Motion sensing cable

Abstract

An intelligent motion sensing cable is disclosed, where a motion sensor that is included in the cable can detect cable motion. The cable can then use this detected motion to intelligently control a charge signal delivered by the cable to a connected electronic device and/or generate data indicative of customer interactions with a connected electronic device.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cable having a first end and a second, wherein the cable comprises:
 a conductor; 
 a first connector at the first end, wherein the first connector is in circuit with the conductor, wherein the first connector is connectable with an electronic device; 
 a second connector at the second end, wherein the first connector is in circuit with the conductor, wherein the second connector is connectable with a power source; 
 a motion sensor; and 
 a circuit; 
   wherein the first connector, the second connector, and the conductor are responsive to a connection of the first connector with the electronic device and a connection of the second connector with the power source to provide a conductive path for delivery of an output current to the electronic device;   wherein the motion sensor is configured to detect motion of the cable and generate a motion signal indicative of detected motion; and   wherein the circuit is configured to control the output current based on the motion signal.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit is further configured to reduce the output current in response to the motion signal. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of claim l wherein the circuit includes a timer circuit, the timer circuit configured to increase the output current in response to expiration of a defined time window. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit includes a switch, the switch configured to open in response to the motion signal to thereby eliminate the output current. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit includes a processor, the processor configured to (1) process the motion signal, and (2) control the output current based on the processed motion signal. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit transitions between a plurality of states to selectively control the output current based on the motion signal and a plurality of threshold conditions. 
     
     
         10 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cable further comprises:
 a third connector that is connectable with the electronic device; and 
 a lanyard that connects the third connector with the circuit. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cable further comprises:
 a tamper switch; 
 wherein circuit is further configured to generate an alarm signal in response to the tamper switch being open; and 
 wherein the tamper switch is configured to be opened in response to a break in the lanyard. 
 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit is further configured to control the output current based on the motion signal and at least one time condition. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is an electronic stylus, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the electronic stylus, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the electronic stylus. 
     
     
         19 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conductor comprises a flexible conductor having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, wherein the first connector is located at the first longitudinal end of the conductor. and wherein the second connector is located at the second longitudinal end of the conductor. 
     
     
         27 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A system comprising:
 a hub that is connectable to a power source;   a flexible conductive cable that is connectable to the hub, the flexible conductive cable having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, wherein the flexible conductive cable comprises:
 a first connector located at the first longitudinal end, wherein the first connector is connectable to an electronic device; 
 a second connector located at the second longitudinal end, wherein the second connector is connectable to a power source; 
 a motion sensor; and 
 a circuit configured to (1) control an output current at the first connector based on a motion signal from the motion sensor, and (2) communicate with the hub. 
   
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 for a cable connected to a power source and an electronic device:
 charging the electronic device with a charging signal from the cable; 
 detecting motion of the cable; and 
 in response to the detected motion, reducing the charging signal. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising:
 increasing the charging signal in response to expiration of a defined time period after the detected motion. 
 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the reducing step comprises eliminating the charging signal, and wherein the increasing step comprises re-starting the charging signal. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the reducing step comprises eliminating the charging signal. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising transitioning between a plurality of states to selectively perform the charging and reducing steps based on the detected motion and a plurality of threshold conditions, wherein the states include an idle state, a charge state, a lift state, and a wait state. 
     
     
         37 - 85 . (canceled)