Expanded functionality of an electronic device via a closed-loop thermal solution
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsGrant S. Haug, Corey S. Provencher, Banafsheh Barabadi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, methods, and structures for unleashing the full computing power of handheld and wearable computing devices. An example can provide a docking station that can help to overcome form factor limitations of handheld and wearable computing and other small form factor devices. These limitations can include a limited capability of a small form factor device to dissipate heat due and an inability to support large connectors due to a limited surface area.
Claims20
A docking station comprising:
- a housing having a bottom surface;
- a contacting surface on the housing, the contacting surface to mate with an electronic device when mounted on the docking station, wherein the contacting surface is permeable to form a first portion of a ventilation path;
- a plurality of openings in the housing to form a second portion of the ventilation path;
- a first connector at a surface of the housing to receive power from an external source;
- a second connector at a surface of the housing to provide video signals to a monitor;
- a first fan under the contacting surface on the housing, the first fan supported by the housing;
- a magnet under the contacting surface and supported by the housing, the magnet to magnetically attach the electronic device when mounted on the docking station;
- a charging coil under the contacting surface and supported by the housing, the charging coil to wirelessly provide power to the electronic device when mounted on the docking station;
- a first circuit and a first antenna to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device when mounted on the docking station;
- and
- a second circuit and a second antenna to wirelessly communicate with a graphics input device.
A method of operating an electronic system comprising an electronic device and a docking station, the method comprising:
- with a first temperature sensor on the electronic device, reading a temperature of the electronic device;
- with a battery monitor on the electronic device, reading a state of a battery of the electronic device;
- with the electronic device, determining one or more policies for the operation of the electronic device, the one or more policies comprising temperature control and charging policies;
- with the electronic device, transmitting the temperature control and charging policies to the docking station;
- with the docking station, receiving the temperature control and charging policies from the electronic device;
- and
- adjusting a speed of a fan of the docking station based at least in part on the temperature control and charging policies from the electronic device.
A method of operating an electronic system comprising an electronic device and a docking station, the method comprising:
- with a first temperature sensor on the docking station, reading a temperature of the docking station near the electronic device;
- with a battery monitor on the electronic device, reading a state of a battery of the electronic device;
- with the electronic device, providing the state of the battery of the electronic device to the docking station;
- with the docking station, receiving the state of the battery of the electronic device with the docking station;
- and
- adjusting a speed of a fan of the docking station based at least in part on the temperature of the docking station near the electronic device and the state of the battery of the electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.