Personal media device docking station having an accessory device detector
First Claim
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1. A docking device comprising:
- a first connector for exchanging data with a media device,one or more second connectors for delivering data to a media supporting device,one or more sensors for detecting when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, wherein the docking device is configured to hold the media device, the sensor further comprising;
a resistor network operative to provide a first resistance value when the media supporting device is not connected to the one or more second connectors and a second resistance value when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the first resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to not deliver data to the media supporting device, and the second resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to deliver data to the media supporting device; and
circuitry that pulses a first conductor in the first connector in response to detecting when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the pulse operative to cause the media device to query a second conductor in the first connector to determine a value associated with the resistor network.
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Abstract
Systems and methods include a circuit for detecting the insertion of a component into a docking station, e.g., an audio plug. When the component is inserted into the docking station, an electronic switch can be opened. When the switch is opened, a detector (e.g., monostable multivibrator) for detecting a change in state of the switch can be activated. Responsive to the detected change in state, the detector can issue a signal to a control device. Responsive to the signal, the controller can look to a resistive identification circuit and, based on its resistance, determine whether the component has just been inserted or removed from the docking station.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A docking device comprising:
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a first connector for exchanging data with a media device, one or more second connectors for delivering data to a media supporting device, one or more sensors for detecting when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, wherein the docking device is configured to hold the media device, the sensor further comprising; a resistor network operative to provide a first resistance value when the media supporting device is not connected to the one or more second connectors and a second resistance value when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the first resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to not deliver data to the media supporting device, and the second resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to deliver data to the media supporting device; and circuitry that pulses a first conductor in the first connector in response to detecting when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the pulse operative to cause the media device to query a second conductor in the first connector to determine a value associated with the resistor network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for detecting a connection to a docking device comprising:
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connecting the docking device to a media device via a first connector, sensing, at the docking device, when a media supporting device is connected to one or more second connectors of the docking device, and pulsing a first conductor in the first connector in response to sensing when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the pulsing operative to cause the media device to query a second conductor in the first connector to determine a value associated with a resistor network, the resistor network operative to provide a first resistance value when the media supporting device is not connected to the one or more second connectors and a second resistance value when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors, the first resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to not deliver data to the media supporting device, and the second resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to deliver data to the media supporting device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A docking station comprising:
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a well for receiving and supporting an electronic device, a first connector for receiving audio signals from the electronic device, a second connector for sending the audio signals from the docking station to an accessory media device, and a sensor circuit for detecting when the accessory media device is attached to or detached from the second connector and, in response, sending a connection event signal to the electronic device via the first connector, the sensor circuit further comprising; a resistor network operative to provide a first resistance value when the accessory media device is not connected to the second connector and a second resistance value when the accessory media device is connected to the second connector, the first resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to not deliver data to the media supporting device, and the second resistance value operative to place the media device in a mode to deliver data to the media supporting device, and wherein the connection event signal is operative to cause the media device to query the first connector to determine a value associated with the resistor network. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification