Adapter devices for enhancing the functionality of other devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing configured to attach to a first device in an attached state;
a first communication unit (CU) configured to establish a first communications link by exchanging extremely high frequency (EHF) electromagnetic signals with a second CU of the first device when in the attached state;
a connector configured to establish a second communications link by exchanging electrical signals with a second device; and
a controller configured to utilize a first application programming interface (API) to communicate with the first device according to a first communications protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adapter may facilitate easy and swift data transfer amongst two previously incompatible electronic devices. Such an adapter may be operative to communicate data with a first of the two electronic devices using a contactless communication link and a first communication protocol and to communicate data with a second of the two electronic devices using a mechanical communication link and/or using a second communication protocol that is different than the first communication protocol, such that data may be transferred between the first and second electronic devices via the adapter. The adapter may be communicatively coupled to both the first electronic device and the second electronic device at the same time. The adapter may rapidly transition between communicating data with the first device and communicating data with the second device (e.g., without altering a physical connection between the adapter and one of the first and second devices during such a transition).
254 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a housing configured to attach to a first device in an attached state; a first communication unit (CU) configured to establish a first communications link by exchanging extremely high frequency (EHF) electromagnetic signals with a second CU of the first device when in the attached state; a connector configured to establish a second communications link by exchanging electrical signals with a second device; and a controller configured to utilize a first application programming interface (API) to communicate with the first device according to a first communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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a first device in electrical communication with a first communication unit (CU); and a second device in electrical communication with a second CU; and a controller configured to utilize a first application programming interface (API) to communicate with the first device according to a first communications protocol, wherein the first CU is configured to establish a communications link by exchanging extremely high frequency (EHF) electromagnetic signals with the second CU. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification