Alignment and drive system for motorized horizontal docking station
First Claim
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1. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
- a housing;
a top surface of the housing for receiving the electronic device;
a plurality of positioning members of the top surface for positioning the electronic device with respect to the top surface;
a first connector block;
a first connector of the first connector block;
a first arm of the first connector block;
a motor connected to the first arm via one or more gears, the motor operable to move the first connector block from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position;
a controller for controlling the motor;
a first sensor configured to detect the presence of the electronic device;
a button on the housing, the button configured to send a signal to the controller; and
wherein when the first sensor indicates the electronic device is present, the controller, upon receiving the signal from the button, activates the motor to move the first connector block from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device having a housing, a top surface of the housing for receiving the electronic device, a plurality of positioning members of the top surface for positioning the electronic device with respect to the top surface, a first sensor for detecting the presence of the electronic device, a first connector block, a first connector of the first connector block, a first arm of the first connector block, a motor connected to the first arm via one or more gears, and a security hole for attaching a lock.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a housing; a top surface of the housing for receiving the electronic device; a plurality of positioning members of the top surface for positioning the electronic device with respect to the top surface; a first connector block; a first connector of the first connector block; a first arm of the first connector block; a motor connected to the first arm via one or more gears, the motor operable to move the first connector block from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position; a controller for controlling the motor; a first sensor configured to detect the presence of the electronic device; a button on the housing, the button configured to send a signal to the controller; and wherein when the first sensor indicates the electronic device is present, the controller, upon receiving the signal from the button, activates the motor to move the first connector block from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a housing; a tray of the housing for receiving the electronic device; a first connector block; a first connector of the first connector block, the first connector positioned to engage a first port of the electronic device; a first arm of the first connector block, the first arm slidably connected to the housing; a second connector block opposite the first connector block; a second connector of the second connector block, the second connector positioned to engage a second port of the electronic device; a second arm of the second connector block, the second arm slidably connected to the housing; a motor connected to the first arm and the second arm via one or more gears, the motor operable to turn the one or more gears thereby sliding the first and second arms to engage and disengage the first and second connectors with the first and second ports of the electronic device, respectively; a controller for controlling the motor; a sensor configured to detect the presence of the electronic device; a button on the housing, the button configured to send a signal to the controller; and wherein when the sensor indicates the electronic device is present, the controller, upon receiving the signal from the button, activates the motor.
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19. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a housing; a tray of the housing for receiving the electronic device; a connector block; a connector of the connector block, the connector positioned to engage a port of the electronic device; an arm of the connector block, the arm slidably connected to the housing; a block-side portion of the arm; a follower portion of the arm; and a linear clutch connecting the block-side portion to the follower portion, the linear clutch operable to slip thereby allowing the follower portion to move independently of the block-side portion. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification