Proximity Sensor Enabled Mechanical Power Coupling System
First Claim
1. A mechanical power coupling system comprising:
- a first mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service consumer;
a contactless proximity target associated with at least one of the first mechanical power connector component and the mechanical power service consumer;
a second mechanical power connector component operably engageable with the first mechanical power connector component, the second mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service source;
a contactless proximity sensor associated with at least one of the second mechanical power connector and the mechanical power service source;
a mechanical power service pathway between the first and second mechanical power connector components when the mechanical power service components are interengaged, the mechanical power service pathway capable of passing a mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power connector components; and
a service switch operably associated with the contactless proximity sensor to selectively permit the communication of the mechanical power service along the mechanical power service pathway when the contactless proximity sensor detects the contactless proximity target.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and components for providing or receiving a mechanical power service through a mechanical power coupling system. A mechanical power service switch is provided for selectively communicating the mechanical power service between a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a host or other mechanical power service source and a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a mechanical power service consumer. The mechanical power service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service in response to detection of a contactless proximity target associated with one of the mechanical power service communicating devices by a proximity sensor associated with the other of the mechanical power service communicating devices.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A mechanical power coupling system comprising:
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a first mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service consumer; a contactless proximity target associated with at least one of the first mechanical power connector component and the mechanical power service consumer; a second mechanical power connector component operably engageable with the first mechanical power connector component, the second mechanical power connector component capable of being associated with a mechanical power service source; a contactless proximity sensor associated with at least one of the second mechanical power connector and the mechanical power service source; a mechanical power service pathway between the first and second mechanical power connector components when the mechanical power service components are interengaged, the mechanical power service pathway capable of passing a mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power connector components; and a service switch operably associated with the contactless proximity sensor to selectively permit the communication of the mechanical power service along the mechanical power service pathway when the contactless proximity sensor detects the contactless proximity target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A mechanical power coupling system for connecting a portable device having a contactless proximity target to a host and a mechanical power service source capable of supplying a mechanical power service, the mechanical power coupling system comprising:
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a mechanical power connector component; a contactless proximity sensor capable of detecting the contactless proximity target; a mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the mechanical power service source and the mechanical power connector component; and a service switch selectively permitting the communication of the mechanical power service along the mechanical power service pathway in response to detection of a contactless proximity target by the contactless proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An accessory having a mechanical power service consumer for use in association with a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first mechanical power connector component, and a mechanical power service pathway selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power connector in response to a contactless proximity sensor detecting a contactless proximity target, the accessory comprising:
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a second mechanical power connector component; a mechanical power service pathway for interconnecting the mechanical power service consumer and the mechanical power connector; and a contactless proximity target capable of activating the contactless proximity sensor to activate the service switch. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An adapter for removably coupling a portable device having a first device mechanical power connector component to a host having a mechanical power service provider, a first host mechanical power connector component, a first mechanical power service pathway selectively providing a mechanical power service to the first mechanical power connector, and a service switch selectively activated in response to a contactless proximity sensor detecting a contactless proximity target to permit the mechanical power service pathway to provide the mechanical power service the first mechanical power connector, the adapter comprising:
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a second host mechanical power connector component engageable with the first host mechanical power connector component; a second device mechanical power connector component engageable with the first device mechanical power connector component; a second mechanical power service pathway interconnecting the second host mechanical power connector component and the second device mechanical power connector component for the transfer of a mechanical power service there along; and a contactless proximity target capable of activating the contactless proximity sensor to activate the service switch. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. A second mechanical power service communicating device for mechanical power service communication with a first mechanical power service communicating device having a first mechanical power service connector component, and a first contactless proximity system component, the second mechanical power service communicating device comprising:
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a second mechanical power connector component capable of coupling with the first mechanical power service connector component for communication of mechanical power service therebetween; and a second contactless proximity system component associated with the mechanical power connector component and capable of engaging the first contactless proximity system component within a contactless proximity system to selectively regulate the communication of mechanical power service between the first and second mechanical power connector components in response to the interaction of the first and second contactless proximity system components. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification