Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing or customizing an electrical device. In one arrangement, the system comprises a graphical user interface having selectable options corresponding to device functionality, a control panel configured to receive a selection input by a device user of at least one of the selectable options of a functionality to be associated with a given removable button, and logic configured to detect selection of the given removable button in a device control panel and determine the functionality associated with the given removable button, wherein the device performs the functionality associated with the given removable button is implemented.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/649,059, filed Aug. 27, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/975,292, filed Oct. 10, 2001, both of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing an electrical device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a system and method with which a user interface and/or operation of an electrical device can be changed to suit one&#39;s own personal preferences or needs.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Consumer product manufacturers have historically provided the customer with various options for the look and feel of consumer products to allow the customer to purchase a product which meets his or her own sense of style. Under such circumstances, the consumer product, although functioning in substantially the same way for all persons, can be personalized to some degree to suit the customer&#39;s tastes.  
         [0004]     Recently, this type of personalization has begun to be offered to purchasers of computers and other electronic devices. By way of example, several mobile telephone manufacturers provide a variety of different colored faceplates that can be removably snapped onto the purchased mobile telephone so that the customer can personalize the look of his or her telephone. To cite another example, the iMac™ computer produced by Apple Computer, Inc. is available in various different colors which the user may choose.  
         [0005]     Although permitting customers to personalize their devices to some degree, such personalization, where available, is minor. Therefore, each unit of a particular device (e.g., mobile telephone) is nearly identical to all others with the exception of a minor superficial difference such as the color. Accordingly, with the exception of minor aesthetic variation, such devices are capable of only limited personalization. This is unfortunate in view of the importance that device personalization can have to the customer. Specifically, many customers see such devices as an expression of their individuality and the availability of personalization can therefore significantly influence a purchasing decision.  
         [0006]     In addition to providing only minor differences for the customer, mere cosmetic personalization such as that described above does nothing to personalize the operation of the device. Therefore, instead of being able to personalize the operation of the device to suit one&#39;s personal preferences or needs, the purchaser must conform to the static modes of operation chosen by the manufacturer for the device. This is unfortunate for the purchaser in that, were great personalization available, the ease of use of the device could be greatly improved.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a system and method for personalizing an electrical device such that a greater and more meaningful degree of personalization can be obtained.  
         [0008]     The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing or customizing an electrical device.  
         [0009]     In one arrangement, a system comprises a graphical user interface having selectable options corresponding to device functionality, a control panel configured to receive a selection input by a device user of at least one of the selectable options of a functionality to be associated with a given removable button, and logic configured to detect selection of the given removable button in a device control panel and determine the functionality associated with the given removable button, wherein the device performs the functionality associated with the given removable button is implemented.  
         [0010]     In one arrangement, a method comprises the steps of providing a graphical user interface having selectable options corresponding to device functionality, receiving a selection input by a device user of at least one of the selectable options of a functionality to be associated with a given removable button, detecting selection of the given removable button in a device control panel, determining the functionality associated with the given removable button, and performing the functionality associated with the given removable button.  
         [0011]     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a system for personalizing an electrical device.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an electrical device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an example control panel for the electrical device shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a computing device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of operation of personalization modules of the electrical device shown in  FIG. 2  and the computing device shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrates a further example of operation of the personalization module of the electrical device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     As noted above, typically only superficial personalization is currently available for electrical devices. Accordingly, presently contemplated are highly personalizable electrical devices with which the user can customize his or her user experience. As is discussed in greater detail below, this personalization can range from merely changing the aesthetics of the user interface to altering operation of the electrical device.  
         [0020]     An example system for personalizing an electrical device will first be described with reference to the figures. Although this system is described in detail, it will be appreciated that this system is provided for purposes of illustration only and that various modifications are feasible without departing from the inventive concept. After the example system has been described, examples of operation of the system will be provided to explain the manners in which personalization can be achieved.  
         [0021]     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  for personalizing an electrical device. As indicated in this figure, the system  100  generally comprises an electrical device  102 . By way of example, this electrical device  102  can comprise an imaging device such as a photocopier, printer, scanner, digital camera, or multi-function peripheral (MFP) device, which can be capable of various different functionalities such as photocopying, printing, scanning, faxing, emailing, etc. However, as will become apparent to the reader from the description that follows, the electrical device  102  could comprise substantially any electrical device with which a user can interface including, but not limited to, an Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, calculator etc.  
         [0022]     In addition to the electrical device  102 , the system  100  can include one or more computing devices  104 . The computing devices  104  comprise substantially any device that is capable of use with the electrical device  102  and, more particularly, which is capable of communicating with the electrical device by transmitting data to and/or receiving data from the electrical device. By way of example, the computing devices  104  comprise personal computers (PCs). Although PCs are identified in  FIG. 1  and discussed herein, it will be appreciated any one of the computing devices  104  could, alternatively, comprise another type of computing device. Moreover, it is to be understood that the electrical device could operate in a “stand alone” capacity, in which no connected computing device  104  is needed (e.g., facsimile functionality).  
         [0023]     As is further identified in  FIG. 1 , the electrical device  102  and the computing devices  104  can, optionally, be connected to a network  106  that typically comprises one or more sub-networks that are communicatively coupled to each other. By way of example, these networks can include one or more local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). Indeed, in some embodiments, the network  106  may comprise a set of networks that forms part of the Internet. As is depicted in  FIG. 1 , one or more of the computing devices  104  can be directly connected to the electrical device  102 . Such an arrangement is likely in a home environment in which the user does not have a home network and instead directly communicates to the electrical device  102 . In such a scenario, communication can be facilitated with a direct electrical and/or optical connection or through wireless communication.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating an example architecture for the electrical device  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the electrical device  102  can comprise a processing device  200 , memory  202 , device operation hardware  204 , one or more user interface devices  206 , and one or more input/output (I/O) devices  208 . Each of these components is connected to a local interface  210  that, by way of example, comprises one or more internal buses. The processing device  200  is adapted to execute commands stored in memory  202  and can comprise a general-purpose processor, a microprocessor, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a plurality of suitably configured digital logic gates, and other well known electrical configurations comprised of discrete elements both individually and in various combinations to coordinate the overall operation of the electrical device  102 .  
         [0025]     The device operation hardware  204  comprises the components with which the electrical device  102  operates to satisfy its intended functionalities. As will be appreciated by persons having ordinary skill in the art, the nature of the device operation hardware  204  depends upon these functionalities. For example, where the electrical device  102  comprises a scanner, the device operation hardware  204  typically includes a light source (e.g., fluorescent light), focusing elements (e.g., lenses, mirrors, and displaceable carriage), and one or more light sensing devices (e.g., charge-coupled devices (CCDs)).  
         [0026]     The one or more user interface devices  206  typically comprise interface tools with which the device settings can be changed and through which the user can communicate commands to the electrical device  102 . By way of example, the user interface devices  206  comprise one or more function keys and/or buttons or separate keyboard with which the operation of the electrical device  102  can be controlled, and a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), with which information can be visually communicated to the user and, where the display comprises a touch-sensitive screen, commands can be entered. Typically, the user interface, and in some cases the functioning of the electrical device  102 , can be changed by the user to personalize the look, feel, and operation of the device. In some arrangements, this adjustability can be provided for removable and/or interchangeable buttons of the electrical device user interface.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example control panel  300  of the electrical device  102  in which button removal and/or interchangeability is provided. As indicated in this figure, the control panel  300  comprises a plurality of button openings  302  that are adapted to receive removable buttons  304 . Each button  304  can comprise a finger pad  306  which a user&#39;s finger contacts when the button is depressed and an inner mounting portion  308  that is used to mount the button to the control panel  300 . Although both of these features are shown in  FIG. 3  as having a generally rectangular cross-section, it is to be understood that the particular shape of these features could be alternatively arranged. For instance, the buttons  304  and/or button openings  302  could be circular or elliptical in cross-section, if desired. Indeed, as the following discussion elucidates, varied finger pad  306  shapes may be used to provide one manner of personalization of the electrical device  102 .  
         [0028]     Inside the button openings  302  are button receiving members  306  to which the buttons  304  can be connected so that, when the button is depressed, a predetermined command is communicated to the electrical device  102 . In particular, the button receiving members  306  are configured to receive the mounting portions  308  of the buttons  304 . To aid the user in mounting the button  304  on a particular button receiving member  306  in the correct orientation, the mounting portion  308  of the button can be provided with a key  310  and the receiving member  306  can be provided with a keyslot  312  adapted to receive the key. Where provided, the key  310  and keyslot  312  ensure that the button  304  can only be mounted in one orientation. Although the key  310  has been described as being provided on the button  302  and the keyslot  312  as being provide on the button receiving member  306 , it will be appreciated by persons having ordinary skill in the art that the locations of the key and keyslot could be reversed, if desired, to achieve the same result. In addition, it will be understood that various other keyed configurations could be used to ensure the correct orientation of the buttons  304  in the button openings  302 .  
         [0029]     In some arrangements, the buttons  304  are encoded so as to be configured to communicate a particular functionality to the electrical device  102 . In these arrangements, the button receiving members  306  can be provided with functionality sensing elements described below. The button encoding can either be mechanical or electrical in nature. For example, the button  304  can be mechanically encoded with one or more nonconductive pins  314  that extend outwardly from the inside of the button. When such a pin  314  is provided, the button receiving members  306  can include several pin openings  316  that are adapted for receipt of the pins. Arranged in this manner, a particular functionality of the button  304  can be communicated to the electrical device  102  by the location of the pin  314 , i.e. by the pin opening  316  in which the pin  314  is disposed. The location of the pin  314  can be detected through various different methods. Typically, however, the pin  314  depresses an sensing member (not shown) within each of the pin openings  316  which can complete an internal electrical circuit such that the location of the pin can be determined by the device  102 . Although a pin and pin opening arrangement is shown and described, it will be understood that alternative mechanical encoding is feasible and may even be preferable.  
         [0030]     Electrical encoding can be alternatively or additionally provided. For instance, one or more of the buttons  304  can comprise an electrically conductive pin  314  that is adapted to contact a spring contact  318  disposed in each of the pin openings. To complete a circuit, the button  304  can be provided with a first conductor  320  that is adopted to mate with a second conductor  322  provided on the button receiving member  306 . Although such an electrical encoding arrangement has been shown, persons having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that manifold alternative arrangements are feasible.  
         [0031]     With the control panel  300 , the user has the option to change the buttons  304  of the electrical device  102  to suit his or her personal aesthetic tastes. In addition, as is discussed in greater detail below, the buttons  304  may be selected to generate interest in particular users (e.g., children) or to improve usability for particular users (e.g., visually impaired persons). Where the buttons  304  are encoded and the button receiving members  306  adapted to read this encoding, the user can further change the locations of particular buttons (e.g., send button) and can even change the various functionalities of the electrical device  102  in accordance with the particular buttons that the user chooses to provide on the device. Such personalization of the electrical device  102  through use of the buttons  304  is discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0032]     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the one or more I/O devices  208  are adapted to facilitate connection to the network  110  and/or to another device, such as a computing device  104 , and may therefore include one or more serial and/or parallel ports. Where the electrical device  102  is adapted for communications over the network, the I/O devices can further include one or more communication devices such as a modem.  
         [0033]     The memory  202  includes various software (e.g., firmware) programs including an operating system  212 , device operation module  214 , and a personalization module  216 . The operating system  212  contains the various commands used to control the general operation of the electrical device  102 . The device operation module  214  comprises commands that control the operation of the basic device operation hardware  204  so that the device can execute its intended, basic functionalities (e.g. copying, scanning, faxing, etc.). The personalization module  216  comprises commands (firmware) that enable personalization of the operation of the electrical device  102  in relation to the user interface devices  206 . Accordingly, the personalization module  216  is configured to permit customization of the user interface so that the use of the electrical device  102  can be personalized to suit the user. The operation of the personalization module  216  is described in greater detail below. In addition, the memory  202  can include a database  218  that is used to store various personalization information.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating an example architecture for the computing devices  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . As indicated in  FIG. 4 , each computing device  104  can comprise a processing device  400 , memory  402 , one or more user interface devices  404 , a display  406 , and one or more I/O devices  408 , each of which are connected to a local interface  410 . The processing device  400  can include any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computing device  104 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip), or a macroprocessor. The memory  402  can include any one of a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.).  
         [0035]     The one or more user interface devices  404  comprise those components with which the user can interact with the computing device  104 . By way of example, these components comprise those typically used in conjunction with a PC such as a keyboard and mouse. Similarly, the display  406  can comprise a display typically used in conjunction with a PC such as a computer monitor. The one or more I/O devices  408 , like I/O devices  210 , comprise components that facilitate connection to the network  110  and/or direct connection to another device, such as the electrical device  102 .  
         [0036]     The memory  402  normally comprises an operating system  412  and a device personalization module  414 . The operating system  412  controls the execution of other software and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. The device personalization module  414  comprises software that is used to remotely control the personalization of the electrical device  102 . Operation of the device personalization module  414  is described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 5 . In addition, the memory  402  can include a database  416  that, like database  218 , can be used to store various personalization information.  
         [0037]     Various software and/or firmware programs have been described herein. It is to be understood that these programs can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. These programs can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.  
         [0038]     The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM). Note that the computer-readable medium can even be paper or another suitable medium upon which a program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.  
         [0039]     An example system  100  having been described above, operation of the system will now be discussed. In the discussion that follows, flow diagrams are provided. It is to be understood that any process steps or blocks in these flow diagrams represent modules, segments, or portions of code that include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. It will be appreciated that, although particular example process steps are described, alternative implementations are feasible. Moreover, steps may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.  
         [0040]     In a first manner of personalization, the user can change the buttons  304  provided on the electrical device  102  for aesthetic purposes. For example, the user can select buttons  304  that have different colors, icons, textures, shapes, tactile qualities, etc. Such removable buttons  304  could be provided along with the electrical device  102  upon purchase, or could be made available to the user as independent items that can be purchased separately from the device. In addition, the buttons  304  could be sold in sets of buttons directed to certain types of use. For example, where the user foresees the electrical device  102  being used by children, a children&#39;s set of buttons  304  may be purchased. Such a set could include various styles of buttons  304  which children might enjoy. By way of example, the buttons  304  could have vibrant colors, fanciful shapes, fanciful icons (e.g., spider web to indicate the World Wide Web) provided on the finger pads, unusual (e.g., squishy) tactile properties, etc.  
         [0041]     In addition to mere aesthetic appeal, the button sets can be adapted to increase ease of use of the computing device  102 . For instance, where the user is visually impaired, the visual icons normally found on or around device buttons  304  are of little use. If, however, a set of Braille-coded buttons  304  were made available, visually impaired persons could then use the electrical device  102  without the aid of another person.  
         [0042]     Other manners of personalization are feasible with the above-described system  100 . For example, in addition to choosing the look and feel of the user interface buttons  304 , the user can further modify the placement of the buttons. If, for instance, the electrical device  102  is a scanner, the device may include a “scan” button, a “print’ button, a “fax” button, an “email” button, an “archive” button, etc. each initially located in a particular position on the control panel  300  of the electrical device. Where each of these buttons  304  is removable and encoded, the user could rearrange the location of the buttons to suit his or her personal tastes. Therefore, the user could, for example, place the most frequently used buttons  304  nearest the user&#39;s computing device  104  to make it easier to control the operation of the electrical device  102 . Such rearrangement of the buttons  304  is detected by the personalization module  216  through the functionality sensing elements and appropriate adjustments made in accordance with the user&#39;s selections. In addition, particular sounds (e.g., audible descriptions of the associated functions) could be associated with the encoded buttons  304  and be emitted when the buttons are depressed.  
         [0043]     The user could further change the available functionalities, and therefore operation, of the electrical device  102  through button  304  selection. In particular, the electrical device  102  can be sold with a plurality of different buttons  304 , each having a different functionality associated with it which the device is capable of performing. Notably, where new buttons, and therefore new functionalities, are purchased after manufacture of the device  102 , the device could, optionally, determine these functionalities by accessing a remote database via the network  106 . Moreover, new software (e.g., firmware) could be downloaded where the device  102  is not presently configured for the functionality associated with the button  304 . In such an arrangement, the user could select the various buttons  304  that would provide the various functionalities the user desires from the electrical device  102 . This manner of personalization further permits the user to control use of the device  102 . For example, if the electrical device  102  includes a scanner and the user is a parent that does not wish his or her children to fax images with the device, the user could simply remove a facsimile button from the electrical device, thereby disabling the fax functionality.  
         [0044]     Operation of the user electrical device  102  can also be controlled by directly accessing the personalization module  216  of the electrical device  102 , or the device personalization module  414  of the computing device  104 . In particular, the electrical device  102  can be programmed with the personalization modules  216 ,  414  so that particular buttons are assigned particular, desired functionalities.  FIG. 5  provides an example of operation of the personalization modules  216 ,  414  in providing this manner of personalization. As indicated in block  500 , the personalization module  216 ,  414  is first activated. The nature of this activation depends upon which personalization module  216 ,  414  is being accessed. For instance, where the module comprises the personalization module  216  of the electrical device  102 , activation may occur in response to selection of a “configure” button provided in the control panel  300  of the device. Where the module comprises the personalization module  414  of the computing device  104 , activation may occur in response to initiation of a device personalization application that can be run by the computing device.  
         [0045]     In any case, once the personalization module  216 ,  414  has been activated, a graphical user interface (GUI) can be presented to the user, as indicated in block  502 , which presents various options to the user. For example, one of these options can be used to configure the assigned functionality of the available device buttons  304 . Where this option is provided, it can then be determined whether the user would like to configure the assigned functionalities, as indicated in decision element  504 . If not, flow for button configuration is terminated. If the user would like to configure the button functionalities, however, flow continues to block  506  at which the personalization module  216 ,  414  prompts the user to select button functionality. The user can be prompted for this information in a variety of ways. By way of example, the user can be presented with two lists, one containing all available buttons  304  (e.g., numbered  1 -n) and the other containing all functionalities for which the electrical device  102  is configured. Where the electrical device  102  comprises a scanner, these functionalities may include, for example, scan, copy, print, scan to a facsimile application, scan to a word processing application, scan to an image editor, scan to a website, etc.  
         [0046]     The personalization module  216 ,  414  can then receive the user&#39;s selections, as indicated in block  508 . By way of example, these selections can be registered by matching particular buttons  304  identified in the button list with particular functionalities identified in the functionalities list. At this point, the personalization module  216 ,  414  stores the selections (e.g., in database  218 ,  416 ), as indicated in block  510 , and facilitates reconfiguration of the button/functionality association of the electrical device  102 , as indicated in block  512 . Where personalization module  414  is being used, this facilitation can comprise transmission of the various selections to the personalization module  216  of the electrical device  102 . Where, on the other hand, the personalization module  216  is being accessed directly at the device  102 , this facilitation typically comprises storage of the new association in the database  218 . At this point, flow can return to decision element  504 .  
         [0047]     The functionality of the buttons  304  can be changed in other ways. For example, the electrical device  102  can be operated in a learning mode in which the user can program a particular button to be associated with one or more device functionalities. An example of operation in the learning mode for the personalization module  216  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As identified in block  600 , the personalization module  216  is activated in the manner described above in relation to  FIG. 5 . Once activated, the personalization module  216  can be placed in the learning mode by, for example, detecting the selection of a “record” button provided on the device control panel  300 , as indicated in block  602 . Once placed in the learning mode, the personalization module  216  can be configured to, for example, receive an identification of which button  304  is going to be programmed and then “record” each button selected after the button to be programmed has been selected. In this manner, the personalization module  216  can associate two or more different functions with one selected button.  
         [0048]     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , the personalization module  216  can detect selection of the button to be programmed, as indicated in block  604 . Although this button can be selected, it is to be understood that a particular button  304  of the control panel  300  can be set aside specifically for programming in this manner. Next, the personalization module  216  can detect the selection of various other buttons, as indicated in block  606 . This selection reflects the functionalities the user wishes to associate with the button  304  to be programmed. Once the user has finished selecting buttons (and therefore functionalities), the personalization module  216  can then detect reselection of the record button, as indicated in block  608 , as an indication that the all desired selections of functionalities have been made. At this point, the personalization module  216  can associate the various functionalities with the button  304  to be programmed, as indicated in block  610 , such that, the next time that programmed button is selected, the various programmed functionalities will be performed by the device  102 . By way of example, if the user programmed a button  304  by selecting the “scan,” “email,” and “archive” buttons, the device  102  will automatically scan a document or image, automatically transmit the scanned data to the user&#39;s email program residing on the user&#39;s computing device  104 , and automatically archive the image when the programmed button is selected. Where the user has identified a default email address and has enabled automatic emailing, transmission to the email application can result in the automatic emailing of the scanned data to a default recipient.  
         [0049]     In addition to changing the functionalities associated with the buttons  304 , the user can also associate various sounds with the buttons such that a selected sound is emitted when the button is depressed. Such a feature can both make use of the electrical device more appealing to some users (e.g., children) and improve the ease of use for others (e.g., visually and/or hearing impaired persons). Typically, such associations can be made by the user in similar manner to the association of particular functionalities with the buttons  304  described above in relation to  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, the user may select from a list of available sounds to correlate with various buttons  304 . In some embodiments, the electrical device  102  can further be adapted to receive the user&#39;s recorded sounds such that those sounds are added to the list of sounds from which to choose. Operating in this manner, the electrical device  102  can be personalized to the extent that the device operation is unique from all other such devices. Again, such operation can be facilitated by the personalization module  216 ,  414 , which is responsible for creating the various button associations.  
         [0050]     Variations and modifications of the invention are feasible. For example, the personalization described herein can be provided on a user-by-user basis. In such an arrangement, the electrical device  102  is configured to recognize the particular user e.g., through user log in with the computing device  104  or by selection of a user designation button provided on the device  102 , and to adjust operation of the device in accordance with that user&#39;s selections.