Apparatus and methods for docking a dockee with a docking host utilizing a wireless charger in a wireless docking environment
First Claim
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1. A method operable at a docking host for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the method comprising:
- transmitting credential information from the docking host to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger;
receiving a request from the dockee to initiate an authentication/association operation with the dockee;
docking the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and
terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed relating to the use and performance of a wireless charger, such as one that utilizes inductive coupling between a primary coil at the charger and a secondary coil at a mobile device that lands on the charger. In particular, the wireless charger is implemented in a wireless docking environment, where the mobile device docks with a docking host. In one example, the wireless charger is integrated as a unit with the wireless docking host. In another example, the wireless charger is a peripheral in the wireless docking environment managed by the docking host.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method operable at a docking host for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the method comprising:
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transmitting credential information from the docking host to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; receiving a request from the dockee to initiate an authentication/association operation with the dockee; docking the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method operable at a dockee for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the method comprising:
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receiving credential information from the docking host responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; transmitting a request to initiate an authentication/association operation with the docking host; docking with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method operable at a docking host for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the method comprising:
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coupling wireless charging circuitry at the docking host with the dockee upon its landing on the docking host; transmitting, from the wireless charging circuitry at the docking host, to docking circuitry at the wireless docking host, information indicating a docking intent of the dockee; docking the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the docking intent of the dockee; and terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method operable at a dockee for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the method comprising:
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landing on the docking host, wherein the docking host comprises wireless charging circuitry; docking with the docking environment in accordance with a docking intent of the dockee, wherein the docking intent is signaled to the docking host by the landing on the docking host; and terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method operable at a dockee for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the method comprising:
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landing on a wireless charger to establish a coupling with the wireless charger utilizing a wireless charging interface at the dockee; transmitting credential information to the docking host in response to the landing on the wireless charger, over a wireless docking host interface at the dockee; docking with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information, wherein the docking environment comprises the wireless charger as a peripheral; and terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method operable at a docking host for enabling a peripheral comprising a wireless charger to wirelessly charge a dockee, the method comprising:
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establishing a docking session with the dockee utilizing a wireless dockee interface at the docking host; receiving information from the wireless charger indicating that the dockee landed on the wireless charger; transmitting an authorization to the wireless charger indicating that a wireless charging function is authorized; and terminating the docking session with the dockee responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method operable at a wireless charger for wirelessly charging a mobile device, the method comprising:
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pairing with a docking host, such that the wireless charger is a peripheral in a docking environment managed by the docking host; determining that the mobile device has landed on the wireless charger; requesting from the docking host authorization to wirelessly charge the mobile device; receiving the authorization from the docking host; enabling a wireless charging function for charging the mobile device; and disabling the wireless charging function responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the mobile device.
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24. A docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the docking host comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the dockee; and a wireless dockee interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the dockee utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; transmit credential information to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; receive a request from the dockee to initiate an authentication/association operation with the dockee; dock the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and terminate the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the dockee; and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the docking host utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; receive credential information from the docking host responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; transmit a request to initiate an authentication/association operation with the docking host; dock with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and terminate the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the docking host comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the dockee; and a wireless dockee interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the dockee utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; couple the wireless charging circuitry with the dockee upon its landing on the docking host; determine a docking intent of the dockee corresponding to the coupling of the wireless charging circuitry with the dockee; dock the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the docking intent of the dockee; and terminate the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the dockee; and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the docking host utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; land on the docking host, wherein the docking host comprises wireless charging circuitry; dock with the docking environment in accordance with a docking intent of the dockee, wherein the docking intent is signaled to the docking host by the landing on the docking host; and terminate the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the dockee; and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the docking host utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; land on a wireless charger to establish a coupling with the wireless charger utilizing a wireless charging interface at the dockee; transmit credential information to the docking host in response to the landing on the wireless charger, over a wireless docking host interface at the dockee; dock with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information, wherein the docking environment comprises the wireless charger as a peripheral; and terminate the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A docking host configured for enabling a peripheral comprising a wireless charger to wirelessly charge a dockee, the docking host comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for communicating with the wireless charger utilizing at least one of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; establish a docking session with the dockee; receive information from the wireless charger indicating that the dockee landed on the wireless charger; transmit an authorization to the wireless charger indicating that a wireless charging function is authorized; and terminate the docking session with the dockee responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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37. A wireless charger configured for wirelessly charging a mobile device, the wireless charger comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly communicating with a docking host; and wireless charging circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one processor for wirelessly charging the mobile device, wherein the at least one processor is configured to; pair with the docking host, such that the wireless charger is a peripheral in a docking environment managed by the docking host; determine that the mobile device has landed on the wireless charger; request from the docking host authorization to wirelessly charge the mobile device; receive the authorization from the docking host; enable a wireless charging function for charging the mobile device; and disabling the wireless charging function responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the mobile device.
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38. A docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the docking host comprising:
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means for transmitting credential information from the docking host to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; means for receiving a request from the dockee to initiate an authentication/association operation with the dockee; means for docking the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and means for terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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39. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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means for receiving credential information from the docking host responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger; means for transmitting a request to initiate an authentication/association operation with the docking host; means for docking with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information; and means for terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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40. A docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, the docking host comprising:
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means for coupling wireless charging circuitry at the docking host with the dockee upon its landing on the docking host; means for transmitting to the wireless docking host information indicating a docking intent of the dockee; means for docking the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the docking intent of the dockee; and means for terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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41. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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means for landing on the docking host, wherein the docking host comprises wireless charging circuitry; means for docking with the docking environment in accordance with a docking intent of the dockee, wherein the docking intent is signaled to the docking host by the landing on the docking host; and means for terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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42. A dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, the dockee comprising:
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means for landing on a wireless charger to establish a coupling with the wireless charger utilizing a wireless charging interface at the dockee; means for transmitting credential information to the docking host in response to the landing on the wireless charger, over a wireless docking host interface at the dockee; means for docking with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information, wherein the docking environment comprises the wireless charger as a peripheral; and means for terminating the dock between the dockee and the docking environment responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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43. A docking host configured for enabling a peripheral comprising a wireless charger to wirelessly charge a dockee, the docking host comprising:
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means for establishing a docking session with the dockee utilizing a wireless dockee interface at the docking host; means for receiving information from the wireless charger indicating that the dockee landed on the wireless charger; means for transmitting an authorization to the wireless charger indicating that a wireless charging function is authorized; and means for terminating the docking session with the dockee responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the dockee.
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44. A wireless charger configured for wirelessly charging a mobile device, the wireless charger comprising:
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means for pairing with a docking host, such that the wireless charger is a peripheral in a docking environment managed by the docking host; means for determining that the mobile device has landed on the wireless charger; means for requesting from the docking host authorization to wirelessly charge the mobile device; means for receiving the authorization from the docking host; means for enabling a wireless charging function for charging the mobile device; and means for disabling the wireless charging function responsive to an expiration of an inactivity timer indicating inactivity of a communication interface for communicating with the mobile device.
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45. A computer-readable storage medium operable at a docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to transmit credential information from the docking host to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger;
instructions for causing a computer to receive a request from the dockee to initiate an authentication/association operation with the dockee; and
instructions for causing a computer to dock the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information.
- instructions for causing a computer to transmit credential information from the docking host to the dockee responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger;
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46. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to receive credential information from the docking host responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger;
instructions for causing the computer to transmit a request to initiate an authentication/association operation with the docking host; and
instructions for causing a computer to dock with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information.
- instructions for causing a computer to receive credential information from the docking host responsive to a landing of the dockee on a wireless charger;
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47. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a docking host configured for docking a dockee with a docking environment managed by the docking host, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to couple wireless charging circuitry at the docking host with the dockee upon its landing on the docking host;
instructions for causing a computer to transmit to the wireless docking host information indicating a docking intent of the dockee; and
instructions for causing a computer to dock the dockee with the docking environment in accordance with the docking intent of the dockee.
- instructions for causing a computer to couple wireless charging circuitry at the docking host with the dockee upon its landing on the docking host;
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48. A non-trasitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to dock with the docking environment in accordance with a docking intent of the dockee, wherein the docking intent is signaled to the docking host by the dockee landing on the docking host.
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49. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a dockee configured for docking with a docking environment managed by a docking host, comprising:
instructions for causing a computer to land on a wireless charger to establish a coupling with the wireless charger utilizing a wireless charging interface at the dockee;
instructions for causing a computer to transmit credential information to the docking host in response to the landing on the wireless charger, over a wireless docking host interface at the dockee; and
instructions for causing the computer to dock with the docking environment in accordance with the credential information, wherein the docking environment comprises the wireless charger as a peripheral.
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50. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a docking host configured for enabling a peripheral comprising a wireless charger to wirelessly charge a dockee, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to establish a docking session with the dockee utilizing a wireless dockee interface at the docking host;
instructions for causing a computer to receive information from the wireless charger indicating that the dockee landed on the wireless charger; and
instructions for causing a computer to transmit an authorization to the wireless charger indicating that a wireless charging function is authorized.
- instructions for causing a computer to establish a docking session with the dockee utilizing a wireless dockee interface at the docking host;
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51. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operable at a wireless charger configured for wirelessly charging a mobile device, comprising:
- instructions for causing a computer to pair with a docking host, such that the wireless charger is a peripheral in a docking environment managed by the docking host;
instructions for causing a computer to determine that the mobile device has landed on the wireless charger;
instructions for causing a computer to request from the docking host authorization to wirelessly charge the mobile device;
instructions for causing a computer to receive the authorization from the docking host; and
instructions for causing the computer to enable a wireless charging function for charging the mobile device.
- instructions for causing a computer to pair with a docking host, such that the wireless charger is a peripheral in a docking environment managed by the docking host;
Specification