Inductive peripheral retention device

• US 10,156,889 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2016
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Jakoboski, Timothy Allen, Ng, Shiu Sang, Standing, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Terrell S
• Application Number:
  US15/209,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20160320830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4413 Plug-and-play [PnP]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a plug configured to removably engage a communication port of a device to form a communicative coupling with the device. The plug is securable to and removable from the device using one or more hands of a user. The apparatus also includes a peripheral securing portion connected to the plug and configured to removably engage a peripheral device via an inductive element formed as a flexible loop and configured to form a communicative coupling between the peripheral device and the device, which may be used to support charging of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting inductance of a flexible element configured to transfer power to a peripheral device via inductance;

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above a first threshold, utilizing a first power mode in which a first amount of power is provided to the flexible element; and

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below a second threshold, utilizing a second power mode in which a second amount of power is provided to the flexible element that is less than the first amount of power.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein utilizing the first power mode comprises providing a first amount of power to the flexible element.

3. A method as described in claim 2, wherein utilizing the second power mode comprises providing a second amount of power to the flexible element.

4. A method as described in claim 3, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.

5. A method as described in claim 3, wherein the first amount of power is sufficient to cause charging of the peripheral device and the second amount of power does not provide power to the flexible element.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element is in a collapsed state such that opposing sides of the flexible element are disposed proximal to each other.

7. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element is not in the collapsed state.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible element is formed as a loop.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above the first threshold indicates that the peripheral device is in contact with the flexible element.

10. A system comprising:

a flexible element configured to transfer power to a peripheral device via inductance; and

at least a memory and a processor to implement a charging module, the charging module configured to perform operations comprising;

detecting inductance of the flexible element;

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above a first threshold, utilizing a first power mode; and

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below a second threshold, utilizing a second power mode.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein utilizing the first power mode comprises providing a first amount of power to the flexible element.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein utilizing the second power mode comprises providing a second amount of power to the flexible element.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first amount of power is sufficient to cause charging of the peripheral device and the second amount of power does not provide power to the flexible element.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element is in a collapsed state such that opposing sides of the flexible element are disposed proximal to each other.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element is not in the collapsed state.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the flexible element is formed as a loop.

18. One or more computer-readable storage devices comprising instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by one or more processors, perform operations comprising:

detecting inductance of a flexible element configured to transfer power to a peripheral device via inductance;

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is above a first threshold, utilizing a first power mode in which a first amount of power is provided to the flexible element; and

responsive to determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below a second threshold, utilizing a second power mode in which a second amount of power is provided to the flexible element that is less than the first amount of power.

19. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 18, wherein the first amount of power is sufficient to cause charging of the peripheral device and the second amount of power does not provide power to the flexible element.

20. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 18, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexible element is below the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element is in a collapsed state such that opposing sides of the flexible element are disposed proximal to each other.