Multi-mode dongle for peripheral devices and associated methods
First Claim
1. A multi-mode dongle for a peripheral device, comprising:
- a host connection port configured to be coupled to a communication port on a host information handling system;
a device connection port configured to be coupled to a peripheral device;
mode selection circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to receive mode control signals from the host information handling system through the host connection port and configured to output a mode selection signal;
alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to generate alternate mode signals, the alternate mode signals representing signals that the host information handling system is not capable of providing to the peripheral device from the communication port; and
multiplexer circuitry coupled to receive standard mode signals from the host connection port and the alternate mode signals from the alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle, the multiplexer circuitry being configured to couple either the standard mode signals or the alternate mode signals to the device connection port depending upon the mode selection signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are described for utilizing multi-mode dongles with peripheral devices. The multi-mode dongles are configured to provide standard mode signals for a standard mode of operation and alternate mode signals for an alternate mode of operation, for example, where a host information handling system is unable to provide the alternate mode signals to the peripheral device. The multi-mode dongle receives mode control signals from a host information handling system and automatically switches from a standard mode of operation to an alternate mode of operation, where the alternate mode signals are provided to the peripheral device, based upon the mode control signals. In one embodiment, the multi-mode dongle can be configured for a universal serial bus (USB) port, and the alternate mode signals can be associated with charging a consumer electronics (CE) device.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A multi-mode dongle for a peripheral device, comprising:
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a host connection port configured to be coupled to a communication port on a host information handling system; a device connection port configured to be coupled to a peripheral device; mode selection circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to receive mode control signals from the host information handling system through the host connection port and configured to output a mode selection signal; alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to generate alternate mode signals, the alternate mode signals representing signals that the host information handling system is not capable of providing to the peripheral device from the communication port; and multiplexer circuitry coupled to receive standard mode signals from the host connection port and the alternate mode signals from the alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle, the multiplexer circuitry being configured to couple either the standard mode signals or the alternate mode signals to the device connection port depending upon the mode selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for utilizing a multi-mode dongle with a peripheral device, comprising:
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a host information handling system having a communication port configured to be coupled to a peripheral device, the host information handling system comprising; detection circuitry coupled to the communication port and configured to output one or more enable signals based upon detection of a connection to the communication port; and mode control circuitry configured to apply mode control signals to the connection port in response to the one or more enable signals; a multi-mode dongle configured to be coupled the host information handling system and to a peripheral device, the dongle comprising; a host connection port configured to be coupled to the communication port for the host information handling system; a device connection port configured to couple to a peripheral device; mode selection circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to receive the mode control signals from the host information handling system through the host connection port and configured to output a mode selection signal; alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle configured to generate alternate mode signals, the alternate mode signals representing signals that the host information handling system is not capable of providing to the peripheral device from the communication port; and multiplexer circuitry coupled to receive standard mode signals from the host connection port and the alternate mode signals from the alternate mode circuitry within the multi-mode dongle, the multiplexer circuitry being configured to couple either the standard mode signals or the alternate mode signals to the device connection port depending upon the mode selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for utilizing a multi-mode dongle with a peripheral device, comprising:
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connecting a dongle to a communication port for a host information handling system, the dongle having multiplexer circuitry configured to couple either standard mode signals or alternate mode signals to a device connection for a peripheral device, and the dongle being initially configured to provide standard mode signals from the communication port to a the device connection for the peripheral device through the multiplexer circuitry; receiving mode control signals from the host information handling system, the mode control signals indicating an alternate mode of operation; generating alternate mode signals using alternate mode circuitry within the dongle, the alternate mode signals representing signals that the host information handling system is not capable of providing to the peripheral device from the communication port; selecting within the dongle the alternate mode signals; and sending the alternate mode signals from the dongle to the device connection for the peripheral device through the multiplexer circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification