WO2018032349A1 - Connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices - Google Patents
Connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2018032349A1 WO2018032349A1 PCT/CN2016/095506 CN2016095506W WO2018032349A1 WO 2018032349 A1 WO2018032349 A1 WO 2018032349A1 CN 2016095506 W CN2016095506 W CN 2016095506W WO 2018032349 A1 WO2018032349 A1 WO 2018032349A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- port
- capabilities
- docking station
- connections
- processor
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/266—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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/263—Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
- G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
- G06F13/382—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter
Definitions
- Docking stations provide a way of plugging in devices, such as a laptop or mobile phone, to common peripherals, such as a keyboard and/or mouse.
- Universal Serial Bus USB
- USB Universal Serial Bus
- the mobile phone may be charged via a USB port of the docking station while simultaneously may also be used to exchange data (e.g., transmit and/or receive) between the mobile phone and the common peripherals connected to the docking station.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a docking station for prompting users to connect devices to appropriate ports of the docking station, according to an example
- FIG. 2 illustrates a method of operation at a docking station for determining whether a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station, according to an example
- FIG. 3 is a flow diagram in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.
- Examples disclosed herein provide the ability to determine whether the capabilities of a device, such as the mobile phone, can be supported by a port of another device, such as the docking station. If the capabilities of the mobile phone cannot be met by the capabilities of the port of the docking station, aprompt may be displayed to connect the mobile phone to another port of the docking station, which supports the capabilities of the mobile phone. As a result, if capabilities of the mobile phone is for downstream connections, aprompted may be displayed to connect the mobile phone to a port of the docking station that is for upstream connections, in order to enable the peripherals connected to the docking station for use with the mobile device.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a docking station 100 for prompting users to connect devices to appropriate ports of the docking station, according to an example.
- the docking station 100 includes a display 102 for providing prompts to a user, for example, whether or not a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station 100. If the device is not connected to an appropriate port, the display 102 may provide a prompt to connect the device to another port of the docking station 100.
- the docking station 100 may include at least a first port 104 and a second port 106. However, the docking station 100 may include a different number of ports from what is illustrated.
- the first and second ports 104, 106 may be USB Type-C ports. Although the first and second ports 104, 106 may provide the same physical connection for a device, the capability of each port may vary. For example, the capabilities of the first port 104 may be for upstream connections and the capabilities of the second port 106 may be for downstream connections, or vice versa. As a result, if capabilities of a device is for downstream connections, and the device is connected to the docking station 100 via the second port 106, which only supports downstream connections from the docking station 100, the display 102 may provide a prompt to connect the device to the first port 104 instead, which supports upstream connections from the device. If the device remains connected to the second port 106, although an appropriate connection may not be established between the device and the docking station 100 for communication, power may at least be provided to the device for charging, as will be further described.
- the docking station 100 depicts a processor 108 and a memory device 110 and, as an example of the docking station 100 performing its operations, the memory device 110 may include instructions 112-116 that are executable by the processor 108.
- memory device 110 can be said to store program instructions that, when executed by processor 108, implement the components of the docking station 100.
- the executable program instructions stored in the memory device 110 include, as an example, instructions to identify capabilities (112) , instructions to determine whether capabilities of a device connected to the docking station 100 can be met (114) , and instructions to provide a prompt on the display 102 to connect the device to another port (116) .
- Instructions to identify capabilities (112) represent program instructions that when executed by the processor 108 cause the docking station 100 to identify the capabilities of the device connected to the docking station 100 and the capabilities of the port of the docking station 100 that the device is connected to (e.g., the first port 104 or the second port 106) .
- identifying the capabilities of the device and the port may include determining whether they are for upstream or downstream connections.
- devices for upstream connections include, but are not limited to, keyboards and trackpad.
- Devices for downstream connections include, as an example, monitor displays.
- Other devices that can include both upstream and downstream connections known as dual role (DR) devices, include computing devices such as a smart phone, which can act as either a host or client.
- DR dual role
- Instructions to determine whether the capabilities of the device can be met represent program instructions that when executed by the processor 108 cause the docking station 100 to determine whether the capabilities of the device connected to the docking station 100 can be met by the port that the device is connected to (e.g., the first port 104 or the second port 106) .
- the port that the device is connected to e.g., the first port 104 or the second port 106
- the device is for upstream connections, then it may be determined whether the device is connected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports downstream connections from the device.
- the device is for downstream connections, then it may be determined whether the device is connected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports upstream connections from the docking station 100.
- Instructions to provide a prompt on the display 102 to connect the device to another port (116) represent program instructions that when executed by the processor 108 cause the docking station 100 to display the prompt on the display 102 if the capabilities of the device connected to the docking station 100 cannot be met by the capabilities of the port of the docking station 100 that the device is connected to. For example, if the device is for upstream connections, and is connected to a port of the docking station 100 that is for upstream connections, the display 102 may provide a prompt to reconnect the device to another port of the docking station 100 that is for downstream connections.
- communications from devices may be received by the docking station 100 once the device is reconnected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports downstream connections.
- devices such as a keyboard or trackpad
- Memory device 110 represents generally any number of memory components capable of storing instructions that can be executed by processor 108.
- Memory device 110 is non-transitory in the sense that it does not encompass a transitory signal but instead is made up of at least one memory component configured to store the relevant instructions.
- the memory device 110 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
- Memory device 110 may be implemented in a single device or distributed across devices.
- processor 108 represents any number of processors capable of executing instructions stored by memory device 110.
- Processor 108 may be integrated in a single device or distributed across devices. Further, memory device 110 may be fully or partially integrated in the same device as processor 108, or it may be separate but accessible to that device and processor 108.
- the program instructions 112-116 can be part of an installation package that when installed can be executed by processor 108 to implement the components of the docking station 100.
- memory device 110 may be a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash drive or a memory maintained by a server from which the installation package can be downloaded and installed.
- the program instructions may be part of an application or applications already installed.
- memory device 110 can include integrated memory such as a hard drive, solid state drive, or the like.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 of operation at a docking station for determining whether a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station, according to an example.
- the method 200 is described with reference to docking station 100. Although the method is described with respect to USB Type-C ports, the method may also apply to other port technologies.
- Method 200 begins at 202, where detection is performed on whether a USB Type-C device is connected to a port of the docking station 100, such as the first port 104 or second port 106.
- 204 if it is determined that such a device is connected to a port of the docking station 100, at 206, it is determined whether the device is connected to a downstream facing port (DFP) or upstream facing port (UFP) .
- DFPs refer to ports that are for downstream connections
- UFPs refer to ports that are for upstream connections.
- the capability of the device connected to the UFP is then determined.
- the display 102 may provide a prompt that the correct connection has been made (e.g., aworking icon) . If the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a monitor display, the display may be enabled to display content. If the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a dual role device, such as a smartphone, peripherals, such as a keyboard and/or trackpad, may be enabled to interact with content on the smartphone.
- the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a UFP device, it may be determined whether the UFP device needs to be charged. At 214, if the UFP device does not need to be charged, internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off, in order to conserve power. However, at 216, if the UFP device needs to be charged, power is provided by the docking station 100 in order to charge the UFP device. Although not illustrated, if the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a UFP device, the display 102 may provide a prompt to reconnect the UFP device to a DFP of the docking station 100.
- the display 102 may provide a prompt that an incompatible connection has been made, and indicate the correct port to make the docking station fully functional.
- input from the UFP device such as a keyboard and/or trackpad, may be received by the docking station 100.
- the display may provide a prompt to reconnect the DFP device to a UFP of the docking station 100.
- the display 102 may provide a prompt that an incompatible connection has been made, and indicate the correct port to make the docking station fully functional.
- input from peripherals connected to the docking station 100 may be received by the DFP device now connected to a UFP of the docking station 100.
- the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a DFP device, it may be determined whether the DFP device needs to be charged. If the DFP device does not need to be charged, internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off, in order to conserve power. However, if the DFP device needs to be charged, power is provided by the docking station 100, in order to charge the DFP device.
- the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is not a DFP device, it is determined whether the device is a dual role device or a UFP device.
- the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a dual role device, it is determined whether a host device, such as a notebook computer, is connected to a UFP of the docking station 100.
- the display 102 provides a prompt to reconnect the device to a UFP of the docking station 100, in order for the dual role device to function as a host device.
- the dual role device is switched to UFP mode.
- the dual role device may function as a client device, such as a USB drive, for the host device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100.
- the display 102 may provide a prompt that the correct connection has been made (e.g., aworking icon) .
- the dual role device needs to be charged, power is provided by the docking station 100, in order to charge the dual role device, as described above.
- the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a UFP device, such as a keyboard and/or trackpad, it is determined whether a host device, such as a notebook computer, is connected to a UFP of the docking station 100. If a host device is connected, the UFP device may be used to provide input to the host device. As an example, the display 102 may provide a prompt that the correct connection has been made (e.g., aworking icon) . At 234, if the UFP device needs to be charged, power is provided by the docking station 100, in order to charge the UFP device, as described above.
- a host device such as a notebook computer
- a host device is not connected to a UFP of the docking station 100, at least power may be provided to charge the UFP device, if necessary. For example, at 238, if the UFP device does not need to be charged, internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off, in order to conserve power. However, at 240, if the UFP device needs to be charged, power is provided by the docking station 100 in order to charge the UFP device.
- FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 of steps taken by a docking station to implement a method for determining whether a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station, according to an example.
- FIG. 3 reference may be made to the example docking station 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Such reference is made to provide contextual examples and not to limit the manner in which the method depicted by FIG. 3 may be implemented.
- the docking station identifies capabilities of a first port of the docking station (e.g., afirst device) .
- the docking station identifies capabilities of a second device connected to the docking station via the first port.
- identifying the capabilities of the second device and the first port may include determining whether they are for upstream or downstream connections, as described above.
- the docking station determines whether the capabilities of the second device can be met by the capabilities of the first port of the docking station. As an example, if the second device is for upstream connections, then it may be determined whether the second device is connected to a port of the docking station that supports downstream connections from the second device. Similarly, if the second device is for downstream connections, then it may be determined whether the second device is connected to a port of the docking station that supports upstream connections from the docking station.
- aprompt may be displayed to connect the second device to a second port of the docking station that supports the capabilities of the second device.
- aprompt may be displayed to reconnect the device to another port of the docking station that is for downstream connections.
- communications from devices such as a keyboard or trackpad, may be received by the docking station once the device is reconnected to a port of the docking station that supports downstream connections.
- no reconnection is made, at least power may be provided by any port, in order to ensure that the second device remains charged.
- FIG. 3 shows a specific order of execution
- the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted.
- the order of execution of two or more blocks or arrows may be scrambled relative to the order shown.
- two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. All such variations are within the scope of the present invention.
- examples described may include various components and features. It is also appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it is appreciated that the examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples. Also, the examples may be used in combination with each other.
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Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CN2016/095506 WO2018032349A1 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2016-08-16 | Connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices |
TW106115757A TWI688865B (zh) | 2016-08-16 | 2017-05-12 | 用以將裝置連接至支援其能力的埠口之方法、對接站及電腦可讀儲存媒體 |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CN2016/095506 WO2018032349A1 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2016-08-16 | Connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2018032349A1 true WO2018032349A1 (en) | 2018-02-22 |
Family
ID=61196196
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/CN2016/095506 WO2018032349A1 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2016-08-16 | Connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices |
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TW (1) | TWI688865B (zh) |
WO (1) | WO2018032349A1 (zh) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3838683A1 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2021-06-23 | Google LLC | In-vehicle detection of a charge-only connection with a mobile computing device |
Citations (7)
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US6799237B2 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2004-09-28 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Identifying and synchronizing incompatibilities between a portable computer and a docking station |
CN103401728A (zh) * | 2013-07-29 | 2013-11-20 | 华为技术有限公司 | 一种用于检测设备间接口连接的方法和装置 |
CN104350485A (zh) * | 2012-06-11 | 2015-02-11 | 株式会社电装 | 连接兼容性方法和设备 |
CN104636108A (zh) * | 2011-03-15 | 2015-05-20 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | 电子设备 |
US9231331B2 (en) * | 2013-06-28 | 2016-01-05 | Intel Corporation | Connector identification through proximity sensing |
US20160028252A1 (en) * | 2014-07-22 | 2016-01-28 | Cypress Semiconductor Corporation | Multi-Standard Compliant USB Battery Charging Scheme with Detection of Host Disconnection in ACA-DOCK Mode |
WO2016097689A1 (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2016-06-23 | Displaylink (Uk) Limited | A device capable of being operated in different modes |
-
2016
- 2016-08-16 WO PCT/CN2016/095506 patent/WO2018032349A1/en active Application Filing
-
2017
- 2017-05-12 TW TW106115757A patent/TWI688865B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6799237B2 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2004-09-28 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Identifying and synchronizing incompatibilities between a portable computer and a docking station |
CN104636108A (zh) * | 2011-03-15 | 2015-05-20 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | 电子设备 |
CN104350485A (zh) * | 2012-06-11 | 2015-02-11 | 株式会社电装 | 连接兼容性方法和设备 |
US9231331B2 (en) * | 2013-06-28 | 2016-01-05 | Intel Corporation | Connector identification through proximity sensing |
CN103401728A (zh) * | 2013-07-29 | 2013-11-20 | 华为技术有限公司 | 一种用于检测设备间接口连接的方法和装置 |
US20160028252A1 (en) * | 2014-07-22 | 2016-01-28 | Cypress Semiconductor Corporation | Multi-Standard Compliant USB Battery Charging Scheme with Detection of Host Disconnection in ACA-DOCK Mode |
WO2016097689A1 (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2016-06-23 | Displaylink (Uk) Limited | A device capable of being operated in different modes |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3838683A1 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2021-06-23 | Google LLC | In-vehicle detection of a charge-only connection with a mobile computing device |
US11381950B2 (en) | 2019-12-17 | 2022-07-05 | Google Llc | In-vehicle detection of a charge-only connection with a mobile computing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TWI688865B (zh) | 2020-03-21 |
TW201807584A (zh) | 2018-03-01 |
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