Inductive Peripheral Retention Device
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsTimothy Allen Jakoboski, Shiu Sang Ng, William H. Standing
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a plug configured to removably engage a communication port of a device to form a communicative coupling with the device. The plug is securable to and removable from the device using one or more hands of a user. The apparatus also includes a peripheral securing portion connected to the plug and configured to removably engage a peripheral device via an inductive element formed as a flexible loop and configured to form a communicative coupling between the peripheral device and the device, which may be used to support charging of the apparatus.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plug configured to removably engage a communication port of a device to form a communicative coupling with the device, the plug is securable to and removable from the device using one or more hands of a user;
- and
- a peripheral securing portion connected to the plug and configured to removably engage a peripheral device via an inductive element formed as a flexible loop and configured to form a communicative coupling between the peripheral device and the device.
A method comprising:
- detecting inductance of a flexible element configured to transfer power to a peripheral device via inductance;
- responsive to a determination that the detected inductance is above a first threshold, utilizing a first power mode in which a first amount of power is provided to the flexible element;
- and
- responsive to a determination that the detected inductance is below a second threshold, utilizing a second power mode in which a second amount of power is provided to the flexible element that is less than the first amount of power.
An apparatus comprising:
- a single ferrous element formed as a single integral piece having a middle portion having a diameter about an axis that is less than a diameter of opposing ends of the single ferrous element along the axis;
- and
- a coil wrapped around the middle portion such that the coil and the single ferrous element form an inductive coil that is substantially rotationally invariant around the axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.