Accessory detection

• US 9,560,183 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: KONTULAINEN, Jukka, Kinanen, Jari, Toivola, Timo, Kari, Juhani
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US14/767,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20150373180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/39, 455/575.8, 455/573, 455/343.1, 320/108
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

An apparatus including a processor configured to cause detecting a second apparatus including a wireless charging unit being attached to the apparatus; determining a parameter concerning the second apparatus; and automatically adjusting at least one functionality of the apparatus in accordance with the parameter.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory memory comprising computer program code, wherein the memory and the computer program code are configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to;

detect a second apparatus attached to the apparatus, wherein the second apparatus comprises at least a portion of a wireless charging unit which provides wireless charging functionality to the apparatus and is configured to provide a cover for at least a portion of the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus is an electronic device;

determine a parameter concerning the second apparatus; and

automatically adjust at least one functionality of the apparatus different than the wireless charging functionality based on the determined parameter to compensate for a change to the at least one functionality resulting from the attached second apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a magnetometer;

and the adjustment comprises adjusting the magnetometer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises an antenna;

and the adjustment comprises tuning the antenna.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a speaker;

and the adjustment comprises adjusting the speaker.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection comprises receiving the parameter from the second apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection comprises receiving measurement information from a measurement unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection comprises detecting an electrical quantity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection comprises reading a code related to the second apparatus, wherein the code comprises at least one of:

a barcode, RFID tag; and

a QR code.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determination comprises self-calibration.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determination further comprises adjusting the parameter based on measurement data.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer or an e-book reader.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a wireless charging unit;

wherein

said memory comprises a parameter concerning the apparatus; and

said apparatus is configured to be attached to a first apparatus according to claim 1.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a connection unit configured to connect the apparatus to the first apparatus.

14. A method comprising:

detecting, by an electronic device,an apparatus attached to the electronic device, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a portion of a wireless charging unit which provides wireless charging functionality to the electronic device and is configured to provide a cover for at least a portion of the electronic device;

determining a parameter concerning the apparatus; and

automatically adjusting at least one functionality of the electronic device different than the wireless charging functionality based on the determined parameter to compensate for a change to the at least one functionality resulting from the attached apparatus.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting a magnetometer of the electronic device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining comprises self-calibration.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining further comprises adjusting the parameter based on measurement data.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer or an c-book reader.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising attaching and/or pairing the apparatus to the electronic device.

20. A computer program product comprising computer code for causing performing the method of claim 14, when executed by an apparatus.