# US 10,122,184 B2 · Application of modulated vibrations in docking scenarios > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,184 B2 - Document ID: US10122184B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/266,336 - Filed: 2016-09-15 - Published: 2018-03-15 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-15 - Assignees: BlackBerry Limited - Applicants: BlackBerry Limited - Inventors: Mohammed Nawaf Smadi; Jeffrey Ronald Clemmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122184B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02K 7/075: using crankshafts or eccentrics - H02K 41/0356: {moving along a straight path} - H04M 1/72409: by interfacing with external accessories (hands-free H04M1/60) - H02J 7/47: Arrangements for checking compatibility or authentication between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - H02J 50/90: involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment - H02K 3/52: Fastening salient pole windings or connections thereto - H04M 1/72412: using two-way short-range wireless interfaces - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A docking station for electronic devices is disclosed. The docking station includes: a housing defining a docking area for receiving an electronic device; a vibrator for generating vibrations, the vibrator being positioned in the docking station such that vibrations generated by the vibrator are transmitted to at least a part of the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and a controller coupled to the vibrator, the controller being configured to: detect that the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked in the docking area, cause the vibrator to generate vibrations corresponding to a signal representing an identifier of the docking station. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A docking station for electronic devices, comprising: a housing defining a docking area for receiving an electronic device and a docking surface for supporting the electronic device in the docking area; a vibrator for generating vibrations, the vibrator being positioned in the docking station and coupled to the docking surface such that vibrations generated by the vibrator are transmitted to at least a part of the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area; and a controller coupled to the vibrator, the controller being configured to: detect that the electronic device is docked in the docking area; determine that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station; and in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked in the docking area and that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station, cause the vibrator to generate modulated vibrations encoding an identifier of the docking station. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a connector interface for operatively engaging a port of the electronic device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The docking station of claim 2, wherein the vibrator comprises the connector interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a bit stream message. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibrator makes direct physical contact with the electronic device when the electronic device is docked in the docking area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a wall for supporting the electronic device in a generally upright position when the electronic device is docked in the docking area and wherein the vibrator is configured to cause the wall to vibrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibrator comprises a vibration motor connected to a power supply and wherein the controller is configured to control the vibration motor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the identifier is a media access control (MAC) address of the docking station. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the signal represents a hash value of an identifier of the docking station. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication subsystem coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to: receive, from the electronic device, a message confirming that an identity of the docking station has been recognized by the electronic device; and in response to receiving the message, cause the vibrator to cease generating vibrations. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a memory, wherein the identifier is stored in the memory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to generate the vibrations at predetermined time intervals. ### Claim 13 A processor-implemented method of operating a docking station for electronic devices, the docking station including a housing defining a docking surface for supporting a docked electronic device, the method comprising: detecting that an electronic device is docked to the docking station; determine that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station; and in response to detecting that the electronic device is docked to the docking station and that the docked electronic device is compatible for use with the docking station, causing a vibrator of the docking station to generate modulated vibrations encoding an identifier of the docking station, wherein the vibrator is coupled to the docking surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the signal comprises a bit stream message. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the identifier is a media access control (MAC) address of the docking station. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the signal represents a hash value of an identifier of the docking station. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, from the electronic device, a message confirming that an identity of the docking station has been recognized by the electronic device; and in response to receiving the message, causing the vibrator to cease generating vibrations. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the vibrator is caused to generate the vibrations at predetermined time intervals.