Mobile computing device dock

• US 9,864,407 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2013
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhao, Kelong, Tee, Min Li, Huang, Xian Ming, Ju, Flen, Zheng, Wei, Wang, Jian Zhong, Wang, Mingjie, Groene, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Ilwoo
• Application Number:
  US14/130,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20150220113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,570 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus

Abstract

A mobile computing device dock is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a support structure and first and second connection portions disposed on opposing sides of the support. Each of the first and second connection portions includes a respective connection device configured to form a communicative coupling to a mobile computing device. The first and second connection portions are configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions to engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a base;

a support structure angled in relation to the base, the support structure configured to hold a mobile computing device; and

first and second connection portions, the first and second connection portions;

disposed on opposing sides of the support structure;

configured to form both a physical connection and a communicative connection between the mobile computing device and the apparatus; and

configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portion causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portion, the movement causing the first and second connection portions to physically and communicatively engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second connections portions include respective connection devices that are communicatively coupled to respective ports that are configured to support a communicative coupling to a peripheral device or power supply.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the respective connection devices are configured to support a universal serial bus (USB) connection or a display device connection.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the respective connection devices of the first and second connections portions are communicatively coupled to respective singular ports of the mobile computing device to support multiple ports disposed on the base of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the movement is a push/pull movement.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the movement is supported through use of a rack and gear assembly disposed within the support structure.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the rack and gear assembly is configured to transmit movement of connection rods that are secured to the first and second connection portions, respectively, such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second connection portions provide horizontal alignment of the portions, one to another, when securing the mobile computing device.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising an opening that is configured to permit attachment and movement of a cover that is physically coupled to the mobile computing device, the cover configured to cover a display device of the mobile computing device and expose the display device of the mobile computing device.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein:

the cover includes an input portion configured to receive inputs that are to be communicated through a communicative coupling between the input portion and the mobile computing device; and

the input portion is exposed for manipulation by one or more hands of a user when exposing the mobile computing device when secured by the first and second connection portions.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the base includes one or more ports to which one or more peripheral devices can be communicatively coupled.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the movement involves sliding of the first and second connection portions in relation to the support structure.

13. A system comprising:

a mobile computing device configured to be held by one or more hands of a user; and

a docking apparatus having a base, a support structure, and first and second connection portions, the support structure and the first and second connection portions angled in relation to the base, the first and second connection portions configured to;

removably engage opposing sides of the mobile computing device;

form a communicative coupling to the mobile computing device via a respective connection device; and

cause movement of one of the first or second connection portions corresponding to movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions.

14. A system as described in claim 13, further comprising an opening that is configured to permit attachment and movement of a cover that is physically and communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device, the cover configured to cover a display device of the mobile computing device and expose the display device of the mobile computing device and an input portion of the cover, the input portion configured to receive inputs that are to be communicated through the communicative coupling to the mobile computing device.

15. A system as described in claim 13, wherein the respective connection devices of the first and second connections portions are communicatively coupled to multiple ports on the base of the docking apparatus, each of the multiple ports configured to support a communicative coupling.

16. A system as described in claim 15, wherein the respective connection devices of the first and second connections portions are communicatively coupled to respective ports to support a variety of placement locations as part of the first and second connection portions, respectively.

17. A method comprising:

positioning a rear of a mobile computing device against a support of a docking apparatus, the support angled in relation to a base of the docking apparatus such that a display device of the mobile computing device is viewable by a user; and

moving a single one of a plurality of connection portions of the docking apparatus toward the mobile computing device, the moving causing another one of the plurality of connection portions to move toward the mobile computing device such that each of the plurality of connection portions engage the mobile computing device to form both a physical and a communicative coupling.

18. A method as described in claim 17, wherein the moving comprises a push/pull movement.

19. A method as described in claim 17, wherein the moving comprises sliding.

20. A method as described in claim 17, wherein the base of the docking apparatus comprises multiple ports communicatively coupled to the single one of the plurality of connection portions.