Application of modulated vibrations in docking scenarios

• US 10,122,184 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Smadi, Mohammed Nawaf, Clemmer, Jeffrey Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc M
• Application Number:
  US15/266,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20180074547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 455572, 455573
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/52 Fastening salient pole windings or connections thereto
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 41/0356 moving along a straight path
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/075 using crankshafts or eccentrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A docking station for electronic devices is disclosed. The docking station includes: a housing defining a docking area for receiving an electronic device; a vibrator for generating vibrations, the vibrator being positioned in the docking station such that vibrations generated by the vibrator are transmitted to at least a part of the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and a controller coupled to the vibrator, the controller being configured to: detect that the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked in the docking area, cause the vibrator to generate vibrations corresponding to a signal representing an identifier of the docking station.

Claims

1. A docking station for electronic devices, comprising:

a housing defining a docking area for receiving an electronic device and a docking surface for supporting the electronic device in the docking area;

a vibrator for generating vibrations, the vibrator being positioned in the docking station and coupled to the docking surface such that vibrations generated by the vibrator are transmitted to at least a part of the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and

a controller coupled to the vibrator, the controller being configured to;

detect that the electronic device is docked in the docking area;

determine that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station; and

in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked in the docking area and that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station, cause the vibrator to generate modulated vibrations encoding an identifier of the docking station.

2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a connector interface for operatively engaging a port of the electronic device.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the vibrator comprises the connector interface.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a bit stream message.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibrator makes direct physical contact with the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area.

6. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a wall for supporting the electronic device in a generally upright position when the electronic device is docked in the docking area and wherein the vibrator is configured to cause the wall to vibrate.

7. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibrator comprises a vibration motor connected to a power supply and wherein the controller is configured to control the vibration motor.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the identifier is a media access control (MAC) address of the docking station.

9. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the signal represents a hash value of an identifier of the docking station.

10. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication subsystem coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive, from the electronic device, a message confirming that an identity of the docking station has been recognized by the electronic device; and

in response to receiving the message, cause the vibrator to cease generating vibrations.

11. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a memory, wherein the identifier is stored in the memory.

12. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to generate the vibrations at predetermined time intervals.

13. A processor-implemented method of operating a docking station for electronic devices, the docking station including a housing defining a docking surface for supporting a docked electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting that an electronic device is docked to the docking station;

determine that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station; and

in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked to the docking station and that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station, causing a vibrator of the docking station to generate modulated vibrations encoding an identifier of the docking station,

wherein the vibrator is coupled to the docking surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal comprises a bit stream message.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the identifier is a media access control (MAC) address of the docking station.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal represents a hash value of an identifier of the docking station.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, from the electronic device, a message confirming that an identity of the docking station has been recognized by the electronic device; and

in response to receiving the message, causing the vibrator to cease generating vibrations.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the vibrator is caused to generate the vibrations at predetermined time intervals.