MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE CHARGING AND NETWORKING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20110193524A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Fluhrer, Robert, Caln, John, Ergun, Mustafa A., Funk, Joe, Theis, John, Segar, Peter, Lindblad, Shaun Christopher, Mensing, Jeffrey, Hazzard, Joel
• Application Number:
  US13/025,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20110193524A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/56 Computers; Screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for charging and/or networking mobile computing devices. A cart for storing, charging, and/or networking mobile computing devices. A portable interface between a mobile computing device and a cart. A docking station module having a plurality of docking stations.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device cart, comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior space;

a power supply system for charging a plurality of mobile computing devices when stored within the interior space; and

a plurality of mobile computing device docking stations disposed in the interior space, the docking stations connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to the power supply system when the plurality of mobile computing devices are docked in the plurality of docking stations within the interior space, each docking station having a power connection configured to connect to the mobile computing device automatically as the mobile computing device is positioned in the docking station.

2. The cart of claim 1, wherein each docking station includes a key such that the mobile computing device can only be positioned in the docking station in one direction.

3. The cart of claim 2, wherein the key is a patterned slot corresponding to a profile of the mobile computing device.

4. The cart of claim 1, wherein each docking station has a shape adapted to conform to the mobile computing device to hold the mobile computing device in a desired position and the power connection is a male connector extending from the docking station.

5. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart includes at least one horizontal shelf within the interior space and at least a portion of the plurality of docking stations are disposed on the shelf.

6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart includes at least one horizontal shelf within the interior space and at least a portion of the plurality of docking stations are disposed on the shelf and adapted to hold a corresponding portion of the plurality of mobile computing devices in a generally vertical position.

7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes a door to close the interior space.

8. The cart of claim 1, further including wheels positioned on an underside of the cabinet.

9. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart includes at least 10 docking stations.

10. The cart of claim 1, further including an air circulation system to cool the plurality of mobile computing devices when they are in the interior space, the air circulation system including at least one fan disposed in an outer surface of the cabinet.

11. The cart of claim 1, further including a network connection system for connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to a network when stored within the interior space, the plurality of docking stations connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to the network connection system when the plurality of mobile computing devices are docked in the plurality of docking stations within the interior space, each docking station having network connection configured to connect to the mobile computing device automatically as the mobile computing device is positioned in the docking station.

12. The cart of claim 11, wherein the network connection includes a male connector disposed within each docking station, the male connector having a beveled leading edge to help guide the male connector into a receiving connector in the mobile computing device.

13. The cart of claim 12, wherein the male connector does not include a locking tab, such that the male connector can be completely connected and disconnected to the receiving connector in the mobile computing device by applying a force only to the mobile computing device.

14. The cart of claim 12, wherein the male connector is mounted to the docking station via a flange having at least one aperture for receiving a connector, wherein the aperture allows for relative movement between the flange and the connector to facilitate alignment between the male connector and the mobile computing device receiving connector.

15. The cart of claim 14, wherein the aperture has a star shape and the connector includes a screw.

16. The cart of claim 12, wherein the male connecter is connected at a right angle to a cable.

17. The cart of claim 1, wherein the power connection includes a male power connector disposed within each docking station, the male power connector having a beveled leading edge to help guide the male power connector into a receiving power connector in the mobile computing device.

18. The cart of claim 17, wherein the male power connector is mounted to the docking station via a flange having at least one aperture for receiving a connector, wherein the aperture allows for relative movement between the flange and the connector to facilitate alignment between the male power connector and the mobile computing device power receiving connector.

19. The cart of claim 17, wherein the male power connecter is connected at a right angle to a cable.

20. The cart of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is a laptop computer.

21. A mobile computing device cart, comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior space;

a power supply system for charging a plurality of mobile computing devices when stored within the interior space; and

a portable interface between each mobile computing device and the cart, the interface attached to the mobile computing device and having a first surface in apposition to the mobile computing device and a second surface in apposition to the cart when the mobile computing device is disposed in the cart, the first surface having at least a male power connector aligned with a mobile computing device power receiving connector, the second surface having a mobile computing device cart power connector for creating a power connection to the mobile computing device cart automatically as the mobile computing device and interface are positioned in the interior space.

22. The cart of claim 21, further comprising a network connection system for connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to a network when stored within the interior space, the first surface also having at least a male network connector matching a mobile computing device network receiving connector, the second surface having a mobile computing device cart network connector for creating a network connection to the mobile computing device cart automatically as the mobile computing device and interface are positioned in the interior space.

23. The cart of claim 22, wherein the mobile computing device power receiving connector and mobile computing device network receiving connector are positionable on the first surface to accommodate a variety of mobile computing device configurations.

24. The cart of claim 22, wherein the interface includes flexible connectors that allow the male power connector and the male network connector to be routed to the mobile computing device power receiving connector and mobile computing device network receiving connector regardless of their orientation on the mobile computing device.

25. The cart of claim 22, wherein the interface extends to the underside of the mobile computing device and the male power connector and the male network connector are included in a port for connecting to the underside of the mobile computing device.

26. The cart of claim 22, wherein the network connection on the cart side includes a cart male connector disposed within the cart, the cart male connector having a beveled leading edge to help guide the male connector into a receiving connector in the interface.

27. The cart of claim 26, wherein the cart male connector does not include a locking tab, such that the male connector can be completely connected and disconnected to the receiving connector in the interface by applying a force only to the mobile computing device.

28. The cart of claim 27, wherein the cart male connector is mounted to the cart via a flange having at least one aperture for receiving a connector, wherein the aperture allows for relative movement between the flange and the connector to facilitate alignment between the cart male connector and the interface receiving connector.

29. The cart of claim 21, wherein the power connection includes a cart male power connector disposed within the cart, the cart male power connector having a beveled leading edge to help guide the male power connector into a receiving power connector in the interface.

30. The cart of claim 29, wherein the male power connector is mounted to the cart via a flange having at least one aperture for receiving a connector, wherein the aperture allows for relative movement between the flange and the connector to facilitate alignment between the cart male power connector and the interface power receiving connector.

31. A mobile computing device-cart portable interface, comprising a first surface adapted to be in apposition to a mobile computing device and a second surface adapted to be in apposition to a cart when the mobile computing device is positioned in the cart, the first surface having at least a male power connector aligned with the mobile computing device power receiving connector, the second surface having a mobile computing device cart power connector for creating a power connection to the mobile computing device cart automatically as the mobile computing device and interface are positioned in the cart.

32. The interface of claim 31, wherein the first surface also includes at least a male network connector matching a mobile computing device network receiving connector, the second surface having a mobile computing device cart network connector for creating a network connection to the mobile computing device cart automatically as the mobile computing device and interface are positioned in the cart.

33. A method of docking a mobile computing device into a mobile computing device cart, comprising:

accessing an interior space of a cabinet;

inserting a first mobile computing device into a first docking station disposed within the interior space of the cabinet;

automatically connecting the first mobile computing device to a power supply system while inserting the first mobile computing device into the first docking station;

automatically connecting the first mobile computing device to a network connection system while inserting the first mobile computing device into the first docking station;

inserting a second mobile computing device into a second docking station disposed within the interior space of the cabinet;

automatically connecting the second mobile computing device to a power supply system while inserting the second mobile computing device into the second docking station; and

automatically connecting the second mobile computing device to a network connection system while inserting the second mobile computing device into the second docking station.

34. A mobile computing device cart, comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior space;

a network connection system for connecting a plurality of mobile computing devices to a network when stored within the interior space; and

a plurality of mobile computing device docking stations disposed in the interior space, the plurality of docking stations connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to the network connection system when the plurality of mobile computing devices are docked in the plurality of docking stations within the interior space, each docking station having a network connection that connects to the mobile computing device automatically as the mobile computing device is positioned in the docking station.

35. The cart of claim 34, further comprising a power supply system for charging the plurality of mobile computing devices, the plurality of docking stations connecting the plurality of mobile computing devices to the power supply system when the plurality of mobile computing devices are docked in the plurality of docking stations within the interior space, each docking station having a power connection that connects to the mobile computing device automatically as the mobile computing device is positioned in the docking station.

36. A mobile computing device docking station module, the docking station module providing a plurality of docking stations for connecting a plurality of mobile computing devices to a power supply system when the plurality of mobile computing devices are docked in the docking module, each docking station having a power connection that connects to the corresponding mobile computing device automatically as the mobile computing device is positioned in the docking station.