# US 8,543,745 B2 · Accessory for a portable computing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,745 B2 - Document ID: US8543745B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/772,952 - Filed: 2010-05-03 - Published: 2011-07-07 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-06 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Jahan Minoo; Gregory T. Lydon; Kenneth Loo; Lawrence G. Bolton; Roberto G. Yepez; John M. Ananny - Inventors: Jahan Minoo; Gregory T. Lydon; Kenneth Loo; Lawrence G. Bolton; Roberto G. Yepez; John M. Ananny - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543745B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - G06F 1/266: {Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An accessory for use with a portable computing device is provided. The accessory includes a keypad and a pedestal to house the control circuitry and provide mechanical stability for the accessory. The accessory includes a metal mass that performs dual functions of providing the mass for stability as well as acting as a ground connection for the keypad and other control circuitry. The accessory includes a connector for interfacing with a portable computing device and an additional connector for interfacing with an additional accessory. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An accessory for use with a portable computing device, the accessory comprising: an accessory interface configured to connect to an additional accessory and to provide power to the additional accessory; a portable computing device interface configured to connect to the portable computing device and to receive power from the portable computing device; and circuitry configured to operate at either of a first operating voltage or a second operating voltage, the first operating voltage corresponding to the accessory and the second operating voltage corresponding to the additional accessory; wherein the circuitry is further configured to operate only at the second operating voltage if the additional accessory is connected to the accessory interface and to operate only at the first operating voltage if the additional accessory is not connected. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 wherein the second operating voltage is higher than the first operating voltage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine a resistance value corresponding to the second power requirement and communicate the resistance value to the portable computing device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 further including a metal mass configured to provide stability to the accessory and provide a ground path for the keypad and the circuitry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The accessory of claim 4 wherein the metal mass consists primarily of zinc. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The accessory of claim 4 wherein the metal mass occupies between 45% and 55% of a volume of the pedestal. ### Claim 7 A method for operating an accessory having a first operating power requirement, the method comprising, by the accessory: receiving, from an additional accessory connected to the accessory, information associated with a second operating power requirement for operating the additional accessory; communicating the information associated with second operating power requirement to a portable computing device connected to the accessory, wherein the second operating power requirement is different from the first operating power requirement; receiving, from the portable computing device, a voltage corresponding to the second operating power requirement; and operating using only the voltage corresponding to the second operating power requirement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the first operating power requirement is lower than the second operating power requirement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the information associated with the second operating power requirement includes determining a resistance value associated with the second operating power requirement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine a power requirement for the additional accessory and communicate the power requirement to the portable computing device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is further configured to change its operating voltage from the first operating voltage to the second operating voltage upon connection of the additional accessory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The accessory of claim 1 wherein the circuitry is further configured to change its operating voltage from the first operating voltage to the second operating voltage based on a control signal from the portable computing device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising: determining a power requirement for the additional accessory and communicating the power requirement to the portable computing device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising changing an operating voltage of the accessory from the first operating voltage to the second operating voltage upon connection of the additional accessory. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising changing an operating voltage of the accessory from the first operating voltage to the second operating voltage based on a control signal from the portable computing device.