PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8645604-B2
Application Number: US-201113072577-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Device orientation based docking functions

Abstract:
Systems and method are provided for selecting one or more docking functions based on a physical orientation of a user device coupled to a docking device. The docking device may include a surface upon which the user device may be placed. Docking functions such as charging, data transfer, data synchronization, diagnostic checking, or other functions may be selected, performed, or both, based on the physical orientation of the user device on the surface.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for docking a user device, the method comprising:
 providing a surface upon which the user device may be placed; 
 determining that the user device has been placed on the surface; and 
 determining that a second user device has been placed on the surface; 
 determining, with processing equipment, a physical orientation of the user device on the surface; 
 determining, with processing equipment, a second physical orientation of the second user device relative to the first user device on the surface; and 
 selecting, with processing equipment, at least one docking function from a plurality of docking functions based on a combination of both the physical orientation and the second physical orientation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical orientation is determined to be at least one physical orientation selected from the group consisting of a translational position on the surface, a rotational position about an axis, a face direction, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one docking function comprises at least one docking function selected from the group consisting of inductively charging the user device, synchronizing data between the user device and another device, transferring data between the user device and another device, performing a diagnostic evaluation of the user device, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one docking function comprises synchronizing data between the first user device and the second user device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining the physical orientation of the second user device on the surface. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an indication as to the selected at least one docking function, wherein the indication is selected from the group consisting of an audio sound, a graphic displayed on a display screen, an electronic message notification, a vibration of the user device, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting at least one docking function from a plurality of docking functions is further based on user preference information. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting, with processing equipment, at least one docking function from a plurality of docking functions based on a combination of both the physical orientation and the second physical orientation comprises:
 determining whether the second physical orientation permits a docking function that involves both the user device and the second user device; 
 if so, selecting at least one docking function from the plurality of docking functions, wherein at least one of the selected docking functions involve both the user device and the second user device; and 
 if not, selecting at least one docking function from the plurality of docking functions wherein, none of the selected docking functions involve both the user device and the second user device. 
 
     
     
       9. A docking apparatus comprising:
 a surface configured to receive first and second user devices that have been placed on the surface; and 
 processing equipment configured to:
 process both a physical orientation of the first user device and a second physical orientation of the second user devices relative to the first user device to determine at least one docking function of a plurality of docking functions to perform when the first and second user devices are docked to the docking apparatus. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the surface is further configured to inductively charge the at least one of the first and second user devices when the at least one of the first and second user devices have been placed on the surface, and wherein the processing equipment is further configured to provide a charging signal to the surface. 
     
     
       11. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the docking apparatus further comprises at least one communications interface configured to communicatively couple to at least one host device. 
     
     
       12. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein some or all of the physical orientation information is received from at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, an inductive load sensor, a touch sensor, an optical sensor, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       13. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the physical orientation information comprises information stored in memory of the docking apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second user devices comprise memory hardware and is configured to communicatively couple to the docking apparatus, and wherein the physical orientation information comprises information stored in memory hardware of the at least one of the first and second user devices. 
     
     
       15. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the surface is partitioned into at least two lesser surfaces, and wherein physical orientation information comprises information as to which of the at least two lesser surfaces at least one of the first and second user devices has been placed onto. 
     
     
       16. The docking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second user devices comprise one or more devices selected from the group consisting of a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal media player, a digital camera, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning device, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       17. A user device comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to sense a physical orientation of the user device when the user device is placed on a surface; and 
 processing equipment configured to:
 determine that the user device has been placed on the surface; 
 determine that a second user device has been placed on the surface; 
 determine a physical orientation of the user device on the surface; 
 determine a second physical orientation of the second user device relative to the first user device on the surface; and 
 process both the physical orientation and the second physical orientation to determine at least one docking function of a plurality of docking functions to perform when the user device is on the surface. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The user device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one communications interface configured to communicatively couple to at least one host device. 
     
     
       19. The user device of  claim 17 , further comprising a first communications interface, and wherein the surface is a surface of a docking apparatus comprising a second communications interface, and wherein the first communications interface is configured to communicatively couple to the second communications interface. 
     
     
       20. The user device of  claim 17 , further comprising memory coupled to the processing equipment, wherein at least some of the physical orientation information is stored in the memory.

Description:
The present disclosure is directed towards device orientation based docking. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed, in some embodiments, towards providing docking functions based on a physical orientation of a docked user device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A user device such as a smart phone, digital camera, or personal media player may be docked to a docking device, which may allow for charging and data transmittal. Some docking devices may provide induction charging to charge a user device, when the user device is placed on a charging surface. The user device may include circuitry which may respond to a magnetic field provided by the charging surface. Data may be transmitted between a user device and a docking device, or a host device, when the user device is docked. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure relates to systems and methods for docking a user device. A surface may be provided, upon which a user device may be placed. A determination may be made, by the user device, a docking device, or other processing equipment, as to whether the user device has been placed on the surface. Based on this determination, a docking function may be selected from more than one docking function based on the physical orientation of the user device on the surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present disclosure, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an illustrative docking arrangement in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows an illustrative docking arrangement in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of an illustrative docking arrangement showing a translational position of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top plan view of an illustrative docking arrangement showing a rotational position of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a top plan view of an illustrative docking arrangement showing a facing direction of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top plan view of an illustrative docking arrangement of two user devices in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of an illustrative docking arrangement showing a rotational position of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  is a flow diagram of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is a flow diagram of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function if a physical orientation of a user device changes in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function for more than one user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of illustrative docking functions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of illustrative steps for determining a physical orientation of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an illustrative docking arrangement including a user device coupled to a docking device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram of an illustrative docking arrangement including a user device coupled to a docking device, and other devices, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed towards methods and systems for selecting one or more docking functions from a plurality of docking functions based on a physical orientation of a user device. A user device may be coupled (“docked”) to a docking device. A docking device may include a surface upon which a user device may be placed (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, the surface may be configured to inductively charge the user device when the user device is placed on the surface. A docking device may include, for example, processing equipment, input/output (I/O) interfaces, memory, a power supply, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. A docking device may be configured to charge a user device, act as a conduit in the transfer of data between the user device and a host device, synchronize data with the user device, transfer data with the user device (e.g., upload, download), run diagnostics for the user device, synchronize data between more than user devices, perform any other suitable docking function for a user device placed on the surface, or any combination thereof. One or more docking functions may be selected, performed, or both, by the docking device depending on a physical orientation of the user device on the surface. 
     In some embodiments, a physical orientation of a user device placed on a surface of a docking device may be determined. The physical orientation may include a translational position (e.g., Cartesian coordinates, polar coordinates), rotational position (e.g., an angle value about a suitable axis), a facing direction (e.g., face-up, face-down), any other suitable physical orientation relative to any suitable reference, or any combination thereof. For example, a physical orientation may be a position of a user device on a surface of a docking device. In a further example, a physical orientation may be a position of a user device in a particular region of a surface of a docking device. In a further example, a physical orientation may be a direction normal to a display screen of a user device on a surface of a docking device. In a further example, a physical orientation may be a relative rotational position of a first user device relative to a second user device, both arranged on a surface of a docking device. Any suitable physical orientation, relative to any suitable reference, may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, processing equipment of a user device, docking device, or both, may select a suitable docking function based on a physical orientation of the user device on a surface of the docking device. In some embodiments, a user device, docking device, or both, may include one or more sensors for determining a physical orientation of the user device. For example, a user device may include one or more accelerometers (e.g., a three-axis arrangement of accelerometers) which may be used to determine a physical orientation of the user device. 
     The present disclosure is described more fully in the context of  FIGS. 1-14  below. 
       FIG. 1  shows illustrative docking arrangement  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  100  may include user device  120  (e.g., a personal communications device) and user device  130  (e.g., a digital camera) positioned on surface  152  of docking device  150 . Docking arrangement  100  may include user device  120  in a physical orientation with face  122  facing in direction  160 . Docking arrangement  100  may include user device  130  in a physical orientation with face  132  facing in direction  160 . 
     In some embodiments, docking device  150  may include surface  152 , configured to inductively charge user device  120 , user device  130 , or both. Docking device  150  may include, for example, a wire coil which may provide a magnetic field with which corresponding coils in user devices  120  and  130  may interact to charge energy storage devices (e.g., batteries) which may be included in user devices  120  and  130 . 
     In some embodiments, docking device  150  may be configured to communicate with user device  120 ,  130 , or both, using, for example, transmitter/receiver  154 . Transmitter/receiver  154  may be configured as an infrared (IR) transmitter/receiver, a WiFi transmitter/receiver, a BLUETOOTH transmitter/receiver, an ultra wide band (UWB) transmitter/receiver, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver, or any other suitable type of transmitter/receiver, any suitable accompanying hardware or software, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, user device  120 ,  130 , or both, may include a corresponding transmitter/receiver which may be configured to communicate with transmitter/receiver  154 . In some embodiments, user device  120 ,  130 , or both may be coupled via a cable or other suitable wired connection (e.g., a USB cable with suitable connectors) to docking device  150 . 
     Illustrative direction  160  may be oriented normal to surface  152 , and is shown in  FIG. 1  as being directed “upwards” (e.g., substantially opposite to the force of gravity on an object). Directions normal to direction  160  may represent the plane of surface  152  of docking device  150 , which may rest on a base surface (not shown) such as, for example, a desk top, table top, or counter top. It will be understood that a docking arrangement may be arranged in any suitable orientation (e.g., direction  160  may point in any suitable direction). 
       FIG. 2  shows illustrative docking arrangement  200  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  200  may include user device  120  and user device  130  positioned on surface  152  of docking device  150 . Docking arrangement  200  may include user devices  120  and  130  in a different physical orientation relative to docking arrangement  100  of  FIG. 1 . For example, docking arrangement  200  may include user device  120  oriented with face  222 , which may be opposite to face  122 , facing in direction  160 . In a further example, docking arrangement  200  may include user device  130  oriented with face  232 , which may be opposite to face  132 , facing in direction  160 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more docking functions may be provided to user device  120 ,  130 , or both, by docking device  150 , an external device coupled to docking device  150  (e.g., via coupling  156 ), any other suitable device, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more docking functions selected, provided, or both, for user device  120 ,  130 , or both, may depend on the user device&#39;s physical orientations. For example, in some embodiments, when user device  120  is physically oriented face up on surface  152  (e.g., as shown by docking arrangement  100  of  FIG. 1 ), data synchronization with an external device coupled to docking device  150  may be selected, performed, or both. In a further example, when user device  120  is physically oriented face down on surface  152  (e.g., as shown by docking arrangement  200  of  FIG. 2 ), inductive charging of user device  120  may be selected, performed, or both. In a further example, when user device  130  is physically oriented face up on surface  152  (e.g., as shown by docking arrangement  100  of  FIG. 1 ), synchronizing image files of user device  120  and docking device  150  may be selected, performed, or both. In a further example, when user devices  120  and  130  are physically oriented face up on surface  152  (e.g., as shown by docking arrangement  100  of  FIG. 1 ), synchronizing image files between user device  120  and user device  130  may be selected, performed, or both. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 3-7  are respective illustrative docking arrangements  300 - 700 , which illustrate exemplary physical orientations of a user device. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of illustrative docking arrangement  300  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  300  may include user device  320  positioned on surface  352  of docking device  350 . Surface  352 , substantially in the plane of directions  360  and  370 , may include region  354  partitioned from the rest of surface  352  by illustrative partition  380 , which need not be visible to a user. In some embodiments, user device  320  may be alternatively positioned at position  330 , which may be located in region  356  of surface  352 . Depending upon which region (e.g., region  354  or region  356 ) user device  320  is placed, one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  320 . For example, when user device  320  is physically oriented on region  354 , inductive charging may be provided to user device  320 . In a further example, when user device  320  is physically oriented on region  356 , data synchronization may be provided between user device  320  and docking device  350 . Surface  352  may be partitioned into any suitable number of regions (“zones”), in any suitable configuration. For example, surface  352  may include multiple regions in the shape of concentric circles. In a further example, surface  352  may include a grid of multiple partitions which may intersect, forming an array of regions. Any suitable configuration of regions, corresponding to any suitable docking functions, may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top plan view of illustrative docking arrangement  400  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  400  may include user device  420  positioned on surface  452 , substantially in the plane of directions  460  and  470 , of docking device  450 . In some embodiments, user device  420  may be alternatively rotated and translated to position  430  on surface  452 . Depending upon the translational position, rotational position, or both, of user device  420 , one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  420 . For example, when user device  420  is physically oriented along (e.g., rotationally positioned along) direction  460 , inductive charging may be provided to user device  420 . In a further example, when user device  420  is physically oriented along (e.g., rotationally positioned along) direction  470 , data synchronization may be provided between user device  420  and docking device  450 . In a further example, when user device  420  is physically oriented at (e.g., translationally positioned at) position  430 , a diagnostic check of user device  420  may be performed. Any suitable physical orientation, including any suitable translation position or rotation position, or both, may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  shows illustrative docking arrangement  500  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  500  may include user device  520  positioned on surface  552 , substantially in the plane of directions  560  and  570 , of docking device  550 . In some embodiments, user device  520 , which may include a display screen, may be facing down (e.g., back face  522  facing up) on surface  552 . Facing “down” is illustratively shown in  FIG. 5  as user device  520  having a display screen facing in a direction coincident with the cross product of direction  560  and  570  (e.g., direction  560 ×direction  570 ), and back face  522  facing in the opposite direction. User device  520  may alternatively be rotated, as shown by physical orientation  530 , so that user device is facing up, or any other suitable direction. Depending upon the direction user device  520  is facing (e.g., up, down, left, right, forward, backward), one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  520 . For example, when user device  520  is physically oriented face down on surface  552 , inductive charging may be provided to user device  520 . In a further example, when user device  520  is physically oriented face up on surface  552 , data synchronization may be provided between user device  520  and docking device  550 . Any suitable physical orientation, including any suitable face direction may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  shows illustrative docking arrangement  600  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  600  may include user devices  620  and  630  positioned on surface  652 , substantially in the plane of directions  660  and  670 , of docking device  650 . In some embodiments, user device  620  may be physically oriented (e.g., translationally positioned, rotationally positioned, directionally faced) differently than user device  630  on surface  652 . Depending upon the translational position, rotational position, face direction, or combinations thereof, of user device  620  and user device  630 , one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  620  and user device  630 . In some embodiments, one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  620  and user device  630  depending upon their relative physical orientation. In some embodiments, one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  620  and user device  630  depending upon their individual physical orientations on surface  652 . For example, when user devices  620  and  630  are both physically oriented along (e.g., rotationally positioned along) direction  660 , inductive charging may be provided to both user device  620  and user device  630 . In a further example, when user devices  620  and  630  are physically oriented along different directions (e.g., direction  660  and direction  670 , as shown in  FIG. 6 ), data synchronization may be provided between user device  620  and user device  630 . In a further example, when user device  620  is physically oriented face up on surface  652 , and user device  630  is physically oriented face down on surface  652 , both inductive charging and data synchronization may be provided for both user device  620  and user device  630 . Any suitable physical orientation, including any suitable translation position, rotation position, face direction, or combinations thereof, of more than one user device may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  shows illustrative docking arrangement  700  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking arrangement  700  may include user device  720  positioned on surface  752  of docking device  750 . In some embodiments, user device  720 , which may include a display screen, may be facing any direction normal to direction  760  on surface  752 . Facing “forward” is illustratively shown in  FIG. 7  as user device  720  having a display screen facing in a direction coincident with the cross product of direction  770  and  760  (e.g., direction  770 ×direction  760 ). User device  720  may alternatively be rotated about direction  760  to any other suitable position so that user device is facing any other suitable direction. Depending upon the direction user device  720  is facing, one or more particular docking functions may be provided to user device  720 . For example, when user device  720  is physically oriented face forward on surface  752 , a diagnostic check may be provided to user device  720 . In a further example, when user device  720  is physically oriented face backward (e.g., opposite to face forward) on surface  752 , data backup to a memory storage device may be provided to user device  720 . Any suitable physical orientation may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a docking device may include one or more components other than a surface, such as segments  358 ,  458 ,  558 ,  658  and  758  of  FIGS. 3-7 , respectively. A segment of a docking device may include processing equipment, memory, a display, a user interface, one or more I/O interfaces, one or more sensors, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. A segment may be coupled to a surface in any suitable manner (e.g., wired, wireless, optical, mechanical), or may be integrated with a surface in any suitable manner. For example, segment  358  may include one or more optical sensors (e.g., line of sight sensors/detectors, imaging detectors, IR detectors) for determining a physical orientation of user device  320  when placed on surface  352 . In a further example, segment  458  may include one or more tactile sensors (e.g., piezoelectric, capacitive, resistive) integrated into surface  452 , which may detect a physical orientation of user device  420  on surface  452 . In a further example, segment  558  may include an I/O interface such as a USB port configured to communicate via a wired cable with a host computer, which may provide one or more docking functions (e.g., data synchronization via WiFi network) to user device  520 . 
     In some embodiments, a docking device may provide an indication of a selected docking function. An indication may include an audio sound (e.g., from a speaker included in the docking device), a graphic displayed on a display screen of the docking device, an electronic message notification (e.g., transmitted by a transmitter of the docking device), a vibration of the user device (e.g., using a piezoelectric motor of the docking device), any other suitable indication, or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, a docking device may display an arrow (e.g., indicating a direction of data transfer) or text (e.g., indicating a function by label) on a display screen integrated into a surface (e.g., an inductive charging surface) indicating information about a selected docking function. 
     Any of the illustrative physical orientations shown in  FIGS. 3-7  may be combined, translated, rotated, or otherwise altered in accordance with the present disclosure. Any suitable docking function may be selected, performed, or both, for a docked user device positioned in any suitable physical orientation. Although illustratively shown as being horizontal, a surface configured to receive a user device may be oriented in any suitable position. 
       FIG. 8A  is flow diagram  800  of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  800  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. 
     Step  802  may include providing a surface (“a receiving surface”) upon which a user device may be placed. In some embodiments, the surface may be included as part of a docking device, and may be configured to inductively charge a user device placed on the surface. The surface may be included as part of a docking device which may also include processing circuitry, memory, one or more sensors, one or more I/O interfaces, one or more user interfaces, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surface may be substantially horizontal, although the surface may be oriented in any suitable direction. 
     Step  804  may include determining that a user device has been placed on a surface (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to determine that a user device has been docked. In some embodiments, a user input may be received to a suitable user interface indicating that a user device has been docked. For example, in some embodiments, an array of tactile sensors integrated into the surface may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. In a further example, one or more optical sensors such as a line of sight sensor (e.g., a substantially linear emitter and detector arrangement which may detect an opaque object placed in the beam path) may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. 
     Step  806  may include selecting a docking function based at least in part on a physical orientation of a user device on a surface. In some embodiments, step  806  may be performed in response to a determination at step  804  that a user device has been placed on the surface. In some embodiments, step  806  may include an authorization action such as, for example, determining whether a user device is authorized to be docked. In some embodiments, step  806  may include a confirmation such as, for example, confirmation that a user device is authorized to be docked, a confirmation that a user device is properly docked (e.g., placed completely on the surface), or any other suitable confirmation, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more docking functions may be selected from a plurality of docking functions based on the physical orientation of the docked user device. In some embodiments, a docking function may be selected based on user input to a user interface (e.g., user selected preferences) which may be received. For example, in some embodiments, charging may be selected as the docking function from a plurality of docking functions including charging, syncing, and diagnostic checking. Any suitable docking function may be selected, from any suitable plurality of docking functions, based on any suitable physical orientation of a docked user device, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8B  is flow diagram  850  of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  850  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. 
     Step  852  may include providing a surface (“a receiving surface”) upon which a user device may be placed. In some embodiments, the surface may be included as part of a docking device, and may be configured to inductively charge a user device placed on the surface. The surface may be included as part of a docking device which may also include processing circuitry, memory, one or more sensors, one or more I/O interfaces, one or more user interfaces, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surface may be substantially horizontal, although the surface may be oriented in any suitable direction. 
     Step  854  may include determining whether a user device has been placed on a surface (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to determine whether a user device has been docked. In some embodiments, a user input may be received to a suitable user interface indicating that a user device has been docked. For example, in some embodiments, an array of tactile sensors integrated into the surface may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. In a further example, one or more optical sensors such as a line of sight sensor (e.g., a substantially linear emitter and detector arrangement which may detect an opaque object placed in the beam path) may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. 
     Step  856  may include selecting a docking function based at least in part on a physical orientation of a user device on a surface. In some embodiments, step  856  may be performed in response to a determination at step  854  that a user device has been docked. In some embodiments, step  856  may include an authorization action such as, for example, determining whether a user device is authorized to be docked. In some embodiments, step  856  may include a confirmation such as, for example, confirmation that a user device is authorized to be docked, a confirmation that a user device is properly docked (e.g., placed completely on the surface), or any other suitable confirmation, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more docking functions may be selected from a plurality of docking functions based on the physical orientation of the docked user device. In some embodiments, a docking function may be selected based on user input to a user interface (e.g., user selected preferences) which may be received. For example, in some embodiments, charging may be selected as the docking function from a plurality of docking functions including charging, syncing, and diagnostic checking. Any suitable docking function may be selected, from any suitable plurality of docking functions, based on any suitable physical orientation of a docked user device, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, any of the illustrative steps of flow diagram  1200 , flow diagram  1100 , or both may be performed along with the illustrative steps of flow diagram  850 , as shown by markers  810 ,  820  and  830  of  FIG. 8B . 
       FIG. 9  is flow diagram  900  of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function if a physical orientation of a user device changes in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  900  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. 
     Step  902  may include providing a surface, upon which a user device may be placed (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, the surface may be included as part of a docking device, and may be configured to inductively charge a user device placed on the surface. The surface may be included as part of a docking device which may also include processing circuitry, memory, one or more sensors, one or more I/O interfaces, one or more user interfaces, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surface may be substantially horizontal, although the surface may be oriented in any suitable direction. 
     Step  904  may include determining whether a user device has been placed on a surface. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to determine whether a user device has been docked. In some embodiments, a user input may be received to a suitable user interface indicating that a user device has been docked. For example, in some embodiments, an array of tactile sensors integrated into the surface may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. In a further example, one or more optical sensors such as a line of sight sensor may be used to detect that a user device has been placed on the surface. 
     Step  906  may include selecting a docking function based at least in part on a physical orientation of a user device on a surface. In some embodiments, step  906  may be performed in response to a determination at step  904  that a user device has been docked. In some embodiments, step  906  may include an authorization action such as, for example, determining whether a user device is authorized to be docked. In some embodiments, step  906  may include a confirmation such as, for example, confirmation that a user device is authorized to be docked, a confirmation that a user device is properly docked (e.g., placed completely on the surface), or any other suitable confirmation, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more docking functions may be selected from a plurality of docking functions based on the physical orientation of a docked user device. In some embodiments, a docking function may be selected based on user input to a user interface (e.g., user selected preferences). For example, in some embodiments, charging may be selected as the docking function from a plurality of docking functions including charging, syncing, and diagnostic checking. Any suitable docking function may be selected, from any suitable plurality of docking functions, based on any suitable physical orientation of a docked user device, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, any of the illustrative steps of flow diagram  1200 , flow diagram  1100 , or both may be performed along with the illustrative steps of flow diagram  900  (e.g., step  906 ), as shown by markers  810 ,  820 ,  830 , and  840  of  FIG. 9 . 
     Step  908  may include determining whether a physical orientation of a docked user device has changed. In some embodiments, step  908  may include determining that a translational position, rotational position, face direction, or any other suitable physical orientation, or combination thereof, has changed relative to a previous physical orientation. For example, in some embodiments, a user may reposition a user device on a surface to cause a different docking function to be selected. In some embodiments, if it is determined at step  908  that a physical orientation of a docked user device has changed, step  904  may be repeated, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, it may be determined at step  908  that a physical orientation of a docked user device has not changed relative to a previous physical orientation. In some embodiments, if a physical orientation of a docked user device has not changed, no change need be made to the selected docking function (e.g., the docking function selected at step  906 ). 
       FIG. 10  is flow diagram  1000  of illustrative steps for selecting a docking function for more than one user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  1000  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. 
     Step  1002  may include providing a surface, upon which a user device may be placed. In some embodiments, the surface may be included as part of a docking device, and may be configured to inductively charge a user device placed on the surface. The surface may be included as part of a docking device which may also include processing circuitry, memory, one or more sensors, one or more I/O interfaces, one or more user interfaces, any other suitable components, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surface may be substantially horizontal, although the surface may be oriented in any suitable direction. 
     Step  1004  may include determining whether a first user device has been placed on a surface (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to determine whether a first user device has been docked. In some embodiments, a user input may be received to a suitable user interface indicating that a first user device has been docked. For example, in some embodiments, an array of tactile sensors integrated into the surface may be used to detect that a first user device has been placed on the surface. In a further example, one or more optical sensors such as a line of sight sensor may be used to detect that a first user device has been placed on the surface. 
     Step  1006  may include determining whether a second user device has been placed on a surface (e.g., docked). In some embodiments, the second user device may be placed on the same surface as the first user device of step  1004 . In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to determine whether a second user device has been docked. In some embodiments, a user input may be received to a suitable user interface indicating that a second user device has been docked. 
     In some embodiments, it may be determined at step  1004  or step  1006 , or both, that user device  1  or  2 , or both, has not been docked. In some embodiments, processing equipment may check at some regular or irregular time interval whether user device  1  or  2 , or both, have been docked. For example, in some embodiments, suitable processing equipment may sample the output of one or more sensors configured to detect a physical orientation of a user device every minute. Any suitable technique may be used to determine whether a user device is docked, schedule the determination, or otherwise manage determining whether a user device has been docked. 
     Step  1008  may include selecting a docking function based at least in part on a physical orientation of a first user device, a second user device, or both, on a surface. In some embodiments, step  1008  may be performed in response to a determination at step  1004 , step  1006 , or both that one or more user devices (e.g., first user device of step  1004 , second user device of step  1006 ) have been docked. In some embodiments, step  1008  may include an authorization action such as, for example, determining whether a user device is authorized to be docked. In some embodiments, step  1008  may include a confirmation such as, for example, confirmation that a user device is authorized to be docked, a confirmation that a user device is properly docked (e.g., placed completely on the surface), or any other suitable confirmation, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more docking functions may be selected from a plurality of docking functions based on the physical orientation of the one or more docked user devices. In some embodiments, a docking function may be selected based on user input to a user interface (e.g., user selected preferences) which may be received. For example, in some embodiments, charging may be selected as the docking function from a plurality of docking functions including charging, syncing, and diagnostic checking. Any suitable docking function may be selected, from any suitable plurality of docking functions, based on any suitable physical orientation of any suitable number of docked user devices, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, any of the illustrative steps of flow diagram  1200 , flow diagram  1100 , or both may be performed along with the illustrative steps of flow diagram  1000  (e.g., step  1008 ), as shown by markers  810 ,  820 , and  830  of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  is flow diagram  1100  of illustrative docking functions in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  1100  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. Docking functions may include charging at step  1102 , syncing at step  1104 , transferring data with a host device at step  1106 , diagnosing at step  1108 , transferring data between user devices at step  1110 , any other suitable docking functions, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, step  1102  may include a docking device providing a suitable magnetic field near a surface (e.g., designated as a “charging surface”). A user device placed on the surface may include circuitry (e.g., a coil, conditioning circuitry) which may interact with the magnetic field, and charge an energy storage device (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) included in the user device. In some embodiments, step  1102  may include a docking device providing charging to a user device using any suitable wired coupling (e.g., USB cable coupling, 30-pin plug coupling), wireless coupling, or both. 
     In some embodiments, step  1104  may include a docking device, external device, or both, synchronizing data with a user device placed on a surface. In some embodiments, during data synchronization no charging (e.g., inductive charging) need be provided by the surface. For example, a user device may be placed face up on a surface of a socking device, and step  1104  may be selected as a docking function to be performed. In a further example, step  1104  may include synchronizing media files, contacts, folders, electronic documents, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, step  1106  may include uploading or downloading, or both, data from a host device such as a computer, docking device, server, any other suitable host device, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, step  1106  may be performed by transferring data over a suitable wireless network using any suitable protocol (e.g., WiFi, BLUETOOTH, UWB, RF, IR). In some embodiments, a docking device may be included in a host device, such as a docking station included as part of a laptop computer. 
     In some embodiments, step  1108  may include performing one or more checks of one or more functions, hardware components, systems, software components, or combinations thereof of a user device placed on a surface of a docking device. For example, step  1108  may include performing a check on the memory hardware of a user device (e.g., determining memory capacity, locating corrupted memory elements). In a further example, step  1108  may include determining whether any software installed on a user device may be updated with a newer available version. In a further example, step  1108  may include determining whether charging is recommended for the user device (e.g., the accumulated energy in a battery of the user device is below a threshold). 
     In some embodiments, step  1110  may include uploading, downloading, synchronizing, or combination thereof, of any suitable data between more than one user device placed on a surface of a docking device. In some embodiments, step  1110  may include transferring data over any suitable wireless network using any suitable protocol (e.g., WiFi, BLUETOOTH, UWB, RF, IR). 
     In some embodiments, any of the docking functions of flow diagram  1100  or any other suitable docking functions may be combined, performed or selected concurrently, performed or selected in a particular sequence, restricted from being performed or selected, or otherwise managed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 12  is flow diagram  1200  of illustrative steps for determining a physical orientation of a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrative steps of flow diagram  1200  may be performed by any suitable processing equipment included in a user device, docking device, external device, remote application server, any other suitable processing equipment, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, step  1202  may include determining a translational position of a user device on a surface of a docking device. A translational position may include Cartesian coordinates, polar coordinates, spherical coordinates, any other suitable coordinates in any suitable number of spatial dimensions (e.g., 1-3 dimensional coordinates), or any combination thereof. A translational position may be determined relative to any suitable datum which may include a point (e.g., a particular position or “origin”), line (e.g., an edge), plane (e.g., a surface), any other suitable reference geometry, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, step  1204  may include determining a rotational position of a user device on a surface of a docking device. A rotational position may include an angular position, about any suitable axis, referenced to any suitable reference angular position. For example, a rotational position may be determined in Cartesian coordinates (e.g., using a rotation matrix) polar coordinates, spherical coordinates, any other suitable coordinates in any suitable number of spatial dimensions (e.g., 1-3 dimensional coordinates), or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, step  1206  may include determining a face direction of a user device on a surface of a docking device. A face direction may include any suitable direction in any suitable number of spatial dimensions. In some embodiments, a face direction may include a discreet face direction (e.g., up, down, left, right, forward, backward), or a continuous range of face directions (e.g., 0.1 radians clockwise from front), or a combination thereof. For example, it may be determined that a user device is face down on a surface of a surface. 
     In some embodiments, step  1208  may include determining a physical orientation of a user device relative to another user device, in which both user devices are on a surface of a docking device. A relative position may include a relative translational position, relative rotational position, relative face direction, any other suitable relative physical orientation, or any combination thereof. For example, it may be determined that two user devices have the same face direction on a surface of a docking device. 
     In some embodiments, any of the physical orientation determinations of flow diagram  1200  or any other suitable physical orientation determinations may be combined or otherwise altered in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Any of the illustrative steps of flow diagrams  800 - 1200  of respective  FIGS. 8A-12  may be combined with other steps, rearranged with other steps, omitted, appended with additional steps, or otherwise altered in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram of illustrative docking arrangement  1300  including user device  1320  coupled to docking device  1350  via communicative coupling  1370  in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. User device  1320  may include processing equipment  1322 , memory  1324 , energy storage device  1326 , sensor  1328 , user interface  1330 , I/O interface  1332 , any other suitable components, subsystems or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may be coupled to processing equipment  1352 , memory  1354 , power supply  1356 , sensor  1358 , user interface  1360 , I/O interface  1362 , any other suitable component, or any combination thereof which may be included as part of docking device  1350 , via communicative coupling  1370 . Coupling  1370  may, for example, include couplings for data transfer, charging, diagnostics, accessories, any other suitable types of couplings, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a docking device may be coupled to, but not include, processing equipment  1352 , memory  1354 , power supply  1356 , sensor  1358 , user interface  1360 , or I/O interface  1362 . For example, docking device  1350  may include a surface configured to inductively charge user device  1320 , and docking device  1350  may be coupled via USB cable to an external device such as a computer. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include processing equipment  1322  which may include a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., microprocessor), collection of processors (e.g., parallel processors), CPU cache, random access memory (RAM), I/O communications interfaces, suitable circuitry, any other suitable processing elements or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include memory  1324  which may be a hard drive, flash memory drive, MMC, SD card, SIM card, any other suitable memory device, or combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include energy storage device  1326 . Energy storage device  1326  may include, for example, a primary battery, a secondary battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery), a super capacitor, any other suitable component which may store energy, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include sensor  1328 . Sensor  1328  may include any suitable type of sensor, circuit, device, component, or combinations thereof which may be used to indicate whether user device  1320  is coupled to docking device  1350 . For example, sensor  1328  may include one or more accelerometers, which may indicate to processing equipment  1322  the proper acceleration of user device  1320  in one or more directions. The proper acceleration of user device  1320  may provide an indication of a physical orientation of user device  1320  such as, for example, a face direction, a rotational position, or changes thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include user interface  1330 . User interface  1330  may include a display screen of any suitable type such as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode display (LED), a plasma display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an electrophoretic display, any other suitable type of display screen, or any combination thereof. User interface  1330  may include a touchscreen, touchpad, trackball, mouse, keyboard (e.g., hard button commands), speaker, microphone, camera, any other suitable components or features, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1320  may include I/O interface  1332 . For example, I/O interface  1332  may allow user device  1320  to communicate with any type of device, component or network including an audio device, memory device, user input device, personal communication device, computer, wired network, wireless network, any other suitable device or network, or any combination thereof. In a further example, I/O interface  1332  may include one or more Ethernet ports, wireless transmitters, wireless receivers, any other suitable interfaces, any suitable interface hardware, any suitable interface software, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may, but need not, include processing equipment  1352  which may include a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., microprocessor), collection of processors (e.g., parallel processors), CPU cache, random access memory (RAM), I/O communications interfaces, suitable circuitry, any other suitable processing elements or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may, but need not, include memory  1354  which may be a hard drive, flash memory drive, MMC, SD card, SIM card, any other suitable memory device, or combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may, but need not, include power supply  1356 . Power supply  1356  may include, for example, an alternating current (AC) power supply (e.g., a wall socket), a direct current (DC) power supply, a transformer, a primary battery, a secondary battery, any other suitable component which may store energy, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, communicative coupling  1370  may include an inductive coupling for charging (e.g., magnetically inducing current flow) energy storage device  1326  using power supply  1356 . 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may, but need not, include sensor  1358 . Sensor  1358  may include any suitable type of sensor, circuit, device, component, or combinations thereof which may be used to indicate whether user device  1320  is coupled to docking device  1350 , the physical orientation of user device  1320 , any other suitable information about user device  1320 , or any combination thereof. For example, sensor  1358  may include circuitry which may detect when a suitable user device has been placed on a surface (e.g., determine inductive load or capacitance, or change thereof). In some embodiments, sensor  1358  may include one or more tactile sensors (e.g., piezoelectric, capacitive, resistive) which may be integrated into a surface, and which may indicate that an object (e.g., a user device) or portion of an object thereof has been placed on a particular region of the surface. In a further example, sensor  1358  may include an imaging sensor (e.g., a CCD camera) from which an image of a user device placed on a surface may be rendered. In a further example, sensor  1358  may include an array of line of sight optical detectors. A line of sight optical detector may include a substantially linearly arranged optical path between a light source and a detector, which may indicate when an opaque or translucent object has been placed in the linear optical path. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may include user interface  1360 . User interface  1360  may include a display screen of any suitable type such as, for example, an LCD, an LED, a plasma display, a CRT, an electrophoretic display, any other suitable type of display screen, or any combination thereof. User interface  1360  may include a touchscreen, touchpad, trackball, mouse, keyboard (e.g., hard button commands), speaker, microphone, camera, any other suitable components or features, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may, but need not, include I/O interface  1362 . For example, I/O interface  1362  may allow docking device  1350  to communicate with any type of device, component or network including an audio device, memory, user input device, personal communication device, computer, wired network, wireless network, any other suitable device or network, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, communicative coupling  1370  may be configured to allow communication between I/O interface  1332  of user device  1320  and I/O interface  1362  of docking device  1350 . 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1350  may be one or more separate devices suitably coupled via communicative couplings. For example, docking device  1350  may include a first device which may include processing equipment  1352  and I/O interface  1362 , and a second device which may include user interface  1360  and I/O interface  1362 . Any suitable combination of devices, components, and communicative couplings may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 14  shows illustrative docking arrangement  1400  including user device  1402  coupled to docking device  1452  via coupling  1452 , each configured to communicatively couple to other devices, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Docking device  1452  may include a surface upon which user device  1402 , user device  1404 , or both, may be placed. In some embodiments, coupling  1452  may include an inductive coupling such as, for example, user device  1402  being positioned on a surface of docking device  1452  configured to inductively charge user device  1402 . Coupling  1452  may include any suitable communicative coupling for transferring signals between user device  1402  and docking device  1452 . 
     In some embodiments, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to user device  1404  via coupling  1405 , docking device  1452  via coupling  1453 , network  1406  via coupling  1407 , external device  1408  via coupling  1409 , wireless network  1410  via coupling  1411 , audio device  1412  via coupling  1413 , memory  1414  via coupling  1415 , power supply  1416  via power coupling  1417 , any other suitable devices, components, or networks, or any combination thereof. 
     For example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to power supply  1416 , which may be a wall socket, via coupling  1417  which may be a bundled cable with a wall plug and AC-DC transformer. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to power supply  1416  which may be a power supply included in a computer via coupling  1417  which may be a USB cable with suitable 4-pin connectors. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to audio device  1412  which may be a table top speaker system via coupling  1413  which may be a 30-pin rigid connection. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to memory  1414  which may be a USB flash memory drive via coupling  1415  which may be a plug-in USB connection. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to external device  1408  which may be a computer via coupling  1409  which may include a cable and plug-in USB connectors. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to network  1406  which may be a local area network (LAN) via coupling  1407  which may include an ethernet cable and suitable 8P8C connectors. In a further example, user device  1402  may be configured to couple to wireless network  1410  which may be a wireless LAN via coupling  1411  which may allow signals to be transferred between a wireless transmitter and receiver. 
     In some embodiments, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to user device  1404  via coupling  1451 , user device  1402  via coupling  1453 , network  1456  via coupling  1457 , external device  1458  via coupling  1459 , wireless network  1460  via coupling  1461 , audio device  1462  via coupling  1463 , memory  1464  via coupling  1465 , power supply  1466  via power coupling  1467 , any other suitable devices, components, or networks, or any combination thereof. 
     For example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to power supply  1466  which may be a wall socket via coupling  1467  which may be a bundled cable with a wall plug and AC-DC transformer. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to power supply  1466  which may be a power supply included in a computer via coupling  1467  which may be a USB cable with suitable 4-pin connectors. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to audio device  1462  which may be one or more speakers via coupling  1463  which may include a cable and one or more tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) connectors. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to memory  1464  which may be a hard disk drive via coupling  1465  which may include a cable with one or more plug-in USB connectors. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to external device  1458  which may be a computer via coupling  1459  which may include a cable with one or more plug-in USB connectors. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to network  1456  which may be a wide area network (WAN) via coupling  1457  which may include an ethernet cable and suitable plug-in 8P8C connectors. In a further example, docking device  1452  may be configured to couple to wireless network  1460  which may be a WiFi network via coupling  1461  which may allow signals to be transferred between a wireless transmitter and receiver. 
     Although illustratively shown as separate devices in  FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, power supplies  1416  and  1466 , memory  1414  and  1464 , audio devices  1412  and  1462 , external devices  1408  and  1458  may be the same or different devices, respectively. For example, a user device may be coupled to both a docking device and an external device, which may be coupled to one another. In some embodiments, network  1406  and  1456  may be the same or different networks, and if different may be communicatively coupled with one another. In some embodiments, wireless network  1410  and  1460  may be the same or different networks, and if different, may be communicatively coupled with one another. 
     In some embodiments, user device  1404  may be coupled to any of the devices or networks shown in  FIG. 14 , any other suitable devices networks, or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, user device  1402  and user device  1404  may be coupled to docking device  1452  (e.g., placed on a surface configured to provide inductive charging), and may each be configured to communicate (e.g., via BLUETOOTH wireless protocol) with external device  1458  via suitable communicative couplings. Any suitable arrangement and couplings of user devices, docking devices, other devices, networks, or combinations thereof, may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     It will be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “horizontal” and “vertical,” “top” and “bottom” and “side,” “length” and “width” and “height” and “thickness,” “inner” and “outer,” “internal” and “external,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the components and elements of this disclosure may have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. 
     It will also be understood that the previously discussed embodiments and examples are only illustrative of aspects of the disclosed docking arrangements, and are not presented for purposes of limitation. It will be understood that various techniques for providing docking functions based on a physical orientation of a user device may be made available to the user and examples included herein are solely for convenience. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed user device physical orientations may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, and the disclosure is limited only by the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110325
Publication Date: 20140204
Grant Date: 20140204
Priority Date: 20110325
Inventors: FINO JORGE S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J50/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0013", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/80", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0013", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1694", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72454", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72454", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/80", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1694", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72412", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1614", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1614", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72412", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 46878286