Accessory device identification method

• US 9,494,975 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Depew, John Mathew, Tang, John Gee
• Primary Examiner(s): Boutah, Alina N
• Application Number:
  US13/073,855
• Time in Patent Office: 2,059 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/169, 345/901, 361/679.56, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/343.3, 709/228, 709/248
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: G09G 2380/14 Electronic books and readers

Abstract

A portable electronic device may identify an accessory device coupled thereto and its corresponding functionality utilizing a single channel utilized to provide power to the accessory device. Upon establishing a connection between the portable electronic device and the accessory device, the accessory device may transmit a message to the portable electronic device. The message may be decoded in order to identify the specific accessory device connected to the portable electronic device. Subsequently, the portable electronic device may alter its behavior to suit an application or function of the accessory device, thus leading to a more positive user experience.

Claims

1. An electronic book (eBook) reader device, comprising:

a connection port configured to facilitate a power channel between the eBook reader device and an accessory device, the power channel enabling the eBook reader device to provide power to, and to exchange communication with, the accessory device;

a circuit configured to identify a modulation of a load of the power channel;

a decoder module configured to decode the modulation into a decoded message; and

a microcontroller configured to;

process the decoded message to determine, from multiple types of connections associated with the connection port, a type of connection between the connection port of the eBook reader device and the accessory device, the type of connection being utilized to determine a functionality of the accessory device; and

alter, based at least in part on the functionality of the accessory device, a behavior of the eBook reader device.

2. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein the decoded message corresponds to an identifier code associated with the functionality of the accessory device.

3. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to alter the behavior of the eBook reader device without user intervention other than coupling the accessory device to the connection port.

4. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein the power channel comprises a power connection point and a ground connection point, and wherein the eBook reader device utilizes the power connection point to provide power to the accessory device and utilizes at least one of the power connection point and the ground connection point to identify the modulation of the load of the power channel.

5. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 4, wherein the connection port comprises a multi-pin interface, and wherein the power connection point and the ground connection point each correspond to a pin included in the multi-pin interface.

6. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessory device comprises an eBook cover.

7. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein identifying the modulation of the load of the power channel comprises identifying a modulation of an amount of current entering and exiting the eBook reader device via the power channel.

8. The eBook reader device as recited in claim 1, wherein the type of connection corresponds to a depth in which a connector associated with the accessory device extends into the connection port of the eBook reader device.

9. An accessory device, comprising:

a port configured to facilitate a power channel between the accessory device and a portable electronic device, the power channel transmitting power between the accessory device and the portable electronic device; and

a modulation module to modulate a power load consumed by the accessory device, the power load consumed being modulated based at least in part on an identifier that corresponds to information that determines, from multiple types of associated with the port, a type of connection between the port of the accessory device and the portable electronic device, the type of connection indicating a functionality performed by the accessory device.

10. The accessory device as recited in claim 9, wherein upon establishing a connection to the portable electronic device, the accessory device receives the power from the portable electronic device via the power channel.

11. The accessory device as recited in claim 9, wherein modulating the power load comprises modulating an amount of power consumed by the accessory device according to an identifier code that identifies the accessory device.

12. The accessory device as recited in claim 9, wherein a message is transmitted in response to a connection being established between the accessory device and the portable electronic device.

13. A method comprising:

under control of a portable electronic device configured with specific executable instructions,

establishing a connection with an accessory device utilizing a single port that includes a power channel for enabling a transfer of power between the portable electronic device and accessory device;

determining a modulation of power load of the accessory device;

determining, based at least in part on the modulation, a type of the connection between the single port of the portable electronic device and the accessory device; and

determining an identity or a functionality of the accessory device based at least in part on the type of the connection.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring a power consumption of the portable electronic device; and

wherein determining the modulation of the power load comprises determining a modulation of an amount of power consumed by the electronic device based at least in part on the monitoring.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

adapting a behavior of the portable electronic device to enhance a performance of the electronic portable device based at least in part on the functionality of the accessory device.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the single port comprises a multi-pin interface having at least two physical connection points; and

wherein the power channel is facilitated by a power pin and a ground pin included in the multi-pin interface.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the portable electronic device is an eBook reader device; and

the accessory device enhances a functionality of the eBook reader device.

18. A method comprising:

under control of an accessory device configured with specific executable instructions,

receiving an indication of a connection between the accessory device and a portable electronic device established via a single port that includes a power channel configured to transmit power between the accessory device and the portable electronic device; and

modulating a power load of the accessory device based at least in part upon a functionality associated with the accessory device.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the power channel is configured to receive power from the portable electronic device and to enable communication between the portable electronic device and the accessory device.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein modulating the power load of the accessory device comprises modulating an amount of power consumed by the accessory device.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the modulating the power load occurs at any time subsequent to establishing the connection between the accessory device and the portable electronic device.

22. Non-transitory computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

determining a modulation of a power load consumed by an accessory device via a power channel configured to transmit power between the accessory device and a portable electronic device;

determining an identity and a functionality of the accessory device based at least in part on the modulation of the power load consumed by the accessory device; and

modifying a behavior of the portable electronic device based at least in part on the identity and the functionality of the accessory device.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 22, wherein the behavior of the portable electronic device is modified to enable at least one of a functionality of the portable electronic device and the functionality of the accessory device.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 22, wherein determining the identity and the functionality of the accessory device includes decoding the modulation of the power load consumed by the accessory device.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 22, wherein determining the modulation of the power load consumed by the accessory device includes monitoring a current entering and exiting the portable electronic device.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 22, wherein the power channel is:

between the portable electronic device and the accessory device;

configured to provide power to the accessory device; and

configured to enable communication between the portable electronic device and the accessory device.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 22, wherein the operations further comprise determining whether the modulation of the power load consumed by the accessory device has been received at least partly in response to establishing a connection between the portable electronic device and the accessory device via a single port.