Portable cell phone docking system
First Claim
1. A docking station for a cellular telephone, the docket station comprising:
- a support structure including a first surface on which is disposed a display device and a cradle;
a station power source;
charging means coupled to the station power source for charging the station power source;
a first connector assembly for coupling the station power source to an external source of electrical energy;
a second connector assembly coupled to the charging means for selectively coupling the charging means to the cellular telephone for charging the cellular telephone; and
a switch for selectively coupling the station power source to the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone is positioned in the docking station.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station for a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone. The docking station includes a cradle for the cellular phone and comprises an associated LCD that enhances the video display capabilities of the cellular telephone. When docked, the cellular telephone draws power from a voltage supply provided by the docking station. While the cellular telephone is docked, a charging circuit recharges the cellular telephone battery. The docking station may be disconnected from an AC outlet so that the docked cellular telephone retains both enhanced display capabilities, which prove to be highly desirable for applications such as Internet access, as well as its inherent portability. Even in the portable mode, where the docking station is disconnected from the AC outlet, the docking station recharges the cellular telephone battery.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A docking station for a cellular telephone, the docket station comprising:
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a support structure including a first surface on which is disposed a display device and a cradle;
a station power source;
charging means coupled to the station power source for charging the station power source;
a first connector assembly for coupling the station power source to an external source of electrical energy;
a second connector assembly coupled to the charging means for selectively coupling the charging means to the cellular telephone for charging the cellular telephone; and
a switch for selectively coupling the station power source to the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone is positioned in the docking station.
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2. A docking station for a wireless communication device, the docking station comprising:
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a docking housing having a planar first surface;
a display device mounted on the planar surface;
cradle means for supporting the wireless communication device, the cradle means disposed on the docking housing;
a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the wireless communication device;
an internal voltage source;
a charging circuit for charging a voltage source; and
a switch for selectively coupling the charging circuit to the internal voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
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18. In a docking station for a wireless communications device, an apparatus for selectively supplying power to the communications device, the apparatus comprising:
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a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the communications device, the connector having at least first and second terminals;
a switch having a pole, a first terminal, and a second terminal, the switch operable in response to status information indicating whether a communications device is docked at the docking station;
a charging circuit coupled to the pole of the switch;
a station power source coupled to the first terminal of the switch; and
means for determining whether a communication device is docked at the station and for providing status information as a result of the determination.
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22. A method of enhancing the capabilities of a wireless communications device for information acquisition applications, the method comprising the steps:
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mounting the wireless communications device on a docking station that comprises;
(a) a cradle for the wireless communications device, (b) a display device, (c) a connector for effecting an electrical interface to the wireless communication device, (d) a station power source, (e) a charging circuit, and (f) a switch operable in response to information indicating whether or not a wireless communications device is docked at the docking station;
coupling a video output from the wireless communications device to the display device;
causing the station power source to be coupled to the wireless communications device; and
causing, in response to information that the wireless communication device is docked a the station, the charging circuit to charge the wireless communications device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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24. An assembly for docking a wireless communication device (WCD) so as enhance the capabilities of the device, the assembly comprising:
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a housing having a receptacle for the WCD;
an enhanced display device;
an internal chargeable power source;
a charging circuit;
switch means, responsive to a predetermined status of the assembly, for selectively coupling the charging circuit to the internal chargeable power source;
detachable means for coupling the charging circuit to a source of electrical power;
a video interface circuit for coupling the video output of the WCD to the enhanced display device;
a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the WCD; and
a support for the housing.
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31. A method for using a wireless communication device, the method comprising:
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mounting the wireless communications device on a docking station that comprises;
(g) a cradle for the wireless communications device, (h) a display device, (i) a connector for effecting an electrical interface to the wireless communication device, (j) a station power source, (k) a charging circuit, and (l) a switch operable in response to information indicating whether or not a wireless communications device is docked at the docking station;
causing the station power source to be coupled to the wireless communications device; and
causing, in response to information that the wireless communication device is docked a the station, the charging circuit to charge the wireless communications device. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification