Abstract:
The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes an electronic accessory device available to extend and expand usefulness of a portable computing device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/221,576, filed on Sep. 21, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiments described herein relate generally to portable computing devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to an accessory device that can extend functionality of a portable computing device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The appearance of a portable computing device, including its design and its heft, is important to a user, as the outward appearance contributes to the overall impression that the user has of the portable computing device. However, due to restrictive amount of available space, the portable computing device can require additional resources to provide extended functionality. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of an accessory that can be used to expand a suite of functions and operational resources available to a portable computing device are disclosed. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, an accessory device can have limited or no data processing resources. The accessory device can have a form factor corresponding to a laptop computer and as such can include data output resources such as a visual display and input resources such as a keyboard. The accessory device can also include memory resources. The accessory device can include a port having a connection mechanism arranged to facilitate a communication channel between the accessory device and a host device. In this way, the host device utilizes resources provided by the accessory device. 
         [0006]    An accessory device includes a body having a docking port suitable for accepting a host device and arranged to carry operational components and a communication port that facilitates formation of a communication channel between the host device and at least one of the operational components where the host device provides substantially all processing resources and has full access to the at least one operational component. 
         [0007]    A cooperative assembly includes at least a host device having computational resources and a communication port, and an accessory device comprising a communication port and releasably coupled with the host device, the accessory device being incapable of stand-alone intensive computational processing. The host device and the accessory device operate together as a single computational entity, and the host device carries out substantially all intensive computational processing. 
         [0008]    A method is carried out by receiving a host device at a accessory device, forming a communication channel between the host device and the accessory device, and controlling an operation of the accessory device by the host device. 
         [0009]    Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and arrangements for the disclosed apparatuses, assemblies, methods, and systems. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the disclosure by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows in front facing perspective view an electronic host device decoupled from an electronic accessory device in accordance with the described embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows in front facing perspective view the electronic host device and electronic accessory device of  FIG. 1  coupled together in accordance with the described embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows in front facing perspective view the electronic host device and electronic accessory device of  FIG. 1  coupled together in an alternative orientation in accordance with the described embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows in front facing perspective view an alternative host device coupled together with an alternative accessory device in accordance with the described embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a flowchart detailing a method of enhancing an electronic host device in accordance with the described embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Representative applications of apparatuses and methods according to the presently described embodiments are provided in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the presently described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presently described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
         [0018]    The following relates to an electronic accessory device that can be used to extend functionality, including input/output resources, of a separate host electronic device, which can be a portable computing device. In various embodiments, the electronic accessory device can be considered a “thin” device, in that it extends the functionality of another device but is inoperable by itself as a stand-alone device. As such, the accessory device can have little or no independent processing resources in the form of a CPU or similar comprehensive processor. The accessory device, however, can provide auxiliary processing resources, such a graphical processing unit, or GPU, or other processing resources that can support the functions of the portable computing device. However, in the context of this discussion, it is anticipated that the accessory device is not a stand-alone computing device but only acts in concert with a host device. The host device can be a portable computing device, such as, for example, a smart phone, media player, tablet computer, or other portable computing device. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the accessory device can have a form factor of a laptop computer having a display and a keyboard as well as other output/input devices known to be available with a laptop computer. The accessory device, however, does not have the processing resources (such as a CPU) generally associated with a conventional laptop computer. In this regard, the host device can provide the necessary computing resources, but it is the accessory device that provides additional functionality, such as a large display, enhanced audio capabilities, and further input means. These can include, for example, a mouse, track pad, keyboard, and the like. 
         [0020]    The accessory device can take many forms. Configured along the lines of a laptop, the accessory device can include a multi-part housing having a top case and a bottom case. The top case can be joined to the bottom case at a reveal to form a laptop accessory device. The laptop accessory device can have top case (i.e. an upper portion or lid) that can house a display screen and other related components, whereas the bottom case (i.e., base portion) can house various processors, drives, ports, battery, keyboard, touchpad and the like. 
         [0021]    The base portion can include a port having a size and shape that can accommodate insertion and retention of a host device. In the context of this discussion and without loss of generality, the host device can take the form of a handheld computing device along the lines of a smart phone, media player, or small tablet device. The port can also include a means for communication between the host device and laptop accessory device. This means for communication can include ports and connectors for wired communication and/or suitable means for wireless communication. The wireless communication protocol can include WiFi, Bluetooth (BT), wireless telephony (LTE, GSM, etc.) or any appropriate radio access technology (RAT). Communication between the host device and the laptop accessory device can include data transfer and power transfer. In one embodiment, the laptop accessory device can include a power supply such as a battery that can be used to power the host device and/or be used to charge up a battery carried by and used to power the host device. In one embodiment, the laptop accessory device can receive external power that can be used to both operate the laptop accessory device and the host device thereby preserving battery resources. In some embodiments the accessory device can be powered by the host device. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the host device can include a user input device that can receive an input event that can be interpreted by the host device. The host device can then control aspects of either or both the host device and the laptop accessory device. In one embodiment, the user input device can take the form of a touch screen. The touch screen of the host device can receive a user input and control aspects of the laptop accessory device, much like a trackpad of a laptop device. In one embodiment, the user input device can take the form of a microphone used for receiving audible content. In one embodiment, the host device can use audio equipment associated with the accessory device to output audible sound along the lines of music. In one embodiment, the host device can access a memory device carried by the accessory device such that the host device can retrieve and store information therein. 
         [0023]    The multipart housing can be formed of a strong and durable yet lightweight material. Such materials can include composite materials and or metals such as aluminum. Aluminum has a number of characteristics that make it a good choice for the multipart housing. For example, aluminum is a good electrical conductor that can provide good electrical ground and it can be easily machined and has well known metallurgical characteristics. The superior conductivity of aluminum provides a good chassis ground for internal electrical components arranged to fit and operate within the housing. The aluminum housing also provides a good electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield protecting sensitive electronic components from external electromagnetic radiation as well as reducing electromagnetic radiation emanating from the portable computing device. In this way, the host device and the accessory device can be isolated from each other in that EMI from either device does not affect the other. 
         [0024]    In addition to the keyboard, the accessory device can include a touch sensitive device along the lines of a touch pad, touch screen, etc. In those embodiments where the portable computing device includes a touch pad the touch pad can be formed from a glass material. The glass material provides a cosmetic surface and is the primary source of structural rigidity for the touchpad. The use of the glass material in this way significantly reduces the overall thickness of the touchpad compared to previous designs. The touchpad can include circuitry for processing signals from a sensor associated with the touchpad. In one embodiment, the circuitry can be embodied as a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can be formed of material and placed in such a way that provides structural support for the touchpad. Thus, a separate touchpad support is eliminated. 
         [0025]    These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. It should be further noted that for the remainder of this discussion, the accessory device would be discussed in terms of an accessory device having a form factor along the lines of a laptop computer. However, more generally speaking, the accessory device can take many forms and be able to use any number of communication mechanisms and protocols for communication. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-6  show various views of the accessory device in accordance with various embodiments.  FIG. 1  shows in front facing perspective view an electronic host device decoupled from an electronic accessory device in accordance with the described embodiments. Accessory device  100  can be an electronic device and can be seen to take on the form factor of a conventional laptop computer. However, accessory device  100  does not generally possess the requisite processing resources (such as those associated with a CPU) and cannot act as a stand-alone unit. In this regard, accessory device  100  can act only as an adjunct to host device  102 , such as by enhancing and expanding the functionality of host device  102 , which can be an electronic device having its own CPU that can act independently on its own. Accessory device  100  can provide extended functionality and/or additional functionality than would otherwise not be available to host device  102  alone. Accessory device  100  can present various input/output features in an open (lid) state as shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, accessory device  100  can include base portion  104 . Base portion  104  can be pivotally connected to lid portion  106  by way of a clutch assembly hidden from view by cosmetic wall  108 . Base portion  104  can be configured to accommodate various user input devices such as keyboard  110 . Base portion  104  can also include port  112  having a size and shape in accordance with host device  102 . In the described embodiment, host device  102  takes the form of a handheld portable computing device having display  114 , output audio port  116 , button  118  and interface  120  that facilitates communication with accessory device  100  when captured by port  112 . 
         [0027]    It should be noted that display  114  can have touch input capabilities by which it is meant that a touch event at display  114  can be interpreted by processing resources carried by host device  102  that can, in turn, be used to control an operation or operations of host device  102  and/or accessory device  100 . The touch event can take the form of a gesture. The gesture can include a single finger touch event such as a swipe or a tap. A finger gesture can include touch events from more than one finger applied in unison. The gesture can be sensed by a sensing circuit in display  114  and converted to electrical signals that are passed to a processing unit carried by host device  102  for evaluation. In this way, accessory device  100  can be at least partially controlled by touch. For example, a finger swipe at display  114  can be used to alter a presentation of video content provided by display  122 . On the other hand, input provided at display  122  or keyboard  110  can be used to alter an operation of host device  104 . 
         [0028]    Display  122  can display visual content such as a graphical user interface, still images such as photos as well as video media items such as movies. Display  122  can display images using any appropriate technology such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), OLED, etc. Accessory device  100  can also include image capture device  124  located on a transparent portion of display trim  126 . Image capture device  126  can be configured to capture both still and video images. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows in front facing perspective view the electronic host device and electronic accessory device of  FIG. 1  coupled together in accordance with the described embodiments. System  200  can be referred to as a cooperating system in that host device  102  and accessory device  100  cooperate with each other and act in unison as a single entity. In other words, a symbiotic relationship between host device  102  and accessory device  100  can be established such that each complements the other and provides functionality and resources not available to either taken separately. For example, icon  202  presented at display  114  can be mirrored on display  122 . Moreover, an input event (such as a finger swipe) at icon  202  can be interpreted to control or alter an operation of accessory device  100 . For example, if icon  202  represents an audio/video control icon, the visual and/or audio content provided at display  122  or speakers (not shown) can be altered accordingly. Thus, display  114  can be different than display  122  in various embodiments, such as where the display  114  of the host device  102  provides a control or input interface that is configured to control the display  122  of the accessory device  100 . Although such a symbiotic relationship between the host device  102  and the accessory device  100  can be established, it should again be emphasized that the host device can operate as a stand-alone device without the accessory device, but the accessory device is inoperable without the host device. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows in front facing perspective view the electronic host device and electronic accessory device of  FIG. 1  coupled together in an alternative orientation in accordance with the described embodiments. This other embodiment is provided in the form of host device  102  captured in another orientation. The change in orientation can be used to alter a basic set of operations such as recognition of left vs. right-handed. System  300  can be substantially similar to system  200  above, and may also include a host device  102  having a display  114  and button  118 , as well as an accessory device  100  having a display  122 . As shown, the host device  102  is oriented at a 180 degree angle within the port of accessory device  100  with respect to the orientation of the host device in system  200  above. This orientation for system  300  can accommodate left-handed users of the system, for example. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows in front facing perspective view an alternative host device coupled together with an alternative accessory device in accordance with the described embodiments. System  400  can be similar in some regards to system  200  and  300  above. Unlike these forgoing systems, however, system  400  includes an electronic accessory device  101  and an electronic host device  103  that are different than the foregoing accessory devices and host devices. For example, host device  103  can be a tablet computer, which is shown as being positioned within a suitable port of and coupled to the alternative electronic accessory device  101 . As will be readily appreciated, host device  103  in the form of a tablet computer can have a relatively large display  115 , which may function as a touchscreen. The host device  103  can also have one or more buttons  119 , a camera  131 , and various other tablet or other alternative computing device features. The alternative accessory device  101  may still be in the form factor of a laptop computer, for example, and may have one or more similar components of the foregoing accessory devices, such as a keyboard  110 . 
         [0032]    Alternative accessory device  101  may not have its own separate display, however, since the display of host device  103  may be sufficiently large for the overall system  400 . Alternative accessory device  101  may also have a touchpad  130  and/or other alternative or additional input or output components, so as to enhance one or more operations or usages of the host device  103  in various embodiments. Again, it is specifically contemplated that the host device  103  is a fully functional electronic device having its own CPU, which may be operable by itself without the accessory device  101 . Conversely, it is specifically contemplated that that accessory device  101  is inoperable without the host device  103 . That is, the accessory device  103  does not have its own CPU or other comprehensive controlling processor, and cannot operate without the control of a separate host device that is in communication with and configured to control the accessory device. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a flowchart detailing a method of enhancing an electronic host device in accordance with the described embodiments. Process  500  can be carried out at least in part by an operating component carried by the electronic host device, for example. Process  500  can start at  502  by receiving the electronic host device at an electronic accessory device. These devices can be any suitable host device and accessory device, such as those set forth in the above embodiments. In particular, it is contemplated that the electronic accessory device is inoperable without the electronic host device. The process continues at  504 , which can involve forming a communication channel between the host device and the accessory device. The communication channel can be formed subsequent to the host device being captured by and secured within a docking port associated with the accessory device, such as at  502 . In one embodiment, the communication channel can be formed by completion of a mating between electrical contacts at an interface between the host device and the accessory device. In one embodiment, the communication channel can be of a wireless nature. In yet another embodiment, the communication channel can be a mix of wired communication and wireless communication. In any case, once the communication channel has been established, the host device can utilize resources provided by the accessory device. This can take place at  506 , which can involve controlling an operation of the accessory device by the host device using the communication channel. This can involve, for example, the host device controlling a display screen on the accessory device. Again, it is contemplated that the accessory device is inoperable until the communication channel is formed. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic device  600  suitable for use with the described embodiments. The electronic device  600  illustrates circuitry of a representative computing device. The electronic device  600  includes a processor  602  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the electronic device  600 . The electronic device  600  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  604  and a cache  606 . The file system  604  is, typically, a semiconductor memory, cloud storage, or storage disks or hard drives. The file system  604  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the electronic device  600 . However, since the access time to the file system  1004  is relatively slow, the electronic device  600  can also include a cache  606 . The cache  606  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  606  is substantially shorter than for the file system  604 . However, the cache  606  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  604 . Further, the file system  604 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  606 . The power consumption is often a concern when the electronic device  600  is a portable media device that is powered by a battery  624 . The electronic device  600  can also include a RAM  620  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  622 . The ROM  622  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  620  provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache  606 . 
         [0035]    The electronic device  600  also includes a user input device  608  that allows a user of the electronic device  600  to interact with the electronic device  600 . For example, the user input device  608  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, the electronic device  600  includes a display  610  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  602  to display information to the user. A data bus  616  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  604 , the cache  606 , the processor  602 , and the CODEC  613 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the electronic device  600  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs, podcasts, etc.) in the file system  604 . When a user desires to have the electronic device play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on the display  610 . Then, using the user input device  608 , a user can select one of the available media items. The processor  602 , upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  613 . The CODEC  613  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  614 . The speaker  614  can be a speaker internal to the electronic device  600  or external to the electronic device  600 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the electronic device  600  would be considered an external speaker. 
         [0037]    The electronic device  600  also includes a network/bus interface  611  that couples to a data link  612 . The data link  612  allows the electronic device  600  to couple to a host computer or to accessory devices. The data link  612  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  611  can include a wireless transceiver. The media items (media assets) can pertain to one or more different types of media content. In one embodiment, the media items are audio tracks (e.g., songs, audio books, and podcasts). In another embodiment, the media items are images (e.g., photos). However, in other embodiments, the media items can be any combination of audio, graphical or visual content. Sensor  626  can take the form of circuitry for detecting any number of stimuli. For example, sensor  626  can include a Hall Effect sensor responsive to external magnetic field, an audio sensor, a light sensor such as a photometer, and so on. 
         [0038]    Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above described disclosure may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Certain changes and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood that the disclosure is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.