Smart connectors and associated communications links
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a contactless communications link existing between first and second contactless connectors, the method implemented in the first contactless connector, the method comprising;
- controlling operation of the contactless communications link, wherein the contactless communications link is actively and bi-directionally conveying contactless signals between the first and second contactless connectors, wherein the contactless signal transmitted by the first contactless connector is characterized by a power level;
receiving connection strength telemetry indicative of the power level of the contactless signals being received by the second contactless connector;
adjusting the power level of the contactless signals transmitted by the first connector based on the received connection strength telemetryusing a first power level to establish the communications link; and
after the communications link is established, adjusting the power level to one of a second power and a third power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level and the third power level is greater than the first power level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
“Smart” connectors with embedded processors, measurement circuits and control circuits are disclosed for establishing a “contactless” radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) Extremely High Frequency (EHF) communications link between two electronic devices having host systems. The connectors are capable of monitoring, controlling, and directing (managing) link operation to dynamically adapt to conditions, as well as monitoring and altering (or modifying) data passing through the connector, and selecting a protocol suitable for a communications session. The connectors are capable of identifying the type of content being transferred, providing authentication and security services, and enabling application support for the host systems based on the type of connection or the type of content. The connectors may operate independently of the host systems, and may perform at least one of sensing proximity of a nearby object; detecting a shape of a nearby object; and detecting vibrations.
112 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a contactless communications link existing between first and second contactless connectors, the method implemented in the first contactless connector, the method comprising;
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controlling operation of the contactless communications link, wherein the contactless communications link is actively and bi-directionally conveying contactless signals between the first and second contactless connectors, wherein the contactless signal transmitted by the first contactless connector is characterized by a power level; receiving connection strength telemetry indicative of the power level of the contactless signals being received by the second contactless connector; adjusting the power level of the contactless signals transmitted by the first connector based on the received connection strength telemetry using a first power level to establish the communications link; and after the communications link is established, adjusting the power level to one of a second power and a third power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level and the third power level is greater than the first power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A contactless connector for associating with an electronic device comprising a host system, the contactless connector establishes a contactless connection with another contactless connector associated with another electronic device by at least one of sending and receiving data in the form of extremely high frequency (EHF) signals over a contactless communications link, the contactless connector comprising:
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an electrical interface for interfacing with the host system of the device; a transceiver for contactlessly exchanging EHF signals with the other contactless connector according to a transceiver power output; and a processor operative to; control operation of the contactless communications link, wherein the contactless communications link actively conveys contactless EHF signals between the transceiver and the other contactless connector; monitor a quality of the active contactless communications link; adjust the transceiver power output based on the monitored quality of the active contactless communications link; instruct the transceiver to operate at a first transceiver output power level to establish the communications link; and after the communications link is established, adjust the transceiver output power level to one of a second transceiver output power level and a third transceiver output power level, wherein the second transceiver output power level is lower than the first transceiver output power level and the third transceiver output power level is greater than the first transceiver output power level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A first device for contactlessly communicating with a second device, the first device comprising:
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a contactless connector comprising a plurality of transceivers operative to contactlessly communicate with counterpart transceivers associated with the second device; and a processor operative to; control operation of a contactless communications link between the plurality of transceivers and the counterpart transceivers, wherein the communications link is actively and bi-directionally conveying contactless signals between the first and second devices, and wherein one of the plurality of transceivers is a transmitting transceiver operating at a transceiver output power; receive connection strength telemetry indicative of the power level of the contactless signals being received at the second device, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers is a receiving transceiver that receives the connection strength telemetry from the second device; adjust the transceiver output power of the transmitting transceiver based on the received connection strength telemetry; instruct the transceiver to operate at a first transceiver output power level to establish the communications link; and after the communications link is established, adjust the transceiver output power level to one of a second transceiver output power level and a third transceiver output power level, wherein the second transceiver output power level is lower than the first transceiver output power level and the third transceiver output power level is greater than the first transceiver output power level.
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Specification