# US 2017/0286328 A1 · Data transfer between host and peripheral devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0286328 A1 - Document ID: US20170286328A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,177 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Applicants: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Inventors: Tobias Alexander Grosse-Puppendahl; James William Scott; Stephen Edward Hodges; John Franciscus Marie Helmes; Nicholas Yen-Cherng Chen; Stuart Alastair Taylor; Pascal Knierim; Josh Fromm; Gavin Wood; Albrecht Schmidt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170286328A1 ## CPC - G06F 13/102: {where the program performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver (G06F13/105 takes precedence; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52)} - G06F 11/3041: {where the computing system component is an input/output interface (interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units G06F13/00)} - G06F 11/3051: {Monitoring arrangements for monitoring the configuration of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring the presence of processing resources, peripherals, I/O links, software programs (verification or detection of system hardware configuration G06F11/2247)} - G06F 13/382: {using universal interface adapter} - G06F 13/4081: {Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging (current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004)} - G06F 13/4286: {using a handshaking protocol, e.g. RS232C link} - H04M 1/0254: {comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules} - H04M 1/72409: by interfacing with external accessories (hands-free H04M1/60) - H04M 1/72412: using two-way short-range wireless interfaces - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A device, which may be a peripheral device or a host computing device, comprises a communication interface, a memory and a processor. The processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device and in response to detecting the imminent disconnection of the communication link, to trigger a data transfer from the host computing device to the peripheral device via the communication interface. The data transfer defines, at least in part, a fixed output data set which, after disconnection, is output via an output device in the peripheral device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A peripheral device comprising: a communication interface arranged to communicate with a host computing device; an output device; a memory arranged to store an output data set for output via the output device; and a processor arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device and in response, to trigger a data transfer from the host computing device to the peripheral device via the communication interface, and wherein following disconnection of the communication link the output data set is fixed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer from the host computing device to the peripheral device via the communication interface is over a physical communication link or a short-range wireless link. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the output data set is defined based, at least in part, on the triggered data transfer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the triggered data transfer includes the output data set. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on a physical separation of the peripheral device and the host computing device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The peripheral device according to claim 5, further comprising at least one of: a proximity sensor arranged to detect a physical separation of the peripheral device and the host computing device; and a connecting mechanism comprising a sensor arranged to detect motion of the peripheral device relative to the host computing device, and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of the communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on sensor data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The peripheral device according to claim 5, further comprising a connecting mechanism arranged to receive power from the host computing device and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of the communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device in response to receiving no power via the connecting mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The peripheral device according to claim 5, further comprising a connecting mechanism arranged to physically connect the peripheral device to the host computing device and wherein the connecting mechanism includes a locking mechanism controlled by the processor and wherein the processor is further arranged to use the locking mechanism to prevent physical separation of the host computing device and the peripheral device until the data transfer is complete. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The peripheral device according to claim 5, wherein the communication interface is arranged to communicate with the host computing device using wireless signals and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on change in a parameter of the wireless signals. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is an electronic paper display. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The peripheral device according to claim 1, further comprising an input device and wherein the output data set comprises a plurality of data items and the processor is arranged to output a different one of the plurality of data items via the output device in response to a user input via the input device. ### Claim 12 A host computing device comprising: a communication interface arranged to communicate with a peripheral device comprising an output device; and a processor arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device and in response, to trigger a data transfer from the host computing device to the peripheral device via the communication interface, and wherein a fixed output data set output by the output device following disconnection of the communication link is defined based, at least in part, on the triggered data transfer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The host computing device according to claim 12, wherein the triggered data transfer includes the output data set. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The host computing device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on a physical separation of the peripheral device and the host computing device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The host computing device according to claim 14, further comprising at least one of: a proximity sensor arranged to detect a physical separation of the peripheral device and the host computing device; and a connecting mechanism comprising a sensor arranged to detect motion of the peripheral device relative to the host computing device, and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of the communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on sensor data. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The host computing device according to claim 14, further comprising a power source and a connecting mechanism arranged to provide power and optionally data to the peripheral device and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of the communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on reduction in load on the power source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The host computing device according to claim 14, further comprising a connecting mechanism arranged to physically connect the peripheral device to the host computing device and wherein the connecting mechanism includes a locking mechanism controlled by the processor and wherein the processor is further arranged to use the locking mechanism to prevent physical separation of the host computing device and the peripheral device until the data transfer is complete. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The host computing device according to claim 14, wherein the communication interface is arranged to communicate with the peripheral device using wireless signals and wherein the processor is arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device based on change in a parameter of the wireless signals. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The host computing device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further arranged, in response to the trigger, to select data for transfer to the peripheral device based on at least one of: auto-detection of information based on a user's history of browsed information; and user specified data items. ### Claim 20 An interface device arranged to physically connect a host computing device and a peripheral device, the interface device comprising: a communication interface arranged to communicate with the host computing device and/or the peripheral device; and a processor arranged to detect imminent disconnection of a communication link between the peripheral device and the host computing device and in response, to trigger a data transfer from the host computing device to the peripheral device via the communication interface.