Computer wall docking station

• US 8,229,501 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dana Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Struthers, Scott, Spencer, Geoff, Supran, Ari, Call, Ray, Parker, Kim Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Melody
• Application Number:
  US12/357,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 370/469, 370/237, 370/343, 370/453, 370/392, 370/329, 370/252, 370/310, 370/520, 370/401, 370/450, 370/452.2, 370/241, 370/408, 370/328, 370/235, 370/230.1, 370/331, 370/260, 370/389, 370/254, 370/340, 370/336, 370/242, 370/232, 455/450, 455/452.2, 455/509, 455/464, 455/67.11, 455/411, 455/453, 455/67.13, 455/422.1, 455/2.01, 455/3.01, 455/420, 455/517, 455/186.1, 455/352, 455/3.03, 455/556.1, 455/444, 455/426.2, 709/208, 709/251, 709/201, 709/94, 709/231, 709/246, 381/81, 381/85, 381/77, 381/386, 381/30, 381/59, 381/89, 381/332, 381/96, 381/24, 381/111, 381116-117, 340/3.71, 340/825.25, 340/426.34, 984/313, 984/362, 181/199
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• 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 wall-mounted docking station for a portable computer connects the portable computer to a media entertainment system. The media entertainment system can have multiple zones throughout a room and/or a building, and can play audio, video, images, or other media stored on the portable computer to any zone or a combination of zones. Preferably, the docking station also provides power to the portable computer, and could optionally provide both power and data connectivity over a power line.

Claims

1. A docking station for functionally connecting a battery powered portable computer to a media entertainment system, comprising:

a wall-mount that receives the computer;

a power connector that provides power to the computer;

a first interface that receives a media file stored with the computer; and

a second interface that communicates the media file to the media entertainment system.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power connector, the first interface, and the second interface is hard-wired to at least one of the computer and the media entertainment system.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein at least two of the power connector, the first interface, and the second interface is hard-wired to at least one of the computer and the media entertainment system.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power connector, the first interface, and the second interface is connected wirelessly to at least one of the computer and the media entertainment system.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first interface is proprietary, and licensed under the control of a company.

6. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first interface comprises a male connector that mates with a female connector on the portable computer.

7. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the computer has electronics that communicates with a cellular network.

8. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a third interface that communicates with a phone network.

9. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising electronics capable of communicating with the media entertainment system at a distance of at least 5 meters.

10. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a third interface that receives commands from a remote controller.

11. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a memory of at least 1 GB and a processor.

12. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a wire that physically connects the second interface to the media entertainment system.

13. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the second interface has electronics that runs IP over power line.

14. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the second interface comprises an Ethernet connection.

15. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a video screen that receives electronic signals from the computer.

16. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a first cradle and a second cradle, wherein the first cradle receives the computer, and the second cradle receives a different computer.