Method and device for recognition of docking stations

• US 8,397,982 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Slaby, Jiri, Pierce, Paul M, Voss, Karl R., Woodhull, Charles B., Ady, Roger W
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUDORF, LAURA A
• Application Number:
  US12/971,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20120153016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/454, 23546201-46249, 36167902-67961, 455/557, 710/8, 710/330, 710/303
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

A method for controlling an electronic device for use with a docking station is disclosed. The method includes detecting a coupling of the electronic device with the docking station, obtaining an image of an identifier associated with the docking station in response to detecting the coupling, and performing a predefined operation by the electronic device based on the image of the identifier in response to obtaining the image.

Claims

1. An electronic device for use with a docking station, the electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a circuit supported by the housing, wherein the circuit detects that the electronic device is coupled to the docking station;

an imager supported by the housing, wherein the imager obtains an image of an identifier associated with the docking station;

a processor communicating with the circuit and the imager, wherein the processor performs a predefined operation based on the image in response to detecting that the electronic device is coupled to the docking station; and

a light source coupled to the circuit, wherein the light source illuminates the identifier associated with the docking station at least while the imager obtains the image, wherein the light source is further coupled to a light guide of the docking station, and the light guide directs light from the light source to the identifier.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuit detects that the electronic device is coupled to the docking station by detecting at least one of a physical connection or a wireless connection between the electronic device and the docking station.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the circuit detects that the electronic device is coupled to the docking station by detecting an increase in power received by one or more circuits of the electronic device from the docking station.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the identifier is at least one of a barcode, a symbol code, a color-coded dot, a Q-code, or a shape-coded indentation.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the imager is in line of sight of the identifier when the electronic device is coupled to the docking station.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the imager is situated offset from the identifier when the electronic device is coupled to the docking station.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the imager obtains the image of the identifier by adjusting a focal length of the imager.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the imager is positioned adjacent to the identifier when the electronic device is coupled to the docking station.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the identifier is at least one of a barcode, a symbol code, a Q-code, or a shape-code.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the identifier is at least one of a color coded dot, shape code identifier, or symbol code identifier and the imager obtains the image with a fixed focus.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor identifies a location associated with the image in response to obtaining the image and determines a list of electronic devices available at the identified location.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device establishes a wireless connection with at least one electronic device from the list of electronic devices.

13. A method for controlling an electronic device for use with a docking station, the method comprising:

detecting a coupling of the electronic device with the docking station;

obtaining an image of an identifier associated with the docking station in response to detecting the coupling;

illuminating the identifier associated with the docking station at least while obtaining the image, wherein illuminating the identifier includes directing light from a light source to the identifier via a light guide of the docketing station; and

performing a predefined operation by the electronic device based on the image of the identifier in response to obtaining the image.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the performing further comprises:

identifying an associated image from a plurality of images based on the obtained image; and

performing the predefined operation based on the associated image.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising processing the image prior to the identifying.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the identifier includes at least one of a barcode, a symbol code, a color-coded dot, a Q-code, or a shape-code.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the predefined operation includes at least one personalization setting including displaying at least one application on a display of the electronic device, adjusting a brightness of the display, adjusting a touch lens sensitivity of the display, adjusting a loudspeaker volume, or activating an input key.