Systems and methods for managing a wireless connection between a computing device and a peripheral module

• US 9,632,969 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2012
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Hendin, Neil, Gummalla, Ajay Chandra Venkata, Wuellner, Trond Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Georgandellis, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): FABBRI, ANTHONY E
• Application Number:
  US13/569,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20150205750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G09C 1/00 Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system cryptographic typewriters G09C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a wireless connection between a computing device and a peripheral module are provided. In some aspects, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a mechanical coupling between the peripheral module and the computing device. The method also includes identifying a first function of the mechanically coupled peripheral module, and comparing the first function to a preapproved function. The method also includes managing the wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the first function to the preapproved function.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

detecting a mechanical coupling between a peripheral module and a slot in a host body of a computing device when the peripheral module is inserted into the slot and secured by interlocking or friction fit, both the slot and the host body being free of electrical connectors penetrating the peripheral module, and the peripheral module being free of electrical connectors penetrating either the slot or the host body, and the mechanical coupling including physical contact between the peripheral module and the slot without direct electrical contact;

determining, in response to detecting the mechanical coupling, whether the mechanically coupled peripheral module within the slot is supplying power to the computing device;

receiving power from the mechanically coupled peripheral module if it is determined that the mechanically coupled peripheral module is supplying power to the computing device;

identifying, if it is determined that the mechanically coupled peripheral module within the slot is not supplying power to the computing device, a first function of the mechanically coupled peripheral module;

authenticating the peripheral module in response to the identification of the first function;

comparing the first function to a preapproved function in response to the authentication of the peripheral module;

and managing a wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the first function to the preapproved function.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the mechanical coupling comprises detecting at least one of an inductive load, inductive power, a capacitive load, or capacitive power from the peripheral module.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an additional mechanical coupling of an additional peripheral module within an additional slot in the host body of the computing device, the additional slot being free of electrical connectors penetrating the host body and the additional mechanical coupling including a physical connection between the additional peripheral module and the computing device without direct electrical contact;

determining, in response to detecting the additional mechanical coupling, that the mechanically coupled additional peripheral module within the additional slot is supplying power to the computing device;

determining an amount of power supplied by the additional peripheral module that is supplying power to the computing device; and

receiving, by the computing device, the power from the additional peripheral module.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising distributing the received power from the additional peripheral module to at least one of a battery of the computing device or a processing assembly of the computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering, by the computing device, power to the peripheral module if the peripheral module is not supplying power to the computing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the first function comprises:

transmitting a request to the peripheral module for identification information of the first function of the peripheral module; and

receiving a response to the request, the response comprising the identification information of the first function.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating the peripheral module comprises:

receiving a cryptographic validation of authenticity from the peripheral module; and

verifying the received cryptographic validation of authenticity.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein managing the wireless connection comprises:

allowing the peripheral module to communicate data with the computing device if the first function matches the preapproved function; and

allowing the peripheral module to communicate power with the computing device if the first function matches the preapproved function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein managing the wireless connection comprises:

preventing the peripheral module from communicating data with the computing device if the first function does not match the preapproved function; and

preventing the computing device from delivering power to the peripheral module if the first function does not match the preapproved function.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a second function of the peripheral module;

comparing the second function to the preapproved function; and

managing the wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the second function to the preapproved function.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein managing the wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the second function to the preapproved function comprises:

allowing the peripheral module to communicate data with the computing device if the second function matches the preapproved function; and

allowing the peripheral module to communicate power with the computing device if the second function matches the preapproved function.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein managing the wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the second function to the preapproved function comprises:

preventing the peripheral module from communicating data with the computing device if the second function does not match the preapproved function; and

preventing the computing device from delivering power to the peripheral module if the second function does not match the preapproved function.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the preapproved function consists of at least one of a power supply function, a video adapter function, an audio adapter function, a network adapter function, a printer adapter function, or a scanner adapter function.

14. A computing device comprising:

a host body having a mechanical coupling interface slot that is configured to couple to a mechanical coupling interface of a peripheral body of a peripheral module, the peripheral module being free of electrical connectors penetrating either the slot or the host body, and both the slot and the host body being free of electrical connectors penetrating the peripheral module;

a wireless power interface configured to detect a mechanical coupling between the peripheral module and a slot in the host body of the computing device when the peripheral module is inserted into the slot and secured by interlocking or friction fit, the mechanical coupling including physical contact between the peripheral module and the slot without direct electrical contact; and

a processing assembly configured to;

determine, in response to detecting the coupling, whether the coupled peripheral module is supplying power to the computing device;

receive power from the coupled peripheral module if it is determined that the coupled peripheral module is supplying power to the computing device;

identify, if it is determined that the coupled peripheral module is not supplying power to the computing device, a function of the coupled peripheral module;

authenticate the peripheral module in response to the identification of the first function;

compare the function of the peripheral module to a preapproved function in response to the authentication of the peripheral module; and

manage a wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the function of the peripheral module to the preapproved function.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the wireless power interface is configured to detect the coupling between the peripheral module and the computing device by detecting at least one of an inductive load, inductive power, a capacitive load, or capacitive power from the peripheral module.

16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the processing assembly is configured to:

allow the peripheral module to communicate data with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module matches the preapproved function;

allow the peripheral module to communicate power with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module matches the preapproved function;

prevent the peripheral module from communicating data with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module does not match the preapproved function; and

prevent the computing device from delivering power to the peripheral module if the function of the peripheral module does not match the preapproved function.

17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium encoded with executable instructions, the instructions comprising code for:

detecting a mechanical coupling between a peripheral module and a slot in a host body of a computing device, when the peripheral module is inserted into the slot and secured by interlocking or friction fit, the mechanical coupling including physical contact between the peripheral module and the slot without direct electrical contact, both the slot and the host body being free of electrical connectors penetrating the peripheral device, and the peripheral device being free of electrical connectors penetrating either the slot or the host body,

determining, in response to detecting the mechanical coupling, whether the mechanically coupled peripheral module within the slot is supplying power to the computing device;

receiving power from the mechanically coupled peripheral module if it is determined that the mechanically coupled peripheral module is supplying power to the computing device;

identifying, if it is determined that the mechanically coupled peripheral module is not supplying power to the computing device, a function of the mechanically coupled peripheral module;

authenticating the peripheral module in response to the identification of the function;

comparing the function of the peripheral module to a preapproved function in response to the authentication of the peripheral module; and

managing a wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the function of the peripheral module to the preapproved function.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein managing the wireless connection comprises:

allowing the peripheral module to communicate data with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module matches the preapproved function;

allowing the peripheral module to communicate power with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module matches the preapproved function;

preventing the peripheral module from communicating data with the computing device if the function of the peripheral module does not match the preapproved function; and

preventing the computing device from delivering power to the peripheral module if the function of the peripheral module does not match the preapproved function.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the preapproved function excludes at least one of a universal serial bus (USB) adapter function, a storage medium function, a disc drive function, or a memory card reader function.