Accessory Detection To Minimize Interference With Wireless Communication

• US 20070123207A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Terlizzi, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,238,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/403
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0274 for an electrical connector module
• 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 wireless handheld device includes one or more antennas and a connector configured to couple with one or more external accessories. The handheld device further includes an accessory detector coupled to the connector and configured to detect whether an external accessory coupled to the connector may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

one or more antennas configured to facilitate wireless communication;

a connector configured to couple with one or more external accessories; and

an accessory detector coupled to the connector and configured to detect whether an external accessory coupled to the connector may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

2. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured to alert a user if the accessory detector detects that an external accessory coupled with the connector may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

3. The handheld device of claim 2 wherein the handheld device is configured to alert the user by displaying a corresponding message on a display or by generating an audio message corresponding to the alert.

4. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured such that if the accessory detector cannot recognize an external accessory coupled to the connector, the handheld device notifies the user that the external accessory may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

5. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured such that if the accessory detector detects that an external accessory coupled to the connector would interfere with the wireless communication with the handheld device, the handheld device alerts a user of the same.

6. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the connector and the one or more antennas are disposed at a base of the handheld device.

7. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured to adjust a radio characteristic of the handheld device if the accessory detector detects interference with wireless communication with the handheld device.

8. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured to tune the one or more antennas if the accessory detector detects interference with the operation of the one or more antennas.

9. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is configured to adjust an operating frequency of the handheld device if the accessory detector detects an operating frequency of the handheld device shifted out of a predetermined operating frequency range.

10. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the connector is configured to facilitate docking of the handheld device in a docking system.

11. The handheld device of claim 1 further configured to store a list of accessories, wherein the accessory detector is further configured to compare a detected external accessory coupled to the connector with the list of accessories to determine if a match can be found.

12. The handheld device of claim 11 wherein the list of accessories includes those accessories that are known to cause interference with the wireless operation of the handheld device.

13. The handheld device of claim 11 wherein the list of accessories includes those accessories that are known not to cause interference with the wireless operation of the handheld device.

14. The handheld device of claim 11 wherein the handheld device is configured to enable the list of accessories to be updated.

15. The wireless Mobile electronic device of claim 1 wherein the accessory detector is configured to detect accessories with USB and FireWire interfaces.

16. A mobile device comprising:

one or more antennas configured to facilitate wireless communication;

a connector configured to couple with one or more external accessories; and

an accessory detector coupled to the connector and configured to alert a user when the accessory detector detects that an external accessory coupled with the connector may interfere with wireless communication with the mobile device.

17. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the mobile device is configured to alert the user by displaying a corresponding message on a display or by generating an audio message corresponding to the alert.

18. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the mobile device is configured such that if the accessory detector cannot recognize an external accessory coupled to the connector, the mobile device notifies a user that the external accessory may interfere with wireless communication with the mobile device.

19. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the mobile device is configured such that if the accessory detector detects that an external accessory coupled to the connector would interfere with the wireless communication with the mobile device, the mobile device alerts a user of the same.

20. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the connector and the one or more antennas are disposed at a base of the mobile device.

21. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the accessory detector is further configured to compare a detected external accessory coupled to the connector with a list of accessories that are known not to cause interference with the wireless operation of the mobile device to determine if a match can be found.

22. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the accessory detector is further configured to compare a detected external accessory coupled to the connector with a list of accessories that are known to cause interference with the wireless operation of the mobile device to determine if a match can be found.

23. A mobile device comprising:

one or more antennas configured to facilitate wireless communication;

a connector configured to couple with one or more external accessories; and

an accessory detector coupled to the connector and configured to adjust a radio characteristic of the mobile device if the accessory detector detects interference with wireless communication with the mobile device.

24. The mobile device of claim 23 wherein the mobile device is configured to tune the one or more antennas if the accessory detector detects interference with the operation of the one or more antennas.

25. The mobile device of claim 23 wherein the mobile device is configured to adjust an operating frequency of the mobile device if the accessory detector detects an operating frequency of the mobile device shifted out of a predetermined operating frequency range.

26. The mobile device of claim 23 wherein the connector and the one or more antennas are disposed at a base of the mobile device.

27. A method of operation in a handheld device, comprising:

detecting whether an external accessory coupled to the handheld device may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device; and

alerting a user if it is detected that the external accessory may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the user is alerted by displaying a message on a display of the handheld device.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the user is alerted by generating an audio message.

30. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

detecting the type of external accessory coupled to the handheld device; and

if the external accessory coupled to the handheld device cannot be recognized, alerting the user that the external accessory may interfere with wireless communication with the handheld device.

31. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

detecting the type of external accessory coupled to the handheld device; and

comparing the detected external accessory coupled to the handheld device with a list of external accessories to determine if a match can be found.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the list of external accessories includes accessories that are known to cause interference with the wireless operation of the handheld device.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the list of external accessories includes accessories that are known not to cause interference with the wireless operation of the handheld device.

34. A method of operation in a handheld device, comprising:

detecting whether an external accessory coupled to the handheld device has interfered with wireless communication with the handheld device; and

adjusting a radio characteristic of the handheld device if interference with wireless communication with the handheld device is detected.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

tuning one or more antennas in the handheld device if interference with the operation of the one or more antennas is detected.

36. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

adjusting an operating frequency of the handheld device if an operating frequency of the handheld device is shifted out of a predetermined operating frequency range.