DOCKING STATION FOR TABLET DEVICE

• US 20180143664A1
• Filed: 01/19/2018
• Published: 05/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Inventors: Wylie, Hunter
• Granted Patent: US 10,198,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use

Abstract

A docking station for a tablet device includes a security frame that is releasably connected to a pedestal. An upper head portion of the pedestal is rotatable through three degrees of freedom to allow for angular adjustment of the frame as it retains a tablet device. Electrical conductivity is maintained through the rotational connection.

Claims

1. A docking station for a tablet device, comprising:

a frame assembly for retaining the tablet device,

the frame assembly substantially surrounding the tablet device and comprising a first adapter for electrically coupling the tablet device to at least the frame assembly,

the first adapter being electrically coupleable to a variety of different types of tablet devices; and

a pedestal assembly for releasably connecting the frame assembly to the pedestal assembly via a locking structure disposed on the pedestal assembly to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly via an associated unlock feature,

the pedestal assembly comprising a second adapter positioned to create a detachable connection point for electrically coupling the second adapter to the first adapter while the frame assembly is releasably connected to the pedestal assembly.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the unlock feature comprises an electronic unlock feature.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the electronic unlock feature comprises a wireless unlock feature.

4. The docking station of claim 3, wherein the wireless unlock feature comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) unlock feature.

5. The docking station of claim 3, wherein the wireless unlock feature comprises a sensor operable to detect a wireless key.

6. The docking station of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

7. The docking station of claim 5, wherein the sensor activates the locking structure upon detection of the wireless key to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the pedestal assembly comprises an electronics control board (ECB) coupleable to one or more electrical connector fittings for providing at least one of the following for the tablet device:

power, networking, communication, or a combination thereof.

9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the one or more electrical connector fittings comprise one or more of the following:

one or more universal serial bus (USB) connector fittings;

one or more power connector fittings;

one or more network connector fittings;

or any combination thereof.

10. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the pedestal assembly provides at least one electrical connection port for at least one electrical signal.

11. A docking station for a tablet device, comprising:

a frame assembly for retaining the tablet device,

the frame assembly substantially surrounding the tablet device and comprising a first adapter having electrically interconnected fittings arranged at opposing sides of the frame assembly for electrically coupling the tablet device to at least the frame assembly,

the first adapter being electrically coupleable to a variety of different types of tablet devices; and

a pedestal assembly having a head portion for releasably connecting the frame assembly to the pedestal assembly via a locking structure disposed on the head portion to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly via an associated unlock feature while retaining the tablet device within the frame assembly,

the head portion comprising a second adapter positioned to create a detachable connection point at the head portion for electrically coupling the second adapter to the first adapter while the frame assembly is releasably connected to the head portion of the pedestal assembly.

12. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the unlock feature comprises an electronic unlock feature.

13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the electronic unlock feature comprises a wireless unlock feature.

14. The docking station of claim 13, wherein the wireless unlock feature comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) unlock feature.

15. The docking station of claim 13, wherein the wireless unlock feature comprises a sensor operable to detect a wireless key.

16. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

17. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the sensor activates the locking structure upon detection of the wireless key to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly.

18. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the pedestal assembly comprises an electronics control board (ECB) coupleable to one or more electrical connector fittings for providing at least one of the following for the tablet device:

power, networking, communication, or a combination thereof.

19. The docking station of claim 18, wherein the one or more electrical connector fittings comprise one or more of the following:

one or more universal serial bus (USB) connector fittings;

one or more power connector fittings;

one or more network connector fittings;

or any combination thereof.

20. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the pedestal assembly provides at least one electrical connection port for at least one electrical signal.

21. A docking station for a tablet device, comprising:

a frame assembly for retaining the tablet device and having a framework for carrying the tablet device while retained within the frame assembly,

the frame assembly substantially surrounding the tablet device and comprising a first adapter having a first connector fitting positioned at a front side of the frame assembly and a second connector fitting positioned at a back side of the frame assembly,

one or more of the first and the second connector fittings being shaped to fit one or more types of tablet devices and capable of electrically coupling the tablet device to at least the frame assembly; and

a pedestal assembly comprising a second adapter positioned on a face of a head portion of the pedestal assembly to create a detachable connection point for electrically coupling the second adapter to the first adapter while the frame assembly is releasably connected to the pedestal assembly,

the pedestal assembly allowing for three axes of rotation of the frame assembly while releasably connected to the pedestal assembly via a locking structure,

the locking structure being disposed between guiding members arranged on the face of the head portion so as to slidably guide the first adapter into the second adapter to create an electrical pathway extending through the frame assembly and the pedestal assembly for connecting the tablet device to at least one source of an electrical signal.

22. The docking station of claim 21, wherein the framework comprises one or more carrying means arranged on the frame assembly for carrying the tablet device retained within the frame assembly while the frame assembly is removed from the pedestal assembly.

23. The docking station of claim 21, wherein the rotation of the frame assembly is implemented via one or more portions of the pedestal assembly.

24. The docking station of claim 21, wherein the locking structure comprises a sensor operable to detect a wireless key.

25. The docking station of claim 24, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

26. The docking station of claim 24, wherein the sensor activates the locking structure upon detection of the wireless key to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly.