured to receive signals from the electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of specific device responses includes at least one response to modify the signals sent to the output device. ### Claim 9 An electronic device comprising: a user interface configured to receive a user input event; a processor coupled to the user interface; and at least two ports configured to connect to at least a first and second external circuit, the at the at least two ports coupled to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to: determine the connection state of at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit; determine from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected to the at least two ports; associate the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of device responses based on the determined connection states of the at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports; wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit; and cause the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the user input event is a button press and hold, and in response to the user input event, the processor further configured to: cause the electronic device to display a menu when determined a connection exists to between any port of the electronic device and an external circuit; and cause the electronic device to power off when the determined connection state of all ports of the electronic device are determine to be a null connection state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the determined circuit type of the external circuit is a passive external circuit or an active external circuit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the passive external circuit is a headphone and the active external circuit is a computer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the electronic device is a portable media player. ### Claim 14 A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer code executed by a processor of an electronic device, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprising: computer code for receiving a user input event from at least a first input interface coupled to the processor; computer code for determining the connection state of at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit, the connection state having at least two distinct values; computer code for determining from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected the at least two parts of the electronic device; computer code for associating the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of specific device responses based on the determined connection states of at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports; wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit; and computer code for causing the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, further comprising computer code for setting an operation state of the electronic device based on the connection states and external circuit types of the at least two ports of the electronic device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein when the determined connection state of all ports of the electronic device is a null connection state, the operating state of the electronic device is set to a default state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the default state of the electronic device is an inactive state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the plurality of external circuit types includes at least an external input circuit configured to transmit signals to the electronic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the plurality of external circuit types includes at least an external output circuit configured to receive signals from the electronic device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of specific device responses includes at least one response to modify the signals sent to the external output circuit.