Docking station for portable electronic devices

• US 8,145,821 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Mead, Stephen, Fair, Kenneth, Thomas, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): MISIURA, BRIAN THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US12/403,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20090292851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 710/303, 710/304, 361/679.41, 361/679.55, 361/679, 361/56
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A docking station apparatus interfaces a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the electronic device, and a mechanical interface in the cavity and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the electronic device. A power supply conversion circuit translates vehicle power levels to electronic device power levels, and one or more support circuits or connectors provide different connectivity functions for the electronic device. The support circuits or connectors can include input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub; an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub; multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and navigation data, to the electronic device in a wired or wireless mode.

Claims

1. A docking station apparatus for interfacing a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the portable electronic device, the docking assembly configured to be installed adjacent to a seat in the aircraft;

a mechanical interface in the cavity of the docking assembly and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the portable electronic device;

a power supply conversion circuit for translating aircraft power levels to portable electronic device power levels; and

one or more support circuits or connectors that provide different connectivity functions for the portable electronic device, the support circuits or connectors comprising;

input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub;

an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub;

multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and

a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and aircraft navigation data, to the portable electronic device in a wired or wireless mode,

wherein the docking assembly is configured to be placed in a cup holder and comprises;

a top housing section having an upper surface with an elongated slot, and a rear portion;

a bottom housing section coupled to the top housing section and having a substantially cylindrical shape;

a back portion that extends upwardly from the upper surface of the top housing section and configured to support the portable electronic device in an upwardly angled position;

one or more media connectors located in the rear portion of the top housing section; and

a lip portion on the upper surface in front of and adjacent to the slot, the lip portion configured to support the portable electronic device in a landscape mode position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support circuits or connectors are housed in the internal cavity of the docking assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support circuits or connectors are housed in an external support box for the docking assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support circuits or connectors comprise component or composite video connectors, stereo and surround connectors, a high-definition multimedia interface, a headphone jack, an auxiliary input jack, a USB port, optical fiber connectors, or a Bluetooth wireless interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking assembly is communicatively connected with an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system to transport signals between the IFE system and the portable electronic device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein aircraft power is supplied directly or via integrated wiring from an aircraft power source to the power supply conversion circuit.

7. A docking station assembly comprising:

a top housing section having an upper surface with an elongated slot, and a rear portion;

at least one support member located on the upper surface adjacent to the slot, the at least one support member configured to support a portable electronic device in a landscape mode position;

a bottom housing section coupled to the top housing section and having a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the coupled top and bottom housing sections define an internal cavity;

a plug section attached to an underside of the bottom housing section;

a back portion that extends upwardly from the upper surface adjacent to the slot and configured to support the portable electronic device in an upwardly angled position;

an electronic device connector disposed in the slot and configured to couple with the portable electronic device;

one or more media connectors located in the rear portion of the top housing section; and

a mechanical interface located in the internal cavity, the mechanical interface configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the portable electronic device, docking station rotation, and portrait or landscape modes for the portable electronic device.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the media connectors communicate with the portable electronic device through a data connector located in the top housing section.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the mechanical interface comprises a printed circuit board.

10. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a power connector disposed in the internal cavity below the mechanical interface, the power connector coupled to the electronic device connector at one end and having a power coupler at the other end that extends into the plug section.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a holding device that includes an upper holding receptacle that receives the bottom housing section, and a lower power receptacle that receives the plug section.

12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a power supply coupler that extends into the power receptacle and mates with the power coupler.

13. A docking station apparatus for interfacing a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the portable electronic device, the docking assembly configured to be installed adjacent to a seat in the aircraft;

a mechanical interface in the cavity of the docking assembly and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the portable electronic device;

a power supply conversion circuit for translating aircraft power levels to portable electronic device power levels; and

one or more support circuits or connectors that provide different connectivity functions for the portable electronic device, the support circuits or connectors comprising;

input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub;

an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub;

multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and

a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and aircraft navigation data, to the portable electronic device in a wired or wireless mode,

wherein the docking assembly is configured to be placed in a cup holder and comprises;

a base section having an upper surface with an elongated slot, and a rear portion;

a back portion that extends upwardly from the upper surface of the base section and configured to support the portable electronic device in an upwardly angled position;

one or more media connectors located in the rear portion of the base section; and

a pair of opposing support tabs on the upper surface of the base section adjacent to the slot, the support tabs configured to support the portable electronic device in a landscape mode position.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising at least one input jack in the upper surface of the base section.

15. A docking station apparatus for interfacing a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the portable electronic device, the docking assembly configured to be installed adjacent to a seat in the aircraft;

a mechanical interface in the cavity of the docking assembly and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the portable electronic device;

a power supply conversion circuit for translating aircraft power levels to portable electronic device power levels; and

one or more support circuits or connectors that provide different connectivity functions for the portable electronic device, the support circuits or connectors comprising;

input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub;

an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub;

multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and

a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and aircraft navigation data, to the portable electronic device in a wired or wireless mode,

wherein;

the docking assembly is mounted in a drink cup rail around a seat in an aircraft or an arm rest surface around a seat in an aircraft, and

the docking station comprises;

a movable cover with a top surface for supporting the portable electronic device in a horizontal position; and

a connector compartment below the cover and housing an electronic device connector and one or more media jacks.