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Gating accessory connection

  • US 9,338,276 B2
  • Filed: 09/28/2010
  • Issued: 05/10/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for managing accessories connected with a mobile computing device, wherein the mobile computing device is coupled with a first accessory, a second accessory, and a third accessory, the method comprising:

  • interacting, by the mobile computing device, with the first accessory and the second accessory, wherein the third accessory is in an deactivated state, the mobile computing device, the first accessory, the second accessory, and the third accessory being separately-housed electronic devices, wherein interacting with the first accessory includes one or both of sending a command to the first accessory to invoke a function of the first accessory or receiving a command from the first accessory to invoke a function of the mobile device;

    receiving, by the mobile computing device, an indication that a triggering event has occurred;

    in response to the triggering event, receiving, by the mobile computing device, a request from the first accessory to deactivate the first accessory;

    in response to the request from the first accessory to deactivate the first accessory, deactivating, by the mobile computing device, the first accessory;

    determining, by the mobile computing device, that a number of allowed active connections has not exceeded a threshold number of active connections;

    activating, by the mobile computing device, the third accessory based on the determination;

    interacting, by the mobile computing device, with the second accessory and the third accessory while the first accessory is inactive;

    receiving, by the mobile computing device, an activation request from the first accessory, wherein the activation request from the first accessory is prompted by a user interaction with the first accessory; and

    reevaluating, by the mobile computing device, the inactive state of the first accessory based on the activation request from the first accessory.

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