US 8,086,281 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Rabuet al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`
`US008086281B2
`
`(54) APPARATUSES AND METHODS THAT
`FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF POWER
`AND INFORMATION AMONG ELECTRICAL
`DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`.
`
`:
`
`os).A
`Inventors: Samley Rabe “ne one
`Icholas
`kK. Kalayjian,
`oan Varios,
`(US); Jesse L. Dorogusker, MenloPark,
`CA (US); Jeff Terlizzi, Sunnyvale, CA
`:
`H
`, eryx Sanford.SaneFrancisco:
`(US);
`M. Evans Hankey,
`San
`Francisco, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 761 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/620,669
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jan. 6, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0167088 Al
`
`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`roese BS
`;
`;
`7813-715 B2
`7,913,297 B2
`2003/0050102 Al
`2003/0078071 Al
`2003/0125075 Al
`
`2004/0066174 AL*
`2004/0085694 Al
`2004/0088465 Al
`2004/0129522 Al
`2004/0169072 Al
`2004/0172527 Al
`2004/0246341 Al
`2005/0001590 Al
`2005/0114552 Al
`
`toooos rene al. al
`erlizzi et
`al.
`10/2010 McKillopet al.
`3/2011 Wyld
`3/2003 Roh
`4/2003 Uchiyama
`7/2003 Klovborg
`
`4/2004 ChOi siecvssccssennne 320/149
`5/2004 Germagian etal.
`5/2004 Bianchi
`7/2004 Skowronski
`9/2004 Peng
`9/2004. Ono etal.
`12/2004 Leeet al.
`1/2005 Bayne etal.
`5/2005 Mak-Fan etal.
`(Continued)
`
`CN
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WA7256
`(3/2006
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`US. Appl. No. 60/879, 177,(filed Jan. 6, 2007).
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Jinsong Hu
`Assistant Examiner — Michael Nguyen
`74) Attorney, Ag
`Fi
`Kramer
`ttorney,
`ent, or
`Firm — Kramer
`Frankel LLP
`
`Levin Naftalis &
`Natltalis
`Levin
`
`Int.Cl
`a“
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 1/38
`(52) U.S.C occ 455/573; 455/571; 455/572
`(58) Field of Classification Search.......... 455/571-573;
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`S
`lication
`file
`fi
`let hie The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems,
`ee appucation
`lle Tor complete seare)
`HIStory.
`methods, and computer readable media that can facilitate the
`References Cited
`transfer of power between at least two electrical devices. At
`least one of the electrical devices is preferably a battery
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`operated device. The present invention may also be used to
`0/113
`*
`8/1976 Valassis
`et
`al
`facilitate the transfer ofinformation amongelectrical devices.
`4850006 A *
`7/1989 Sasakietal... 485/571
`For example, the presentinvention may be used to automati-
`10/1997 Lueschen
`cally pair two Bluetooth devices together.
`5,680,026 A
`5,914,585 A *
`6/1999 Grabon we 320/125
`6,888,338 Bl
`5/2005 Popescu-Stanesti etal.
`
`17 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLE 1024
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1024
`
`

`

`US 8,086,281 B2
` Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9/2006
`2821898
`CN
`9/2005 Bayneet al.
`2005/0189921 Al
`
`
`
`2006/0164036 Al 1406 366 A2—4/20047/2006 Ulla et al. EP
`2007/0054550 Al
`3/2007 Cuthbert et al.
`FR
`2 841 699
`1/2004
`.
`FR
`2841699
`1/2004
`2007/0067659 Al
`3/2007. Tevanian, Jr.
`GB
`7418 346 A
`3/2006
`2007/0136614 Al*
`6/2007 Heathetal. ccc. 713/300
`KR
`2001.0026356
`4/2001
`2008/0028237 Al
`1/2008 Knight
`Wo
`WO2006/136195
`12/2006
`2008/0034233 Al
`2/2008 Chuanget al.
`2008/0166968 Al
`7/2008 Tang et al.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`2008/0265836 Al
`10/2008 Inoueet al.
`US. Appl. No. 60/879, 195, (filed Jan. 6, 2007).
`2009/0304217 Al
`12/2009 Thalheimeret al.
`2010/0079106 Al
`4/2010 Graham
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`102
`
`104
`
`
`ISoy igal fe ToaNeate hee
`
`
`Eo CA
`nsLend
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`OLZ~82Z
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`Aae00
`90———
`L972Sp222
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`4
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`
`
` ZLe|90200F
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`400
`
`402
`
`7
`
`
`Couple master
`and slave
`
`
`devices to an
`apparatus
`
`
`404
`
`
`
`Master device
`
`
`detects presence
`of slave device
`
`
`
`Master device
`queries slave
`
`
`device status
`
`406
`
`Paired?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`418
`
`
`Master device
`puts slave device
`into discoverable
`mode
`
`Master device
`checks for link
`
`status
`
`
` Master device
`
`pairs with slave
`device
`
`
` Master device
`
`420
`
`
`
`links with slave
`device
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`7
`
`

`

`Sheet6 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`204
`
`8
`
`

`

`
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`212
`
`
`FIG. 7a
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`
`
`No devices are
`coupled to apparatus, the
`apparatus is in powered
`
`
`down mode
`
`802
`
`Highest
`priority port
`
`
`
`Apparatus remains
`in powered down
`mode
`
`A second deviceis
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 11)
`
`
`
`
` Lowest
`
`A first device is coupled
`to the apparatus
`
`806
`
` Is the first device
`coupled to the apparatus’s
`lowestpriority port,
`medium priority port, or
`highestpriority port?
`
`(cont'd in FIG. 10)
`
`Medium
`priority port
`
`Activate
`microcontroller, activate
`boost, activate
`regulator, establish
`communications path(s)
`with the first device,
`and provide powerto
`the highest priority port
`
`A second device is
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`
`FIG. 8
`
`11
`
`priority port
`
`
`
`Activate
`microcontroller, activate
`regulator, provide
`powerto the higher
`priority ports, establish
`communications path
`with the first device
`
`A second deviceis
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 9)
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`810
`
`
`
`
`
`A second deviceis
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`
`902
`
`
`
`
`Is the second
`device coupled
`
`to the medium orthe
`
`highestpriority port of
`the apparatus?
`Medium
`Highest
`Priority
`priority
`
`port
`port
`
`
`
`Establish communications
`
`
`path(s) with the second device,
`Establish communications path(s)
`
`with the second device, charge
`increase powerprovided to
`
`highestpriority port, charge the
`the second device, activate boost
`second device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`A third device is coupled to the
`highest priority port of the
`medium priority port of the
`
`
`
`apparatus
`apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`Establish communications
`with the third device, charge the
`path(s) with the third device,
`
`
`third device
`charge the second device
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`814
`
`
`
`
`A second deviceis
`coupled to the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is the second
`
`device coupled
`
`to the lowest or highest
`
`priority port?
`Highest
`Lowest
`priority
`priority
`
`port
`
`
` v7 1010
`Establish communications
`
`
`path(s) with the second device,
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`increase powerto the second
`with the second device, charge
`the first device
`device, charge the second
`
`
`device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`
`
`Establish communications
`with the third device, increase
`
`
`path(s) with the third device,
`powerprovided to highest priority
`
`
`chargethethird device
`port, rapidly charge the third
`
`
`
`device
`
`
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`highest priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`lowestpriority port of the
`
`apparatus
`
`
`FIG. 10
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`818
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A second deviceis
`coupledto the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 8)
`
`
`
`110
`
`
`Is the second
`device coupled
`
`to the lowest or highest
`
`
`priority port?
`Lowest
`Medium
`priority
`priority
`
`port
`
`
`
`Activate microcontroller, activate
`Activate microcontroller,
`regulator, establish
`activate boost, activate
`
`
`communications path(s) with the
`regulator, establish
`
`first device, establish
`communications path(s) with
`
`
`communications path(s) with the
`the first device, establish
`
`
`second device, charge thefirst
`communications path(s) with
`
`device, provide power to medium
`the second device, charge the
`
`priority port
`first device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` A third device is coup!ed to the
`
`
`
`
`medium priority port of the
`apparatus
`
`
`A third device is coupled to the
`Jowestpriority port of the
`apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`Establish communications path(s)
`Establish communications
`with the third device, activate
`path(s) with the third device,
`
`
`boost, chargethe third device
`charge the second device
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 11
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`
`1202
`
`
`Three devices
`
`
`are coupled to an apparatus,
`the apparatusis facilitating the
`
`
`transfer of power and information
`
`
`
`among the devices
`
`
`A first device is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`
`1204
`
`
`
`1206
`
` Is the first device
`
`
`decoupled from the lowest
`
`
`priority port, medium
`
`priority port, or highest
`
`priority port of
`the apparatus?
`
`Highest
`Lowest
`priority
`priority
`port
`port
`
`
`
`Medium
`priority port
`
`1208
`
`1212
`
`1216
`
`Poweris
`discontinued to
`medium priority port,
`communication paths
`to lowest priority port
`are discontinued
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1210
`
`
`A second deviceis
`
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 13)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Communication
`paths to medium
`priority port are
`discontinued,
`boost is powered
`down
`
`
`
`
`771214
`A second deviceis
`decoupled from
`the apparatus
`(cont’d in FIG. 14)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 12
`
`15
`
`Decrease power
`provided to highest
`oemoryPott
`aths to highest
`P riority Det are
`P
`P.
`discontinued
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1218
`
`
`A seconddevice is
`decoupled from the
`
`
`apparatus
`(cont'd in FIG. 15)
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`1210
`
`
`
`
`A second deviceis
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG. 12)
`
`
`
`
`decoupled from
`the medium or
`highestpriority.
`
`rt?
` Medium
`Highest
`priority
`port
`
`priority
`
`powered down mode
`
`Apparatus enters powered
`down mode
`
`A third device is decoupled
`from the highest priority
`port of the apparatus
`
`Apparatus remains in
`
`FIG. 13
`
`16
`
`
`
`Communication paths
`to highest priority port
`
`
`are discontinued,
`decrease power
`
`provided to highest
`priority port
`
`1310
`
`
`
`
`
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`
`
`lowest priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`1214
`
`A seconddevice is
`decoupled from the
`apparatus
`
`
`
`(cont'd from FIG. 12)
`powered down mode
`powered down mode Apparatus enters
`
`Lowestpriority
`port
`
` Highest
`
`po
`
`priority
`rt
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`A third deviceis
`decoupled from the
`highestpriority port of
`the apparatus
`
`Apparatus remains in
`
`Communication paths
`to highest priority port
`are discontinued,
`decrease power
`provided to highest
`priority port
`
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`lowestpriority port of
`the apparatus
`
`FIG. 14
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`1218
`A second deviceis
`decoupled from the
`
`
`apparatus
`(cont'd from FIG, 12)
`
`
`
`
`
`second device
`decoupled from
`
`
`
`
`
`Lowestpriority
`port
`
`1504
`
`
`
`Poweris discontinued
`
`to medium priority port,
`
`
`communication pathsto
`
`
`lowest priority port are
`discontinued
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A third deviceis
`decoupled from the
`
`medium priority port of
`the apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`Apparatus enters
`powered down mode
`
`
`
`
`Medium priority
`port
`
`
`
`1510
`
`
`
`Communications path
`to the medium priority
`
`
`port are discontinued,
`
`
`boost is powered down
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A third device is
`decoupled from the
`
`lowestpriority port of
`the apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`Apparatus enters
`
`powered down mode
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`US 8,086,281 B2
`
`1
`APPARATUSES AND METHODS THAT
`FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF POWER
`AND INFORMATION AMONG ELECTRICAL
`DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is related to transferring power and infor-
`mation among electrical devices. More particularly,
`this
`invention facilitates the transfer of power and information
`from one electrical device to at least one other electrical
`device.
`
`Portable electrical devices are an everydaypart oflife in
`today’s society. Among other things, portable electrical
`devices, such as iPods, PDAsandcell phones, provide enter-
`tainment, improve productivity and enable communication.
`Somedevices can be used to provide additional functionality
`to another device. For example, a cellular telephone can
`enable a laptop computer to access the Internet. Other elec-
`trical devices are specifically designed to be an accessory
`device that enhances the functionality of a device. For
`example, a wireless Bluetooth headset enhances the use of a
`cellular telephone by allowing users to have a hands-free,
`wireless conversation through their cellular telephone.
`As a result, many people often carry a numberofpersonal
`electrical devices with them.It is not uncommonfor people to
`have a cellular telephone, wireless headset and digital media
`device, like Apple’s ipod, when they leave their homes.
`Most portable electrical devices are powered by a
`rechargeable battery. Despite advancements in battery tech-
`nology, many users often wish that the battery in their por-
`table devices lasted longer. Another problem is that, fre-
`quently, each portable device has its own charger, which must
`be carried around.Inevitably, most usersare left in a situation
`where one device has power, but the device that is needed at
`the moment does not. If the user does not have the right
`charger available, the user is out of luck.
`In addition to carrying around more electrical devices,
`electrical devices are becoming more complex which causes
`a numberof inconveniences to the user. For example, many
`different types of portable electrical devices can now be
`linked together using a numberofdifferent wired or wireless
`standards and/or protocols. Some of these standards and/or
`protocols, such as the Bluetooth standards, require the userto
`reconfigure the devices each time it is used to communicate
`with a new device (often referred to as “pairing”)). The con-
`figurations can require, for example, that at least one of the
`devicesis identified to the other device in some manner. For
`example, the pairing of a universal remote control with a
`particular electrical device (e.g., TV, cable box,etc.) requires
`the user to follow a series of steps, one of which includes
`entering a code that represents the brand and type of the
`device. This pairing process is the cause of great frustration
`among many users.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
`apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer readable media
`are discussed herein that can facilitate the transfer of power
`and information betweenat least two electrical devices. One
`or more of the electrical devices can be a portable, battery
`operated device. In the embodimentsofthe present invention
`that accommodateat least three devices, it is preferable that at
`least one of the devices has access to a reliable, continuous
`source of power(such as, for example, a wall poweroutlet).
`
`2
`Itis preferred to have the devices electrically coupled to the
`ports of an apparatus in accordance with the principles of the
`present invention. The ports and other components of the
`apparatus can allow each of the devices coupled to the appa-
`ratus to be electrically coupled to at least one of the other
`devices.
`
`Once the devicesare electrically coupled together (via the
`apparatus), the apparatus’s processor or microcontroller can
`facilitate the transfer of information and/or power among the
`devices. The transfer of information can, for example, allow
`two of the devices coupled to the apparatus to be automati-
`cally paired in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol. The
`transfer of power among the devices can, for example, allow
`at least one device to charge at least one other device. The
`powerfrom at least one of the devices can also be used to
`operate the apparatus and execute the automatic steps of
`methods described below that are in accordance with the
`
`present invention.
`The devices can be assigneda priority (e.g., low, medium
`or high), which the present invention considers, among other
`things, when transferring powerto and from each device.In at
`least one embodiment,the priority assigned to each device is
`based on which port the device is coupled to. The devices
`assigned a lower priority provide power and the devices
`assigned a higher priority receive power. Medium priority
`devices can receive and/or provide powerin different situa-
`tions. In alternative embodiments, the microcontroller can
`assign a priority to each device in response to the microcon-
`troller identifying the device’s type (as opposedto identifying
`the port that the device is coupled to).
`the
`In addition to the components mentioned above,
`present invention can also employ, for example, one or more
`switches, a regulator, a boost, and various connectors(e.g.,
`single wires, multi-wire busses, nodes, etc.). All of the com-
`ponents of the present invention can be supervised and con-
`trolled by the microcontroller.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other features of the present invention,its
`nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon
`consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike
`reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 showsanillustrative system that incorporates the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 showsa simplified schematic block diagram of an
`illustrative embodimentofcircuitry in accordance with the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic block diagram of an
`illustrative alternative embodimentof circuitry in accordance
`with the present invention;
`FIG. 4 showsa simplified flow chart of an illustrative mode
`of operation of circuitry of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
`FIGS. 5-7 show illustrative systems that incorporate the
`present invention; and
`FIGS. 8-15 show simplified flow charts of illustrative
`modesof operation of circuitry of the type shown in FIG.2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DISCLOSURE
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`The present invention is directed to apparatuses, systems,
`methods and computer readable media that can facilitate the
`charging of a battery of at least one device as well as the
`transfer of information among different types of devices and
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`platforms. The following is a description of various appara-
`tuses and methodsthat can be used in accordance with various
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`US 8,086,281 B2
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`4
`those that receive any type of physical connector that can be
`used to couple apparatus 200 to any type of device, apparatus,
`cable, and/or componentofa device or other apparatus. Ports
`embodiments of the present invention.
`202, 204 and 206 can, for example, be used to couple either a
`FIG.1 illustrates docking station 100, which is electrically
`male or female connector to apparatus 200. For example, port
`coupled to three devices. The three devices are iMac 102,
`202 can be a female USB connector, port 204 can be a male
`cellular telephone 104 and wireless headset 106. Docking
`30-pin connector, and port 206 can be symmetrical 4-pin
`station 100 enables information and powerto be exchanged
`connector, such as the connector described in the Ser. No.
`among the devices. In at least one embodiment, docking
`station 100 communicates, identifies and authenticates each
`60/879,195 Application. For example, as discussed in the Ser.
`No. 60/879,195 Application, port 202 can have magnetic
`device before power is transferred to or from each device.
`properties and each of the four pins(referred to as contacts in
`Docking station 100 can also be used to facilitate the transfer
`the Ser. No. 60/879,195 Application) are about 0.7 millime-
`of additional information amongthe devices.
`ters wide and are equally spaced about 1.0 millimeter apart.
`Althoughthe present inventions described below generally
`An exemplary 30-pin connector and an exemplary four pin
`relate to portable, battery powered devices, iMac 102 is a
`connectorareillustrated in FIG.6c.
`line-powered device which receives powerfrom a power cord
`In alternative embodiments, ports 202, 204 and/or 206 can
`and requires no batteries. Other examples of line-powered
`devices include devices that receive powerfrom, for example,
`be removed and other ports (not shown) inserted. This would
`
`a solar panel, a generator, or any meansother thanabattery. allow apparatus 200 to be coupled with various combinations
`Cellular telephone 104 and wireless headset 106 are por-
`of devices and/or cables. For example, if port 202 is a female
`table, battery powered devices. Battery powered devices, as
`USBconnector, port 202 can be removed and replaced by a
`referred to herein, include devices that have a self contained
`port that is a male USB connector (or any other type of
`battery or draw powerfrom a battery located externally to the
`connector).
`device. Docking station 100 can, for example, facilitate the
`Oneskilled in theart will also appreciate that there can be
`charging of the battery of wireless headset 106 with power
`any numberofports included in apparatus 200. Despite FIG.
`that is from the battery of cellular telephone 104. Similarly,
`2 showing apparatus 200 as including three ports, an appara-
`powerfrom iMac 102 can be used to charge cellular telephone
`tus in accordancewith the principles of the present invention
`104 and/or wireless headset 106. In some embodiments, wire-
`can include moreorless than three ports, thereby allowing
`less headset 106 is the same or substantially similar to the
`any numberof devices to be coupled to the apparatus at any
`wireless headset discussed in commonly assigned U.S. Pro-
`given time. In embodiments where the apparatus includes
`visional Patent Application No. 60/879,177, filed Jan. 6, 2007
`only one port (discussed in more detail below in connection
`entitled “Wireless Headset” and U.S. Provisional Patent
`with FIGS. 7a and 7), the apparatus mayalso include its own
`source of power, such as battery, solar panel, etc.
`In alternative embodiments, apparatus 200 couldfacilitate
`the exchange of information and power among devices that
`are not physically coupled to apparatus 200. As such, devices
`can be electrically coupled to apparatus 200 wirelessly and
`information and/or power can be wirelessly exchanged
`through ports 202, 204 and/or 206.
`The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2 shows device 208
`coupled to port 202, device 210 coupled to port 204, and
`device 212 coupled to port 206. Devices 208, 210 and 212 can
`be any battery poweredor line-powered device. For example,
`devices 208, 210 and 212 can be any type ofportable, fixed,
`and/or mobile device, including but not limited to a laptop
`computer, a desktop computer, an audio player (e.g., walk-
`man, compactdiscplayer, etc.), a video player, a media player
`(e.g., Apple’s iPod,etc.), a set top box, a portable video game
`system (e.g., Sony’s PSP, Nintendo’s Game Boy, etc.), an
`electronic book, a cellular telephone, wireless telephone, a
`hand held computer, a GPS device, a flashlight, a personal
`digital assistant (PDA) (e.g., Palm’s Pilot, etc.), a wireless
`headset for a telephone,a satellite radio, a remote control, an
`automobile key fob, a printer, an automobile radio, an auto-
`mobile computing system, an automobile cigarette lighter (or
`other mobile power source, such as an airplane cigarette
`lighter), a camera, an accessory devices for a computer(e.g.,
`wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, etc.), a watch, a surge
`protector, an AC/DC converter, etc.
`Devices 208, 210 and 212 can also be any device that can
`serve as a source of powersuchas, for example, one or more
`batteries, a generator, a solar panel, a cable (USB cable, serial
`cable, FireWire, powercord, etc.), a capacitor, an inductor, or
`any otherelectrical or mechanical device (such as a winding
`device) that can be used to provide electricity to apparatus
`200. In one embodimentofthe present invention,at least two
`of devices 208, 210 and 212 are portable, battery powered
`devices.
`
`Application No. 60/879, 195, filed Jan. 6, 2007, entitled “Con-
`nector with Magnetic Detent”, which are hereby incorporated
`by reference in their entireties.
`The configuration shown in FIG.1 is merely illustrative of
`one way the present invention may be implemented. Addi-
`tional configurations ofa docking system that may be used to
`charge and transfer information to an electronic accessory
`(such as a wireless headset) from another electronic device
`(such as acellular phone)are discussed in the Ser. No. 60/879,
`177 Application. Manyother possible configurations for the
`invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art having the
`benefit of the disclosure contained herein. The description of
`FIGS. 2-15, like FIG. 1, will therefore be understood to be
`illustrative and not limiting.
`FIG. 2 a simplified schematic block diagram of circuitry
`that is located in apparatus 200. In some embodiments, appa-
`ratus 200 is substantially similar to docking station 100 of
`FIG. 1. Apparatus 200 is typically (although not necessarily)
`implemented using a single integrated circuit. Alternatively,
`apparatus 200 could be implemented, for example, using a
`multi-chip module including two or more separate integrated
`circuits.
`Apparatus 200 can include port 202, port 204, and port 206,
`which enable devices 208, 210 and 212 to be coupled to
`apparatus 200. Devices 208, 210 and 212, which are dis-
`cussed further below, can be similar to or the same as iMac
`102, cellular telephone 104 and wireless headset 106, respec-
`tively. Apparatus 200 can also include microcontroller 214,
`line 216, line 218, switch 220, input 222, output 224, output
`226, switch 228, line 230, line 232, line 234, output 236, line
`238, boost 240 and regulator 242, which are also discussed in
`more detail below.
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`Ports 202, 204 and 206 are electrically coupled together by
`connections(i.e., wires, nodes, etc.) and/or other components
`of apparatus 200 that are described herein. Ports 202, 204 and
`206 can be any typeofport (e.g., wireless or wired), including
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`US 8,086,281 B2
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`5
`In one embodiment, apparatus 200 includes microcontrol-
`ler 214. Microcontroller 214 can use control lines (not shown)
`to communicate with any other componentof apparatus 200
`(described below) and/or any device coupled to apparatus 200
`(e.g., devices 208, 210 and 212). In some embodiments, each
`control line can be a multiple-wire bus, which allows micro-
`controller 214 to communicate moreefficiently with the com-
`ponents of apparatus 200 and devices 208, 210 and 212.
`Microcontroller 214 can also include or have access to one
`
`or more computer readable media. Microcontroller 214 can
`provide intelligence to apparatus 200 by, for example, con-
`trolling the flow ofpowerto and from ports 202, 204 and 206,
`communicating with the devices 208, 210 and 212 via the
`appropriate lines and ports (which are discussed further
`below), facilitating communications amongdevices 208, 210
`and 212, determining how many and whattypes of devices are
`coupled to apparatus 200, prioritizing the devices that are
`coupled to apparatus 200, and monitoring the entire system
`for faults.
`
`Microcontroller 214 can control the power transferred
`among devices 208, 210 and 212 by, for example, controlling
`the flow of powerto and from ports 202, 204 and 206. When
`devices 208 and 210 are coupled to apparatus 200, microcon-
`troller 214 can cause powerto be transferred from device 208
`to device 210 (and vice versa). The transferred power can be
`usedto, e.g., charge the battery of device 210, to allow device
`210 to operate moreefficiently, to allow device 208 to com-
`municate with device 210 (or vice versa), etc. Microcontroller
`214 can also control the transfer of power from, for example,
`device 208 to device 212 (and vice versa), device 210 to
`device 212 (and vice versa), device 208 to devices 210 and
`212 (and vice versa), and device 210 to devices 208 and 212
`(and vice versa), and from device 212 to devices 210 and 212
`(and vice versa). Methodsfor transferring power among mul-
`tiple devices, which are in accordance with the present inven-
`tion, are discussed in more detail below in connection with,
`for example, FIGS. 7-14.
`Microcontroller 214 can use a communications path
`(which are discussed further below) to negotiate the transfer
`of powers among the devices. Negotiating the transfer of
`powerinvolves determining how much powershouldbe pro-
`vided to and/or from a device and can involve, for example,
`resetting a device. In some embodiments, microcontroller
`214 can perform a hard reset on a device, which restarts the
`hardware of the device, and/or a soft reset that restarts the
`software of a device. One skilled in the art would appreciate
`that any othertype reset can also be performed(suchas a reset
`thatresets the polarity of the ports of a device).
`In additionto resetting a device, negotiating the transfer of
`powercan include other communications between microcon-
`troller 214 and a device. For example, after microcontroller
`214 identifies a device (which is discussed further below),
`microcontroller 214 may communicate with the device in
`order to place the device in a high power mode. The high
`power mode can be unique to a particular device and will
`allow a device to give more power to one or more other
`devices. For example, some ipods have a high power mode
`that allows the ipod to output a given voltage at a higher
`current (compared to when the device is in a default mode).
`Somedevices only enter a high power modeafter the appro-
`priate handshaking (i.e., identification, authentication, etc.)
`occurs.
`
`Microcontroller 214 can consider any numberofvariables
`in determining which devices provide power and which
`receive power. For example, microcontroller 214 can base
`that determination on thepriority ofthe ports ofapparatus 200
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`6
`(which is discussed below in moredetail in connection with,
`for example, FIGS. 8-15)or the priority ofthe devices (which
`is discussed below).
`Microcontroller 214 can also determine which devices give
`and receive power based on, for example, the amount of
`excess powereach device has available. For example, micro-
`controller 214 can transfer power from the device(s) with
`more excess powerto the device(s) with less excess power. To
`gauge the amount of excess power a device has, microcon-
`troller 214 can consider, for example, the remaining battery
`power, the length of time a battery powered device can run
`before the battery needs to be charged, and/or whether or not
`a device is coupled to another source of power(such as a wall
`outlet, a large back-up battery, a generator,a solar panel,etc.).
`Microcontroller 214 can also, for example, direct the flow
`of power through apparatus 200 in response to receiving a
`user indication via a user interface. The user can, for example,
`select one or more physical buttons on apparatus 200 (not
`shown). Microcontroller 214 may also direct the flow of
`powerin response to interactions the user has with the user
`interface(s) of device(s) 208, 210 and/or 212 (not shown).
`In addition to controlling the power provided andreceived
`by each device coupled to apparatus 200, microcontroller 214
`can communicate with any other componentof apparatus 200
`or any device coupled to apparatus 200 via the control lines
`(not shown) that were discussed above. Microcontroller 214
`can also facilitate the transfer of information among the
`devices coupled to apparatus 200 using the components and
`wires described below.
`In some embodiments, the information transferred from a
`first device to a second device may include, for example,
`software or a firmware update for the second device. A first
`device (such as a cellular telephone or computer) can be used
`to update the firmware or provide additional software to a
`second device (such as a wireless headset). For example, a
`firmware update for a wireless headset may be downloaded
`onto a computer (via the internet and into, e.g., iTunes) or
`cellular telephone(via the cellular telephone network) from a
`central server (such as the Apple server). When computer or
`cellular telephone and the wireless headset are coupled to
`apparatus 200, the information maybe relayed from the com-
`puter or cellular telephone to the wireless headset via appa-
`ratus 200. In some other embodiments, apparatus 200 may
`facilitate the transfer of the information outside of apparatus
`200, which is discussed in more detail below.
`Information can be passed between devices directly or
`indirectly through apparatus 200. When microcontroller 214
`establishes direct communications between two devices, the
`signal can be routed through various components ofapparatus
`200 (e.g., ports 202, 204 and/or 206, switch 220, etc.), but the
`communicationsare not routed through microcontroller 214.
`An example of a direct communications path