Personal computer wireless device docking station on low power network

• US 10,416,715 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Original Assignee: Securus Technologies Incorporated (Securus Special Investments LLC)
• Inventors: Wade, Jamie Nicole, Keiser, Luke, Passe, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US15/912,980
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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: 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 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A communication system comprises a processing system configured to support data, voice and video communications. A docking station is coupled to the processing system and is configured to provide power and data connections to a personal computer wireless device. The personal computer wireless device is configured to provide power, data, and analog connections. The docking station is coupled to the processing system over a pair of low-voltage wires having an electrical current sufficient to power the personal computer wireless device. The pair of low-voltage wires may provide sufficient electrical current to charge a battery in the personal computer wireless device.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

a processing system configured to support data, voice and video communications; and

a docking station coupled to the processing system and configured to hold a personal computer wireless device and provide power and data connections to the personal computer wireless device, wherein the personal computer wireless device is configured to provide power, data, and analog connections;

wherein the docking station is coupled to the processing system over a pair of low-voltage wires providing an electrical current powering the personal computer wireless device when connected to the docking station.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the personal computer wireless device is configured to execute a plurality of applications, and wherein at least one of the applications is disabled when the personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the personal computer wireless device is configured to execute a plurality of applications, and wherein at least one of the applications is enabled only when the personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the docking station is configured to execute one or more applications, and wherein at least one of the applications is enabled only when the personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the personal computer wireless device comprises a camera, and wherein the camera is enabled only when the personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the personal computer wireless device does not have a camera, and wherein the personal computer wireless device accesses a camera on the docking station when connected to the docking station.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the power connection between the docking station and the personal computer wireless device is a wired or wireless connection.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the data connection between the docking station and the personal computer wireless device is a wired or wireless connection.

9. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the analog connection between the docking station and the personal computer wireless device is a wired or wireless connection.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein, only when the personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station, the personal computer wireless device is enabled to connect to a peripheral device.

11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a local memory store, a cloud-based memory store, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a handset, a media capture device, a biometric sensor, and an RFID transceiver.

12. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the pair of low-voltage wires provide sufficient electrical current to charge a battery in the personal computer wireless device.

13. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the docking station further comprises a handset, speaker, and/or microphone that is activated only when a personal computer wireless device is connected to the docking station.

14. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the docking station further comprises a handset, speaker, and/or microphone that is deactivated when a personal computer wireless device is not connected to the docking station.

15. A method for accessing a communication system, comprising:

connecting a personal computer wireless device to, and supporting the personal computer wireless device by, a docking station, wherein the docking station is connected to a processing system that is configured to support data, voice, and video communications; and

providing power to the personal computer wireless device from the docking station using electrical current received over a pair of low-voltage wires.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

disabling at least one application on the personal computer wireless device in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

enabling at least one application on the personal computer wireless device in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

enabling at least one application on the docking station in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

enabling a camera on the personal computer wireless device in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

allowing the personal computer wireless device to access a camera on the docking station in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

allowing the personal computer wireless device to access one or more peripheral device in response to connecting the personal computer wireless device to the docking station.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a handset, a local memory store, a cloud-based memory store, a media capture device, a biometric sensor, and an RFID transceiver.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the pair of low-voltage wires provide sufficient electrical current to charge a battery in the personal computer wireless device.

24. A charging system, comprising:

a docking station coupled to a single pair of low-voltage wires, the docking station further adapted to be selectively coupled to a portable device, wherein the single pair of low-voltage wires provide an electrical current performing one or more of powering the portable device, charging a battery in the portable device, or charging a battery in the docking station.

25. The charging system of claim 24, wherein the single pair of low-voltage wires is capable of carrying telephone audio signals.

26. The charging system of claim 24, wherein the single pair of low-voltage wires provide at least 40 mA current to the docking station.

27. The charging system of claim 24, wherein the single pair of low-voltage wires provide at least 60 mA current to the docking station.

28. The charging system of claim 24, wherein the single pair of low-voltage wires provide at least 5 volts to the docking station.