Docking alignment sensor
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an electronic device; and
a docking station;
the system sensing a relative position of the electronic device and the docking station, and providing an electronically-generated feedback signal that indicates whether the electronic device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking, andthe system further providing a directional feedback signal that indicates which direction to move one of the system components in order to achieve proper alignment for docking.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station for an electronic device senses the position of the electronic device and provides an electronically-generated feedback signal to a user indicating whether the device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking. The sensing may optionally be accomplished by electrical contacts or may optionally be accomplished by sensing a magnetic field using a Hall effect sensor. The feedback signal may be visible or may be audible. The feedback signal may provide instructions to the user indicating which direction one of the components should be moved to achieve proper alignment. A simple backstop arrangement may provide proper alignment in one axis, while the feedback signal provides information about the alignment in a second axis, preferably generally orthogonal to the first. The electronic device may be a laptop portable computer.
43 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an electronic device; and a docking station; the system sensing a relative position of the electronic device and the docking station, and providing an electronically-generated feedback signal that indicates whether the electronic device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking, and the system further providing a directional feedback signal that indicates which direction to move one of the system components in order to achieve proper alignment for docking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of docking an electronic device and a docking station comprising;
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sensing a relative position between the electronic device and the docking station; providing an electronically-generated feedback signal that indicates whether the electronic device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking; and providing a directional feedback signal that indicates which direction to move one of the system components in order to achieve proper alignment for docking. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification