Electronic device docking system

• US 20080100995A1
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, Earl W., Walker, Paul N., Ryder, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,480,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679
• 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

Abstract

An electronic device docking system comprises a docking station configured to receive docking of an electronic device with an external battery coupled thereto, the docking station comprising at least one mechanism actuatable to cause detachment of the electronic device from both the external battery and the docking station.

Claims

1. An electronic device docking system, comprising:

a docking station configured to receive docking of an electronic device with an external battery coupled thereto, the docking station comprising at least one mechanism actuatable to cause detachment of the electronic device from both the external battery and the docking station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station is configured to retain the external battery in a docked state in response to actuation of the at least one mechanism.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises another mechanism actuatable to cause detachment of the external battery from the docking station.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanism is configured to cause actuation of a locking mechanism disposed on the external battery to release the external battery from the electronic device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station is configured to recharge the external battery while docked and while the electronic device is undocked relative to the docking station.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a first connector member coupleable to the electronic device and a second connector member coupleable to the external battery.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a locking mechanism to securely fasten the external battery to the docking station.

8. A method of manufacturing an electronic device docking system, comprising:

configuring a docking station for docking of an electronic device with an external battery coupled thereto; and

providing at least one mechanism actuatable to cause detachment of the electronic device from both the external battery and the docking station.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the docking station to retain the external battery in a docked state in response to actuation of the at least one mechanism.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing another mechanism configured to enable detachment of the external battery from the docking station.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the at least one mechanism to cause actuation of a locking mechanism of the external battery to release the external battery from the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the docking station to recharge the external battery while docked and while the electronic device is undocked relative to the docking station.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing on the docking station a first connector member coupleable to the electronic device and a second connector member coupleable to the external battery.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a locking mechanism to releaseably secure the external battery to the docking station.

15. A dockable power supply system, comprising:

means for docking of an electronic means with a battery means coupled thereto; and

actuatable means for causing detachment of the electronic means from both the battery means and the docking means.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for retaining the battery means in a docked condition relative to the docking means in response to actuation of the actuatable means.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for recharging the battery means while docked and while the electronic means is undocked relative to the docking means.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a first means disposed on the docking means for coupling to the electronic means and a second means disposed on the docking means for coupling to battery means.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for detaching the battery means from the docking means.