Versatile docking station for portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. A docking station comprising:
- a cradle interface capable of coupling the docking station to a cradle of a plurality of cradles, each cradle of the plurality of cradles capable of receiving at least one portable device at a time and electrically coupling the received portable device to the docking station through the cradle interface; and
a device recognizer configured to recognize type of portable device connected to the docking station through the cradle interface, and provide a signal corresponding to the determined type of portable device;
wherein the docking station varies configuration of the docking station in response to changes in the signal corresponding to the determined type of portable device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station provides supporting functions for multiple portable devices, such as music players, satellite radio receivers, games, and video players. The supporting functions may include providing power, audio amplifier, speakers, and video screen. To couple to a variety of portable devices, the docking station uses various adaptive cradles. In a typical configuration, a portable device is plugged into a cradle, which in turn is plugged into the docking station. The docking station recognizes the type of portable device plugged into the station, and adjust the power supply voltage to power the device through a connector. The docking station may further configure itself to accommodate the requirements of the portable device. Such configuring may include varying input impedance of the docking station'"'"'s internal audio amplifier to match the portable device. In this way, the station can be used with a variety of portable devices, including devices from different manufacturers.
152 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A docking station comprising:
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a cradle interface capable of coupling the docking station to a cradle of a plurality of cradles, each cradle of the plurality of cradles capable of receiving at least one portable device at a time and electrically coupling the received portable device to the docking station through the cradle interface; and
a device recognizer configured to recognize type of portable device connected to the docking station through the cradle interface, and provide a signal corresponding to the determined type of portable device;
wherein the docking station varies configuration of the docking station in response to changes in the signal corresponding to the determined type of portable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a docking station for portable devices, the method comprising:
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receiving a first portable device in the docking station through a first adaptive cradle;
determining type of the first portable device; and
configuring the docking station responsive to the type of the first portable device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A docking station comprising:
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a cradle interface capable of coupling the docking station to a first adaptive cradle and a second adaptive cradle, wherein the first adaptive cradle is configured to receive a first portable device of a first type, and electrically couple the first portable device to the docking station, and wherein the second adaptive cradle is configured to receive a second portable device of a second type, and electrically couple the second portable device to the docking station; and
means for enhancing functionality of the first portable device when the first portable device is coupled to the docking station via the first adaptive cradle, and for enhancing functionality of the second portable device when the second portable device is coupled to the docking station via the second adaptive cradle.
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Specification