Combined power and audio dock for handheld device

• US 8,085,963 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Solland, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIAN, MANG TIN BIK
• Application Number:
  US12/036,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20080273734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 381/87, 381333-336
• US Class Current: 381/334
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement

Abstract

A combined power and audio dock for a handheld electronic device provides an integrated solution to the multiple uses of multifunction devices such as mobile telephones with built-in music players. The dock is configured with a recess into which the handheld device is docked so that all four exterior edges of the device are surrounded by the dock. This enables the dock to engage with any controls, jacks and ports along any edge of the device, and includes loudspeakers that can amplify the audio output of the device. The device is docked in an intentional assembly sequence that enables power and audio connectors to engage corresponding jacks on common, adjacent or opposing edges of the handheld device. Removal is accomplished in a reverse sequence.

Claims

1. A dock for a handheld electronic device comprising:

a loudspeaker mounted on a surface of the dock;

a recess on the surface defined by a plurality of sidewalls and adapted to receive and surround the handheld electronic device when docked, the recess comprising;

a floor adapted to support the handheld electronic device when docked, the floor having a fixed floor portion and a movable ramp portion defining a pivot line between the fixed floor portion and the movable ramp portion;

a first electrical connector provided along one of the sidewalls and adapted to engage a first jack of the handheld electronic device when docked;

a lock provided along one of the sidewalls and operatively coupled to the ramp portion, the lock carrying a second electrical connector adapted to engage a second jack of the handheld electronic device when docked.

2. The dock of claim 1 where:

the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are disposed along a common sidewall;

the first electrical connector is an audio connector; and

the second electrical connector is a power connector.

3. The dock of claim 2 further comprising a switch disposed along one of the sidewalls adapted to register with a corresponding control along an edge of the handheld electronic device.

4. The dock of claim 3 where the switch includes a protuberance on a vertical portion of the recess sidewall adapted to actuate the corresponding control on the handheld electronic device.

5. The dock of claim 1 where:

the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are disposed along adjacent sidewalls;

the first electrical connector is an audio connector; and

the second electrical connector is a power connector.

6. The dock of claim 5 further comprising a switch disposed along one of the sidewalls adapted to register with a corresponding control along an edge of the handheld electronic device.

7. The dock of claim 6 where the switch includes a protuberance on a vertical portion of the recess sidewall adapted to actuate the corresponding control on the handheld electronic device.

8. The dock of claim 1 where:

the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are disposed along opposing sidewalls;

the first electrical connector is an audio connector; and

the second electrical connector is a power connector.

9. The dock of claim 8 further comprising a switch disposed along one of the sidewalls adapted to register with a corresponding control along an edge of the handheld electronic device.

10. The dock of claim 9 where the switch includes a protuberance on a vertical portion of the recess sidewall adapted to actuate the corresponding control on the handheld electronic device.

11. The dock of claim 1 further comprising a kickstand on an obverse surface.

12. The dock of claim 1 further comprising a keyhole on an obverse surface.

13. The dock of claim 1 where the floor is movable to adjust the depth of the recess, and at least one of the sidewalls is movable to adjust the shape and size of the recess.

14. A dock configured to dock a mating handheld electronic device in an assembly sequence and provide for removal of same in a removal sequence, the dock comprising:

a loudspeaker mounted on a surface of the dock;

a recess in the surface having a depth determined by a thickness of the mating handheld electronic device and defined by a plurality of sidewalls, the recess adapted to receive and surround all edges of the handheld electronic device when docked, the recess comprising;

a floor adapted to support the handheld electronic device when docked, the floor having a fixed floor portion and a ramp portion movable between a flat position flush with the fixed floor portion and an inclined position, the fixed floor portion and the ramp portion defining a pivot line between the fixed floor portion and the ramp portion, the ramp portion biased in the inclined position;

a first electrical connector provided along one of the sidewalls and adapted to engage a first jack of the handheld electronic device when docked;

a slidable lock movable between an inward docked and locked position and an outward unlocked and removal position, the lock provided along one of the sidewalls and carrying a second electrical connector adapted to engage a second jack of the handheld electronic device when docked and locked where the first electrical connector is an audio connector and the second electrical connector is a power connector; and

where the lock and the ramp portion are operatively coupled to one another such that sliding the lock into the outward removal position releases the ramp portion into the inclined position.

15. The dock of claim 14 where the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are disposed along adjacent sidewalls.

16. The dock of claim 15 further comprising a switch disposed along a sidewall adapted to register with a corresponding control along an edge of the handheld electronic device.

17. The dock of claim 16 where the switch includes a protuberance on a vertical portion of the recess sidewall adapted to actuate the corresponding control on the handheld electronic device.

18. The dock of claim 14 where the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are disposed along opposing sidewalls.

19. The dock of claim 18 further comprising a switch disposed along one of the sidewalls adapted to register with a corresponding control along an edge of the handheld electronic device.

20. The dock of claim 19 where the switch includes a protuberance on a vertical portion of the recess sidewall adapted to actuate the corresponding control on the handheld electronic device.

21. The dock of claim 14 further comprising a kickstand on an obverse surface.

22. The dock of claim 14 further comprising a keyhole on an obverse surface.

23. The dock of claim 14 where the floor is movable to adjust the depth of the recess, and at least one of the sidewalls is movable to adjust the shape and size of the recess.