APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SECURE STORAGE BAY FOR AN ELECTRONIC HANDHELD DEVICE

• US 20070087725A1
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David M. Anderson
• Original Assignee: David M. Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,580,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/348
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for secure storage of an electronic handheld device. The apparatus may include a retractable tray having a surface for receiving the electronic handheld device, an electrical connector within the retractable tray for making electrical connection with the electronic handheld device, and the retractable tray having an exterior housing with electrical connectors for being received within a fixed electronic device. The system includes the apparatus, and a data communications link coupling the apparatus with a fixed electronic device. The method includes receiving an electronic handheld device, making an electrical connection with the electronic handheld device through a retractable tray, and retracting the electrical device within an exterior housing, the exterior housing having electrical connectors for connecting with a fixed electronic device.

Claims

1. A secure storage bay for an electronic handheld device, comprising:

a retractable tray having a surface for receiving the electronic handheld device;

an electrical connector within the retractable tray for making electrical connection with the electronic handheld device; and

the retractable tray having an exterior housing with electrical connectors for being received within a fixed electronic device.

2. The secure storage bay of claim 1, further comprising an adapter having a first set of electrical connectors for mateably connecting with the electrical connector on the retractable tray and a second set of electrical connectors for mateably connecting with the electrical handheld device.

3. The secure storage bay of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism disposed on a faceplate connected with the retractable tray such that the locking mechanism secures the retractable tray in a closed position.

4. The secure storage bay of claim 1, further comprising a sync module for accessing the electronic handheld device through the fixed electronic device when the electronic handheld device is secured in the secure storage bay.

5. The secure storage bay of claim 1, further comprising a dummy faceplate attached to the retractable tray.

6. The secure storage bay of claim 1, further comprising an LCD screen attached to the retractable tray.

7. The secure storage bay of claim 6, wherein the LCD screen is configured to emulate a control layout of the electronic device

8. The secure storage bay of claim 1, wherein the retractable tray comprises a dynamically positionable cradle.

9. The secure storage bay of claim 1, wherein the fixed electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a computer, a stereo receiver, a car stereo, and an external housing in communication with a computer.

10. A system for securely storing an electronic handheld device, the system comprising

a retractable tray having a surface for receiving the electronic handheld device;

an electrical connector within the retractable tray for making electrical connection with the electronic handheld device;

the retractable tray having an exterior housing with electrical connectors for being received within a fixed electronic device; and

a sync module for accessing the electronic handheld device over a data communications link when the electronic handheld device is secured in the secure storage bay.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising an adapter having a first set of electrical connectors for mateably connecting with the electrical connector on the retractable tray and a second set of electrical connectors for mateably connecting with the electrical handheld device.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the retractable tray in the closed position.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a dummy faceplate attached to the retractable tray.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising an LCD screen attached to the retractable tray.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the LCD screen is configured to emulate a control layout of the electronic device

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the retractable tray comprises a dynamically positionable cradle.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the fixed electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a computer, a stereo receiver, a car stereo, and an external housing in communication with a computer.

18. A method for securely storing an electronic handheld device, the method comprising

receiving an electronic handheld device;

making an electrical connection with the electronic handheld device through a retractable tray; and

retracting the electrical device within an exterior housing, the exterior housing having electrical connectors for connecting with a fixed electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising mateably connecting with the electrical connector on the retractable tray with the electrical handheld device.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing the retractable tray in a closed position.