Computer docking system having an electromagnetic lock
First Claim
1. A system for securing a first electrical component to a second electrical component comprising:
- a locking mechanism including an electromagnet capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field, and means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field;
wherein the electromagnet is disposed in the second electrical component and the means attracted to the electromagnet is disposed in the first electrical component and, wherein, responsive to the production of the electromagnetic field by the electromagnet, the means attracted to the electromagnet is biased toward the electromagnet to secure the first electrical component to the second electrical component; and
means located at an interface between the first and second electrical components for detecting a separation of the first and second electrical components, wherein the electromagnet is caused to produce the electromagnetic field only when the separation is detected.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for electromechanically locking a docking station to a computer using an electromagnetic attractive force is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the docking station includes a latching mechanism with a ferromagnetic handle, and an electromagnet proximately located to the latching mechanism. The latch mechanically secures the docking station to the PC. The electromagnet is positioned such that, when electrically energized, the electromagnetic field produced thereby attracts the handle with sufficient force to prevent the handle from being used to disconnect the PC from the docking station. Alternatively, the electromagnet can be located in the docking station so that it is near a ferromagnetic plate in the PC when the PC is docked. The electromagnet is positioned such that, when electrically energized, the electromagnetic field produced thereby attracts the plate with sufficient force so as to physically lock the plate to the electromagnet, thereby locking the PC to the docking station.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system for securing a first electrical component to a second electrical component comprising:
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a locking mechanism including an electromagnet capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field, and means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; wherein the electromagnet is disposed in the second electrical component and the means attracted to the electromagnet is disposed in the first electrical component and, wherein, responsive to the production of the electromagnetic field by the electromagnet, the means attracted to the electromagnet is biased toward the electromagnet to secure the first electrical component to the second electrical component; and means located at an interface between the first and second electrical components for detecting a separation of the first and second electrical components, wherein the electromagnet is caused to produce the electromagnetic field only when the separation is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for securing a docking station to a computer, the apparatus comprising:
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an electromagnet capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field; and means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; wherein each of the electromagnet and the means attracted to the electromagnet are disposed in at least one of the docking station and the computer and, wherein, responsive to the production of the electromagnetic field by the electromagnet, the means attracted to the electromagnet is biased toward the electromagnet to secure the docking station to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A locking mechanism for securing two computer electrical components together, the locking mechanism comprising:
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an electromagnet capable of producing an electromagnetic field; means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; and a pair of engaged connectors, a first one of the connectors being mounted on a first one of the components and a second one of the connectors being mounted on a second one of the components; wherein each of the electromagnet and the means attracted to the electromagnet are disposed in at least one of the components and, wherein, responsive to the production of the electromagnetic field by the electromagnet, the means attracted to the electromagnet is biased toward the electromagnet to secure the first component to the second component and resist disengagement of the connectors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for securing together a first and a second electrical component comprising:
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providing the first electrical component with a first electrical connector; providing the second electrical component with a mating second electrical connector; providing, in one of the first and second electrical components, an electromagnet for producing an electromagnetic field when electrically energized; providing a ferromagnetic plate in the other of the first and second electrical components; connecting the first and second electrical connectors together, thereby creating an electrical connection between the first and second electrical components; wherein the electromagnet and the ferromagnetic plate are disposed relative to the first and second connectors such that production of an electromagnetic field by the electromagnet biases the electrical connectors together such that they cannot be separated responsive to the application of ordinary force. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A system for securing a first electrical component to a second electrical component, comprising:
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a first electrical connector disposed in the first electrical component; a second electrical connector disposed in the second electrical component for mating with the first electrical connector to electrically connect the first and second electrical components; a locking mechanism comprising an electromagnet positioned in the first component capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field, and means positioned in the second component attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; wherein an electromagnetic force created by the electromagnetic field causes the first electrical connector of the first component to attract a ferromagnetic plate of the second component, the locking mechanism further comprising retracting means for connecting the first connector to the first electrical component, whereby, when the first electrical component is separated from the second electrical component upon the application of ordinary force, the first connector and a second connector of the second component remain secured and the retracting means biases the first and second components together.
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26. A computer docking system, comprising:
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a first electrical component; a second electrical component; wherein at least one of said electrical components includes a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising an electromagnetic capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field, and means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; and means located at an interface between the first and second electrical components for detecting a separation of the first and second electrical components, wherein the electromagnet is caused to produce the electromagnetic field only when the separation is detected.
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27. A method for securing a first and a second electrical component together, the method comprising:
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providing at least one of the electrical components with at least one electromagnet for producing an electromagnetic field when electrically energized; providing at least one of the electrical components with at least one ferromagnetic plate; electrically energizing the at least one of the electromagnets when the electrical components are in electrical contact with one another; and providing means for extending a first electrical connector from the first electrical component a given distance while biasing the first electrical connector toward the first electrical component such that the first and second electrical components may be separated from one another a given distance without disconnecting the first and a second electrical connector, wherein the at least one ferromagnetic plate is disposed such that electrical energization of the at least one electromagnet causes the at least one ferromagnetic plate to be attracted to the at least one electromagnet in a manner that secures the components together. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A locking mechanism for securing two computer electrical components together, each component including a connector for electrically connecting the components, the locking mechanism comprising:
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an electromagnet disposed in one of the electrical components, the electromagnet being capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field; and a latching mechanism for mechanically securing the first electrical component to the second electrical component when they are electrically connected, wherein the latching mechanism is responsive to an electromagnetic force created by the selectively produced electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic force resists disengagement of the electrical connection. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A system for securing a first electrical component having a first electrical connector to a second electrical component having a mating electrical connector, the system comprising:
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a locking mechanism including an electromagnetic capable of selectively producing an electromagnetic field, and means attracted to the electromagnet in response to the electromagnetic field; and means located at an interface between the first and second electrical components for detecting a separation of the first and second electrical components, wherein the electromagnet is caused to produce the electromagnetic field only when the separation is detected. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification