The present invention relates to docking stations. In particular, the invention relates to docking stations that manage access of peripheral devices and/or functionalities to connected electronic devices.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a docking station for use with a first electronic device, a second electronic device, a display, and a peripheral device. The docking station includes a first port configured to couple to the display, and a second port configured to couple to the peripheral device. The docking station also includes a first connector configured to receive a first video signal from the first electronic device, and a second connector configured to receive a second video signal from the second electronic device. The docking station further includes a control circuit coupled to the first port, the second port, the first connector, and the second connector. The control circuit includes a video processor operable to decompress video signals, a first electrical communication path formed by the first connector and the first port, and bypassing the video processor, and a second electrical communication path formed by the second connector, the video processor, and the first port. The first electrical communication path selectively transmits the first video signal from the first connector to the first port. The second electrical communication path selectively transmits the second video signal from the second connector, through the video processor, and to the first port.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of sharing a display and a peripheral device among a first electronic device and a second electronic device using a docking station. The docking station includes a first port, a second port, a first connector, a second connector, and a control circuit having a video processor that is operable to decompress video signals. The method includes coupling the display to the first port of the docking station, coupling the peripheral device to the second port of the docking station, coupling the first electronic device to the first connector of the docking station, and coupling the second electronic device to the second connector of the docking station. The method also includes receiving, by the first connector, a first video signal from the first electronic device and receiving, by the second connector, a second video signal from the second electronic device. The method further includes selectively transmitting the first video signal to the display via a first electrical communication path formed by the first connector and the first port, and bypassing the video processor of the control circuit, and selectively transmitting the second video signal to the display via a second electrical communication path formed by the second connector, the video processor, and the first port. The method also includes decompressing, by the video processor, the second video signal.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first data connector 30 is a universal serial bus (USB) connector that enables the docking station 10 and the first electronic device 15a to exchange (i.e., send and receive) data (e.g., data signals). In particular, the first data connector 30 may be a type-B USB connector. In other embodiments, the first data connector 30 may be a different analog or digital data connector (e.g., a type-A or type-C USB connector). The first data connector 30 couples (e.g., via a cable) to a compatible port on the first electronic device 15a. In some embodiments, the first data connector 30 may also transfer power between the first electronic device 15a and the docking station 10.
In the illustrated embodiment, the video connector 25 and the first data connector 30 are each different types of connectors. For example, the video connector 25 is a first type of connector and the first data connector 30 is a second type of connector that is different than the first type of connector. In some embodiments, the video connector 25 and the first data connector 30 are combined into a single connector such that both uncompressed video signals and data signals are transmitted through the same connector such as, for example, a type-C USB connector.
The second data connector 35 electrically couples the second electronic device 15b to the docking station 10 and enables the second electronic device 15b to communicate (e.g., exchange video and data signals) with the docking station 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the second electronic device 15b includes a tablet computer. In other embodiments, the second electronic device 15b can alternatively include a smartphone, a smartwatch, an electronic reader such as the Kindle®, a portable media player, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the second data connector 35 is a proprietary connector used by specific manufacturers. For example, the second data connector 35 may be a proprietary connector used by Apple Inc. to connect to IPADs, IPODs, IPHONEs, and the like. In other embodiments, the second data connector 35 includes a universal connector used with a variety of different electronic devices. For example, the second data connector 35 may be a mini-USB connector, a type-B USB connector, a type-C USB connector, or another connector that is compatible with smartphones and tablet computers from different manufacturers.
In the illustrated embodiment, the second data connector 35 receives a physical connector from the second electronic device 15b. In other embodiments, however, the second data connector 35 includes a wireless communication unit that establishes wireless communication with the second electronic device 15b. The wireless communication unit may be, for example, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a Near-Field communication transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, and the like. Therefore, the second data connector 35 is operable to send and receive data and/or video signals wirelessly to and from the second electronic device 15b (e.g., using technology such as, for example, Miracast®). The second data connector 35 can send both compressed and uncompressed video signals with the second electronic device 15b through the use of a physical connector and/or a wireless connector, as described above.
As discussed above, each of the connectors described above (i.e., the video connector 25, the first data connector 30, and the second data connector 35) can each be a different type of connector. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the video connector 25 is an HDMI first type of connector using a first communication protocol, the first data connector 30 is a USB second type of connector using a second communication protocol, and the second data connector 35 is a proprietary third type of connector using a third communication protocol. Therefore, the docking station 10 is operable to communicate in different communication protocols with the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b.
The first and second peripheral device ports 40, 45 electrically couple different peripheral devices 20a-b to the docking station 10. The peripheral devices 20a-b include devices that enhance the functionality and/or the user interaction experience with the docking station 10, the first electronic device 15a, or the second electronic device 15b. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral devices 20a-b include a mouse 20a and a keyboard 20b (
The audio output port 50 electrically couples the docking station 10 with an audio device such as, for example, a speaker, headphones, earphones, and the like. The audio output port 50 is selectively coupled to one of the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b to receive audio signals from the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b. In the illustrated embodiment, the audio output port 50 is a digital output connector mini-stereo connector. In other embodiments, the audio output port 50 may be an analog or digital audio connector such as, for example, a fire wire connector/port, an RCA-type connector/port, a multi-channel connector/port, an optical connector/port, a coaxial connector/port, a speaker plug or speaker wire connector/port, and the like.
The video output port 55 electrically couples the docking station 10 with the external display 22 (
The input/output ports 60, 65 provide a plurality of different ports accessible to the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b. In the illustrated embodiment, the input/output ports 60, 65 include USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connectors. The input/output ports 60, 65 allow for other devices, such as a mass storage device, to be connected to the docking station 10 and to be associated with the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b. The input/output ports 60, 65 allow data transfer between a connected device (e.g., a mass storage device) and the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b. In some embodiments, the input/output ports 60, 65 simply replicate ports available on the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b. In other embodiments, the input/output ports 60, 65 provide additional ports not found on the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b and therefore increase the functionality of the first electronic device 15a and/or the second electronic device 15b. For example, the input/output ports 60, 65 may offer faster and/or different protocols than ports found on the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b.
The power input 70 provides power to the docking station 10. In the illustrated embodiments, the power input 70 includes a connector and/or port configured to connect to an external power source such as a wall outlet. In the illustrated embodiment, the docking station 10 receives AC power from the external power source. Accordingly, the docking station 10 may also include a power converter to convert the AC power from the external power source to DC power of adequate amplitude for powering the electrical components of the docking station 10. For example, the power converter may include a rectifier to convert the AC power to DC power and a DC-to-DC converter to then set the DC power to the appropriate power level for the electrical components of the docking station 10. In other embodiments, the power input 70 may include a battery receptacle to receive a battery for powering the docking station 10. In some embodiments, the battery may be removable from the docking station 10 for easy replacement. In other embodiments, the battery is not removable, but instead receives power and is charged through an external power source (e.g., a wall outlet). In some embodiments, the docking station 10 may use the external power source as a primary power source and may switch to using the battery in case the primary power source is interrupted. In the illustrated embodiment, the power input 70 is directly connected to the second electronic device 15b to provide power to the second electronic device 15b if needed. In some embodiments, the power input 70 may alternatively or additionally be coupled to the first electronic device 15a to provide power to the first electronic device 15a.
As shown in
The first connection management circuit 80 is configured to manage data signals associated with the first electronic device 15a, as illustrated in
The first connection management circuit 80 then determines whether the peripheral control circuit 95 indicates that the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are to be associated with the first electronic device 15a (step 110). If the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are to be associated with the first electronic device 15a, the first connection management circuit 80 enables data exchange between the first data connector 30 and the peripheral ports 40, 45 and/or input/output ports 60, 65 (step 115). If the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are not associated with the first electronic device 15a, the first connection management circuit 80 simply proceeds to step 120. The first connection management circuit 80 also determines whether the audio control circuit 100 indicates that the audio output port 50 is associated with the first electronic device 15a (step 120). If the audio output port 50 is associated with the first electronic device 15a, the first connection management circuit 80 enables data exchange between the first data connector 30 and the audio output port 50 (step 125). If, on the other hand, the audio output port 50 is not associated with the first electronic device 15a, data is not exchanged between the audio output port 50 and the first electronic device 15a.
Although the first connection management circuit 80 has been described as making determination steps 110, 120, in some embodiments, the first connection management circuit 80 simply includes a set of switches and/or connections that do not carry out these determination steps 110, 120. Rather, the determination steps 110, 120 are made by the separate control circuits 90-100, and the first connection management circuit 80 simply provides the electrical connections between the first data connector 30 and the control circuits 90-100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the video output control circuit 90 operates independently from the first connection management circuit 80. As shown in
As shown in
The second electrical communication path 127 is formed by the second data connector 35, a video processor 128 included in the second connection management circuit 85, and the video output port 55. The video processor 128 is configured to decompress video signals received from the second data connector 35. In the illustrated embodiment, the video processor 128 is included in the second connection management circuit, but may be a separate component in other embodiments. In the second position (
The electronic switch 130 is controlled by an actuator 135 (
The second connection management circuit 85 is configured to manage data signals associated with the second electronic device 15b. The second connection management circuit 85 may be implemented by a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a control circuit. In some embodiments, the second connection management circuit 85 includes a combination of hardware and software to make and break different connections in the docking station 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connection management circuit 85 is coupled to the second data connector 35, the video output control circuit 90, the peripheral control circuit 95, and the audio control circuit 100. As discussed above, the second connection management circuit 85 includes the video processor 128 that is operable to decompress the video signals received from the second electronic device 15b through the second data connector 35. As also discussed above, the video processor 128 forms part of the second electrical communication path 127.
As shown in
The second connection management circuit 85 then determines whether the peripheral control circuit 95 indicates that the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are to be associated with the second electronic device 15b (step 155). If the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are to be associated with the second electronic device 15b, the second connection management circuit 85 enables data exchange between the second data connector 35 and the peripheral ports 40, 45 and/or input/output ports 60, 65 (step 160). If the peripheral ports 40, 45 or the input/output ports 60, 65 are not associated with the second electronic device 15b, the second connection management circuit 85 simply proceeds to step 165. The second connection management circuit 85 also determines whether the audio control circuit 100 indicates that the audio output port 50 is associated with the second electronic device 15b (step 165). If the audio output port 50 is associated with the second electronic device 15b, the second connection management circuit 85 enables data exchange between the second data connector 35 and the audio output port 50 (step 170). If, on the other hand, the audio output port 50 is not associated with the second electronic device 15b, data is not exchanged between the audio output port 50 and the second electronic device 15b.
Although the second connection management circuit 85 has been described as making determination steps 145, 155, 165, in some embodiments, the second connection management circuit 85 simply includes a set of switches and/or connections that do not carry out these determination steps 145, 155, 165. Rather, the determination steps 145, 155, 165 are made by the separate control circuits 90-100, and the second connection management circuit 85 provides the electrical connections between the second data connector 35 and the control circuits 90-100.
Referring back to
In the illustrated embodiment, the second switch 180 is also a two-position electronic switch. In a first position (
In the illustrated embodiment, the first switch 175 and the second switch 180 are controlled by a single actuator 185 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral control circuit 95 is also connected directly with the second data connector 35 such that the peripheral devices 20a-b and/or the input/output ports 60, 65 are automatically associated with the second electronic device 15b if or when the second electronic device 15b is connected to the docking station 10.
Referring back to
The audio switch 190 is controlled by an actuator 200 (
Implementing separate control circuits to manage the video, audio, and peripheral connections gives users flexibility in defining their workspace. For example, audio signals from the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b can be selectively sent to the audio port 50 and transferred to an external audio device (e.g., a speaker), allowing a user to select which device 15a-b is the source of the audio signals (e.g., music data/signals, calendar notifications, application notifications, etc.). The audio signals can also be mixed at different levels. For example, while the second electronic device 15b may provide media (e.g., music) to the audio port 50, the first electronic device 15a may provide calendar notifications to the audio port 50 at the same time.
A user can also selectively associate the external display 22 with the first electronic device 15a and the peripheral devices 20a-b with the second electronic device 15b. For example, the first electronic device 15a may be selected to connect to the video output port 55 and send video signals to the display 22, while the peripheral devices 20a-b can be selected to interact with the second electronic device 15b. This may, for example, allow a user to respond to small matters (e.g., a quick email or chat message) on the second electronic device 15b while minimally disrupting work or displays on the first electronic device 15a. In other situations, however, the user may wish to send video signals from the second electronic device 15b to the video output port 55 to utilize the external display 22 to provide a larger screen for viewing media and experience enhanced productivity on applications such as e-mail.
Although the docking station 10 has been described in the illustrated embodiment as having three actuators 135, 185, 200 that are controlled separately, the docking station 10 may also include a master actuator 203 (
As shown in
A user can transfer files to/from the first electronic device 15a, the second electronic device 15b, or another electronic device (e.g., an external flash disk or USB file storage device) by utilizing a graphical user interface (GUI) provided on the first electronic device 15a or the second electronic device 15b. For example, if a USB memory device is connected to the input/output port 60, files from the USB memory device can be copied to/from the first electronic device 15a using the GUI from the first electronic device 15a. In addition, files from the USB memory device can similarly be copied to/from the second electronic device 15b using the GUI provided by the second electronic device 15b. When a first electronic device 15a is not coupled to the docking station 10, the second electronic device 15b is connected to an external electronic device connected to the input/output ports 60, 65, allowing files to be transferred to and from the external electronic device and the second electronic device 15b using the GUI provided by the second electronic device 15b.
In another example, a user connects both the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b to the docking station 10. Then, the user selects data stored in the first electronic device 15a (e.g., a music file or folder) and stores it temporarily in the memory unit 205. The user then selects the data temporarily stored in the memory unit 205 and transfers the data to the second electronic device 15b for storage. In the illustrated embodiment, the user may delete, “copy,” and/or “paste” data from one device 15a-b to another. In some embodiments, a click-and-drag user interface may be used to share data between the electronic devices 15a-b and/or other electronic devices coupled to the docking station 10.
As shown in
As shown in
Although the docking station 10 has been described with physical actuators 135, 185, 200, 203 to control the switching functionality of the docking station 10, in some embodiments, the actuators 135, 185, 200, 203 may be software-implemented actuators. For example, the operating systems of the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b can run an application that allows the user to control, via software-implemented actuators, which functions/ports are associated with each electronic device 15a-b. For example, the first and connection management circuits 80, 85 may communicate with the application running on the first electronic device 15a, the second electronic device 15b, or both and determine based on user inputs received through the application how to make the connections within the docking station.
The docking station 10 then determines, based on the received user input(s), whether the video output port 55 is selected to receive the first video signal and/or the second video signal (step 330). When the docking station 10 determines that the video output port 55 is selected to display the first video signal, the docking station 10 transmits the first video signal to the video output port 55 through a first communication path 126 that bypasses the video processor 128 (step 335). When the docking station 10 determines that the video output port 55 is selected to display the second video signal, the docking station 10 transmits the second video signal to the video output port 55 through a second communication path 127 that includes the video processor 128 (step 340).
The docking station 10 also determines whether the peripheral port(s) are selected to transmit information to the first electronic device 15a and/or the second electronic device 15b (step 345). When the docking station 10 determines that the connected peripheral device is selected to transmit data to the first electronic device 15a, the docking station 10 transmits the data signals from the peripheral port(s) 40, 45 to the first data connector 30 (step 350). On the other hand, when the docking station 10 determines that the connected peripheral device(s) are selected to transmit data to the second electronic device 15c, the docking station 10 transmits the data signals from the peripheral port(s0 40, 45 to the second data connector 35 (step 355).
In some embodiments, the docking station 10 also exchanges data between the first electronic device 15a and the second electronic device 15b via the shared memory 205 (step 360).
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a docking station that selectively provides additional functionality to a first electronic device and a second electronic device. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/099,267 filed on Jan. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62099267 | Jan 2015 | US |