Inductive Peripheral Retention Device

• US 20170248999A1
• Filed: 05/12/2017
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: NG, Shiu Sang, JAKOBOSKI, Timothy Allen
• Application Number:
  US15/594,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20170248999A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4413 Plug-and-play [PnP]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a peripheral retention device includes an inductive element comprising one or more inductive coils integrated into a surface of the peripheral retention device. The peripheral retention device also includes a peripheral securing element configured to secure a peripheral device to the surface of the peripheral retention device to form a communicative coupling with the peripheral device via the one or more inductive coils. In some cases, the peripheral securing element includes one or more magnets configured to secure the peripheral device to the peripheral retention device such that the one or more inductive coils of the peripheral retention device are aligned with one or more corresponding inductive coils of the peripheral device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a peripheral retention device comprising;

an inductive element comprising one or more inductive coils integrated into a surface of the peripheral retention device; and

a peripheral securing element configured to secure a peripheral device to the surface of the peripheral retention device to form a communicative coupling with the peripheral device via the one or more inductive coils.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral securing element comprises one or more magnets configured to secure the peripheral device to the peripheral retention device such that the one or more inductive coils of the peripheral retention device are aligned with one or more corresponding inductive coils of the peripheral device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inductive coils comprise one or more flat traces configured to carry an electrical current to form the communicative coupling with the peripheral device via induction.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more flat traces are printed on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) of the peripheral retention device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicative coupling enabled by the one or more inductive coils is configured to charge the peripheral device using power received from the device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicative coupling enabled by the one or more inductive coils is configured to support two-way communication of data using induction between the device and the peripheral device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a memory and a processor to implement a charging module, the charging module configured to:

periodically communicate a ping signal via the one or more inductive coils;

initiate a charging power mode in response to receiving a reply signal from the peripheral device via the inductive coils; and

initiate a reduced power mode if the reply signal is not received.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a first amount of power is provided to the inductive coils in the charging mode, and wherein a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power is provided to the inductive coils in the reduced power mode.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral retention device is removable from the device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral retention device is permanently integrated into the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device comprises a stylus, a mouse, a dial, a head-mounted display, headphones, ear buds, a smartwatch, or a smart band.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein a z-thickness of the peripheral retention device is less than 0.8 millimeters.

13. A method comprising:

communicating a ping signal via one or more inductive coils of a peripheral retention device integrated within a device;

determining whether a reply signal is received from a peripheral device secured to the peripheral retention device;

responsive to a determination that the reply signal is received, utilizing a first power mode in which a first amount of power is provided to the inductive coils of the peripheral retention device; and

responsive to a determination that the reply signal is not received, utilizing a second power mode in which a second amount of power is provided to the inductive coils of the peripheral retention device that is less than the first amount of power.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining that the peripheral device is secured to the peripheral retention device if the reply signal is received, and determining that the peripheral device is not secured to the peripheral retention device if the reply signal is not received.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the first power mode, the first amount of power provided to the inductive coils is sufficient to charge the peripheral device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the first power mode, the first amount of power provided to the inductive coils is sufficient to enable two-way communication with the peripheral device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second amount of power does not provide power to the inductive coils of the peripheral retention device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the peripheral device is secured to the peripheral retention device via a magnetic coupling caused by one or more magnets of the peripheral retention device.

19. A device comprising:

a plurality of inductive coils integrated into a housing of the device that form a communicative coupling with a peripheral device via induction when the peripheral device is rested on the housing of the device, the communicative coupling enabling the transfer of power and data to the peripheral device.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the device comprises an input device, and wherein the plurality of inductive coils are positioned on a flexible hinge of the input device.