WO2023038640A1

WO2023038640A1 - Transfer locations for peripheral devices

Info

Publication number: WO2023038640A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/050049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chung-Chun Chen; Chih-Ming Huang; Ming-Shien Tsai
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2021-09-13
Filing date: 2021-09-13
Publication date: 2023-03-16

Abstract

In some examples, the disclosure describes a device to search for a remote device associated with a peripheral device, establish a first connection between the device and the peripheral device, establish a location of a user interface to be a transfer location, and disconnect the connection between the device and the peripheral device when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location of the user interface to allow the peripheral device to establish a second connection between the remote device and the peripheral device.

Description

TRANSFER LOCATIONS FOR PERIPHERAL DEVICES Background

[0001] Computing devices utilize wireless communication to communicate with other computing devices and/or peripheral devices (e.g., computing mouse, stylus, etc.). In some examples, the computing devices utilize WIFI, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), among other types of wireless communication, in some examples, a user may utilize a plurality of computing devices simultaneously. In this way, a first computing device could be used to perform a first type of task and the second computing device could be used to perform a second type of task.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system for transfer locations for peripheral devices

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a method for transfer locations for peripheral devices

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a device for transfer locations for peripheral devices.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a memory resource for transfer locations for peripheral devices.

[0006] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a device for transfer locations for peripheral devices.

[0007] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a pairing list for transfer locations for peripheral devices.

Detailed Description

[0008] A user may utilize a computing device for various purposes, such as for business and/or recreational use. As used herein, the term computing device refers to an electronic device having a processor and a memory resource. Examples of computing devices include, for instance, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, and/or a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, smart glasses, a wrist-worn device, etc.), among other types of computing devices.

[0009] In some examples, the computing device include a display device to display images generated by the computing device and/or to allow a user to interact with the computing device. In some examples, the display device is utilized to display a user interface that allows a user to interact with the computing device and/or instruct the computing device to perform particular functions. In some examples, the computing device is paired or connected to a peripheral device. As used herein, a peripheral device includes a device to provide inputs to the computing device, in some examples, the peripheral device is a wireless peripheral device. As used herein, a wireless device, such as a wireless peripheral device, includes a device that utilizes a wireless communication connection to send and receive data, in some examples, the peripheral devices includes a computing mouse or stylus that is utilized to make selections within a user interface of a computing device.

[0010] In some examples, the peripheral device is paired or connected to a single computing device. For example, a peripheral device utilizes a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth,, to connect with a first computing device. In this example, the peripheral device may not be able to connect with a second computing device while connected to the first computing device. In this way, a user that is utilizing the first computing device and the second computing device simultaneously may not be able to utilize a peripheral device with both computing devices.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to transfer locations for a user interface. As used herein, a transfer location is a location on a user interface that is utilized to disconnect a peripheral device from a first computing device to allow a second computing device to connect to the peripheral device. For example, a first computing device includes a user interface that is displayed on a display device associated with the first computing device. In this example, a peripheral device is utilized to move a first cursor associated with the first computing device to a transfer location on the user interface and the peripheral device is disconnected from the first computing device and connected to a second computing device. In this example, the peripheral device is utilized to move a second cursor associated with the second computing device to provide inputs for a second user interface displayed on a display device of the second computing device. By utilizing transfer locations on each computing device, the same peripheral device is capable of providing inputs and making selections for both computing devices.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 for transfer locations for peripheral devices. In some examples, the system 100 includes a first computing device 102-1 and a second computing device 102-2. As illustrated by the system 100, the first computing device 102-1 is separate and distinct from the second computing device 102-2. In some examples, the system 100 includes a peripheral device 148. Although the system 100 illustrates the peripheral device 148 as a computing mouse, the disclosure is not so limited. Other types cf peripheral devices can be utilized with the system 100.

[0013] In some examples, the first computing device 102-1 is utilized to display a first virtual desktop 152-1 and the second computing device 102-2 is utilized to display a second virtual desktop 152-2. As used herein, a virtual desktop includes a user interface that allows a user to interact with a corresponding computing device. For example, a virtual desktop may be utilized to make selections or provide inputs to a corresponding computing device. As described herein, the first computing device 102-1 is capable of establishing a connection with the peripheral device 148. In some examples, the peripheral device 148 provides a pairing list to the first computing device 102-1. In these examples, the first computing device 102-1 utilizes a communication device to determine that the second computing device 102- 2 has previously been paired or connected to the peripheral device 148. As described further herein, a pairing list can include a list of devices that have been previously paired or connected to the peripheral device. In these examples, the first computing device 102-1 determines when the second computing device 102-2 is within a proximity threshold or threshold distance from the first computing device 102-1. In some examples, the proximity threshold is utilized to indicate that the first computing device 102-1 and the second computing device 102-2 are being utilized simultaneously or by a single user.

[0014] In some examples, the first computing device 102-1 establishes a first transfer location 154-1 when the second computing device 102-2 is on the paring list and within the proximity threshold. In a similar way, the second computing device 104-2 establishes a second transfer location 154-2 when the first computing device 102-1 is within the proximity threshold of the second computing device 102-2. In some examples, the peripheral device 158 is connected to the first computing device 102-1 and controls or moves a first cursor on the first virtual desktop 152-1 from a first location 156-1 to a second location 156-2 that is within the first transfer location 154-1 along arrow 160. As described herein, the cursor being positioned within the first transfer location 154-1 initiates the peripheral device 158 to be disconnected from the first computing device 102-1 when the second computing device 102-2 is within a proximity threshold of the first computing device 102-2.

[0015] In some examples, the second computing device 102-2 is notified by the first computing device 102-1 that the peripheral device 158 was disconnected. In other examples, the second computing device 102-2 is notified by the peripheral device 158 that the first computing device 102-1 disconnected the peripheral device 158. In some examples, the second computing device 102-2 pairs or connects to the peripheral device 158 in response to the first computing device 102-1 disconnecting from the peripheral device 158.

[0016] When the second computing device 102-2 connects or pairs with the peripheral device 158, the peripheral device 158 moves the cursor from a third location 156-3 within the second transfer location 154-2 to a fourth location 156-4 that is outside the second transfer location 154-2. In this way, the peripheral device 158 is able to move the cursor between the third location 156-3 and the fourth location 156-4 along arrow 162.

[0017] As described herein, the first transfer location 154-1 can be proximate to the second transfer location 154-2. For example, the first transfer location 154-1 is positioned on a right edge of the first virtual desktop 152-1 while the second transfer location 154-2 is positioned on a left edge of the second virtual desktop 152-2. In this way, the peripheral device 158 is able to move from the first computing device 102-1 toward the second computing device 102-2 to the first transfer location 154-1. In a similar way, the peripheral device 158 is able to move from the second computing device 102-2 toward the first computing device 102-1 to the second transfer location 154-2.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a method 270 for transfer locations for peripheral devices. In some examples, the method 270 can be instructions that are executed by a system 100 as referenced in Figure 1 and/or a computing device such as device 302 as referenced in Figure 3. In some examples, the method 270 is utilized to allow a single peripheral device to be utilized to control functions of a plurality of different computing devices. In some examples, the method 270 illustrates how a single peripheral device utilizes transfer locations to connect and disconnect to different computing devices based on the transfer location.

[0019] In some examples, the method 270 includes a process 272 that includes determining when a user connects the wireless mouse and having a daemon or set of instructions on the computing device to request that a wireless mouse to provide the pairing record. As described herein, a paring record or pairing list includes a list of a plurality of computing devices that have paired or been connected to the peripheral device. In some examples, the paring record includes a MAC address, device name, and/or other device information related to the plurality of devices that have paired or have been connected to the peripheral device.

[0020] In some examples, the method 270 includes a process 274 that includes determining when a user moves the mouse and if the cursor is at the edge of the computing device screen, the daemon will trigger the wireless device on the computing device to scan if there is any computing device wireless device name or MAC address from the pairing record. As described herein, the peripheral device can be connected to the computing device and a transfer location is the edge of the computing device screen (e g., display device, edge of a user interface, edge of a virtual desktop display, etc.). In some examples, the wireless communication device of the computing device sends a signal to scan for devices within a proximity of the computing device. The computing device identifies devices within the particular area of the computing device to determine if the devices are listed in the pairing record. [0021] In some examples, the method 270 includes a process 276 that includes determining if there is only one match record, the daemon on the computing device will ask the wireless mouse to connect to the “match” computing device and then disconnect the connection with the wireless mouse. In some examples, the computing device determines that the match computing device that was listed on the pairing record is within a threshold distance and instruct the peripheral device to connect to or pair with the match computing device when the cursor interacts with the transfer location of the user interface. When the instruction is sent to the peripheral device to pair with the match computing device, the connection between the computing device and the peripheral device is disconnected to allow the peripheral device to have a single connection with the match computing device.

[0022] In some examples, the method 270 includes a process 278 that includes determining if there is more than one match computing device, the daemon will popup the message with the list to let user to choose which computing device the user wants to connect the wireless mouse. In some examples, a plurality of computing devices that have previously connected with the peripheral device are identified by the computing device. In some examples, a list is displayed to a user and a particular computing device of the plurality of match computing devices are selected. In these examples, the selected match computing device is connected with the peripheral device.

[0023] In other examples, each of the plurality of match computing devices have a corresponding transfer location. For example, a first match computing device can be positioned on a left side of the computing device and a first transfer location corresponding to the first match computing device can be positioned on the left edge of the user interface. In this example, a second match computing device can be positioned on a right side of the computing and a second transfer location corresponding to the second match computing device can be positioned on a right edge of the user interface. In this example, the selection of the first match computing device can be made by interacting with the left edge of the user interface and the selection of the second match computing device can be made by interacting with the right edge of the user interface.

[0024] In some examples, the method 270 includes a process 280 that includes determining if no computing devices match the record, the daemon will do nothing and wait for the next trigger. In these examples, the computing device may not detect any match computing devices within a threshold proximity of the computing device. In other examples, the computing device may not detect a computing device that has a MAC address or device name that matches a corresponding device on the pairing record. In this way, the peripheral device will remain connected to the computing device when other computing devices do not match the computing devices of the pairing record of the peripheral device.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a device 302 for transfer locations for peripheral devices. In some examples, the device 302 is a computing device that includes a communication device 316. As used herein, a communication device 316 includes a device that is capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals through a communication path. For example, the communication device 316 may include an antenna that is coupled to a transmitter to send wireless signals to a different device and/or receive wireless signals from a different device. In this way, the communication device 316 is utilized to communicate with other devices such as, but not limited to: computing devices, peripheral devices, routers, access points, and/or devices with a corresponding communication device,

[0026] In some examples, the device 302 is a computing device that includes a display device to display images and/or allow a user to interact with the device 302. In some examples, the display device displays a user interface associated with the device 302 to allow a user to provide inputs to the device 302 and instruct the device 302 to perform particular functions. In some examples, the display device is utilized to display a cursor that is utilized to make selections at different locations of the user interface. In some examples, a peripheral device (e.g., computing mouse, stylus, etc.) is utilized to move the cursor and/or make selections on the user interface with the cursor.

[0027] The device 302 includes instructions 308 that are executed by the processor 304 to search for a remote device. In some examples, the instructions 308 are executed by the processor 304 to search for a remote device within a surrounding area of the device 302 via the communication device 316. In these examples, the remote device was associated with a peripheral device. In some examples, the device 302 receives a pairing list or connection list from a peripheral device that indicates a plurality of remote devices that have previously paired with the peripheral device. In some examples, the pairing list includes device information (e.g., a MAC address, device name, etc.) for devices that have been paired or connected to the peripheral device.

[0028] In some examples, the device 302 sends a request signal using the communication device 316 to determine remote devices that are within the surrounding area of the device 302. In these examples, the device 302 determines other devices within the surrounding area based on the request signal. In these examples, the device 302 determines when devices within the surrounding area are included on the pairing list. That is, the device 302 can determine devices within the surrounding area of the device that have previously paired or connected to a particular peripheral device.

[0029] In some examples, the surrounding area is a threshold area or threshold distance from the device 302. For example, the surrounding area can be an area within a threshold distance of the device 302 indicate other computing devices that may be currently utilized by a user of the device 302 that have also been paired or connected to the peripheral device. In this way, a remote computing device that has been previously connected to the peripheral device and within a threshold distance can indicate that the remote computing device is being utilized simultaneously with the device 302. Thus, it may be determined that the peripheral device is to be utilized simultaneously with the device 302 and the remote computing device when the remote computing device is within a threshold distance of the device 302.

[0030] In some examples, the device 302 includes instructions 310 that are executed by the processor 304 to establish a first connection. In some examples, the instructions 310 are executed by the processor 304 to establish a first connection between the device 302 and the peripheral device. As used herein, establishing a connection (e.g., first connection, etc.) includes performing a pairing operation. In some examples, the pairing operation includes a “handshake” or other type of authentication operation to establish a communication path between electronic devices. In some examples, the first connection is a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth connection, near field communication (NFC) connection, or other type of wireless connection to allow the peripheral device to communicate with the device 302. In this way, the peripheral device is paired with the device 302 such that the peripheral device provides inputs to the device 302.

[0031] In some examples, the peripheral device alters a position of a cursor on a user interface displayed on a display device associated with the device 302. For example, the device 302 can be a laptop computing device that include a display to display a first user interface associated with the device 302. In this example, the peripheral device is a computing mouse that moves a cursor to a plurality of locations within the first user interface of the device 302. As described herein, the connection between the peripheral device and the device 302 can prevent the peripheral device from connecting to other computing devices such as the remote device. For example, the wireless connection can be a Bluetooth connection that allows for a single device to connect to a single device. In this way, the peripheral device is prevented from connecting to the device 302 and the remote device simultaneously.

[0032] In some examples, the device 302 includes instructions 312 that are executed by the processor 304 to establish a location of a user interface to be a transfer location. In some examples, the instructions 312 are executed by the processor 304 to establish a location of a user interface to be a transfer location when the remote device is located within the surrounding area of the device 302. As described herein, the device 302 determines that the remote device is within the surrounding area of the device 302 when the remote device is within a threshold distance from the device 302. In some examples, the communication device 316 is utilized to determine the distance between the device 302 and the remote device. For example, a time of flight determination can be made based on the transfer of communication between the device 302 and the remote device. Other techniques for determining a distance between the device 302 and the remote device can also be utilized.

[0033] In some examples, the device 302 removes the transfer location from the user interface in response to a determination that the remote device is outside the surrounding area of the device. In some examples, the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location and the device 302 determines if the remote device is still within the threshold distance of the device 302 before disconnecting from the peripheral device. If the remote device is no longer within the threshold distance of the device 302, the device removes the transfer location from the user interface to prevent the peripheral device from disconnecting from the device 302 when the remote device is not within the surrounding area of the device 302.

[0034] As described herein, the remote device can be a device that was previously paired or connected to the peripheral device. In some examples, the device 302 establishes a location of the user interface to utilize as a transfer location. As used herein, a transfer location is a location on a user interface or edge of a user interface that initiates a transfer of a peripheral device from a first device (e.g., device 302, etc.) to a second device (e.g., remote device, etc.). In some examples, the transfer location is positioned on an edge of the display device and/or an edge of a user interface displayed on the display device. In some examples, the transfer location is positioned on an edge of the display device that is proximate to the remote device. For example, the display device of the device 302 is positioned on a left side of a display device of the remote device. In this example, the right edge of the display device of the device is proximate to the display device of the remote device.

[0035] In some examples, the peripheral device moves a cursor associated with the device 302 to the transfer location of the user interface displayed on the display device. In this example, the cursor being positioned at or within the transfer location is an indication that the peripheral device is to be utilized with the remote device. For example, the peripheral device is utilized to move the cursor to the transfer location in a direction toward the display device of the remote device to indicate that the peripheral device is to be utilized with the remote device and not with the device 302.

[0036] In some examples, the device 302 includes instructions 314 that are executed by the processor 304 to disconnect the connection between the device and the peripheral device when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location. In some examples, the instructions 314 are executed by the processor 304 to disconnect the first connection to allow the peripheral device to establish a second connection between the remote device and the peripheral device. In some examples, this can be performed in response to the peripheral device interacting with the transfer location. As described herein, the cursor associated with the first user interface of the device 302 interacting with the transfer location is an indication that the peripheral device is to be disconnected from the device 302 such that the peripheral device can be connected or paired with the remote device to control a cursor associated with a second user interface of the remote device.

[0037] In some examples, the device 302 sends a notification to the remote device that the peripheral device has been disconnected from the device 302 and that the remote device is to pair with the peripheral device. In this way, the peripheral device is utilized with the device 302 and the remote device when the device 302 and the remote device are utilized simultaneously. In some examples, a transfer area is established within the user interface of the remote device. In these examples, the peripheral device is able to move the cursor to the transfer location and the remote device disconnects from the peripheral device and allows the device 302 to reconnect with the peripheral device.

[0038] In this way, the peripheral device can be utilized to control a first cursor associated with the device 302 until the first cursor is positioned at or within a first transfer area. In this example, the device 302 disconnects with the peripheral device such that the peripheral device is connected to the remote device to control a second cursor associated with the remote device. Again, the peripheral device can move the second cursor to a second transfer area of the remote device to transfer back to controlling the first cursor. This provides a more seamless transition for a single peripheral device between separate computing devices.

[0039] In some examples, the device 302 includes a processor 304 communicatively coupled to a memory resource 306. As described further herein, the memory resource 306 includes instructions 308, 310, 312, 314 that are executed by the processor 304 to perform particular functions.

[0040] The device 302 includes components such as a processor 304. As used herein, the processor 304 includes, but is not limited to: a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a metal-programmable cell array (MPCA), a semiconductorbased microprocessor, or other combination of circuitry and/or logic to orchestrate execution of instructions 308, 310, 312, 314. In other examples, the computing device 302 includes instructions 308, 310, 312, 314, stored on a machine-readable medium (e.g., memory resource 306, non-transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) and executable by a processor 304. In a specific example, the device 302 utilizes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions 308, 310, 312, 314, that, when executed, cause the processor 304 to perform corresponding functions.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a memory resource 406 for transfer locations for peripheral devices, in some examples, the memory resource 406 is part of a computing device or controller that can be communicatively coupled to a computing system. For example, the memory resource 406 is part of a device 302 as referenced in Figure 1. In some examples, the memory resource 406 is communicatively coupled to a processor 404 that executes instructions 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, stored on the memory resource 406. For example, the memory resource 406 is communicatively coupled to the processor 404 through a communication path 414. In some examples, a communication path 414 includes a wired or wireless connection that allows communication between devices and/or components within a single device.

[0042] The memory resource 406 may be electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, a non- transitory machine-readable medium (MRM) (e.g., a memory resource 406) may be, for example, a non-transitory MRM comprising Random-Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an Electrically-Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disc, and the like. The non-transitory machine-readable medium (e.g., a memory resource 406) may be disposed within a controller and/or computing device. In this example, the executable instructions 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, can be “installed” on the device. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the non- transitory machine-readable medium (e.g., a memory resource 406) can be a portable, external or remote storage medium, for example, that allows a computing system to download the instructions 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, from the portable/external/remote storage medium. In this situation, the executable instructions may be part of an “installation package”. As described herein, the non- transitory machine-readable medium (e.g., a memory resource 406) can be encoded with executable instructions for establishing transfer locations.

[0043] In some examples, the memory resource 406 includes instructions 422 to identify a plurality of devices. In some examples, the instructions 422 identify a plurality of devices that had paired with a peripheral device. As described herein, a paring list is utilized to determine a plurality of devices that have previously paired or connected to a peripheral device. In some examples, the list of plurality of devices are utilized to determine if any of the plurality of devices are within a threshold distance of the computing device. In some examples, a portion of the plurality of devices are identified within a threshold distance of the computing device.

[0044] In some examples, the memory resource 406 includes instructions 424 to determine when a device from the plurality of devices is within a proximity threshold. In some examples, the instructions 424 determine when a device from the plurality of devices is within a proximity threshold relative to a physical location of the computing device. As described herein, the computing device utilizes a communication device to determine a distance between the computing device based on a time of flight determination and/or other types of distance calculations. In some examples, the proximity threshold is a distance from the computing device such that the computing device and a remote device are able to be utilized simultaneously.

[0045] In some examples, the memory resource 406 includes instructions 426 to establish a transfer location on a user interface. In some examples, the instructions 426 establish a transfer location on a user interface when the device is within the proximity threshold. When the device is within the proximity threshold or within a threshold distance from the computing device, a transfer location is established on the user interface of the computing device. As described herein, the transfer location is a location or portion of the user interface to indicate that the connection of the peripheral device is to be transferred to a different device. For example, the transfer location on the user interface of the computing device indicates the connection of the peripheral device is to be transferred to the device within the proximity threshold. Conversely, the transfer location on the user interface of the device indicates the connection of the peripheral device is to be transferred to the computing device. In this way, the peripheral device is transferred between the computing device and the device within the proximity threshold by interacting with corresponding transfer locations.

[0046] In some examples, the memory resource 406 includes instructions 428 to determine when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location. In some examples, the instructions 428 determine when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location based on an interaction between the peripheral device and the user interface. As described herein, the peripheral device is capable of moving a cursor or make a selection on or within the transfer location. For example, the peripheral device can move a mouse cursor to the transfer location such that the cursor makes contact with the transfer location. In this example, the instructions 428 can determine that the peripheral device is interacting with the transfer location when the cursor makes contact with the transfer location.

[0047] In another example, the display device of the computing device is a touchscreen device. In this example, the peripheral device can be a stylus and the stylus interacts with the transfer location when the peripheral device makes a selection at the transfer location. Other examples of making a selection or performing an operation at the transfer location of the user interface can be determined as an interaction with the transfer location.

[0048] In some examples, the memory resource 406 includes instructions 430 to unpair the peripheral device. In some examples, the instructions 430 unpair the peripheral device to allow the device to pair with the peripheral device. In some examples, the computing device disconnects or unpairs with the peripheral device when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location. When the peripheral device is disconnected from the computing device, the device within the proximity threshold connects or pairs with the peripheral device to allow the peripheral device to interact with the user interface of the device. In this way, the peripheral device is utilized with the computing device and the device within the proximity threshold without having to manually connect and disconnect the peripheral device when switching between the computing device and the device.

[0049] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a device 548 for transfer locations. In some examples the device 548 is a peripheral device that includes a controller 534. The controller 534 is a device that includes a processor communicatively coupled to a memory resource. In other examples, the controller 534 is a device that includes hardware, such as an ASIC to perform particular functions 536, 538, 540, 542, 544. In some examples, the controller 534 performs the functions for the controller 534 through a communication path. In some examples, the controller 534 is a device within the enclosure of the peripheral device.

[0050] In some examples, the device 548 includes a controller 534 that includes functions 536 to connect with a first computing device. In some examples, the controller 534 connects with a first computing device via the communication device 516. In some examples, the controller 534 performs a pairing operation with the first computing device. As described herein, the pairing operation allows the device 548 to communicate with the first computing device through a wireless communication path. In some examples, the communication device 516 is a Bluetooth device, NFC device, or other type of communication device that allows the device 548 to provide communication signals to a computing device.

[0051] In some examples, the device 548 includes a controller 534 that includes functions 538 to control a first cursor associated with a first user interface of the first computing device. In some examples, the peripheral device is a computing mouse or other peripheral device that can move the first cursor of a first user interface. For example, the first cursor of the first user interface is utilized to make selections within the boundaries of the first user interface. In some examples, the first cursor is controlled (e.g., moved, used to make a selection, etc.) by the device 548 when the device 548 is connected to the first computing device using the communication device 516.

[0052] In some examples, the device 548 includes a controller 534 that includes functions 540 to disconnect with the first computing device. In some examples, the controller 534 disconnects with the first computing device in response to the first cursor being positioned on an edge of a virtual desktop of the first computing device. In some examples, the virtual desktop refers to the boundaries of a first user interface displayed on a display device of the first computing device. In this way, the virtual desktop is a visual representation of a work area of the first user interface. As described herein, the transfer area of the user interface can be an edge of the user interface. Thus, in this example, the first cursor can be positioned at the transfer area when the first cursor is positioned at an edge of the virtual desktop of the first computing device.

[0053] In some examples, the device 548 includes a controller 534 that includes functions 542 to connect with a second computing device. In some examples, the controller 534 can connect with a second computing device subsequent to disconnecting with the first computing device. In this way, the device 548 disconnects from the first computing device before attempting to connect to the second computing device. In some examples, this can occur when the device 548 is utilizing a wireless connection that only allows the device 548 to connect to one computing device at a time. As described herein, the second computing device is a separate and distinct computing device from the first computing device. For example, the first computing device can be a first laptop device with a first display device and first keyboard while the second computing device can be a second laptop device with a second display device and a second keyboard. In this way, the device 548 disconnects from the first computing device such that the device 548 connects to the second computing device in response to the first cursor being positioned at the edge of the virtual desktop or transfer are of the first user interface.

[0054] In some examples, the device 548 receives connection information associated with the second computing device from the first computing device. For example, the device 548 is connected or paired with the first computing device and receive connection information from the first computing device. In this example, the connection information is information related to connecting or pairing with the second computing device. In some examples, the connection information is received when the device 548 interacts with a transfer location associated with the second computing device. For example, the device 548 interacts with a transfer location to transfer the connection from the first computing device to the second computing device. In this example, the first computing device provides the connection information associated with the second computing device in response to the device 348 interacting with the transfer location.

[0055] In some examples, the device 548 includes a controller 534 that includes functions 544 to control a second cursor associated with the second user interface of the second computing device. As described herein, the device 548 controls functions of the second user interface of the second computing device when the device 548 is paired or connected with the second computing device using the communication device 516. In these examples, the device 548 controls a second cursor or other elements of the second user interface of the second computing device. In some examples, the first cursor is separate and distinct from the second cursor. For example, the first cursor may still be displayed on the first display device of the first computing device while the second cursor is being controlled by the device 548 within the second user interface displayed on the second display device of the second computing device.

[0056] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a pairing list 690 for transfer locations for peripheral devices. In some examples, the pairing list 690 is a list that includes a plurality of devices that have been previously paired or connected with a particular peripheral device. In some examples, the pairing list 690 can include a first item 692 and a second item 694 that can represent individual devices that have been previously connected to a particular peripheral device. For example, the first item 692 can represent a first device that was paired with the peripheral device and the second item 694 can represent a second device was paired with the peripheral device.

[0057] In some examples, the first item 692 and the second item 694 can include identification data associated with the corresponding devices. For example, the first item 692 can include a device name, a MAC address, and/or other device information associated with a first device. In this example, the second item 694 can include a device name, a MAC address, and/or other device information associated with a second device.

[0058] In some examples, the pairing list 690 is utilized by a computing device to determine when a different device that has previously connected to the peripheral device is in the area of the computing device. For example, the computing device can scan the area utilizing a communication device such as a Bluetooth device or near field communication (NFC) device to identify device information for devices within the area of the computing device. In these examples, the device information for devices within the area can be compared to the pairing list to determine if the devices within the area have been paired with a particular peripheral device. [0059] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” refers to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0060] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 102 may refer to element 102 in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 302 in Figure 3. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0061] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", “coupled to”, or "coupled with” another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

[0062] The above specification, examples, and data provide a description of the system and methods of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device, comprising: a communication device; and a processor to: search for a remote device within a surrounding area of the device via the communication device, wherein the remote device was associated with a peripheral device; establish a first connection between the device and the peripheral device; establish a location of a user interface to be a transfer location when the remote device is located within the surrounding area of the device; and in response to the peripheral device interacting with the transfer location, disconnect the first connection to allow the peripheral device to establish a second connection between the remote device and the peripheral device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to remove the transfer location from the user interface in response to a determination that the remote device is outside the surrounding area of the device.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first connection between the device and the peripheral device allows the peripheral device to interact with the user interface of the device.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second connection between the remote device and the peripheral device allows the peripheral device to interact with a user interface of the remote device.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to request a pairing record from the peripheral device to identify the remote device associated with the peripheral device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the pairing record includes a MAC address and device name of the remote device.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is to scan the surrounding area of the device via the communication device to determine when the remote device is within a threshold distance of the device.

8. A non-transitory memory resource storing machine-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a processor of a computing device to: identify a plurality of devices that had paired with a peripheral device; determine when a device from the plurality of devices is within a proximity threshold relative to a physical location of the computing device; establish a transfer location on a user interface when the device is within the proximity threshold; determine when the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location based on an interaction between the peripheral device and the user interface; and unpair the peripheral device to allow the device to pair with the peripheral device.

9. The memory resource of claim 8, wherein the transfer location is an edge of a user interface displayed on a display device.

10. The memory resource of claim 8, wherein when the instructions are executed further cause the processor to determine when the peripheral device is unpaired from the computing device and perform a pairing operation with the peripheral device.

11. The memory resource of claim 8, wherein the peripheral device interacts with the transfer location when the peripheral device moves a cursor of the user interface to the transfer location.

12. A device, comprising: a communication device; and a controller to: connect with a first computing device via the communication device; control a first cursor associated with a first user interface of the first computing device; in response to the first cursor being positioned on an edge of a virtual desktop of the first computing device, disconnect with the first computing device; connect with a second computing device subsequent to disconnecting with the first computing device; and control a second cursor associated with the second user interface of the second computing device.

13. The device of ciaim 12, wherein the controller is to connect with the first computing device in response to disconnecting with the second computing device.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the controller is to provide a pairing list to the first computing device and the second computing device.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the controller is to receive connection information associated with the second computing device from the first computing device.