US 2011/0087805 A1 · Multi-mode dongle for peripheral devices and associated methods

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for utilizing multi-mode dongles with peripheral devices. The multi-mode dongles are configured to provide standard mode signals for a standard mode of operation and alternate mode signals for an alternate mode of operation, for example, where a host information handling system is unable to provide the alternate mode signals to the peripheral device. The multi-mode dongle receives mode control signals from a host information handling system and automatically switches from a standard mode of operation to an alternate mode of operation, where the alternate mode signals are provided to the peripheral device, based upon the mode control signals. In one embodiment, the multi-mode dongle can be configured for a universal serial bus (USB) port, and the alternate mode signals can be associated with charging a consumer electronics (CE) device.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A multi-mode dongle for a peripheral device, comprising:

a host connection port configured to be coupled to a communication port on a host information handling system;
a device connection port configured to be coupled to a peripheral device;
mode selection circuitry configured to receive mode control signals from the host information handling system through the host connection port and configured to output a mode selection signal;
alternate mode circuitry configured to generate alternate mode signals;
and
multiplexer circuitry coupled to receive standard mode signals from the host connection port and the alternate mode signals from the alternate mode circuitry, the multiplexer circuitry being configured to couple either the standard mode signals or the alternate mode signals to the device connection port depending upon the mode selection signal.

3 more elements

A system for utilizing a multi-mode dongle with a peripheral device, comprising:

a host information handling system having a communication port configured to be coupled to a peripheral device, the host information handling system comprising:
detection circuitry coupled to the communication port and configured to output one or more enable signals based upon detection of a connection to the communication port;
and
mode control circuitry configured to apply mode control signals to the connection port in response to the one or more enable signals;
a multi-mode dongle configured to be coupled the host information handling system and to a peripheral device, the dongle comprising:
a host connection port configured to be coupled to the communication port for the host information handling system;
a device connection port configured to couple to a peripheral device;
mode selection circuitry configured to receive the mode control signals from the host information handling system through the host connection port and configured to output a mode selection signal;
alternate mode circuitry configured to generate alternate mode signals;
and
multiplexer circuitry coupled to receive standard mode signals from the host connection port and the alternate mode signals from the alternate mode circuitry, the multiplexer circuitry being configured to couple either the standard mode signals or the alternate mode signals to the device connection port depending upon the mode selection signal.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-mode dongle for peripheral devices and associated methods

Life of this patent

Multi-mode dongle for peripheral devices and associated methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22