TWI688865B - Method, docking station and related computer-readable storage medium for connecting devices to ports that support capabilities of the devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Examples disclosed herein provide the ability to determine whether the capabilities of a device can be supported by a port of another device, such as a docking station. In one example method, a first device identifies capabilities of a first port of the first device and identifies capabilities of a second device connected to the first device via the first port. The first device determines whether the capabilities of the second device can be met by the capabilities of the first port of the first device. If the capabilities of the second device cannot be met by the capabilities of the first port of the first device, the first device displays a prompt to connect the second device to a second port of the first device that supports the capabilities of the second device.

Description

Method for connecting device to port supporting its capability, docking station and computer-readable storage medium

The present invention relates to a technique for connecting a device to a port supporting its capabilities.

Background of the invention

The docking station provides a way to plug devices such as laptops or mobile phones into shared peripheral devices such as keyboards and/or mice. Universal Serial Bus (USB) is used as an interface to transfer data between devices And electricity. For example, the mobile phone can be charged via a USB port of the docking station, and at the same time it can also be used to exchange data (eg, send and/or receive) between the mobile phone and the shared peripheral device connected to the docking station.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided that includes the ability to identify a first port of a first device; to identify the ability of a second device connected to the first device through the first port; Determine whether the capabilities of the second device can be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device; And if the capabilities of the second device cannot be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device, display the first device connected to the second device to support the capabilities of the second device A prompt for the second port of one of the devices.

100: docking station

102: display

104: the first port

106: Second port

108: processor

110: memory device

112, 114, 116: instructions

200: Method

202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 310, 320, 330, 340: steps

300: Flow chart

According to an example, FIG. 1 illustrates a docking station to prompt the user to connect the device to the appropriate port of the docking station.

According to an example, FIG. 2 illustrates a method of operating at a docking station, which is used to determine whether a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to an example of the present disclosure.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

The examples disclosed herein provide the ability to determine whether the capabilities of one device such as a mobile phone can be supported by a port of another device such as a docking station. If the capabilities of the mobile phone cannot be satisfied by the capabilities of one port of the docking station, a prompt to connect the mobile phone to the other port of the docking station that supports the capabilities of the mobile phone may be displayed. Therefore, if the capability of the mobile phone is used for downstream streaming, a prompt to connect the mobile phone to a port of the docking station used for downstream streaming may be displayed so that peripheral devices connected to the docking station can be used with the mobile phone .

Referring to the drawings, according to an example, FIG. 1 illustrates a docking station 100, which is used to prompt a user to connect a device to an appropriate port of the docking station. As shown, the docking station 100 includes a display 102 to provide a prompt to a user, for example, regardless of whether 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 than those shown.

As an example, the first and second ports 104 and 106 may be USB type C ports. Although the first and second ports 104, 106 can provide the same physical connection for the device, the capabilities of each port can be different. For example, the capability of the first port 104 may be used for upstream streaming connections and the capability of the second port 106 may be used for downstream streaming connections, and vice versa. Therefore, if the capability of the device is used for downstream streaming, and the device is connected to the docking station 100 via the second port 106 that only supports downstream streaming from the docking station 100, the display 102 may alternatively provide for connecting the device Prompt to the first port 104 that supports upstream streaming from the device. If the device remains connected to the second port 106, although a proper connection for communication between the device and the docking station 100 cannot be established, at least power can be provided to the device for charging, as will be described further.

The docking station 100 depicts a processor 108 and a memory device 110, and as an example of a docking station that performs operations of the docking station 100, the memory device 100 may include instructions 112-116 executed by the processor 108. Therefore, it can be said that the memory device 110 stores program instructions, which when executed by the 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 for identifying capabilities (112), instructions for determining whether the capabilities of a device connected to the docking station 100 can be satisfied (114), and The display 102 provides a prompt instruction to connect the device to another port (116).

The capability determination instruction (112) indicates that when executed by the processor 108, it causes the docking station 100 to recognize the capability of the device connected to the docking station 100 and the port of the docking station 100 to which the device is connected (e.g., the first port 104 or Program commands for the capability of the second port 106). As an example, the ability to identify the device and the port may include determining whether it is for upstream or downstream streaming connections. Regarding this device, the device for upstream streaming connection includes, but is not limited to, a keyboard and a trackpad. The device for downstream connection includes, as an example, a monitor display. It can include both upstream and downstream streaming connections, other devices called double-acting (DR) devices, including computing devices such as smart phones, which can act as a host or client.

The instruction (114) for determining whether the capability of the device can be satisfied indicates that when executed by the processor 108, the docking station 100 determines whether the capability of the device connected to the docking station 100 can be satisfied by the port to which the device is connected (e.g. Program instructions for the first port 104 or the second port 106). As an example, if the device is used for upstream streaming connection, it can be determined whether the device is connected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports downstream streaming connection from the device. Similarly, if the device is used for a downstream streaming connection, it can be determined whether the device is connected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports the upstream streaming connection from the docking station 100.

The instruction (116) on the display 102 that provides a prompt to connect the device to another port indicates that when executed by the processor 108, the capability of the device connected to the docking station 100 cannot be connected to the docking station to which the device is connected The capacity of port 100 is satisfied, which causes the docking station 100 to display the prompted program instructions on the display 102. For example, if the device is used for upstream streaming connection and is connected to a port of the docking station 100 for upstream streaming connection, the display 102 may provide to reconnect the device to the docking for downstream streaming connection Tips for another port of station 100. Therefore, once the device is reconnected to a port of the docking station 100 that supports downstream streaming connections, communications from the device, such as a keyboard or trackpad, can be received by the docking station 100. However, if it is not reconnected, at least any port can provide power to ensure that the device remains charged.

The memory device 110 generally represents any number of memory components capable of storing instructions executable by the processor 108. The memory device 110 is non-transitory in the sense that it does not include a temporary signal, but is composed of at least one memory component configured to store related commands. Therefore, the memory device 110 may be a temporary computer-readable storage medium. The memory device 110 may be implemented in a single device or distributed across devices. Likewise, the processor 108 represents any number of memories capable of executing instructions stored by the memory device 110. The processor 108 may be integrated in a single device or distributed across devices. Further, the memory device 110 may be fully or partially integrated in the same device as the processor 108, or the memory device 110 may be separate but accessible to the device and the processor 108.

In one example, the program instructions 112-116 may be part of an installation kit that can be executed by the processor 108 to implement the components of the docking station 100 when installed. In this example, the 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 kit can be downloaded and installed. In another example, the program command may be an application program or a part of an installed application program. Here, the memory device 110 may include an integrated memory such as a hard drive, a solid-state drive, or the like.

According to an example, FIG. 2 illustrates a method of operating at a docking station, which is used to determine whether a device is connected to an appropriate port of the docking station. As an example, the method 200 is described with reference to the docking station 100. Although this method is described in terms of USB Type-C ports, this method can also be applied to other port technologies. Method 200 begins at 202, where detection is performed based on whether a USB Type-C port device is connected to a port of docking station 100, such as first port 105 or second port 106. At 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 streaming port (DFP) or upstream streaming port (UFP). DFP refers to the port used for downstream streaming connections, and UFP refers to the port used for upstream streaming connections.

At 208, if it is determined that the device is connected to a UFP, then the capability of the device connected to the UFP is subsequently determined. At 210, if the device is a DFP device or a double-acting device, the peripheral device connected to the docking station 100 is turned on to cooperate with the device. As an example, the display 102 may provide a reminder that a correct connection has been established (eg, an active diagram). If the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a monitoring display, the display can be enabled to display content. If the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a double-acting device such as a smartphone, and a peripheral device such as a keyboard and/or trackpad, it can be activated to interact with the content on the smartphone interactive.

At 212, if the device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100 is a UFP device, it can be determined whether the UFP device needs to be charged. At 214, if the UFP device does not need to be charged, the internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off to conserve power. However, at 216, if the UFP device needs to be charged, the docking station 100 provides power to charge the UFP device. Although not shown, 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 one of the DFPs of the docking station 100. For example, the display 102 may provide a notification that an incompatible connection has been established and indicate the correct port to make the docking station fully functional. Once reconnected to a DFP, input from the UFP device such as a keyboard and/or trackpad can be received by the docking station 100.

At 218, if it is determined that the device is connected to a DFP, then the capability of the device connected to the DFP is then determined. At 220, if the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a DFP device, the display may provide a prompt to reconnect the DFP device to one of the UFPs of the docking station 100. For example, the display 102 may provide a notification that an incompatible connection has been established and indicate the correct port to make the docking station fully functional. As an example, once reconnected to a UFP, input from peripheral devices connected to the docking station 100 can be received by the DFP now connected to one of the UFPs of the docking station 100. Although not shown, if the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a DFP device, it can be determined whether the DFP device needs to be charged. If the DFP device does not need to be charged, the internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off to save the power. However, if the DFP device needs to be charged, the docking station 100 provides power to charge the DFP device.

At 222, if the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is not a DFP device, it is determined whether the device is a double-acting device or a UFP device. At 224, if the device connected to the DFP of the docking station 100 is a double-acting device, it is determined whether a host device such as a notebook computer is connected to a UFP of the docking station 100. At 226, if such a host device is not 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 double-acting device to function as a host device. However, at 228, if a host device such as a notebook computer is connected to a UFP of the docking station 100, the dual-acting device is switched to the UFP mode. In the UFP mode, the dual-acting device can function as a client device such as a USB drive for the host device connected to the UFP of the docking station 100. As an example, the display 102 may provide a reminder that a correct connection has been established (eg, an active diagram). At 230, if the double-acting device needs to be charged, as described above, the docking station 100 provides power to charge the double-acting device.

At 232, if 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 DFP of the docking station 100. If a host device is connected, the DFP device can be used to provide input to the host device. As an example, the display 102 may provide a reminder that a correct connection has been established (eg, an active diagram). At 234, if the DFP device needs to be charged, as described above, the docking station 100 provides power to charge the DFP device. At 236, if a host device is not connected to a UFP of the docking station 100, at least power can be provided to charge the UFP device if necessary. For example, at 238, if the UFP device does not need to be charged, the internal power to the docking station 100 is turned off to conserve power. However, at 240, if the UFP device needs to be charged, the docking station 100 provides power to charge the UFP device.

According to an example, FIG. 3 is a flowchart 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. In discussing FIG. 3, reference may be made to the example docking station 100 shown in FIG. Making such a reference frame is to provide an example of context and is not limited to the manner in which the method depicted in FIG. 3 can be implemented.

At 310, the docking station recognizes the capability of a first port of the docking station (eg, a first device). At 320, the docking station recognizes the capability of a second device connected to the docking station through the first port. As an example, the ability to identify the second device and the first port may include determining whether they are used for upstream streaming or downstream streaming connections, as described above.

At 330, the docking station determines whether the capabilities of the second device can be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the docking station. As an example, if the second device is used for upstream streaming connection, then it is determined whether the second device is connected to a port of the docking station that supports downstream streaming connection from the second device. Similarly, if the second device is used for downstream streaming connection, then it is determined whether the second device is connected to a port of the docking station that supports upstream streaming connection from the docking station.

At 340, if the capabilities of the second device cannot be satisfied by the first port of the docking station, it may be displayed that the second device is connected to a second port of one of the docking stations that supports the capabilities of the second device Tips. As an example, if the second device is used for upstream streaming connection and is connected to a port of the docking station used for upstream streaming connection, it can be shown that the device is reconnected for downstream streaming connection Of the other port of the docking station. Therefore, once the device is reconnected to a port of the docking station that supports downstream streaming connections, communications from the device such as a keyboard or trackpad can be received by the docking station. However, if there is no reconnection, at least any port can provide power to ensure that the second device remains charged.

Although the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows a specific execution order, the execution order may be different from that depicted. For example, the order in which two or more blocks or arrows are executed may be disturbed relative to the displayed order. Furthermore, two or more blocks displayed in succession may be executed in parallel or partially in parallel. All these different aspects are within the scope of the present invention.

It is understood that the recited examples may include different components and features. It is also understandable that many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of these examples. However, it can be understood that these examples can be practiced where the port restricts these specific details. In other instances, conventional methods and structures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples. In addition, these examples can be used in combination with each other.

In this specification, reference to "an example" or similar language represents that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the examples is included in at least one example, but not necessarily in other examples. Different examples of the term "in one example" or similar terms in different places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same example.

It can be understood that the descriptions provided in the previous disclosure examples are for enabling any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Different modifications to these examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the content of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown in this article but to be given the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed in this article.

300: Flow chart

310, 320, 330, 340: steps

Claims (13)

A method comprising: identifying the capabilities of a first port of a first device; identifying the capabilities of a second device connected to the first device through the first port; determining whether the capabilities of the second device Can be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device; and if the capabilities of the second device cannot be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device, display A prompt that the second device is connected to a second port of one of the first devices that supports the capabilities of the second device; wherein if the second device responds to the determination that the capabilities of the second device cannot be used by the second device If the capabilities of the first port of a device are satisfied and want to remain connected to the first device through the first port, it is determined whether the second device requires power for charging. As in the method of claim 1, based on the determination of whether the second device requires power, power is provided to the second device. The method of claim 1, wherein if the capabilities of the first port of the first device are used for upstream streaming connections and the capabilities of the second device are used for downstream streaming connections, then the The peripheral devices of the first device can be used with the second device. The method of claim 1, wherein if the capabilities of the first port of the first device are used for downstream streaming connections and the capabilities of the second device are used for downstream streaming connections, the display will be The second device is connected The prompt connected to the second port of the first device, wherein the second port is used for upstream streaming connection. The method of claim 1, wherein if the capabilities of the first port of the first device are used for downstream connection and the second device is a double-acting device, it is identified whether a host device is connected to One port of the first device supporting upstream streaming connection. The method of claim 5, wherein if the host device is connected to the port of the first device that supports upstream streaming connection, the second device is switched to support upstream streaming connection. The method of claim 5, wherein if the host device is not connected to the first device, a prompt to connect the second device to the second port of the first device is displayed, wherein the second port is Used for upstream streaming connections. A docking station, comprising: a display; a port for connecting a device to the docking station; and a processor for: when the device passes through a first port of the ports to be connected to the docking station Identify the capabilities of the device at the station; identify the capabilities of the first port; determine whether the capabilities of the device can be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port; and if the capabilities of the device cannot be If the capabilities of the first port are satisfied, then the display is provided to connect the device to the support A prompt for a second port of the ports that aids the capabilities of the device; where the device wishes to pass if the device responds to determining that the capabilities of the device cannot be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port The first port remains connected to the docking station, and the processor is used to determine whether the device requires power for charging. If the docking station of claim 8, wherein if the capabilities of the first port of the docking station are used for upstream streaming connections and the capabilities of the device are used for downstream streaming connections, the processor is It is used to enable the peripheral device of the docking station to cooperate with the device. As in the docking station of claim 8, wherein if the capabilities of the first port of the docking station are used for downstream streaming connections and the capabilities of the device are used for downstream streaming connections, the processor is It is used to display the prompt for connecting the device to the second port of the docking station, wherein the second port is used for upstream streaming connection. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes program instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: recognize the ability of a first port of a first device; The capabilities of a second device connected to a first port by a port; determining whether the capabilities of the second device can be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device; if the second device The capabilities of the first device cannot be If the capabilities of a port are satisfied, display a prompt to connect the second device to a second port of one of the first devices that supports the capabilities of the second device; and if the second device responds to Determine that the capabilities of the second device cannot be satisfied by the capabilities of the first port of the first device and want to remain connected to the first device through the first port, then determine whether the second device requires Electricity used for charging. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the processor is used to provide power to the second device based on the determination of whether the second device requires power. If the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, where the capabilities of the first port of the first device are used for downstream connections and the second device is a double-acting device, then The processor is used to identify whether a host device is connected to a port of the first device that supports upstream streaming connection.

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