Docking system

• US 10,198,273 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DisplayLink (UK) Limited (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: DisplayLink (UK) Limited (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Edmonds, Timothy Mark, Akester, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Myers, Paul R.
• Application Number:
  US15/541,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20180004540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 710308, 710 14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4286 using a handshaking protocol, e.g. RS232C link
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of determining which of at least two connected mobile devices is to function as a host device, wherein the mobile devices first determine which of them is to act as an initial host device and which is to act as an initial peripheral device. The initial host device then receives instructions from a user as to which of the mobile devices is to be the host device. If the instructions indicate that the initial host device is to be the host device, the initial host device controls, as host device, the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device, and if the instructions indicate that the initial peripheral device is to be the host device, the initial host device passes control to the initial peripheral device to enable the initial peripheral device to control, as host device, the initial host device as a peripheral device.

Claims

1. A method of determining which of at least two mobile devices is to function as a host device, the method comprising:

connecting two mobile devices for communication with each other;

the mobile devices communicating with each other to determine which of the mobile devices is to act as an initial host device and which is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the initial host device providing a user of the initial host device on a display of the initial host device with options to enable the user to input into the initial host device instructions as to which of the mobile devices is to be the host device and which is to be a peripheral device;

if the instructions indicate that the initial host device is to be the host device, the initial host device controlling, as host device, the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device;

if the instructions indicate that the initial peripheral device is to be the host device, the initial host device passing control to the initial peripheral device to enable the initial peripheral device to control, as host device, the initial host device as a peripheral device;

designating one or more of the mobile devices as private;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as private, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device cannot act as a peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device automatically passing control to the initial peripheral device to enable the initial peripheral device to control, as host device, the host device or initial host device as a peripheral device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting a third mobile device to either of the two mobile devices;

the third mobile device communicating with the host device to determine that the third mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the host device providing a user of the host device on a display of the host device with one or more options to enable the user to input into the host device instructions as to whether the third mobile device is to be the host device;

the host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

if the instructions indicate that the host device is to remain as the host device, the host device controlling, as host device, the third mobile device as a peripheral device; and

if the instructions indicate that the third mobile device is to be the host device, the host device passing control to the third mobile device to enable the third mobile device to control, as host device, the two mobile devices as peripheral devices.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated so that the user cannot input instructions to use the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

designating one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device is restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the initial peripheral device, the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

designating one or more resources of one or more of the mobile devices as private;

if one or more resources of an initial peripheral device have been designated as private, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the initial peripheral device are designated as private;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated so that the user cannot input instructions to use the one or more resources that are designated as private.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

designating one or more resources of one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

one or more resources of an initial peripheral device have been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the initial peripheral device are designated as restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device, the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

designating a classification of each of the mobile devices;

each initial peripheral device sending a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating its designated classification;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated according to the relative classifications of the mobile devices.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the classification comprises one or more of:

Type of device (laptop, netbook, tablet, wearable, smartphone etc.)

Manufacturer/Vendor

Issuer

Owner.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining which of the mobile devices is to act as an initial host device and which is to act as an initial peripheral device comprises any one or more of:

determining relative priorities of the mobile devices;

determining relative status of the mobile devices;

determining relative rank of the mobile devices;

determining settings of the mobile devices;

using predetermined heuristics.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

designating one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device is restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the initial peripheral device, the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

11. A method of controlling resources in at least two mobile devices, the method comprising:

connecting two mobile devices for communication with each other;

the mobile devices communicating with each other to determine which of the mobile devices is to act as an initial host device and which is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the initial host device providing a user of the initial host device on a display of the initial host device with options to enable the user to input into the initial host device instructions as to which of the mobile devices is to control particular resources in both the mobile devices;

the initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

the initial host device maintaining control, as a first mobile device, of resources that have been specified in the instructions are to be controlled from the first mobile device, and passing control to the initial peripheral device, as a second mobile device, of resources that have been specified in the instructions are to be controlled from the second mobile device;

designating one or more of the mobile devices as private;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as private, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device cannot act as a peripheral device;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device automatically passing control to the initial peripheral device to enable the initial peripheral device to control, as host device, the host device or initial host device as a peripheral device.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

connecting a third mobile device to either the first or second mobile device;

the third mobile device communicating with the initial host device to determine that the third mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the initial host device providing a user of the initial host device on a display of the initial host device with options to enable the user to input into the initial host device instructions as to whether the third mobile device is to control any resources in either or both of the first and the second mobile devices;

the initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

the initial host device passing control to the third mobile device of resources in either or both of the first and second mobile devices that have been specified are to be controlled from the third mobile device.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the instructions specify that at least some resources are to be controlled on a peer-to-peer basis and control of those resources is shared between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated so that the user cannot input instructions to use the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

designating one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device is restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the initial peripheral device, the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

designating one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

if an initial peripheral device has been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the initial peripheral device is restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the initial peripheral device as a peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the initial peripheral device, the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

designating one or more resources of one or more of the mobile devices as private;

if one or more resources of an initial peripheral device have been designated as private, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the initial peripheral device are designated as private;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated so that the user cannot input instructions to use the one or more resources that are designated as private.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

designating one or more resources of one or more of the mobile devices as restricted;

one or more resources of an initial peripheral device have been designated as restricted, the initial peripheral device sends a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the initial peripheral device are designated as restricted;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the host device or initial host device providing a user on the display with options to enable the user to input authentication instructions to enable the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device;

the host device or initial host device receiving instructions from the user in response to the options;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the instructions, the host device or initial host device authenticating the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device; and

in response to the host device or initial host device being unable to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device, the restricted one or more resources of the initial peripheral device being treated as being designated private.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

designating a classification of each of the mobile devices;

each initial peripheral device sending a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating its designated classification;

in response to the host device or initial host device receiving the signal, the options provided to the user by the host device or initial host device are truncated according to the relative classifications of the mobile devices.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the classification comprises one or more of:

Type of device (laptop, netbook, tablet, wearable, smartphone etc.)

Manufacturer/Vendor

Issuer

Owner.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein determining which of the mobile devices is to act as an initial host device and which is to act as an initial peripheral device comprises any one or more of:

determining relative priorities of the mobile devices;

determining relative status of the mobile devices;

determining relative rank of the mobile devices;

determining settings of the mobile devices;

using predetermined heuristics.

22. A mobile device, acting as a first mobile device, comprising:

connection means configured to connect the first mobile device to a second mobile device for communication therewith;

communication means configured to communicate with the second mobile device to determine which mobile device is to act as an initial host device and which mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device; and

control means configured to control the first mobile device as an initial host device, if the first mobile device is determined to act as the initial host device;

wherein the control means are configured to provide, if the first mobile device is acting as the initial host device, on a display of the first mobile device, options to enable a user to input instructions as to which of the mobile devices is to be the host device;

wherein the control means are configured to control, if the instructions indicate that the initial host device is to be the host device, the first mobile device as host device and to control the second mobile device as a peripheral device; and

wherein the control means are configured to pass control, if the instructions indicate that the second mobile device is to be the host device, to the second mobile device to enable the second mobile device to be the host device to control the first mobile device as a peripheral device;

and wherein the first mobile device is designated as private;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal, if the first mobile device acts as an initial peripheral device, to the host device or initial host device indicating that first mobile device cannot act as a peripheral device; and

the first mobile device is configured to receive instructions from the host device or initial host device passing control to the first mobile device to enable the first mobile device to control, as host device, the host device or initial host device as a peripheral device.

23. The mobile device according to claim 22, wherein:

the connection means are configured to connect to a third mobile device;

the communication means are configured to communicate, if the first mobile device is acting as the host device, with the third mobile device to determine that the third mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the control means are configured to provide on the display options to enable the user to input into the first mobile device instructions as to whether the third mobile device is to be the host device;

the control means are configured to receive instructions from the user in response to the options;

the control means are configured to control, if the instructions indicate that the first mobile device is to remain as the host device, the third mobile device as a peripheral device; and

the control means are configured to pass control, if the instructions indicate that the third mobile device is to be the host device, to the third mobile device to enable the third mobile device to control, as host device, the first and second mobile devices as peripheral devices.

24. The mobile device according to claim 22, wherein:

the first mobile device is designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the first mobile device is restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to communicate with the host device or initial host device to authenticate the first mobile device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the first mobile device as a peripheral device.

25. The mobile device according to claim 22, wherein:

one or more resources of the first mobile device are designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the first mobile device are designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to communicate with the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the first mobile device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the restricted one or more resources of the first mobile device.

26. The mobile device according to claim 22, wherein:

the first mobile device is designating with a classification;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating its designated classification, wherein the classification comprises one or more of;

Type of device (laptop, netbook, tablet, wearable, smartphone etc.)

Manufacturer/Vendor

Issuer

Owner.

27. A system comprising at least two mobile devices wherein at least one of the at least two mobile devices comprises a mobile device according to claim 22.

28. A mobile device, acting as a first mobile device, comprising:

connection means configured to connect the first mobile device to a second mobile device for communication therewith;

communication means configured to communicate with the second mobile device to determine which mobile device is to act as an initial host device and which mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device; and

control means configured to control the first mobile device as an initial host device;

wherein the control means are configured to provide, if the first mobile device is to act as the initial host device, on a display of the first mobile device, options to enable a user to input instructions as to which of the mobile devices is to control particular resources in the mobile devices;

wherein the control means are configured to receive instructions from the user in response to the options;

wherein the control means are configured to control, if the first mobile device is acting as the initial host device, resources that have been specified in the instructions are to be controlled from the first mobile device, and to pass control to the second mobile device of resources that have been specified in the instructions are to be controlled from the second mobile device; and

wherein;

the first mobile device is designated as private;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal, if the first mobile device acts as an initial peripheral device, to the host device or initial host device indicating that the first mobile device cannot act as a peripheral device; and

the first mobile device is configured to receive instructions from the host device or initial host device passing control to the first mobile device to enable the first mobile device to control, as host device, the host device or initial host device as a peripheral device.

29. The mobile device according to claim 28, wherein:

the connection means are configured to connect to a third mobile device;

the communication means are configured to communicate, if the first mobile device is acting as the initial host device, with the third mobile device to determine that the third mobile device is to act as an initial peripheral device;

the control means are configured to provide on the display options to enable the user to input into the first mobile device instructions as to whether the third mobile device is to control any resources in either or both of the first and the second mobile devices;

the control means are configured to receive instructions from the user in response to the options;

the control means are configured to pass control to the third mobile device of resources in either or both of the first and second mobile devices that have been specified are to be controlled from the third mobile device.

30. The mobile device according to claim 28, wherein:

the first mobile device is designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that the first mobile device is restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to communicate with the host device or initial host device to authenticate the first mobile device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the first mobile device as a peripheral device.

31. The mobile device according to claim 28, wherein:

one or more resources of the first mobile device are designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating that one or more resources of the first mobile device are designated as restricted;

the first mobile device is configured to communicate with the host device or initial host device to authenticate the restricted one or more resources of the first mobile device to enable the host device or initial host device to control the restricted one or more resources of the first mobile device.

32. The mobile device according to claim 28, wherein:

the first mobile device is designating with a classification;

the first mobile device is configured to send a signal to the host device or initial host device indicating its designated classification, wherein the classification comprises one or more of;

Type of device (laptop, netbook, tablet, wearable, smartphone etc.)

Manufacturer/Vendor

Issuer

Owner.

33. A system comprising at least two mobile devices wherein at least one of the at least two mobile devices comprises a mobile device according to claim 28.