Personal media device docking station having an accessory device detector

• US 20080307144A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Minoo, Jahan Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,840,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/304
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

Systems and methods include a circuit for detecting the insertion of a component into a docking station, e.g., an audio plug. When the component is inserted into the docking station, an electronic switch can be opened. When the switch is opened, a detector (e.g., monostable multivibrator) for detecting a change in state of the switch can be activated. Responsive to the detected change in state, the detector can issue a signal to a control device. Responsive to the signal, the controller can look to a resistive identification circuit and, based on its resistance, determine whether the component has just been inserted or removed from the docking station.

Claims

1. A docking device comprising:

a first connector for exchanging data with a media device,

one or more second connectors for delivering data to a media supporting device, and

one or more sensors for detecting when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor includes an indicator to inform the media device when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the indicator informs the media device by sending an indicator signal via the first connector to the media device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a switch.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the switch position changes in response to the attachment of a data connector with at least one of the second connectors.

6. The device of claim 5 comprising a resistive network that changes resistive value in response to the change in position of the switch.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the media device is in communication with the resistive network via the first connector.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the media device determines that the media supporting device is connected to the docking device by measuring a resistive value associated with resistive network.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the value is one of resistance, current, and voltage.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors detect when the media supporting device is disconnected from the one or more second connectors.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the value is associated with a type of media supporting device.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a multivibrator circuit.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the multivibrator circuit includes a monostable multivibrator circuit.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned within the device housing at a location to minimize radio frequency interference with media device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first connector and sensor are connected via an bus within the housing, the bus being routed within the housing to minimize radio frequency interference with the media device.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the media device includes at least one of an MP3 player, video player, wireless communications device, cellular telephone, multimedia device, personal digital assistant, and portable computer.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the media supporting device includes at least one of a video display, a computer, a stereo system, audio speaker system, radio receiver, set top box, television, digital video recorder, digital video source, audio signal source, and media device.

18. A method for detecting a connection to a docking device comprising:

connecting the docking device to a media device via a first connector,

sensing when a media supporting device is connected to one or more second connectors of the docking device, and

delivering data to the media supporting device via the one or more second connectors.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein sensing includes informing the media device when the media supporting device is connected to the one or more second connectors.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the informing includes sending an indicator signal via the first connector to the media device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing includes sensing the position of a switch.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the switch position changes in response to the attachment or detachment of a data connector with at least one of the second connectors.

23. The method of claim 22 comprising changing the resistive value of a resistive network in response to the change in position of the switch.

24. The method of claim 23 comprising establishing communications between the media device and the resistive network via the first connector.

25. The method of claim 24 comprising determining, at the media device, that the media supporting device is connected to the docking device by measuring a resistive value associated with resistive network.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the value is one of resistance, current, and voltage.

27. The method of claim 18 comprising sensing when the media supporting device is disconnected from the one or more second connectors.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the value is associated with a type of media supporting device.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing is performed at least in part by a multivibrator circuit.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the multivibrator circuit includes a monostable multivibrator circuit.

31. The method of claim 18 comprising positioning a sensor for sensing within the device housing at a location to minimize radio frequency interference with media device.

32. The method of claim 31 comprising connecting the first connector and sensor via a bus within the housing and routing the bus within the housing to minimize radio frequency interference with the media device.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the media device includes at least one of an MP3 player, video player, wireless communications device, cellular telephone, multimedia device, personal digital assistant, and portable computer.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein the media supporting device includes at least one of a video display, a computer, a stereo system, audio speaker system, radio receiver, set top box, television, digital video recorder, digital video source, audio signal source, and media device.

35. A docking station comprising:

a well for receiving and supporting an electronic device,

a first connector for receiving audio signals from the electronic device,

a second connector for sending the audio signals from the docking station to an accessory media device, and

a sensor circuit for detecting when the accessory media device is attached to or detached from the second connector and, in response, sending a connection event signal to the electronic device via the first connector.

36. The docking station of claim 35, wherein the sensor circuit includes a resistive network, the sensor circuit adjusting the value of the resistive network to a first resistive value when the accessory media device is attached to the second connector or to a second resistive value when the accessory media device is not attached to the second connector.

37. The docking station of claim 36, wherein the value of the resistive network is made available to the electronic device via the first connector.