Docking station for tablet device

• US 9,760,116 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2013
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Inventors: Wylie, Hunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US14/097,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20140168884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 36167929, 36167941, 36167955
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use

Abstract

A docking station for a tablet device includes a security frame that is releasably connected to a pedestal. An upper head portion of the pedestal is rotatable through three degrees of freedom to allow for angular adjustment of the frame as it retains a tablet device. Electrical conductivity is maintained through the rotational connection.

Claims

1. A docking station for a tablet device, the docking station allowing for a three degree of rotation of the tablet device, comprising:

a frame portion for retaining the tablet device, the frame portion surrounding the tablet device and carrying a first universal adaptor for electrically coupling the tablet device to the frame portion, the first universal adaptor being electronically coupleable to a variety of different types of tablet devices, the first universal adaptor having a first connector fitting for electrically coupling the first universal adaptor to the tablet device, and a second connector fitting positioned aft of the tablet device; and

a pedestal portion for resting on a surface, the pedestal portion having a rotatable head portion for releasably connecting the frame portion to the pedestal portion via a locking structure disposed on a forward face of the rotatable head portion to enable the frame portion to be removed from the pedestal portion while retaining the tablet device, the rotatable head portion carrying a second universal adaptor arranged on the forward face of the rotatable head portion to create a detachable interface connection point for at least communicatively coupling the second universal adaptor to the second connector fitting of the first universal adaptor, aft of the tablet device and at a position adjacent to the forward face of the rotatable head portion, while the frame portion is releasably connected to the rotatable head portion.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the rotatable head portion is releasably locked to the frame portion.

4. The docking station of claim 3, including an electronics control board (“

ECB”

) received within the pedestal portion of the docking station, the ECB carrying an RFID sensor that is operable to detect a wireless keycard, and wherein, the RFID sensor activates the releasable lock upon detection of the keycard.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the rotatable head portion is releasably locked to the frame portion by an RFID lock.

6. The docking station of claim 5, including an electronics control board (“

ECB”

) received within the pedestal portion of the docking station, the ECB carrying an RFID sensor that is operable to detect a wireless keycard, and wherein, the RFID sensor activates the releasable lock upon detection of the keycard.

2. A docking station for a tablet device, the docking station allowing for a three degree of rotation of the tablet device, comprising:

a frame portion for retaining the tablet device, the frame portion surrounding the tablet device and carrying a first universal adaptor for electrically coupling the tablet device to the frame portion, the first universal adaptor being electronically coupleable to a variety of different types of tablet devices, the first universal adaptor having a first connector fitting for electrically coupling the first universal adaptor to the tablet device, and a second connector fitting positioned aft of the tablet device; and

a pedestal portion for resting on a surface, the pedestal portion having a rotatable head portion for releasably connecting the frame portion to the pedestal portion via a locking structure disposed on a forward face of the rotatable head portion to enable the frame portion to be removed from the pedestal portion while retaining the tablet device, the rotatable head portion carrying a second universal adaptor arranged on the forward face of the rotatable head portion to create a detachable interface connection point for at least communicatively coupling the second universal adaptor to the second connector fitting of the first universal adaptor, aft of the tablet device and at a position adjacent to the forward face of the rotatable head portion, while the frame portion is connected to the rotatable head portion, at least one other rotational connection between the head portion and a base portion of the pedestal portion, so that the angular orientation of the head portion may be adjusted relative to the base portion, the base portion being connectable to at least one source for an electrical signal, and a conductor pathway through a base member, and then across at least one other rotational connection between the head portion and base portion, to the second universal adaptor.

7. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the rotatable head portion is releasably locked to the frame portion.

8. The docking station of claim 7, including an electronics control board (“

ECB”

) received within the pedestal portion of the docking station, the ECB carrying an RFID sensor that is operable to detect a wireless keycard, and wherein, the RFID sensor activates the releasable lock upon detection of the keycard.

9. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the rotatable head portion is releasably locked to the frame portion by an RFID lock.

10. The docking station of claim 9, including an electronics control board (“

ECB”

) received within the pedestal portion of the docking station, the ECB carrying an RFID sensor that is operable to detect a wireless keycard, and wherein, the RFID sensor activates the releasable lock upon detection of the keycard.

11. A docking station for a tablet device, the docking station allowing for a three degree of rotation of the tablet device, comprising:

a frame portion for retaining the tablet device, the frame portion surrounding the tablet device and carrying a first universal adaptor for electrically coupling the tablet device to the frame portion, the first universal adaptor being electronically coupleable to a variety of different types of different tablet devices, the first universal adaptor having a first connector fitting for electrically coupling the first universal adaptor to the tablet device, and a second connector fitting positioned aft of the tablet device; and

a base portion having a rotatable connecting head portion for releasably connecting the frame portion to a pedestal portion via a locking structure disposed on a forward face of the rotatable head portion to enable the frame portion to be removed from the base portion while retaining the tablet device, the rotatable connecting head portion carrying a second universal adaptor arranged on the forward face of the rotatable connecting head portion to create a detachable interface connection point for at least communicatively coupling the second universal adaptor to the second connector fitting of the first universal adaptor, aft of the tablet device and at a position adjacent to the forward face of the rotatable connecting head portion, while the frame portion is releasably connected to the rotatable connecting head portion.