FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to a wireless (e.g., inductive) charging apparatus capable of receiving/charging two or more computing devices. More particularly, the described embodiments involve enabling related computing devices to display complementary notifications in a coordinated manner as they are placed onto and removed from the wireless charging apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Recent years have shown a proliferation in the average number and types of computing devices that are owned by individuals. For example, it is common for an individual to own a laptop device, a tablet device, a smartphone device, a wearable device (e.g., fitness tracker), a pair of headphones, and so on. Notably, owning these devices can deliver a rich user experience as each device can provide specialized functionality to meet a given user's needs throughout the day. However, owning these devices can also present the ongoing challenge of effectively managing the charge levels of the batteries included in these devices so they can be readily utilized when needed. For example, charging multiple devices typically involves a mass of cables that consumes space and is difficult to manage. Moreover, many of the aforementioned devices lack the capability to display their battery statuses in a user-friendly manner. For example, battery statuses for wearable devices typically are presented via small displays or LEDs that can be difficult for users to interpret. As a result, users often fail to properly maintain the battery levels of their devices, which leads to frustrating scenarios where a device is needed but cannot power-on or function for a desirable amount of time.

SUMMARY

To cure the foregoing deficiencies, the representative embodiments set forth herein disclose various techniques for enabling related computing devices to display complementary notifications in a coordinated manner as they are placed onto and removed from a wireless charging apparatus.

According to some embodiments, a wireless charging apparatus can be configured to implement a method for carrying out the techniques described herein. In particular, the method can include the steps of (1) receiving, from a first computing device communicably coupled to the wireless charging apparatus, first information that includes (i) a first unique identifier (ID) associated with the first computing device, and (ii) one or more unique IDs that are each associated with a respective auxiliary computing device known to the first computing device, (2) receiving, from a second computing device communicably coupled to the wireless charging apparatus, second information that at least includes a second unique ID associated with the second computing device, and (3) in response to determining that the second unique ID is included in the one or more unique IDs: causing both the first and second computing devices to display respective notifications in a coordinated manner.

According to some embodiments, a computing device can also be configured to implement a method for carrying out the techniques described herein. In particular, the method can include the steps of (1) providing, in response to establishing a communication channel with a wireless charging apparatus, (i) a first unique ID associated with the computing device, and (ii) one or more unique IDs that are each associated with a respective auxiliary computing device known to the computing device, (2) receiving, from the wireless charging apparatus, a notification that a second computing device among the respective auxiliary computing devices is communicatively coupled to the wireless charging apparatus, wherein the notification includes a second battery status associated with the second computing device, (3) indicating, to the wireless charging apparatus, a time delay by which a second indication of the second battery status is to be displayed by the second computing device, and (4) displaying the second indication of the second battery status in accordance with the time delay.

Additionally, and according to some embodiments, a first computing device can be configured to participate in coordinated notifications (with other computing devices) in association with being placed onto and removed from a wireless charging apparatus. In particular, the first computing device can be configured to carry out steps that include (1) detecting a placement of the first computing device on the wireless charging apparatus. According to some embodiments, the first computing device can be configured to output a first indication of a first battery status of the first computing device in response to being placed on the wireless charging apparatus. Additionally, the steps can include (2) receiving a notification that a second computing device is placed on the wireless charging apparatus, (3) in response to identifying that the second computing device is known to the first computing device: receiving a second battery status associated with the second computing device, (4) indicating, to the second computing device, when a second indication of the second battery status is to be output by the second computing device, and (5) outputting the second indication of the second battery status. According to some embodiments, the second battery status can be output by both the first computing device and the second computing device in a coordinated manner. According to some embodiments, the first computing device and the second computing device communicate with one another over a cellular connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection, or a WiFi connection.

Other embodiments include a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out the various steps of any of the foregoing methods. Further embodiments include a computing device that is configured to carry out the various steps of any of the foregoing methods.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

