Patent Publication Number: US-2017353779-A1

Title: Wireless audio accessory

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/344,070 filed Jun. 1, 2016, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/457,129 filed Feb. 9, 2017, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/457,563 filed Feb. 10, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     At least one embodiment of this disclosure relates generally to a device, and in particular to communication between devices and device accessories. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A general-purpose device, such as a smartphone or a smart speaker, has a general-purpose operating system (OS) that enables various third-party applications to utilize various hardware components (e.g., a display, a camera, a touchscreen, data storage, speaker, microphone, global positioning system (GPS) module, various sensors, various output components, etc.) of the device. The device can communicate with other computing devices via the wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. However, these wireless protocols have limited bandwidth, and are unable to replace high bandwidth wired communication protocols, such as universal serial bus (USB). 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments include a device that implements a high bandwidth wireless data interface (e.g., Si Beam connector interface) for communication between the device and a device accessory. For example, the high bandwidth wireless data interface can use an extremely high frequency (EHF) carrier to transport electrical-based protocols over a short distance through non-metallic material and air. To implement the high bandwidth wireless data interface, the device can include a wireless data transceiver configured in accordance with the high bandwidth wireless data protocol. Various embodiments include an attachment mechanism, and an energy transfer mechanism (e.g. an energy source) between the device and the device accessory. 
     The device can include an external shell and a display (e.g., a touchscreen). In some embodiments, the external shell and the display together hermetically seal various other components of the device. The wireless data transceiver can be sandwiched between the display and the external shell. In some embodiments, the device includes the attachment mechanism, an alignment mechanism (e.g., for magnetic alignment between a device and a device accessory), a wireless transmission mechanism (e.g., for minimizing interference or signal blockage from any metal in the external shell), and a wired or wireless energy source (e.g., for sharing power between the device and the device accessory). 
     Some embodiments of this disclosure have other aspects, elements, features, and steps in addition to or in place of what is described above. These potential additions and replacements are described throughout the rest of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a back view of a device and a device accessory attached to the device  100 . 
         FIG. 1B  is a back view of the device, and the device accessory separated from the device. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the device along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the device along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a first example of a cross-sectional side view of a device  600  coupled to a device accessory  610 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the device  100  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  show a cross-section of the device accessory without an energy storage. 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  show cross-section of the device accessory without a wireless data transceiver. 
         FIG. 11  is a second example of a cross-sectional side view of a device coupled to a device accessory. 
         FIG. 12  is a wireless audio accessory, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a method to manufacture a wireless audio accessory. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules discussed herein, may be executed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Device and Device Accessories 
     Various embodiments include a device that implements a high bandwidth wireless data interface (e.g., Si Beam connector interface) for communication between the device and a device accessory. For example, the high bandwidth wireless data interface can use an extremely high frequency (EHF) carrier to transport electrical-based protocols over a short distance through non-metallic material and air. To implement the high bandwidth wireless data interface, the device can include a wireless data transceiver configured in accordance with the high bandwidth wireless data protocol. Various embodiments include an attachment mechanism, and an energy source between the device and the device accessory. 
     The device can include an external shell and a display (e.g., a touchscreen). In some embodiments, the external shell and the display together hermetically seal various other components of the device. The wireless data transceiver can be sandwiched between the display and the external shell. In some embodiments, the device includes the attachment mechanism, an alignment mechanism (e.g., for magnetic alignment between a device and a device accessory), a wireless transmission mechanism (e.g., for minimizing interference or signal blockage from any metal in the external shell), and a wired or wireless energy source (e.g., for sharing power between the device and the device accessory). 
     Some embodiments of this disclosure have other aspects, elements, features, and steps in addition to or in place of what is described above. These potential additions and replacements are described throughout the rest of the specification. 
       FIG. 1A  is a back view of a device  100  and a device accessory  110  attached to the device  100 . The device  100  can be a mobile device such as a tablet, a smart phone etc., can be a smart speaker such as Amazon Echo, Google home, etc., a personal digital assistant, etc. The device accessory  110  is attached to the backside  120  of the device  100 . The device accessory  110  can be an external memory, a camera, a speaker, a power source, a battery charger, a soundcard, etc. The backside  120  is part of the external shell  108  of the device  100 . The external shell  108  along with the display screen of the device can hermetically seal various components (not all shown in the figures) of the device  100 . 
       FIG. 1B  is a back view of the device  100 , and the device accessory  110  separated from the device  100 . The front side (not pictured) of the device  100  contains a display screen. The backside  120  of the device  100  contains on attachment region  130 , where the device accessory  110  can be attached to the device  100 . The attachment region  130  can be designated with a visual guide indicating the location of the attachment region  130 . The visual guide can be a perimeter of color different from the rest of the backside  120 , can be a slight protrusion, or a slight indentation on the backside  120 , etc. The attachment region  130  can optionally include power connectors  140 , and a switch  150 . The switch  150  can be a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a button, a mechanical switch, etc. 
     The side  160  of the device accessory  110  which attaches to the device  100 , can be blank, or can optionally contain power connectors  170 , which when connected to the power connectors  140  on the device  100  allow a transfer of power between the device  100  and the device accessory  110 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the device  100  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to one embodiment. Various components of the device  100  are illustrated with different shapes for convenience of illustration. However, this disclosure contemplates various other shapes for the various components to perform the same functions as described. 
     In some embodiments, the display screen  204  and an external shell  108  can hermetically seal various components (not all shown in the figures) of the device  100 . The various components  220 ,  224 ,  232 ,  236 A,  236 B,  240 , can be part of a printed circuit board contained inside the device  100 . In some embodiments, the external shell  108  includes a metallic shell  212  and a ceramic coating  216 . For example, the metallic shell  212  can be a titanium shell and the ceramic coating  216  can be composed of titanium oxide. 
     The device  100  can include a wireless data transceiver  220 . The wireless data transceiver  220  is enclosed by the external shell  108  and placed close to the non-metallic region of the external shell. The wireless data transceiver  220  can transmit data at extremely high electromagnetic frequencies between the device  100  and a device accessory, or at electromagnetic frequencies used by wireless USB in the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz range. Extremely high electromagnetic frequencies (EHF) are a band of radio frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum from 30 to 300 GHz. The wireless data transceiver  220  transmits the data through the non-metallic region  250  of the external shell  108 . 
     A processor  224  of the device  100  can communicate with a device accessory (e.g., a device accessory) via the wireless data transceiver  220 . The processor  224  can implement an operating system and expose the use of the wireless data transceiver  220  to various applications running on the operating system. The wireless data transceiver  220  can be an extreme high-frequency (EHF) electrical-based communication protocol, such as Keyssa Kiss Connectivity protocol, or SiBeam Snap wireless connector technology. Further, wireless data transceiver  220  can use wireless USB frequencies. The wireless data transceiver  220  enables high bandwidth data communication with another wireless data transceiver (e.g., when there is no conductive material between the two wireless data transceivers to block the signal). The high bandwidth data communication between the device and the device accessory communication can use EHF. 
     The processor  224  can initiate a handshake between the device accessory and the wireless data transceiver  220 . To initiate the handshake, the processor  224  can send a request for communication to the device accessory. Upon receiving a matching response from the device accessory, the processor  224  can wirelessly transfer data using the wireless data transceiver  220  to the device accessory. 
     In various embodiments, a portion of the metallic shell  212  can be shaved, carved, or etched off, or otherwise removed, during manufacturing to expose a cavity on an inner side of the external shell  108 . The wireless data transceiver  220  can be installed within the cavity such that wireless radiofrequency (RF) transmission can enter and exit through the ceramic coating  216  without being interfered or blocked by the metallic shell  212 . 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  includes an attachment mechanism  228  to hold a device accessory in proximity to the device  100 . The attachment mechanism  228  can be a hook, or a recess within the external shell  108 . The device accessory can include a complementary hook to attach to the device  100 , or a complementary protrusion to insert into the recess of the device  10 . The attachment mechanism  228  can be also be a magnet, or a magnetizable structure within the external shell  108 . 
     For example, the magnetizable structure  228  can be a portion  228 A of the ceramic coating  216  that is replaced by ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, the magnetizable structure  228  can be manufactured by coating ferromagnetic material  228 B over the ceramic coating  216 . In another embodiment, the magnetizable structure  228  can be a plate  228 C made out of ferromagnetic material, such as steel or iron, placed on or above the printed circuit board inside the device  100 . Reference to the magnetizable structure  228  in the specification includes the magnetizable data structures  228 A-C. 
     The magnetizable structure  228  facilitates the alignment of a wireless data transceiver of a device accessory with the wireless data transceiver  220  of the device  100 . For example, adjacent to the wireless data transceiver of the device accessory can be a magnet. The magnet can couple with the magnetizable structure  228  to anchor the device  100  to the device accessory at the desired location. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  includes a sensing switch  232  enclosed by the external shell  108 . The sensing switch  232  enables the processor  224  to determine whether a device accessory is correctly aligned to communicate with the wireless data transceiver  220 . Further, the sensing switch  232  detects when the device accessory is proximate to the device  100 . Upon detecting the device accessory is close to the device  100 , the sensing switch  232  can send a signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake with the device accessory, and/or can activate the energy source. For example, the sensing switch  232  can activate the energy source by closing the circuit switch  242 . The sensing switch  232  can be an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetic field sensor, etc. 
     The ambient light sensor upon detecting low ambient light intensity can activate the energy source, and/or send the signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake. The proximity sensor upon detecting an object proximate to the device  100  can activate the energy source, and/or send the signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake. The pressure sensor, upon detecting pressure, can activate the energy source, and/or send the signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake. The touch sensor, upon detecting contact between the device accessory and the device  100 , can activate the energy source, and/or send the signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake. 
     The magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, upon detecting a steep rise in magnetic field, can activate the energy source, and/or send the signal to the processor  224  to initiate the handshake. Further, the magnetic field sensor can sense when the magnetizable structure  228 , and the magnetic field sensor are aligned, and signal to the processor  224  that the wireless data transceiver  220  is ready for use. In various cases, a magnet of the device accessory, the magnetizable structure  228 , and the magnetic field sensor can form a straight line. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  has the magnet instead of the magnetizable structure  228 . In some embodiments, the device  100  has the magnet, but not the magnetic field sensor  232 . In these embodiments, the device accessory contains a magnetizable structure, and the magnetic field sensor. In these embodiments, the magnetic field sensor in the device accessory senses the proximity of the device  100 , and initiates the handshake to communicate with the wireless data transceiver  220 . 
     In various embodiments, the device  100  includes an energy source to transmit energy between the device  100  and the device accessory. The energy source can be wired or wireless. The energy source can include an energy storage  240 , a circuit switch  242  and, when the energy source is wired, the energy source includes power connectors  236 A,  236 B. Further, the energy source can be activated by the sensing switch  232 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the energy source is wired, and includes a set of electrical conductors (e.g., a power conductor  236 A and a power conductor  236 B, collectively the “power connectors  236 ”). In these embodiments, the power connectors  236  enable the device  100  to provide or receive electrical power from the device accessory. In some embodiments, an insulator (not shown) surrounds the power connectors  236  to prevent electrical leakage through the metallic shell  212 . In some embodiments, the power connectors  236  can surround the wireless data transceiver  220  on opposite sides. In other embodiments, the power connectors  236  can be positioned, while spaced apart, on the same side of the wireless data transceiver  220 . For example, the device  100  can include an energy storage  240  (e.g., a battery or a capacitor). The device  100  can draw power from the energy storage  240  to provide over the power connectors  236 . Also, the device  100  can draw power from the power connectors  236  when the device accessory is connected, and store the drawn power to the energy storage  240 . 
     When the device accessory is not connected to the device  100 , the circuit switch  242  is open, and the power connectors  236  do not provide voltage. When the sensing switch  232  detects proximity of the device accessory, the sensing switch  232  closes the circuit switch  242  (represented by dashed lines  242 A), thus connecting the power connectors  236  to the energy storage  240 , and providing voltage to the power connectors  236 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  224  can detect whether there is a resistor between the terminals of the device accessory respectively in contact with the power connectors  236 . Based on the detection of resistance, the processor  224  can determine whether the device accessory is configured to receive power, to provide power, or to communicate with the device  100  without drawing or providing power. For example, the resistor can be a sense resistor in the device accessory, or in the device. Using the sense resistor and a comparator circuit, the processor  224  can determine whether the attached device accessory is a power source or a power sink. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to one embodiment. The device accessory can be a device accessory  300 . The device accessory  300  includes an external shell  304 . The external shell  304  can comprise an electrical conductor, an electrical insulator, or a combination thereof. The external shell  304  can protect various components (e.g., a control circuit  306 ) therein. In some embodiments, the external shell  304  can hermetically seal the various components. The control circuit  306  can include a controller, a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, or any combination thereof. 
     The device accessory  300  can include a wireless data transceiver  308 . The wireless data transceiver  308  can be similar to the wireless data transceiver  220  in  FIG. 2 . For example, the control circuit  306  can utilize the wireless data transceiver  308  to communicate with the wireless data transceiver  220  in  FIG. 2  (e.g., via an EHF wireless communication protocol, or wireless USB protocol). The wireless data transceiver  308  communicates through a non-metallic region  330  of the external shell  304 . 
     A magnet  312  can be attached to the external shell  304 . In some embodiments, the magnet  312  is exposed on an outer surface of the external shell  304 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the magnet  312  is not exposed on an outer surface of the external shell  304 , and a portion of the external shell  304  adjacent to the magnet  312  is comprised of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material that does not interfere with the magnetic field generated by the magnet  312 . The portion of the external shell  304  can also be non-metallic, to avoid attenuating the magnetic field generated by the magnet  312 . In some embodiments, the magnet  312  is a passive magnet. In some embodiments, the magnet  312  is an electrical magnet that consumes electrical power. The magnet  312  can be used to anchor the device accessory  300  to another device (e.g., the device  100  of  FIGS. 1A-B ,  2 ). This anchoring ensures that the wireless data transceiver  308  is aligned with a wireless data transceiver (e.g., the wireless data transceiver  220  in  FIG. 2 ) of the device. In some embodiments, the device accessory  300  includes multiple magnets that correspond to multiple magnetizable structures on the other device. Use of multiple magnets can ensure that alignment is ensured along multiple dimensions. 
     The device accessory  300  can include multiple electrical conductors (e.g., a power conductor  316 A and a power conductor  316 B, collectively as the “power connectors  316 ”). The power connectors  316  enable the device accessory  300  to provide or receive electrical power from the other device (e.g., the device). In some embodiments, an insulator (not shown) surrounds the power connectors  316  to prevent electrical leakage through the external shell  304  (e.g., if the external shell  304  is electrically conductive around the power connectors  316 ). In some embodiments, the power connectors  316  can surround the wireless data transceiver  308  on opposite sides. In other embodiments, the power connectors  316  can be positioned, while spaced apart, on the same side of the wireless data transceiver  308 . For example, the device accessory  300  can include an energy storage  320  (e.g., a battery or a capacitor). The device accessory  300  can draw power from the energy storage  320  to provide to the device over the power connectors  316 . The device accessory  300  can also draw power from the power connectors  316  when the device is connected and store the drawn power to the energy storage  320 . 
     In some embodiments, the control circuit  306  can detect whether there is a resistor between the terminals of the device accessory respectively in contact with the power connectors  316 . Based on the detection of resistance, the control circuit  306  can determine whether the other device is configured to receive power, to provide power, or to communicate with the device accessory  300  without drawing or providing power. 
     In some embodiments, the magnet  312  and the power connectors  316  protrude from the external shell  304 . In various embodiments, tips of the power connectors  316  and the magnet  312  can be on a flat plane parallel to a flat exterior surface of the external shell  304 . In some embodiments, the power connectors  316  and the magnet  312  form a continuous flat surface with the external shell  304  without protrusion. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the device  100  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. The device  400  includes an external shell  408 , a wireless data transceiver  420 , an energy source  436 A,  436 B,  440 , and an attachment mechanism  428 . In this embodiment, the device  400  does not include a sensing switch to activate the energy source and/or to initiate the handshake between the device  400  and a device accessory. 
     The energy source includes the power connectors  436 A,  436 B, and the energy storage  440 . Without the sensing switch, the power connectors  436 A,  436 B are continually connected to the energy storage  440 , and are continually producing voltage. To prevent establishing electrical contact with a surface that comes into contact with the external shell  408  of the device, the power connectors  436 A,  436 B are slightly recessed inside the external shell  408  as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, if a user&#39;s finger touches the external shell  408  surrounding the power connectors  436 A,  436 B, the user&#39;s finger will not be stung by electricity because the power connectors  436 A,  436 B are recessed, thus preventing contact between the user&#39;s finger in the power connectors  436 A,  436 B. 
     The attachment mechanism  428  can be a hook, a recess, a magnet, a magnetizable structure, etc., same as the attachment mechanism  228  in  FIG. 2 . When the attachment mechanism  428  is a magnet, in some embodiments, the magnet  428  can be exposed on an outer surface of the external shell  408 . In some embodiments, the magnet  428  is not exposed on an outer surface of the external shell  408 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , and a portion  450  of the external shell  408  adjacent to the magnet  428  is comprised of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material that does not interfere with the magnetic field generated by the magnet  428 . The portion  450  of the external shell  408  can also be non-metallic to avoid attenuating the magnetic field generated by the magnet  428 . In some embodiments, the magnet  428  is a passive magnet. In some embodiments, the magnet  428  is an electrical magnet that consumes electrical power. When the magnet  428  is an electrical magnet, the magnet  428  can be connected to the energy storage  440 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. The device accessory  500  of  FIG. 5  is similar to the device accessory  300  of  FIG. 3 , in that device accessory  500  contains an external shell  504 , a wireless data transceiver  508 , the control circuit  506 , an energy source including elements  520 ,  516 A,  516 B, and an attachment mechanism  512 . 
     The difference between device accessory  500  and the device accessory  300 , is that power connectors  516 A,  516 B protrude from the exterior of the external shell  504 . When connected to the device  100  in  FIG. 4 , the protruding power connectors  516 A,  516 B, establish electrical contact with the recessed power connectors  436 A,  436 B in  FIG. 4 . 
     Because the power connectors  516 A,  516 B protrude from the shell, and can easily come into contact with a person&#39;s skin, the power connectors  516 A,  516 B do not produce voltage when the device accessory  500  is not attached to a device. To prevent the power connectors  516 A,  516 B from producing voltage, the circuit between the energy storage  520  and the power connectors  516 A,  516 B contains a circuit switch  540 , which is open when the device accessory  500  is not attached to a device  100 . When the circuit switch  540  is open, the power connectors  516 A,  516 B do not produce voltage. When the circuit switch is closed  540 A, the power connectors  568 ,  516 B are connected to the energy storage  520 , and thus produce voltage. 
     The attachment mechanism  512  corresponds to the attachment mechanism  428  of device  100 . The attachment mechanism  512  can be a hook, a protrusion, a magnet, or a magnetizable structure. When the attachment mechanism  512  is a magnet, or a magnetizable structure, the attachment mechanism  512  is proximate to a non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region  550  of the exterior shell  504 . The region  550  can also be non-metallic, to avoid attenuating the magnetic field between the device accessory and the device. The region  550  is the region of the external shell  504  closest to the attachment mechanism  512 . 
     The device accessory  500  includes a sensing switch  530 . The sensing switch  530  can be an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetic field sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor), etc. The sensing switch  530  detects when the device accessory  500  is proximate to the device  100 . Upon detecting the device accessory is close to the device  100 , the sensing switch  530  can send a signal to the control circuit  506  to initiate the handshake with the device  100 , and/or can activate the energy source. For example, the sensing switch  530  can activate the energy source by causing the circuit switch to close  540 A. 
       FIG. 6  is a first example of a cross-sectional side view of a device  600  coupled to a device accessory  610 . Because the device  600  and the device accessory  610  are attached to each other, the energy sources  620 ,  630  in both the device  600  and the device accessory  610  are activated, and the circuit switch  640  is closed, allowing electrical current to flow between the energy source  620 ,  630 . Further, the wireless data transceivers  650 ,  660  in both the device  600  and the device accessory  610  can wirelessly transmit data to each other, through the non-metallic regions  670  of the external shell  625  of the device  600 , and the non-metallic region  680  of the external shell  645  of the device accessory  610 . 
     The attachment mechanism  690  in the device  600  can either be a magnetizable structure, or a magnet, while the corresponding attachment mechanism  605  in the device accessory  610  can be either a magnet, or a magnetizable structure, respectively. The attachment mechanism  690  is placed close to region  615  of the external shell  625 . Region  615  is composed of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material. Similarly, the attachment mechanism  605  is placed close to the region  635  of the external shell  645 . Region  635  is composed of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material. The attachment mechanism  690  and  605  attract each other through the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable regions  615 ,  635 . The non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable regions  615 ,  635  can also be non-metallic to avoid attenuating the magnetic field. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the device  100  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. The exterior of the device  100  is defined by the display screen  700  and an external shell  710 . The display screen  700  and the external shell  710  enclose internal components including a wireless data transceiver  720 , a processor  730 , a sensing switch  740 , the circuit switch  750 , an energy storage  760 , a solenoid  770 , an optional attachment mechanism  780 , etc. 
     The wireless data transceiver  720  transmits data at EHF, or wireless USB frequencies, between the device  100  and a device accessory. The wireless data transceiver  720  transmits the data through the non-metallic region  790  of the external shell  710 . 
     The sensing switch  740  can be an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetic field sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor), etc. The sensing switch  740  detects when the device accessory is proximate to the device  100 . Upon detecting the device accessory is close to the device  100 , the sensing switch  740  can send a signal to the processor  730  to initiate the handshake with the device  100 , and/or can activate the energy source. For example, the sensing switch  740  can activate the energy source by closing the circuit switch  750 . 
     The energy source includes the energy storage  760 , and the solenoid  770 . The energy source can be used in wireless energy transfer to the device accessory. The energy storage  760  can produce a change in the current in the solenoid  770 . For example, the energy storage  760  can produce an alternating current (AC) in the solenoid  770  by passing a direct current (DC) through an DC-AC inverter, before the current reaches the solenoid  770 . In another example, the energy storage  760  can produce a change in the current in the solenoid  770  by opening and closing the circuit switch  750 . The change in the current in the solenoid  770  can, through electromagnetic induction, cause a current in a solenoid of the device accessory, thus transferring power between the solenoid  770  and the device accessory. 
     The attachment mechanism can be the solenoid  770  and/or an attachment mechanism  780 , such as a magnet, or an object made out of a ferromagnetic material. When the solenoid  770  carries electric current, the solenoid  770  generates a magnetic field around the device  100 . Similarly, when the solenoid of the device accessory carries electric current, the solenoid of the device accessory generates a magnetic field around the device accessory. As a result, the two solenoids attract each other through magnetic forces. To increase the strength of the magnetic field generated by two solenoids, the solenoid wire can include ferromagnetic core, such as iron. The region  705  of the external shell  710  closest to the solenoid  770  and/or the attachment mechanism  780  can be composed out of non-ferromagnetic material, to allow the magnetic field to emanate outside of the device  100 , and attach to the device accessory. The region  705  of the external shell  710  can be also non-metallic to avoid attenuating the magnetic field emanating outside of the device  100 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section of a device accessory along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 1A , according to another embodiment. The external shell  810  of device accessory  800  includes a sensing switch  820 , a wireless data transceiver  830 , a control circuit  840 , an energy storage  850 , a circuit switch  860 , in a solenoid  870 . 
     As described herein, after the sensing switch  820  detects proximity of the device, the sensing switch  820  closes the circuit switch  860 , thus enabling power transfer between the device accessory  800 , and the device. Further, the sensing switch  820  can activate the control circuit  840  to start the handshake with the device, and/or initiate wireless data transfer through the wireless data transceiver  830 . The wireless data transceiver  830  transmits data through a non-metallic region  880  of the external shell  810 . The non-metallic region  880  is a region of the external shell  810  closest to the wireless data transceiver  830 . 
     The solenoid  870  enables wireless power transfer between the device accessory and the device. In addition to, or instead of the solenoid  870 , wireless power transfer can be achieved using other wireless power transfer mechanisms such as resonant inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, magnetodynamic coupling, etc. The various methods of wireless power transfer operate at frequencies below the 3.1 GHz range, so as to not interfere with the electromagnetic frequencies in the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, and 30 to 30 GHz range used by the wireless data transceiver. 
     The solenoid  870  can carry a current induced by an external solenoid of the device, or the solenoid  870  can induce a current flow in the device. To induce the current flow in the device, the energy storage  850  can produce a change in the current in the solenoid  870 . For example, the energy storage  850  can produce an alternating current (AC) in the solenoid  870  by passing a direct current (DC) through an DC-AC inverter, before the current reaches the solenoid  870 . In another example, the energy storage  850  can produce a change in the current in the solenoid  870  by opening and closing the circuit switch  860 . The change in the current in the solenoid  870  can, through electromagnetic induction, cause a current in a solenoid of the device accessory, thus transferring power between the solenoid  870  and the device accessory. 
     The attachment mechanism can be the solenoid  870  and/or an attachment mechanism, such as a magnet, or an object made out of a ferromagnetic material. When the solenoid  870  carries electric current, the solenoid  870  generates a magnetic field around the device accessory. Similarly, when the solenoid of the device carries electric current, the solenoid of the device generates a magnetic field around the device. As a result, the two solenoids attract each other through magnetic forces. To increase the strength of the magnetic field generated by two solenoids, the solenoid wire can include ferromagnetic core, such as iron. The region  890  of the external shell  810  closest to the solenoid  870  can be composed out of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material, to allow the magnetic field to emanate outside of the device accessory  800 , and attach to the device. The region  890  of the external shell  810  can be also non-metallic to avoid attenuating the magnetic field emanating outside of the device accessory  800 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9B  show a cross-section of the device accessory without an energy storage. The device accessory  900  does not contain an energy storage, a sensing switch, and a circuit switch, because the device accessory is powered by the device, when the device accessory is attached to the device. In  FIG. 9A  the external computing  900  device is powered via wireless power transfer, such as a solenoid  910 , resonant inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, magnetodynamic coupling, etc. The various methods of wireless power transfer operate at frequencies below the 3.1 GHz range, so as to not interfere with the electromagnetic frequencies in the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, and 30 to 30 GHz range used by the wireless data transceiver. In  FIG. 9B  the device accessory  900  is powered via power connectors  920 ,  930 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  show cross-section of the device accessory without a wireless data transceiver. The device accessory  1000  is an external charger containing a sensing switch  1030 , which activates the power transfer mechanism (e.g. by closing the circuit switch  1040 ), when the device accessory  1000  is close to a device. In  FIG. 10A  the device accessory  1000  provides power to the device using wireless data transfer, such as a solenoid  1010 . In  FIG. 10B  the device accessory  1000  provides power to the device using power connectors  1020 ,  1050 . 
       FIG. 11  is a second example of a cross-sectional side view of a device  1100  coupled to a device accessory  1110 . The device  1100 , the device accessory  1110 , are similar to the device  600  in  FIG. 6 , the device accessory  610  in  FIG. 6 . 
     One difference between  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 6 , is that the device accessory  1110  does not have an internal energy storage, as does device accessory  610 . Instead, the device accessory  1110  receives power from the device  1100 , when the device accessory  1110  is attached to the device  1100 . When the device accessory  1110  is attached to, or in proximity of, the device  1100 , a sensor switch  1140  can close the circuit switch  1150  to initiate the power transfer between the device  1100  and the device accessory  1110 . 
     Another difference between  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 6 , is that the power transfer between the device  1100  and the device accessory  1110  is wireless. For example, the power transfer can be done using the solenoid  1120  in the device  1100 , and solenoid  1130  in the device accessory  1110 . The solenoids  1120 ,  1130  can act as the attachment mechanism between the device  1100 , and the device accessory  1110 . In another embodiment, the attachment can be performed using a magnet and a magnetizable structure, as described herein. 
     Audio Accessory 
       FIG. 12  is a wireless audio accessory, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the wireless audio accessory  1200  can contain the features of the device accessory  110  in  FIG. 1, 300  in  FIG. 3, 500  in  FIG. 5, 610  in  FIG. 6, 800  in  FIG. 8 , in  FIGS. 9A-9B, 1000  in  FIGS. 10A-10B, 1100  and  FIG. 11 . The wireless audio accessory  1200  can be a device accessory. 
     The wireless audio accessory  1200  can contain optional power connectors  1210 , and an optional one or more audio jacks  1220 ,  1230 . Connecting the power connectors  1210  to the power connectors on a device  100 , initiates a power transfer between the device and the wireless audio accessory  1200 . Instead of the power connectors  1210 , the power transfer between the device and the wireless audio accessory  1200  can be wireless. The audio jacks  1220 ,  1230  can be a 3.5 mm analog audio jack, 3.5 mm TRS-TOSLINK jack, 3.5 mm TRRS, RCA connector, etc. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to one embodiment. The wireless audio accessory  1200  includes power connectors  1310 , a wireless data transceiver  1320 , the control circuit  1330 , a digital to analog converter (DAC)  1340 , an optional amplifier  1350 , an audio jack  1360 , an external shell  1380 , a magnet  1390 , an optional energy storage  1370 , an optional sensing switch  1372 , and an optional circuit switch  1374 . 
     The external shell  1380  defines an outer surface of the wireless audio accessory  1200 . The external shell  1380  contains a non-metallic region  1305  through which the wireless data transceiver  1320  can transmit data. The magnet  1390  is located within the external shell  1380 . For example, the magnet  1390  can be integrated into the external shell  1380 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , or the magnet  1390  can be enclosed inside the external shell  1380 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 9B, 10B . When the magnet is enclosed inside the external shell  1380 , the external shell  1380  contains a non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 9B, 10B , allowing unimpeded passage of the magnetic field through the external shell. 
     As described in this application, the power connectors  1310  receive energy from an energy source within a device, when the power connectors  1310  are in contact with corresponding power connectors of the device. The power connectors  1310  transmit the received energy to the rest of the electronic elements inside the wireless audio device. 
     As described in this application, the control circuit  1330  can receive a handshake or initiate a handshake, such as a request for transmission of audio data. The wireless data transceiver  1320  can receive audio data from the device, or transmit audio data to the device, through the non-metallic region  1305 . 
     The digital to analog converter  1340  converts the received digital audio data from the wireless data transceiver  1320  to an audio signal. In one embodiment, the DAC  1340  can send the output analog audio signal to an amplifier  1350 , which then sends the amplified analog audio signal to an analog audio jack  1360 . In another embodiment, the DAC  1340  can send the audio signal directly to the analog audio jack  1360 . 
     When the wireless audio accessory  1200  includes the energy storage  1370 , also included are the sensing switch  1372 , and the circuit switch  1374 . The sensing switch  1372  senses the proximity of the device and, in response, closes the circuit switch  1374 , thus enabling the energy storage  1370  to charge when the wireless audio accessory  1200  is attached to the device. The sensing switch  1372  can be a Hall effect sensor, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, a button, etc. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to another embodiment. The wireless audio accessory  1200  includes an energy source  1400 , a wireless data transceiver  1410 , a control circuit  1420 , a digital audio jack  1430 , and an external shell  1440 . 
     The external shell  1440  defines the outer surface of the wireless audio accessory  1200 . The external shell  1440  can be made out of various materials, described in this application, such as ceramic and/or metal. The external shell  1440  includes two regions  1450 , and  1460 . The region  1450  is a region of the external shell  1440  closest to the energy source  1400 . The region  1450  is made out of non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable material to allow unimpeded power transfer from a device to the energy source  1400 . The region  1460  is a region of the external shell  1440  closest to the wireless data transceiver  1410 . The region  1460  is made out of non-metallic material to allow unimpeded data transfer between the device and the wireless data transceiver  1410 . 
     The energy source  1400  is a wireless energy source (i.e. a wireless power transfer mechanism), which can be a solenoid receiving induced current from a corresponding solenoid in the device, as described in this application. The energy source  1400  transmits the received energy to the electrical components of the wireless audio accessory  1200 . The energy source  1400  can also act as an attachment mechanism between the wireless audio accessory and the device because the energy source  1400  produces a magnetic field while conducting current. 
     The wireless data transceiver  1410  receives digital audio data from the device, and transmits the digital audio data to the digital audio jack  1430 . The digital audio jack  1430  can be a 3.5 mm TRS-TOSLINK jack, supporting stereo audio output using a TRS connector, or TOSLINK (stereo or 5.1 Dolby Digital/DTS) digital output. The wireless audio accessory  1200  can include both the digital audio jack  1430  and the analog audio jack  1360  in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the wireless audio accessory  1200  along the cross-sectional lines A-A′ of  FIG. 12 , according to another embodiment. The wireless audio accessory  1200  includes a first wireless data transceiver  1500 , a second wireless data transceiver  1510 , a control circuit  1520 , an energy source  1530 , a sensing switch  1540 , a circuit switch  1550 , and an external shell  1560 . 
     As described in this application, the external shell  1560  contains two regions  1570 ,  1580 , which are non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable, and/or non-metallic, respectively. The region  1570  allows for unimpeded transmission of power, while the region  1580  allows for unimpeded transmission of data. 
     As described in this application, the first wireless data transceiver  1500  transmits audio data between the wireless audio accessory  1200  and a device. The first wireless data transceiver  1500  transmits the received audio data to the second wireless data transceiver  1510 . The second wireless data transceiver  1510  transmits wirelessly the received audio data to a second device, such as an external audio device, or an external audio receiver, etc. The wireless audio accessory  1200  can include the analog audio jack  1360  in  FIG. 13 , the digital audio jack  1430  in  FIG. 14 , and the second wireless data transmitter  1510  simultaneously. 
     The energy source  1530  includes an energy storage  1530 A, and a wireless energy source, such as a solenoid  1530 B. The energy source  1530  receives energy through the solenoid  1530 B from the device. When the sensing switch  1540  detects that the device is proximate to the wireless audio accessory, the sensing switch  1540  closes the circuit switch  1550 . The closed circuit switch  1550  enables the electric current induced in the solenoid  1530 B to travel to the energy storage  1530 A to recharge the energy storage  1530 A. Further, the electric current powers the first and second wireless data transceivers  1500 ,  1510 , and the control circuit  1520 , thus enabling the transfer of audio data from the device to the second device, the external audio device. 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a method to manufacture a wireless audio accessory. In step  1600 , an external shell defining an outer surface of the wireless audio accessory is provided. The external shell includes a non-metallic region within the external shell. 
     In step  1610 , a wireless data transceiver is placed proximate to the non-metallic region of the external shell. The wireless data transceiver can transmit data at extremely high electromagnetic frequencies through the non-metallic region of the external shell between the wireless audio accessory and a device. 
     An attachment mechanism can be provided within the external shell. The attachment mechanism secures the device proximate to the wireless audio accessory. In one embodiment, providing the attachment mechanism can include enclosing a ferromagnetic material operable to attach to a magnet proximate to the ferromagnetic material. Further, providing the attachment mechanism can include defining a non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region of the external shell proximate to the ferromagnetic material, such that the ferromagnetic material can attach to the magnet through the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region. 
     In another embodiment, providing the attachment mechanism includes enclosing a magnet operable to attach to a ferromagnetic material proximate to the magnet. Further, providing the attachment mechanism includes defining a non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region of the external shell proximate to the magnet, such that the magnet can attach to the ferromagnetic material through the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region. 
     In addition, the external shell defining an outer surface of the wireless audio accessory includes a non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region within the external shell. An energy source is disposed proximate to the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region. The energy source can transmit energy through the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region between the device in proximity to the wireless audio accessory and the wireless audio accessory. 
     In one embodiment, disposing the energy source can include disposing an energy storage within the external shell, and disposing a plurality of connectors connected to the energy storage proximate to the non-metallic region. The plurality of connectors can transmit energy when in contact with a plurality of connectors of the device. 
     In another embodiment, disposing the energy source can include disposing an energy storage within the external shell, and disposing a wireless energy source coupled to the energy storage. The wireless energy source is proximate to the non-ferromagnetic and non-magnetizable region, and can wirelessly receive energy from the device via induced electrical current flow. 
     In yet another embodiment, a sensing switch can be coupled to the energy source. The sensing switch can detect when the device is proximate to the wireless audio accessory and can activate the energy source. In this embodiment, disposing the energy source can include configuring an energy storage to release energy when the sensing switch activates the energy source, and configuring a plurality of connectors connected to the energy storage to transmit energy when in contact with a plurality of connectors of the device. 
     Computer 
       FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system  1700  within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules discussed herein, may be executed. 
     In the example of  FIG. 17 , the computer system  1700  includes a processor, memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. The computer system  1700  is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components described in the example of  FIGS. 1-16  (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. The computer system  1700  can be of any applicable known or convenient type. The components of the computer system  1700  can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device. 
     The computer system  1700  can be the device  100 . The processor of the device  100  can correspond to the processor of the computer system  1700 , the display of the device  100  can correspond to the video display of the computer system  1700 , the wireless data transceiver of the device  100  can correspond to the signal generation device of the computer system  1700 , etc. Further, parts of the computer system  1700  can correspond to the parts of the wireless audio accessory. The control circuit of the device accessory can correspond to the processor of the computer system  1700 , the wireless data transceiver of the external computing system can correspond to the signal generation device of the computer system  1700 , etc. 
     This disclosure contemplates the computer system  1700  taking any suitable physical form. As example and not by way of limitation, computer system  1700  may be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) (such as, for example, a computer-on-module (COM) or system-on-module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebook computer system, an interactive kiosk, a mainframe, a mesh of computer systems, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, computer system  1700  may include one or more computer systems  1700 ; be unitary or distributed; span multiple locations; span multiple machines; or reside in a cloud, which may include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems  1700  may perform without substantial spatial or temporal limitation one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. As an example and not by way of limitation, one or more computer systems  1700  may perform in real time or in batch mode one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. One or more computer systems  1700  may perform at different times or at different locations one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein, where appropriate. 
     The processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms “machine-readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor. 
     The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed. 
     The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software in the computer  1700 . The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor. 
     Software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, storing and entire large program in memory may not even be possible. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in a computer-readable medium.” A processor is considered to be “configured to execute a program” when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor. 
     The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system  1700 . The interface can include an analog modem, isdn modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output devices. The I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed that controllers of any devices not depicted in the example of  FIG. 17  reside in the interface. 
     In operation, the computer system  1700  can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the Linux™ operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit. 
     Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or “generating” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages. 
     In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-server network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, a Blackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. 
     While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules of the presently disclosed technique and innovation. 
     In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the disclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects of the disclosure. 
     Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machine or computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution. 
     Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limited to recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links. 
     In some circumstances, operation of a memory device, such as a change in state from a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa, for example, may comprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. With particular types of memory devices, such a physical transformation may comprise a physical transformation of an article to a different state or thing. For example, but without limitation, for some types of memory devices, a change in state may involve an accumulation and storage of charge or a release of stored charge. Likewise, in other memory devices, a change of state may comprise a physical change or transformation in magnetic orientation or a physical change or transformation in molecular structure, such as from crystalline to amorphous or vice versa. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list in which a change in state for a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa in a memory device may comprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. Rather, the foregoing is intended as illustrative examples. 
     A storage medium typically may be non-transitory or comprise a non-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage medium may include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form, although the device may change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this change in state. 
     Remarks 
     The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this Detailed Description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of various embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the following claims.