HK1111277A - Method and apparatus for detecting and selectively utilizing peripheral devices - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for detecting and selecting peripheral device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to peripheral devices used by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). More particularly, the present invention and a peripheral device selection unit for use with a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) facilitate the detection and selective utilization of a wired or wireless auxiliary device peripheral device.

Background

As shown in FIG. 1, in a conventional Personal Computer (PC) system 100, a plurality of different peripheral devices are used to perform different functions, such as inputting information and commands, displaying information, storing information, transmitting and receiving information, and printing out information. The peripheral device is typically a user interface that operates in conjunction with a computer core 105 (i.e., CPU, memory, system bus, etc.) to perform the various functions described above. The peripheral devices of the system 100 may include a mouse 110, a keyboard 115, a printer 120, a display 125, and microphones 130A and 130B.

Wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) are typically portable computers (i.e., laptops, mobile stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, pagers, etc.) that generally have many functions and physical appearances in common. For example, all wtrus have a processor (i.e., Central Processing Unit (CPU), controller), memory, transmitter, receiver, user interface, and power supply. The user interface typically includes a display for outputting information, and at least one keyboard, keypad, mouse or other manipulation device, voice recognition mechanism, etc. for inputting alphanumeric information and/or commands, for presentation on the wtru display, and for selecting elements on the display. Typically, the user interface is integrated with the wtru.

Due to its small size, the wtru's user interface has a number of drawbacks, such as being difficult to use and/or overly complex. In addition, techniques for enhancing the capabilities of the wtru often significantly increase the overall cost of the wtru. There is an inherent compromise between providing a large, simple to operate user interface wtru with a high processing memory and a long-life battery, and for making the wtru as lightweight and compact as possible.

Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the amount of hardware that must be included in the wtru and improve the functionality of the wtru.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to access at least one peripheral device and/or at least one peripheral device associated with at least one available auxiliary device. Which determines the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru. It scans the radio frequency environment of the wtru to determine if there are any available wireless peripheral devices or wireless auxiliary devices in proximity to the wtru. It is also determined whether there is an available wired auxiliary device. The list of available peripheral devices is compiled by scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with at least one of the wireless accessory device and the wired accessory device. The list is presented on the wtru display and a user selects at least one available peripheral device from the list.

Drawings

The details of the invention will be understood from the following description, taken by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional computer system;

FIG. 2 shows a wireless communication system consistent with the present invention including a peripheral device selection unit used in conjunction with a wireless transmit/receive unit;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a detailed selection unit of a peripheral device used in the system of FIG. 2 for detecting and selecting an available auxiliary device;

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram including method steps for detecting and selecting available auxiliary devices using the peripheral device selection unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a wireless transmit/receive unit with integrated peripheral device selection unit functionality in communication with both wireless and wired peripheral devices; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the details of the WTRU with integrated peripheral device selection unit functionality used in the system of FIG. 5 to detect and select available peripheral devices.

Detailed Description

The term wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) hereinafter includes, but is not limited to, a User Equipment (UE), personal digital assistant (pda), mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, laptop computer, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment.

The features of the present invention may be integrated within an Integrated Circuit (IC) or may be provided in a circuit comprising a multitude of interconnecting components.

Fig. 2 shows a wireless communication system 200 including a wtru 205 having a display 208, a peripheral device selection unit 210, a wireless auxiliary device 215, and a wired auxiliary device 255. The auxiliary devices of the system 200 may include a plurality of peripheral devices including a mouse 260, a keyboard 265, a printer 220, a display 275, and microphones 280A and 280B. In one embodiment, the peripheral device selection unit 210 may be power integrated with the wtru 205 through a physical interface 225. In another embodiment, the peripheral device selection unit 210 may be permanently integrated with the wtru 205. In another embodiment, the peripheral device selection unit 210 may be integrated with an integrated circuit. The peripheral device selection unit 210 detects and selects available peripheral devices for use by the wtru 205 provided by at least one of the auxiliary devices 215, 255.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the peripheral device selection unit 210. The peripheral device selection unit 210 includes a processor 305, a memory 310, a wtru i/o interface unit 315, a wireless auxiliary device i/o interface unit 320, a wired auxiliary device i/o interface unit 322, a power distribution unit 325, a battery 330, a sensing unit 335, and a power interface 340.

The processor 305 is electrically integrated with the memory 310, the wtru i/o interface unit 315, the wireless auxiliary device i/o interface unit 320 and the power distribution unit 325, and controls the components of the peripheral device selection unit 210 according to the auxiliary control process continued by the processor 305. The processor 305 controls the peripheral device selection unit 210 capabilities to detect and select utilization of auxiliary devices.

The wtru i/o interface unit 315 provides data input and output links between the peripheral device selection unit 210 and the wtru 205 through the interface 225. All data transmitted between the wtru 205 and the peripheral device selection unit 210 is transmitted by means of the wtru i/o interface unit 315. The wtru i/o interface unit 315 is preferably an industry standard interface that allows both data and power to be transmitted. In one embodiment, the wtru i/o interface unit 315 enables the power provided by the power distribution unit 325 to be transmitted to the wtru 205 to charge the power source of the wtru 205. For example, the wtru i/o interface unit may include a 10T network, a 100T network, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, which allows both data and power to be transmitted.

The wireless auxiliary device i/o interface unit 320 enables the peripheral device selection unit 210 to communicate with at least one wireless auxiliary device 215 via an antenna. The wired auxiliary device i/o interface unit 322 enables the peripheral device selection unit 210 to communicate with at least one wired auxiliary device 255 via a wired connection 350. When communicating with the wired auxiliary device 255, the wired auxiliary device input/output interface unit 322 may be a standard interface that allows both data and power to be transferred over the wired connection 350. In one embodiment, when the peripheral device selection unit 210 is connected to the wired auxiliary device 255 through the wired connection 350, the peripheral device selection unit 210 can be charged with the power supplied from the wired auxiliary device 255 through a battery charging line 365 connecting the wired auxiliary device input/output interface unit 322 and the power distribution unit 325.

The wireless auxiliary device i/o interface unit 320, in conjunction with the processor 305, enables the peripheral device selection unit 210 to communicate with the auxiliary device 215 using different network communication protocols including, by way of example and not limitation, bluetooth, 802.11x, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM). More than one exemplary network protocol may be used to provide greater flexibility in selecting available auxiliary devices.

The power distribution unit 325 provides power supplies D1-D5 to the components of the peripheral device selection unit 210. The power distribution unit 325 also controls the power consumption by adjusting the frequency of the functions implemented by the peripheral device selection unit 210. The wtru 205, via the wtru i/o interface unit 315, is controlled by the power distribution unit 325 as an auxiliary device transfers power via the wired auxiliary device i/o interface unit 322. The power distribution unit 325 can receive power from a standard power receptacle 380 to operate the peripheral device selection unit 210, charge the battery 330, activate the wtru 205 and charge the wtru battery.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the power distribution unit 325 may obtain power by coupling the inductive charging unit 335 with an inductive charging base 345. This allows the peripheral device selection unit 210 to wirelessly charge its battery.

The peripheral device selection unit 210 may be activated and charged in various ways. The battery 330 can activate the peripheral device selection unit 210 without an additional external power supply, thereby providing portability. The battery 330 can be wirelessly charged by the inductive charging unit 335 when compatible with the use of an inductive charging base 345. The inductive charging base 345 generates a magnetic current that induces a current in the inductive charging unit 335, which can charge the battery. Therefore, the peripheral device selection unit 210 has a convenient wireless charging characteristic. The external power interface 340 allows a user to plug the device into a standard electrical outlet. The power distribution unit 325 is equipped to select between wireless battery charging by induction, or wired battery charging by the external power interface 340.

The power distribution unit 325 further manages power utilization of and power transfer between the peripheral device selection unit 210 and the wtru 205, and auxiliary devices connected to the peripheral device selection unit 210. Power may be exchanged with an auxiliary device through the wired auxiliary device input/output interface unit 322 or with the wtru 205 through the wtru input/output interface unit 315. The peripheral device selection unit 210 preferably has user settings that control the different power utilization options provided by the power distribution unit 325.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process 400 including method steps for detecting and selecting available peripheral devices using the peripheral device selection unit 210 according to the present invention. The process 400 includes a wtru monitoring process whereby the processor 305 monitors the wtru 205 via the wtru i/o interface unit 315 to determine whether the wtru 205 currently requires any peripheral devices (step 405).

For example, if the wtru 205 is a smart phone, the peripheral device requirements of the wtru 205 may be a keyboard 265, mouse 260, display 275, microphones 280A, 280B, and a microphone. If a wireless laptop with these peripheral devices is currently available, because it is available in close proximity to the wtru 205, these peripheral devices may be designated for use with the wtru 205, so that a user of the wtru 205 can input data into the wtru 205 dictionary (using the laptop's keyboard), manipulate menus (using the laptop's keyboard and/or mouse) included in the wtru 205 operating system, display application output (using the laptop's display), display images stored in the wtru memory (again using the laptop's display), continue a hands-free conversation (using the laptop's microphone), and so on. If the processor 305 determines that there are no additional devices required by the wtru 205, the process 400 returns to step 405. Thus, the wtru monitoring process constantly monitors the peripheral device requirements of the wtru 205 and automatically determines whether the wtru 205 requires one or more peripheral devices.

The process 400 further includes a peripheral scanning process whereby the processor 305 scans the wtru 205 and at least one of the auxiliary devices 215, 255. In step 415, the processor 305 scans the wtru 205 through the wtru i/o interface unit 315 to determine the processing capability of the wtru 205 (step 415). Although one motivation of the present invention is to reduce the number of i/o devices that must be integrated into the wtru 205, the wtru 205 still needs to handle some of the i/o functions in order to maintain a certain level of independence.

In step 420, the processor 305 and the wireless auxiliary device i/o interface unit 320 scan the Radio Frequency (RF) environment to determine whether any available wireless auxiliary devices 215 are in proximity to the wtru 205. The peripheral device registration 385 maintained by the wireless accessory 215 provides the peripheral device selection unit 210 with the peripheral capabilities, availability, and needs of the wireless accessory 215.

The peripheral device selection unit 210 is capable of scanning a variety of radio frequency networks including, but not limited to, 802.11x, time division multiple access, code division multiple access, global system for mobile communications, bluetooth, and the like. The processor 305 identifies the features and functions of each wireless accessory 215 by, for example, polling, local registration checks triggered by a beacon, global registration checks using a local location registration center (HLR), or using a network protocol such as bluetooth or smart software (JINI).

In step 425, the processor 305 and the wired accessory i/o interface with the interface unit 322 scan to determine if any available wired accessory 255 is connected to the wired accessory i/o interface unit 322. The peripheral device selection unit 210 (e.g., USB, 10T network, 100T network, etc.) provides a high speed wired connection to any wired accessory 255 connected to the wired accessory I/O interface unit 322. The peripheral device registry 390 maintained by the wired accessory device 255 provides peripheral capabilities, availability, and needs of the wired accessory device 255.

In step 430, the processor compiles and stores in the memory 310 a list of currently available peripheral devices of the auxiliary devices 215, 255. The peripheral monitoring process performed in steps 415, 420, 425, and 430 is repeated without interruption as the processor 305 continually compiles and updates a list of currently available peripheral devices available for use by the wtru 205. Preferably, the periphery monitoring process is repeated at set intervals, or upon encountering a predetermined condition. Scanning by the wtru input/output interface unit requires a relatively large amount of power. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the power strength radio frequency sweep frequency of step 420. For example, the peripheral device selection unit 210 may have location awareness in various ways and only perform radio frequency scanning while moving. Alternatively, when the peripheral device selection unit 210 is in standby for a set period of time, the frequency of scanning by the processor 305 may be reduced.

The processor 305 scans the compiled list of currently available peripheral devices to determine whether any required peripheral devices are currently available (step 435).

If there are a plurality of available peripheral devices that meet the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru 205 as determined in step 440, the list of available peripheral devices is displayed on the display 208 of the wtru 205 (step 445), so that the user can select a particular plurality of peripheral devices to designate for use with the wtru 205. Alternatively, a user's selection of a peripheral device is automatically selected for use when the peripheral device becomes available.

If there is only one peripheral device available for use as requested in the determination of step 455, the available peripheral device is automatically selected and designated for use with the WTRU 205 (step 465).

If there are no peripheral devices currently available, the device displays a message informing the user that no requesting device is available (step 460). The peripheral assignment process then returns to step 435. This allows a user to activate, connect, or otherwise make available a desired peripheral device. The required peripheral device is identified by the scanning process and then presented in the scan list of the currently available peripheral devices at step 435.

The auxiliary device selection unit 210 is connected, disconnected and manages connections to peripheral devices additionally based on the current power state of the battery 330 and the wtru 205. A wtru is generally a mobile device that operates on battery power. The battery is relatively large and heavy, thus reducing the mobility and usability of a wtru 205. It is desirable to minimize the total amount of power utilized by the wtru 205, which correspondingly reduces battery size and weight, increasing mobility and usability of the wtru 205. Accordingly, to conserve power, the power distribution unit 325 may notify the wireless auxiliary device input/output interface unit 320 to reduce radio frequency scanning when the power of the auxiliary device selection unit 210 is solely dependent on the battery 330. This is accomplished by limiting the power D4 to the wireless auxiliary device I/O interface unit 320, thereby reducing the transmission range of the peripheral device selection unit. When a user selects a peripheral display and the device is operated solely from the battery power, the power distribution unit 325 can notify the wtru 205 to turn off the display. The power distribution unit 325 can use a variety of different power control schemes to optimize the batteries 330 and 325.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device has the capability to protect sensitive data transferred between the device and a core device, as well as between the device and an auxiliary device. Before the data exchange, the device and the auxiliary device can implement a security exchange procedure. The secure exchange process may be based on serial number, password entry, Internet Protocol (IP) address, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), or other data security methods. The peripheral device selection unit 210 will display a message on the wtru 205 display 208 indicating the degree of security and/or reliability of the connection with an auxiliary device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the accessory device is a personal computer connected to a plurality of peripheral devices, the accessory device will have the functionality of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) controlled by the accessory device to display each of the plurality of peripheral devices in a separate window displayed by the GUI. This would allow a user to carry multiple devices, for example, into a work environment where a personal computer exists, and interact with the device by selecting the appropriate windows on the auxiliary device graphical user interface.

For example, if the device is a smart phone, the user may select the smart phone window from a plurality of windows displayed by an auxiliary device graphical user interface and interact with the smart phone using the keyboard, mouse, and other peripheral devices. The window will contain the graphical output from the smart phone. When a user closes the smart phone window, the connection between the smart phone and the accessory device is also interrupted.

In another embodiment of the present invention, referring to fig. 5, the functions of the peripheral device selection unit 210 are integrated into a wtru 510. In addition, the embodiment shows a plurality of wireless peripheral devices such as a mouse 520, a printer 530, a display 540, and a keyboard 550, and a wired peripheral device such as a monitor 560, which can interact with the wtru 510 through a cable interface 565 not associated with any auxiliary device. The wireless peripheral device may be within range of the wtru 510. The wireless peripheral device may be equipped with means for communicating with the wtru 510 using various network communication protocols including, but not limited to, bluetooth, 802.11x, code division multiple access, time division multiple access, global system for mobile communications, infrared, and the like. The wtru 510 has an antenna 515 for interfacing with wireless peripheral devices.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the wtru 510 having peripheral device selection unit functionality integrated therein. The wtru 510 includes a processor 620, a memory 630, a wireless peripheral input/output interface unit 640, a wired peripheral input/output interface unit 650, and a power distribution unit 660.

The processor 620 is electrically integrated with the memory 630, the wireless peripheral device input/output interface unit 640, the wired peripheral device input/output interface unit 650, the power distribution unit 660, and other wtru components 670. The processor 620 controls the wtru 510 to detect and selectively utilize the wireless peripheral device 645 and the wired peripheral device 655.

The other wtru components 670 may include different components independent of the wtru 510 itself. For example, if the wtru 510 is a smart antenna, the other wtru components 670 may include a keypad for processing telephone numbers, memory for storing telephone numbers, a transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications, and the like. For example, if the wtru 510 is a personal digital assistant, the other wtru components 670 may include a touch sensitive screen for inputting data, a handwriting recognition converter, and the like.

The wtru input/output interface unit 640 enables the wtru 510 to communicate with at least one wireless peripheral device 645 via an antenna 515. The wired peripheral i/o interface unit 650 allows the wtru 510 to communicate with at least one wired peripheral 655 via a cable interface 565. When communicating with the wired peripheral device 655, the wired peripheral device input/output interface unit 650 may be a standard interface that allows both data and power to be transmitted through the cable interface 565. In one embodiment, when the wtru 510 is connected to a wired peripheral device 655 through the cable interface 565, the power distribution unit 660 can obtain power from the wired peripheral device 655 through the cable interface 565 and charging wires 659. This power can be used to charge the battery 680 of the wtru 510.

The wtru 640, in conjunction with the processor 620, enables the wtru 510 to communicate with the wtru 645 using a variety of network communication protocols, including, for example and without limitation, bluetooth, 802.11x, code division multiple access, time division multiple access, global system for mobile communications, etc., via the antenna 515. More than one exemplary network protocol may be used to provide greater flexibility in selecting available peripheral devices. Both wireless peripheral device 645 and wired peripheral device 655 maintain registration of their respective capabilities, availability, and needs to facilitate the wtru 510 detecting and selectively utilizing the peripheral devices 645, 655.

The power distribution unit 660 provides power supplies D1-D5 to the components of the WTRU 510. The power distribution unit 660 also performs power consumption control by adjusting the frequency of functions performed by the wtru 510.

The wtru 510 will have the capability to protect sensitive data transmitted between the wtru 510 and any of the wireless peripheral devices 645 or wired peripheral devices 655. Prior to the data exchange, the wtru 510 performs a security exchange procedure. The security exchange process can be based on serial number, password login, IP address, wired equivalent privacy, or other data security methods. The wtru 510 displays a message indicating the level of security and/or trust of the connection with a peripheral device 645,655.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone (without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments) or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. Moreover, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (34)

1. A method of assigning at least one peripheral device to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), wherein the at least one peripheral device is associated with an available auxiliary device, the WTRU having a display, the method comprising:

(a) providing an interface between the wtru and at least one available auxiliary device;

(b) determining a current peripheral device requirement of the wtru; and

(c) a list of currently available peripheral devices associated with the at least one auxiliary device is presented on a display of the wtru.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) the Radio Frequency (RF) environment of the WTRU is scanned to determine whether there are any available wireless auxiliary devices in proximity to the WTRU.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

(e) determining whether a wired auxiliary device is available; and

(f) the list of currently available peripheral devices is compiled by scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with one of a wireless accessory device and a wired accessory device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) at least one of the available peripheral devices is selected from a list presented on the wtru display.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) a message is presented on the wtru display indicating that no peripheral devices are available.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru include at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a microphone, and a printer of the auxiliary device.

7. A peripheral device selection unit for providing a wtru access to at least one peripheral device associated with an available auxiliary device, the wtru being equipped with a display, the selection unit comprising:

(a) at least one auxiliary device interface;

(b) at least one wtru interface;

(c) a processor in communication with the at least one auxiliary device interface and the wtru interface, wherein the processor determines current peripheral device requirements of the wtru and presents a list of currently available peripheral devices associated with the at least one auxiliary device on a display of the wtru.

8. The peripheral selection unit of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means for scanning the radio frequency environment of the wtru to determine if there are any available wireless auxiliary devices in proximity to the wtru.

9. The peripheral selection unit of claim 8, further comprising:

(e) means for determining whether a wired auxiliary device is available; and

(f) means for scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with one of a wireless accessory device and a wired accessory device to compile the list of currently available peripheral devices.

10. The peripheral selection unit of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means for selecting at least one of the available peripheral devices from a list presented on the wtru display.

11. The peripheral selection unit of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means for presenting information on the wtru display indicating that no peripheral devices are available.

12. The peripheral selection unit of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means for presenting on the wtru display information indicating the degree of security of the device.

13. The peripheral selection unit of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means for presenting information on the wtru display indicating the degree of trust of the device.

14. The peripheral selection unit as recited in claim 7, wherein the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru include at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a microphone, and a printer of the auxiliary device.

15. A wireless transmit/receive unit (wtru) equipped to access at least one peripheral device associated with at least one available auxiliary device, the wtru comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) at least one auxiliary device interface; and

(c) a processor in communication with the at least one auxiliary device interface, wherein the processor determines current peripheral device requirements of the wtru and presents a list of currently available peripheral devices associated with the at least one available auxiliary device on the display.

16. The wtru of claim 15 wherein the wtru scans the radio frequency environment of the wtru to determine whether there are any available wireless auxiliary devices in proximity to the wtru.

17. The wtru of claim 15 wherein the wtru determines whether there are available wired assist devices and compiles the list of currently available peripheral devices by scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with at least one of a wireless assist device and a wired assist device.

18. The wtru of claim 15 wherein a user selects at least one available peripheral device from a list presented on the display of the wtru.

19. The wtru of claim 15 wherein when no available auxiliary devices and/or peripheral devices are present, a message indicating that no peripheral devices are available is presented on the wtru display.

20. The wtru of claim 15 wherein the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru include at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a microphone, and a printer of the auxiliary device.

21. A wireless transmit/receive unit equipped to access at least one peripheral device, the wireless transmit/receive unit comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) at least one wireless auxiliary device interface; and

(c) a processor in communication with the at least one peripheral device interface, wherein the processor determines current peripheral device requirements of the wtru and presents a list of currently available peripheral devices on the display.

22. The wtru of claim 21 wherein the wtru scans the radio frequency environment of the wtru to determine whether there are any available wireless peripheral devices in proximity to the wtru.

23. The wtru of claim 21 wherein the wtru determines whether there are available peripheral devices and compiles the list of currently available peripheral devices by scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with at least one of at least one wireless peripheral device or a wired peripheral device.

24. The wtru of claim 21 wherein a user selects at least one of the available peripheral devices from a list presented on the display of the wtru.

25. The wtru of claim 21 wherein when no available peripheral devices are present, presenting a message on the wtru display indicating that no available peripheral devices are present.

26. The wtru of claim 21 wherein the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru include at least one of the following peripheral devices: keyboard, mouse, display, speaker, microphone, and printer.

27. A method of assigning at least one peripheral device to a wtru having a display, the method comprising:

(a) providing an interface between the wtru and at least one available peripheral device;

(b) determining a current peripheral device requirement of the wtru; and

(c) a list of currently available peripheral devices is presented on a display of the wtru.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

(d) the radio frequency environment of the wtru is scanned to determine whether there are any available wireless peripheral devices in proximity to the wtru.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

(e) determining whether there are available wired peripheral devices; and

(f) the list of currently available peripheral devices is compiled by scanning at least one peripheral device registry associated with at least one of a wireless or a wired peripheral device.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

(d) at least one available peripheral device is selected from a list presented on the wtru display.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

(d) presenting a message on the wtru display indicating that no available peripheral devices are present.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

(d) means for presenting on the wtru display information indicating the degree of security of the device.

33. The peripheral selection unit of claim 27, further comprising:

(d) means for presenting information on the wtru display indicating the degree of trust of the device.

34. The method of claim 27 wherein the current peripheral device requirements of the wtru include at least one of: keyboard, mouse, display, speaker, microphone, and printer.