VEHICLE RECESS INTEGRATED DOCKING STATION

• US 20070230099A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 2POINT5, LLC
• Original Assignee: James Lively, Matthew Turner
• Inventors: Turner, Matthew, Lively, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,002 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.550
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation

Abstract

An apparatus that can secure an electronic device into a vehicle recess is described. The apparatus provides a vehicle-specific integrated docking station for a digital media player, e.g. Apple'"'"'s iPod. The docking station contains a connecting assembly to interface the digital media player to a digital media interface than in turn is connected to a vehicle audio system. The vehicle recess may be an ashtray recess, a change-tray recess, a cup-holder recess or other appropriate recess. The vehicles may be automobiles, trucks, boats or aircraft.

Claims

1. A vehicle recess specific docking station comprising:

means for securing an electronic media player;

means for connecting the electronic media player to a vehicle electrical system; and

means for matching the vehicle recess integrated docking station to a car interior.

2. A vehicle recess integrated docking station suitable for securely holding an electronic media player and for managing a connecting assembly used to connect an electronic media player to an external electrical system comprising:

a recess specific insert base having a connection slot and a dock insert well;

a dock insert operable for releasable attachment to said dock insert well and having a dock insert slot operable for alignment with said connection slot; and

a dock connecting assembly having a male dock connector operably connected to a female dock connector, wherein said male dock connector is inserted into said connection slot and affixed therein.

3. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 2, wherein said male dock connector is a 30 pin connector and wherein said female dock connector is a 30 pin connector.

4. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 3, wherein said dock insert is an Apple universal dock insert.

5. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 4, wherein said vehicle specific insert base is colored to match the interior of a vehicle.

6. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 5, wherein said vehicle specific insert base is textured to match the interior of a vehicle.

7. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 6, wherein said recess is selected from the group comprising ashtray recess, console cup-holder recess and change-tray recess.

8. A vehicle recess integrated docking station as recited in claim 7, wherein said vehicle is selected from the group comprising automobiles, trucks, boats, and aircraft.

9. A method of making an electronic device holding system comprising:

obtaining a vehicle having at least one recess suitable for installation of the electronic device holding system;

selecting a target recess;

forming an initial base using the target recess;

creating a first three dimensional digital file of the target recess using the initial base and a digitizer device;

modifying the first three dimensional digital file to create a second three dimensional digital file by adding a dock insert well and connection slot while ensuring that the orientation of the insert well and the connection slot will allow a user to have convenient and appropriate access to a digital media player;

creating a second base utilizing a 3D printer with the second three dimensional digital file as input;

testing the second base in the target recess for fit;

modifying the second three dimensional digital file if needed to create a third three dimensional file;

creating a third base that fits snugly in the target recess using the third three dimensional file;

creating a mold suitable for injection molding using the third base;

forming at least one fourth base having a connector slot by injection molding;

adding a textured coating and color to the fourth base;

attaching a universal dock insert having a dock slot into the fourth base such that the dock slot aligns with the connector slot;

assembling a male dock connector to a female dock connector to form a male-female connector assembly;

connecting the male-female connector assembly to the fourth base by inserting the male dock connector through the connector slot and the dock slot; and

affixing the male dock connector to the fourth base to form a vehicle recess docking station.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising connecting a digital media interface to a sound system in the vehicle.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising connecting the vehicle recess docking station to the digital media interface.