Proximity based removal warning for connectable devices

• US 10,684,978 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2016
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kapinos, Robert James, VanBlon, Russell Speight, Li, Scott Wentao, Kingsbury, Timothy Winthrop
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Mirza F
• Application Number:
  US15/217,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20180024956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4081 Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

One embodiment provides a device, including: a memory that stores data; an indicator element; a proximity sensor; and a processor that is operatively coupled to the memory, and the indicator element, the processor: responding, in connected state, to an indication by the proximity element with an output to the indicator element. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Claims

1. A device, wherein the device comprises a pluggable storage device pluggable into a host device and, comprising:

a memory that stores data;

an indicator element, wherein the indicator element is located on the pluggable device and provides at least a haptic feedback to a user;

a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor is located on the pluggable device and determines a physical location of the user in relation to the pluggable device; and

a processor that is operatively coupled to the memory, the proximity sensor, and the indicator element, the processor;

responding, at the indicator element and while the pluggable device is in a connected state and plugged into the host device and accessible for data transfer between the pluggable device and the host device, to an indication by the proximity sensor with an output to the indicator element, wherein the indication by the proximity sensor is responsive to detection of proximity of a touch of the user to the pluggable device, the output to the indicator element notifying the user that the pluggable device is in the connected state and accessible for data transfer between the pluggable device and the host device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator element further includes a second indicator element selected from the group consisting of an indicator element that produces a visible indicator and an audio element that produces sound.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the audio element outputs predetermined audio as the output.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined audio comprises a recorded message.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of an inductive proximity sensor and a capacitive proximity sensor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is disposed on an outer surface of the device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is a contact sensor.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the connected state is a busy state.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the busy state is selected from the group consisting of a reading state and a writing state.

10. A host device, comprising:

a connection element that couples to a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a pluggable storage device pluggable into the host device and;

a memory that stores data; and

a processor that is operatively coupled to the connection element and the memory, the processor;

responding, at an indicator element and while the pluggable storage device is in a connected state and plugged into the host device and accessible for data transfer between the pluggable device and the host device, to an indication by a proximity sensor with an output to indicate that the pluggable storage device should not be uncoupled from the host device, the output to the indicator element notifying a user that the pluggable device is in the connected state and accessible for data transfer between the pluggable device and the host device, wherein the indication by the proximity sensor is responsive to detection of proximity of a touch of the user to the device, wherein the indicator element is located on the pluggable storage device and provides at least a haptic feedback to the user, wherein the proximity sensor is located on the pluggable storage device and determines a physical location of the user in relation to the pluggable storage device.

11. A method, comprising:

detecting, with a connectable device, a connected state of the connectable device wherein the connectable device comprises a pluggable storage device pluggable into a host device and;

said connected state comprising an operative connection between the connectable device and the host device;

sensing, with a proximity sensor located on the connectable device, proximity of a touch of a user while the connectable device is in the connected state and plugged into the host device and accessible for data transfer between the connectable device and the host device, wherein the proximity sensor determines a physical location of the user in relation to the connectable device; and

responsive to sensing the user is proximity to the connectable device, outputting, to an indicator element of the connectable device, an indication, wherein the indicator element is located on the connectable device and provides at least a haptic feedback to the user, the output to the indicator element notifying the user that the pluggable device is in the connected state and accessible for data transfer between the pluggable device and the host device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outputting further includes a second indicator element comprises producing an output selected from the group consisting of a visible indicator and an audible sound.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the outputting comprises outputting a predetermined audible sound.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined audible sound comprises a recorded message.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises sensing object contact.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing comprises sensing object proximity to an outer surface of the connectable device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the connected state is a busy state.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the busy state is selected from the group consisting of a reading state and a writing state.