Docking system for MP3 players and other portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. A docking system for a first portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:
- a. a device dock having a dock interior pocket;
(1) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface with the device connection port of the first portable electronic device when the device connection port and dock port connector are engaged together;
(2) bounded by pocket walls wherein the dock interior pocket is configured to loosely receive the first portable electronic device between the pocket walls when inserted within the dock interior pocket, such that when the first portable electronic device is inserted within the dock interior pocket in abutment with at least one of the pocket walls, the device connection port of the first portable electronic device cannot directly interface with the dock port connector;
(3) wherein the device dock includes;
(a) a dock receiver portion having the dock interior pocket therein, and(b) a dock connector portion having the dock port connector thereon,wherein the dock connector portion is removably engaged to the dock receiver portion;
b. a first device sleeve configured to;
(1) extend about a portion of the exterior of the first portable electronic device to;
(a) removably engage the first portable electronic device within the first device sleeve, while(b) leaving the device connection port exposed;
(2) abut at least a portion of the pocket walls when the first device sleeve is received within the dock interior pocket, and(3) guide the device connection port of the first portable electronic device to directly interface with the dock port connector of the device dock when the first device sleeve, with the first portable electronic device engaged therein, is fully received within the dock interior pocket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sleeves for different portable electronic devices (portable media players, wireless telephones, handheld computers, etc.) adapt the outer contours of the devices such that all can fit within the pocket of a standard device dock. Each sleeve situates its portable electronic device within the pocket of the dock such that at least one of its power/communications ports is situated at a standard location. The device dock then also accommodates a connector which fits within the dock pocket, and which has power/communications ports situated at the standard location, such that when the sleeved device is inserted into the pocket, its power/communications ports interface with the power/communications ports of the connector. The connector can incorporate data storage devices, power supplies, interface cables extending to other devices (such as personal computers, stereo systems, etc.) such that it lends the functionality of these devices to the sleeved device situated within the pocket.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A docking system for a first portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:
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a. a device dock having a dock interior pocket; (1) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface with the device connection port of the first portable electronic device when the device connection port and dock port connector are engaged together; (2) bounded by pocket walls wherein the dock interior pocket is configured to loosely receive the first portable electronic device between the pocket walls when inserted within the dock interior pocket, such that when the first portable electronic device is inserted within the dock interior pocket in abutment with at least one of the pocket walls, the device connection port of the first portable electronic device cannot directly interface with the dock port connector; (3) wherein the device dock includes; (a) a dock receiver portion having the dock interior pocket therein, and (b) a dock connector portion having the dock port connector thereon, wherein the dock connector portion is removably engaged to the dock receiver portion; b. a first device sleeve configured to; (1) extend about a portion of the exterior of the first portable electronic device to; (a) removably engage the first portable electronic device within the first device sleeve, while (b) leaving the device connection port exposed; (2) abut at least a portion of the pocket walls when the first device sleeve is received within the dock interior pocket, and (3) guide the device connection port of the first portable electronic device to directly interface with the dock port connector of the device dock when the first device sleeve, with the first portable electronic device engaged therein, is fully received within the dock interior pocket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A docking system for a first portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:
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a. a device dock having a dock interior pocket; (1) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface with the device connection port of the first portable electronic device when the device connection port and dock port connector are engaged together; (2) bounded by pocket walls wherein the dock interior pocket is configured to loosely receive the first portable electronic device between the pocket walls when inserted within the dock interior pocket, such that when the first portable electronic device is inserted within the dock interior pocket in abutment with at least one of the pocket walls, the device connection port of the first portable electronic device cannot directly interface with the dock port connector; b. a first device sleeve configured to; (1) extend about a portion of the exterior of the first portable electronic device to; (a) removably engage the first portable electronic device within the first device sleeve, while (b) leaving the device connection port exposed; (2) abut at least a portion of the pocket walls when the first device sleeve is received within the dock interior pocket, and (3) guide the device connection port of the first portable electronic device to directly interface with the dock port connector of the device dock when the first device sleeve, with the first portable electronic device engaged therein, is fully received within the dock interior pocket; wherein the first device sleeve includes a sleeve body having; (1) opposing top and bottom sleeve sides, and (2) opposing lateral sleeve sidewalls extending between the top and bottom sleeve sides, wherein the sleeve sidewalls; (a) extend outwardly from the sleeve body to define a device insertion space between the sleeve sidewalls and adjacent the sleeve body, (b) include inner sidewall faces facing inwardly toward each other across the device insertion space, the inner sidewall faces being concave, and (c) are spaced at least substantially uniformly away from each other save for at the top and bottom sleeve sides, where the sleeve sidewalls extend inwardly toward each other, whereby a channel is defined between the sleeve sidewalls and adjacent the sleeve body, the channel being narrower at the top and bottom sleeve sides and broader therebetween; wherein the sleeve body is thinner at a location; i. spaced at least substantially halfway between the sleeve sidewalls, and ii. extending between the top and bottom sleeve sides. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A docking system for a portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:
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a. a device sleeve configured to; (1) removably engage the portable electronic device within the device sleeve; (2) extend about a portion of the exterior of the portable electronic device to leave the device connection port exposed, and b. a device dock having a dock interior pocket; (1) configured to receive the device sleeve therein, (2) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface with the device connection port of the portable electronic device; wherein the device dock includes; (i) dock receiver portion having the dock interior pocket therein, and (ii) a dock connector portion having the dock port connector thereon, wherein the dock connector portion is removably engaged to the dock receiver portion; wherein the device connection port of the portable electronic device directly interfaces with the dock port connector of the device dock when the device sleeve, with the portable electronic device therein, is fully inserted within the dock interior pocket. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification