Docking connector platform for mobile electronic devices

• US 9,367,090 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PopSockets LLC
• Original Assignee: Plugged LLC
• Inventors: Barnett, David B., Nahum, Altan
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US14/384,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20150077927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.2, 248/205.1, 248/371, 248/316.7, 248/614, 248/560, 248/223.41, 361/679.41, 361/679.01, 361/679.3, 361/679.31, 361/679.09, 361/679.26, 361/679.58, 361/679.29, 361/679.43, 361/679.27, 361/679.44, 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 455/575.8, 455/569.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/575.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.6, 455/573, 174/535, 174/520, 174/100, 174/135, 345/166, 345/1.3, 345/168, 345/102, 345/156, 345/215, 345/92, 345/173, 345/179, 345/100, 345/184
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/90 adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/06 Hooks; Cradles

Abstract

Docking platforms formed in one of the largest-surface-area surfaces (the back surfaces) of mobile electronic devices (1, 32). Such a docking platform comprises a docking accessory cavity (3, 41, 51, 60) having a docking connection system (49) comprising one or more docking connectors (4, 5, 42, 52, 56, 58) formed within the cavity, and optionally two or more electrical contacts (19) within the cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to detachable docking accessories (6, 8, 27, 30, 31, 33, 36, 45, 61). The docking connection system is operable to form detachable attachments to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously. The cavities of the docking platforms are shaped to accommodate a broad range of docking accessories that are specially adapted to sit in a generally flush manner with the back surface of the mobile electronic device while attached to the docking connectors. One type of accessory (8, 27, 33) forms an assembly with an expandable accordion (10) attached to the docking platform.

Claims

1. A docking platform formed in a selected one of two largest-surface-area surfaces of a mobile electronic device comprising:

a. a recessed docking accessory cavity formed within the selected surface;

b. a docking connection system formed within the docking accessory cavity, the connection system constructed and arranged to form a detachable attachment to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously, the connection system further constructed and arranged to enable the docking accessory cavity to be open only at the selected surface.

2. The docking platform of claim 1 further constructed and arranged to attach to a docking accessory without fixing any outer edges of the docking accessory.

3. The docking platform of claim 2 wherein the docking platform comprises two electrical contacts within the docking accessory cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to the docking accessory when the docking accessory is attached to the docking connection system.

4. The docking platform of claim 3 wherein the mobile electronic device is operable to enable at least one of wireless data transmission or wireless power transmission between the docking accessory and the mobile electronic device.

5. The docking platform of claim 4 wherein the docking connection system forms a detachable mechanical bond with the docking accessory.

6. The docking platform of claim 4 wherein the docking connection system forms a detachable magnetic bond with the docking accessory.

7. The docking platform of claim 6, wherein the docking connection system comprises two docking connectors.

8. The docking platform of claim 7 wherein the docking connection system comprises generally circular docking connectors.

9. The docking platform of claim 8 wherein the docking accessory cavity is elongated.

10. The docking platform of claim 9 wherein the selected largest-surface-area surface is substantially flush with an outwardly facing surface of the docking accessory when the docking accessory is attached to the docking connection system.

11. A docking system comprising:

A docking platform formed in a selected one of two largest-surface-area surfaces of a mobile electronic device comprising;

a. a recessed docking accessory cavity formed within the selected surface;

b. a docking connection system formed within the selected surface, the connection system constructed and arranged to form a detachable attachment to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously, the connection system further constructed and arranged to enable the docking accessory cavity to be open only at the selected surface;

c. a docking accessory constructed and arranged to form a detachable attachment to the docking connection system, the docking accessory further constructed to enable at least one of data or power transmission between the docking accessory and the mobile electronic device.

12. The docking system of claim 11 wherein no outer edges of the attached docking accessory are fixed by the attachment.

13. The docking system of claim 12 further including two electrical contacts within the docking accessory cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the mobile electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to the docking accessory when the docking accessory is attached to the docking connection system.

14. The docking system of claim 13, whereby the docking accessory comprises an accordion capable of extending outward from the selected surface and retracting back toward the selected surface, the accordion distal end attached to the docking accessory body.

15. The docking system of claim 14 further including a flex circuit formed within the accordion and connected between the electrical contacts within the docking accessory cavity and the docking accessory body.

16. The docking system of claim 15 wherein the docking accessory comprises a connector located inward radially from the outer edges of the docking accessory.

17. The docking system of 16 wherein the selected largest-surface-area surface is substantially flush with an outwardly facing surface of the docking accessory when the docking accessory is attached to the docking connection system.

18. The docking system of claim 17 wherein the docking accessory comprises one of the following:

a speaker, a battery, an electrophysiology sensor, a game controller, or a solar charger.

19. A detachable docking accessory system for a mobile electronic device comprising:

a. a docking accessory body;

b. an accordion constructed to attach to a selected one of two largest-surface-area surfaces of the mobile electronic device and capable of extending outward from the selected surface and retracting back toward the selected surface, the accordion distal end attached to the docking accessory body; and

c. the docking accessory body further comprising electronics operable to transfer at least one of data or power between the accessory body and the mobile electronic device.

20. The docking accessory system of claim 19 further comprising a flexible circuit formed within the accordion and configured to electrically connect the mobile electronic device and the docking accessory body.