Docking station assembly for transmitting digital files

• US 7,145,603 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Whitby, Laura R., Jaffe, Lisa W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, NHAN T
• Application Number:
  US10/980,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20050062883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0056 Using mechanical couplings, e.g. mating elements H04N2201/0049, H04N2201/0051, H04N2201/0058 take precedence

Abstract

A docking station assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking station assembly comprises a housing for forming an enclosure for the docking station assembly and the housing includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and a removable and replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particular digital camera.

Claims

1. A docking station assembly for receiving a digital camera, the docking station assembly comprising:

a) a base portion for the docking station assembly and said base portion includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and

b) a replaceable and manual, one-step removable insert having a docking mating portion on a first side which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a digital camera mating portion on a second side having a shape substantially of a portion of the digital camera and which said digital camera mating portion can receive the digital camera.

2. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts.

3. The docking station assembly as in claim 1, wherein the insert-receiving portion is a notched-out portion.

4. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a light indicator for indicating charging of the digital camera.

5. The docking station assembly as in claim 1, wherein the digital camera is wireless.

6. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprising an electrical connection disposed on said base portion for connection to the digital camera.

7. The docking station assembly as in claim 6 further comprising a floor of the insert having a notched-out portion through which the electrical connection passes.

8. The docking station assembly as in claim 7 further comprising one or more stabilizing elements for providing stable support for connection of the digital camera to the insert.

9. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprising an electrical cable attached to said base portion for transmitting digital signals.

10. The docking station assembly as in claim 9 further comprising a power cable attached to said base portion for transmitting electrical power to the docking station assembly.

11. A docking station assembly for receiving a digital camera, the docking station assembly comprising:

a) a base portion for the docking station assembly and said base portion includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and

b) a removable, replaceable, solely mechanical insert having a docking mating portion on a first side which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a digital camera mating portion on a second side having a shape substantially of a portion of the digital camera and which said digital camera mating portion can receive the digital camera.

12. The docking station assembly as in claim 11, wherein the insert-receiving portion is a notched-out portion.

13. The docking station assembly as in claim 11 further comprising a light indicator for indicating charging of the digital camera.

14. The docking station assembly as in claim 11, wherein the digital camera is wireless.

15. The docking station assembly as in claim 11 further comprising an electrical connection disposed on the base portion for connection to the digital camera.

16. The docking station assembly as in claim 15 further comprising a floor of the insert having a notched-out portion through which the electrical connection passes.

17. The docking station assembly as in claim 16 further comprising one or more stabilizing elements for providing stable support for connection of the digital camera to the insert.

18. The docking station assembly as in claim 11 further comprising an electrical cable attached to said base portion for transmitting digital signals.

19. The docking station assembly as in claim 18 further comprising a power cable attached to said base portion for transmitting electrical power to the docking station assembly.