Apparatus, system and method of docking a mobile device with wireless connector

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and method of transferring data between a mobile device and one or more peripheral devices via a docking device including a wireless connector. For example, a docking device to transfer data between a mobile device and one or more peripheral devices may include a power plug to be connected to a power supply, one or more peripheral connectors to be connected to the one or more peripheral devices for communicating data with the peripheral devices, and a docking connector to connect the docking device to the mobile device. The docking connector may include, for example, a power connector to receive electrical power from the power supply via the power plug and to transfer the electrical power to the mobile device, and a wireless communication unit to communicate the data between the docking device and the mobile device over a wireless communication link.

BACKGROUND

Mobile platforms are becoming smaller and smaller, and typically have decreasingly smaller screens and less Input/Output (IO) ports from generation to generation.

Docking stations are commonly used nowadays to extend the IO port array of the mobile platforms, and provide a convenient means for a mobile platform to hook up to a static variety of peripheral devices (“peripherals”), such as displays, monitors, external storage devices, external Hard Disk Drives (HDD), a mouse, keyboards, webcams, communication devices, and the like.

A docking device (also referred to as “docking station”) may typically be placed on a table, while being permanently connected to the peripherals, and the user may connect the mobile platform to the docking station (“dock”) to utilize the peripherals.

When one evaluates the spectrum of existing connectivity options for connecting the docking station to the mobile platform, one can find several connectivity schemes.

One scheme includes connectorized docking based on a pass-through mechanical connector that carries a variety of signals, e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe), Audio, and the like.

Another scheme includes connectorized docking based on a single cable that carries a particular technology, e.g., USB or Thunderbolt.

Another scheme includes wireless docks, based on wireless technologies, e.g., wireless USB, Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wireless Gigabit (WiGig), and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version1.1, April 2011,Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiGig Serial Extension (WSE) protocols (WiGig Serial Extension(WSE)Specification Draft1.02, August 2012) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiGig Display Extension (WDE) protocols (WDE Draft Specification1.04, August 2012) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Bulk Only Transfer (BOT) Protocols (“the BOT protocol”) (Universal Serial Bus(USB)Mass Storage Class Bulk-Only Transport, Revision1.0, Sep. 31, 1999) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiGig Bus Extension (WBE) protocols (WiGig Bus Extension Spec(WBE),Version1.0 June 2011) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiGig Secure Digital (SD) Extension (WSD) protocols (WiGig SD Extension(WSD)PAL Specification Draft1.0 August 2012) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (IEEE802.11-2012,IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part11:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications, Mar. 29, 2012;IEEE802.11task group ac(TGac) (“IEEE802.11-09/0308r12—TGac Channel Model Addendum Document”);IEEE802.11task group ad(TGad) (IEEE P802.11ad/D9.0Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part11:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications—Amendment3:Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the60GHz Band)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WirelessHD™ specifications and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a wireless communication signal includes transmitting the wireless communication signal and/or receiving the wireless communication signal. For example, a wireless communication unit, which is capable of communicating a wireless communication signal, may include a wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless communication signal to at least one other wireless communication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver to receive the wireless communication signal from at least one other wireless communication unit.

The phrase “short range wireless communication link” as used herein may relate to a wireless communication link configured to communicate over a range of up to 10 centimeters (cm), e.g., a range of no more than 5 cm. In one example, the short-range wireless communication link may have a range of less than 3 cm, for example, a range of up to two centimeters, e.g., a range of up to one centimeter.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with suitable limited-range or short-range wireless communication networks, for example, a wireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN and the like. Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 60 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmwave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 30 Ghz and 300 GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

The phrase “peer to peer (PTP or P2P) communication”, as used herein, may relate to device-to-device communication over a wireless link (“peer-to-peer link”) between a pair of devices. The P2P communication may include, for example, wireless communication over a direct link within a QoS basic service set (BSS), a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) link, a STA-to-STA communication in an independent basic service set (IBSS), or the like.

The phrases “directional multi-gigabit (DMG)” and “directional band” (DBand), as used herein, may relate to a frequency band wherein the Channel starting frequency is above 40 GHz.

The phrase “docking station”, as used herein, may relate to an interface connected to one or more peripheral devices, e.g., a display, one or more speakers, a mouse, a keyboard, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), and/or the like, configured to enable a device to connect to and communicate with the peripheral devices. For example, the docking station may be configured to enable a mobile device, e.g., a mobile computer, to connect to an external display and/or an external keyboard.

Some existing connectivity options for connecting a docking station to a mobile device utilize a connectorized docking scheme, for example, including a mechanical pass-through connector, e.g. USB, PCIe, display port (DP), serial ATA (SATA), Audio, and the like.

Conventional mechanical connectors may be configured according to a mechanical mating scheme. For example, a conventional mobile device may typically include a connector socket configured to mate with a connector plug of a docking device.

Despite having a variety of form factors, these mechanical connectors have common disadvantages.

For example, the mechanical connectors are typically quite large, occupy a significant volume within the mobile device and/or docking device, expensive and require accurate alignment with a receptacle in the docking device, which may pose the risk of mechanical damage due to an improper plug/unplug operation.

Additionally, a cavity created in the body of the device by the connector socket may interfere with the clean lines of a particular industrial design of the device.

Additionally, the mobile device cannot be connected to the plug connector when the mobile device is covered by a case, e.g., unless the case has an aperture cut through. Such aperture may interfere with the industrial design of the mobile device.

Additionally, as the mechanical coupling between the plug and the socket is typically quite strong, the mobile device, connectors and/or cable may be damaged, for example, in cases of accidental yanks of the cable, e.g., by tripping over it.

Additionally, repeated plug/unplug events weaken the socket and the plug and cause abrasion.

Additionally, mechanical sockets are typically prone to improper plugging, e.g., upside down, unaligned etc., which may lead to mechanical damage and/or frustration.

Additionally, the cavity created by the connector socket is susceptible to dust, pocket lint, moisture or damage by foreign objects, e.g., coins or other objects in a pocket.

Additionally, conventional connector sockets for conveying high-speed traffic occupy quite a significant volume within the body of the mobile device. For example, a typical micro USB 3.0 socket and micro HDMI socket may occupy an area of about 113 square millimeters (mm2) on a printed circuit board (PCB) of the mobile device, and a volume of about 265 cubic millimeters (mm3).

Despite being prevalent in today's mobile devices, wireless communication technologies were not able to entirely replace cables. The typical applications of wireless technologies in mobile platforms are WWAN, WLAN and WPAN. While very convenient to use, these technologies usually do not offer the performance, the security and/or the ability to work in dense environment at the same level as cable connectors.

Some demonstrative embodiments include a docking connector including a wireless connector to connect between a docking device and a mobile device (also referred to as “mobile platform”), e.g., a mobile computer, a notebook computer, an Ultrabook™, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the docking connector may utilize a wireless connector scheme to connect the docking device to the mobile device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the wireless connector scheme may be configured to connect the docking device to the mobile device, for example, without utilizing a mechanical mating scheme.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the wireless connector scheme may be configured to connect between the docking device and the mobile device without affecting an external surface and/or housing of the mobile device.

Reference is now made toFIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system100may include a docking device102configured to connect between a device104and one or more peripheral devices150(“peripherals”).

In some demonstrative embodiments, device104may include, or may be included as part of a mobile or portable device, for example, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a Smartphone, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities, a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a “Carry Small Live Large” (CSLL) device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an “Origami” device or computing device, a device that supports Dynamically Composable Computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), a media player, a television, a music player, or the like.

Device104may also include, for example, one or more of a processor191, an input unit192, an output unit193, a memory unit194, and a storage unit195. Device104may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of device104, may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of device104may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, peripheral devices150may include a keyboard, a mouse, a display, speakers, a USB hub, an external storage, and/or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may be configured to transfer data between mobile device104and peripheral devices150.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may enable a user of mobile device104to utilize peripherals150. For example, the user may utilize docking device102to work with mobile device104by utilizing, for example, an external keyboard, an external mouse, speakers, an external display, an external HDD, and/or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include one or more peripheral connectors132configured to be connected to one or more peripheral devices150for communicating data with peripheral devices150.

In some demonstrative embodiments, peripheral connectors132may include one or more input/output (I/O) connectors, e.g., a USB connector, configured to communicate I/O data with one or more I/O devices, e.g., a USB storage device, a USB mouse, a USB keyboard, a printer, and/or the like.

For example, a user may utilize an external mouse, and/or an external keyboard to work with device104by connecting the external mouse and keyboard to USB connectors of peripheral connectors132.

In some demonstrative embodiments, peripheral connectors132may include one or more audio/video (A/V) connectors, e.g., an HDMI connector, a DP connector and/or the like, configured to communicate A/V data with one or more A/V devices, e.g., a display monitor, an HDTV TV and/or the like.

For example, a user may utilize an external display, and/or external speakers to work with device104by connecting the external display to an HDMI connector of peripheral connectors132, and/or by connecting the external speakers to an audio connector of peripheral connectors132.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system100may include a wireless docking connector scheme to connect between mobile device104and docking device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include a docking connector130, and mobile device104may include a docking connector140. Docking connectors130and140may be configured to connect between devices104and102over at least one wireless communication link103, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connectors130and/or140may include a wireless communication unit capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals over wireless communication link103. For example, docking connector130may include a wireless communication unit110and docking connector140may include a wireless communication unit120.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and/or120may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas107and108, respectively. Antennas107and/or108may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data. For example, antennas107and/or108may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas107and/or108may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, antennas107and/or108may include a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas107and/or108may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas107and/or108may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and/or120may include, for example, one or more radios, e.g., a radio114and/or a radio124, including one or more wireless transmitters, receivers and/or transceivers able to send and/or receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and/or120may be formed on dedicated Integrated Chips (ICs). For example, wireless communication unit110may be formed on an IC housed within docking connector130, and wireless communication unit120may be formed on an IC housed within mobile device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connector140may be housed within a housing of mobile device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connectors130and/or140may include a plug-less connector, for example, a connector, which does not include mechanical mating elements, e.g., a plug, a socket, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connector130may be configured to be physically coupled to docking connector140. For example, mobile device104may include a coupling surface147configured to be physically coupled to a coupling surface137of docking connector130. Coupling surface137may be part of a housing of docking connector130and/or coupling surface147may be part of a housing of device104.

For example, coupling surfaces137and147may be formed in a shape, which may enable to physically couple coupling surfaces137and147. For example, coupling surface137may include, or may be part of, a flat outer surface of a housing of docking connector130, and/or coupling surface147may include, or may be part of, a flat outer surface of a housing of device104, which may be fitted to coupling surface137.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connectors130and140may be configured to enable positioning of wireless communication unit110in close proximity to wireless communication unit120. For example, docking connector130may be positioned at close proximity to coupling surface137and docking connector140may be positioned at close proximity to coupling surface147.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connectors130and140may utilize a magnetic force to physically couple and maintain docking connectors130and140at close proximity. For example, docking connectors130and140may include one or more magnetic elements configured to enable coupling of docking connectors130and140by magnetic force.

In one example, docking connector130may include a magnetic element131and/or docking connector140may include a magnetic element141, configured to enable coupling of docking connectors130and140by magnetic force. For example, magnetic elements131and141may include magnetic elements having opposite poles.

Alternatively, docking connector140may not include magnetic element141, and coupling surface147may be formed, at least in part, of a ferromagnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, metal and/or the like, which may enable magnetic element131to physically couple docking connector130to coupling surface147by magnetic force.

In other embodiments, docking connectors130and140may utilize any other type of coupling mechanism.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the docking connector scheme described herein may provide a new kind of user experience of plug/unplug (“zero-force plug/unplug”). The zero-force plug/unplug may enhance user experience in the mundane task of connecting mobile device104to docking device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may be configured to form link103including a direct link, e.g., a P2P link, for example, to enable direct communication between wireless communication units110and120.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a short-range wireless communication link at a multi-gigabit-per-second (MGbs) rate. For example, wireless communication link103may include a Wireless-Gigabit (WiGig) link. In other embodiments, wireless communication link103may include any other suitable link and/or may utilize any other suitable wireless communication technology.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a bidirectional link to enable communicating data from devices150to device104and from device104to devices150. In other embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a unidirectional link, e.g., a unidirectional link to enable communicating data from devices150to device104, or a unidirectional link to enable communicating data from devices150to device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may communicate the data over a WiGig Serial Extension (WSE) to communicate data, e.g., data files, between devices102and104. For example, wireless communication units110and120may communicate over the WSE to communicate data files between device104and peripheral devices150, e.g., an external storage device, a USB storage device and/or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may communicate the data over a WiGig Display Extension (WDE), e.g., to communicate video and/or audio data between devices102and104. For example, wireless communication units110and120may communicate over the WDE to communicate video and/or audio data between device104and peripheral devices150, e.g., an external display, speakers, a microphone and/or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may communicate the data over a WBE link, a WSD link and/or any other link.

In other embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may utilize any other suitable wireless communication technology and/or protocol.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and/or120may be configured to establish wireless communication link103having a very limited range, e.g., so as not to persist for more than a few centimeters (cm) around a coupling point of docking connectors130and140, for example, to avoid interference to surrounding wireless communication devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may be configured to overcome a housing of docking connector130, and/or housing and/or an external case of mobile device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may have a range of no more than five centimeters. In one embodiment, wireless communication link103may have a range of less than three centimeters. In another embodiment, wireless communication link103may have a range of up to two centimeters. In yet another embodiment, wireless communication link103may have a range of up to one centimeter.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the limited range of wireless communication link103may enable a solution to a very robust dense environment. For example, the limited range of wireless communication link103may enable a relatively large number of wireless communication links to coexist in a common environment, e.g., without interfering with each other. In one example, the limited range of wireless communication link103may reduce a probability of wireless communication link103interfering with another wireless communication link, e.g., if the wireless communication links are not located within the limited range.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the limited range of wireless communication link103may provide a higher level of security, e.g., compared to conventional WPAN, WLAN and/or WWAN links. For example, neighboring devices may not be able to monitor the communication over wireless communication link103, e.g., if not located within the limited range of wireless communication link103.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may utilize a relatively low transmission power to maintain the reduced range of wireless communication link103.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and120may utilize a transmission power, which is lesser than 15 decibel milliwatts (dBm), for communicating over link103. For example, wireless communication units110and120may communicate over link103utilizing a transmission power of less than 10 dBM, e.g., less than 5 dBm. In one example, wireless communication units110and120may utilize a transmission power of between −5 dBM and 5 dBM, e.g., between −2 dBm and 2 dBm. For example, wireless communication units110and120may utilize a transmission power of 0 dBm for communicating over link103.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the limited range of wireless communication link103may enable a reduced power consumption of devices102and/or104, e.g., due to the low transmission power.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may be configured to provide electrical power to mobile device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include a power plug136to be connected to a power supply155.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connector130may include a power connector134configured to receive electrical power from power supply155via power plug136and to transfer the electrical power to device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connector140may include a power connector144configured to electrically connect mobile device104to a power source of docking device102, e.g., power supply155.

In some demonstrative embodiments, power connectors134and144may be configured to be physically coupled and to transfer the electrical power between power connector134and power connector144.

In one example, power connector134may include one or more pins, e.g., spring loaded pins (“Pogo Pins”) configured to connect to one or more contacts, e.g., exposed contacts, of power connector144.

In another example, power connectors134and/or144may utilize any other mating scheme to transfer electrical power between power connector134and power connector144.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include a cable133configured to connect between docking connector133, peripheral connectors132, and power plug136.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cable133may be configured to transfer the data between peripheral connectors132and wireless communication unit110and to transfer electrical power from power plug136to power connector134.

For example, a first end of cable133may be connected to power plug136, and a second end of cable133may be connected to docking connector130. Cable133may include electric wiring to electrically connect between power plug136and power connector134. Device104may receive the electrical power from power supply155through power plug136, e.g., via cable133and power connectors134and144.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cable133may be configured to transfer the data between peripheral connectors132and wireless communication unit110. For example, cable133may include data wiring, e.g., copper wires, optical fibers, a serial interface, a parallel interface, and/or any other interface, to transfer the data between peripheral connectors132and wireless communication unit110.

In one example, an external mouse of peripheral devices150may be connected to a USB socket of peripheral connectors132, cable133may communicate data between the mouse, via peripheral connectors132, and wireless communication unit110, and wireless communication unit110may communicate the data with wireless communication unit120of mobile device104over the WSE.

In another example, an external HDTV display of peripherals devices150may be connected to an HDMI socket of peripheral connectors132, cable133may communicate video data between the display, via peripheral connectors132, and wireless communication unit110, and wireless communication unit110may communicate the video data with wireless communication unit120of mobile device104over the WDE.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include, or may be included as part of, a mobile device power adaptor/charger, which may be configured to charge an internal battery of the mobile device and/or supply adapted electrical power, e.g., direct current (DC), to the mobile device. For example, peripheral connectors132may be embedded in a power brick of the power adaptor/charger of a notebook, a laptop and the like, and/or cable133and/or power plug136may include, or may be included as part of, a power cord of the mobile device power adaptor/charger, e.g., as described below with reference toFIG. 2.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking device102may include an internal power storage171, e.g., a rechargeable power storage, to provide electric power to wireless communication unit110and to at least one of peripheral connectors132. For example, power storage171may be included within the power brick, e.g., as described below with reference toFIG. 2.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the docking connector scheme described herein may overcome at least some of the disadvantages of docking devices utilizing conventional mechanical connectors.

For example, docking connectors130and/or140may allow for cleaner industrial design lines in devices102and/or104, allowing for Industrial-Design innovation (“Connector-less”).

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may be configured to work through an external case of mobile device104, thereby eliminating the need for any dedicated apertures in the case.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may use magnetic coupling to attach docking connector130to device104to provide sufficiently strong coupling, e.g., to withstand normal device manipulation, while enabling quick disengagement, e.g., in case of strong, immediate pull—thus reducing the risk of damage to the device or a person, e.g., in case of accidental yank.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may be completely robust to repeated plug/unplug events and may not suffer from abrasion, e.g., due to the “zero-force plug/unplug” mechanism.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may not be prone to improper plugging.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may eliminate the need of a cavity or socket in devices102and/or104, which may attract dirt, moisture or get clogged by foreign objects.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connectors130and/or140may be designed to yield a lower volumetric solution versus the conventional mechanical socket, while still allowing a similar amount and/or rate of data transfer.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connectors130and/or140may yield higher security and better robustness in dense environments, e.g., compared to conventional WPAN wireless solutions, while still delivering the performance of a cabled solution.

In some demonstrative embodiments, due to the short range of wireless communication link103, wireless communication link103may be very stable and less sensitive to environmental changes, thus providing a robust wireless connection.

Additionally or alternatively, the docking connector scheme may provide the docking connectors (docking station) as part of a component, e.g., the power charger/adapter described below with reference toFIG. 2, that is anyway carried by the user of the mobile device, thus reducing the number of components to be carried by the user.

Reference is made toFIG. 2, which schematically illustrates a wireless docking connector scheme for connecting between a docking device202and a mobile device204, in accordance to some demonstrative embodiments. For example, docking device202may perform the functionality of device102(FIG. 1) and/or device204may perform the functionality of device104(FIG. 1).

Although the conceptual illustration ofFIG. 2depicts a wireless docking connector scheme for connecting an Ultrabook™ to a docking cable, in other embodiments the docking connector scheme may be utilized for connecting any mobile device, e.g., a Smartphone, a laptop, a notebook, and/or the like, to any other docking device.

As shown inFIG. 2, docking device202may include a cable233, e.g., having the functionality of cable133(FIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 2, docking device202may include a power plug236, e.g., having the functionality of power plug136(FIG. 1), connected to a first end of cable233, configured to be connected to a power supply, e.g., power supply155(FIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 2, docking device202may include a wireless docking connector230, e.g., having the functionality of docking connector130(FIG. 1), connected to a second end of cable233, e.g., instead of a conventional mechanical plug.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless docking connector230may be attached to device204using magnetic force, e.g., by embedding magnets at the corresponding locations within device204and/or docking connector230, or by any other suitable coupling element and/or mechanism, e.g., as described above.

As shown inFIG. 2, cable233may be configured to deliver electrical power to device204.

As shown inFIG. 2, docking connector230may include a power connector234, e.g., having the functionality of power connector134(FIG. 1) configured to provide power to mobile device204.

As shown inFIG. 2, power connector234may receive the electrical power through power plug236via a power brick239. Power brick239may include an AC/DC component configured to provide adapted power to mobile device204.

In some demonstrative embodiments, power connector234may be configured to be physically connected to a power connector244, e.g., having the functionality of power connector144(FIG. 1), to deliver the electrical power to device204.

As shown inFIG. 2, power connector234may be connected to power connector244using a plurality of spring loaded pins231, e.g., “Pogo Pins”, at power connector234, and exposed contacts247at power connector244. Accordingly, power connector234may be able to deliver the electrical power to device204, while still maintaining the Zero-Force plugging experience.

As shown inFIG. 2, the wireless docking connector scheme may implement dedicated “Wireless Connector” radios, which may be formed on dedicated Integrated Chips (ICs)237, e.g., one IC within mobile device204and one IC within wireless docking connector230.

As shown inFIG. 2, the dedicated “Wireless Connector” radios on ICs237may establish a short range, high throughput link, e.g., having the functionality of wireless communication link103(FIG. 1), between docking connector230and device204.

As shown inFIG. 2, docking device202may include one or more peripheral connectors232, e.g., having the functionality of peripheral connectors132(FIG. 1), to connect one or more peripheral devices, e.g., peripheral devices150(FIG. 1), to docking device202.

As shown inFIG. 2, peripheral connectors232may include one or more sockets235configured to mate with a connector of the one or more peripheral devices. For example, peripheral connectors232may include a USB socket to mate with a USB plug of a peripheral device, e.g., a USB mouse, a DP socket to mate with a DP plug, an HDMI socket to mate with an HDMI plug, e.g., of an HDTV display, and/or any additional socket and/or plug.

In some demonstrative embodiments, power brick239may include an internal power storage, e.g., an internal battery (not shown inFIG. 2), for example power storage171(FIG. 1), to store electrical power. The internal power storage may be configured to supply electrical power to device202, device204and/or one or more peripheral devices, e.g., even when docking device202is not connected to an external power supply.

In one example, the internal power supply may include a rechargeable power storage, e.g., a rechargeable battery, configured to store electrical power and to provide electrical power to charge an internal battery of device204, e.g., when power plug236is connected to an AC socket. The internal power storage may be configured to provide electrical power to wireless connector230and/or connectors232, e.g., when power plug236is not connected to an AC socket. The internal power storage may be configured not to provide electric power to device204, e.g., when power plug236is not connected to an AC socket, for example, if device204may utilize electrical power stored by the internal battery of device204. This configuration may provide a degree of freedom, e.g., the user of device204may not be dependent on AC power to get access to connectors232.

In some demonstrative embodiments, data communicated from device204may be siphoned from device204via wireless docking connector230to one or more of sockets235, and/or data communicated to device204may be transferred from one or more sockets235via wireless docking connector230to device204.

As shown inFIG. 2, sockets235may be embedded within power brick239. For example, sockets235may be embedded in an outer surface of power brick239.

In some demonstrative embodiments, docking connector202may provide a solution for both data and power delivery to mobile device204.

Additionally or alternatively, docking connector202may be utilized as part of a component, e.g., a power adapter/charger of a mobile device, that is anyway carried by the user of the mobile device, thus reducing the number of components the user is to carry, e.g., compared to a dedicated docking device.

Reference is made toFIG. 3, which schematically illustrates a method of connecting a mobile device to one or more peripheral devices, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more of the operations of the method ofFIG. 3may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system100(FIG. 1); a mobile device, e.g., device104(FIG. 1); a docking device, e.g., docking device102(FIG. 1); and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication units110and/or120(FIG. 1).

As indicated at block302, the method may include connecting a mobile device to a docking device for communicating data between the mobile device and one or more peripheral devices. For example, device104(FIG. 1) may be connected to docking device102(FIG. 1) for communicating data between mobile device104(FIG. 1) and one or more peripheral devices150(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block304, connecting the mobile device to the docking device may include electrically connecting the mobile device to a power source of the docking device. For example, device104(FIG. 1) may be electrically connected to power supply155(FIG. 1), via docking device102(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block306, connecting the mobile device to the docking device may include communicating the data between the mobile device and the docking device over a wireless communication link. For example, wireless communication unit120(FIG. 1) and wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate the data between device104(FIG. 1) and docking device102(FIG. 1) over a wireless communication link103(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block308, communicating the data between the mobile device and the docking device may include communicating the data over a short-range wireless communication link at a MGbs rate. For example, wireless communication unit120(FIG. 1) and wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate the data over wireless communication link103(FIG. 1) including a short range wireless communication link at MGbs rate, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block310, communicating the data between the mobile device and the docking device may include communicating the data over a WiGig link. For example, wireless communication unit120(FIG. 1) and wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate the data over wireless communication link103(FIG. 1) including WiGig link, e.g., as described above.