Adjustable docking apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US2013058036A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Adjustable docking apparatus",
  "abstract": "The present solution provides an adjustable docking apparatus configurable to accommodate a variety of mobile electronic devices. The adjustable docking apparatus is removably coupled to a base electronic device. The apparatus further includes an electrical connector movably and removably connected to the adjustable docking apparatus and electrically coupleable to the base electronic device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus for adjustably docking a mobile electronic device on a base electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a docking platform for receiving a mobile electronic device, the docking platform positioned in an upper region of the base electronic device, the docking platform having an opening in a surface of the docking platform, the docking platform removably coupled to the base electronic device; and an electrical connector electrically coupled to the base electronic device, the electrical connector removably and slidably coupled to the docking platform, at least a portion of the electrical connector extending through the opening in the surface of the docking platform and electrically connectable to the mobile electronic device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector extends through the opening in the docking platform such that a base of the connector and a peripheral side of a mobile electronic device connected to the electrical connector interface in a plane of the docking platform, whereby the connected mobile electronic device is flush with the docking platform. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking platform includes a recess disposed therein and wherein the opening is positioned in the recess. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrical connector includes a channel and the docking platform includes a track configured for engagement with the channel whereby the electrical connector is removably and slidably coupled to the docking platform. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the electrical connector includes a second electrical connector electrical coupled to the first electrical connector via a flexible cable. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the base electronic device includes a connector port configured for removably coupling the second electrical connector to the base electronic device. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a posterior support bracket coupled to the docking platform to provide support to the mobile electronic device when received on the docking platform, the posterior support bracket extending from the base electronic device in a direction having a vertical component. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is electrically connected to the base electronic device by a flexible electrical cable. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the flexible electrical cable is removably connected to the base electronic device. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is angled with respect to the docking platform. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrical connector angle corresponds with an angle of a surface of the posterior support bracket, such that the electrical connector and the angled surface of the posterior support bracket are substantially parallel. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector includes at least one of a portable digital media interface connector, a Type A USB connector, a Type B USB connector, and a micro-USB connector. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base electronic device is at least one of a speaker system, a clock radio, a telephone, a keyboard, and an electronic display. 14. A system for docking a mobile electronic device, the system comprising: a base electronic device, the base electronic device having at least one of an audio output component or a video output component for providing output from a mobile electronic device docked on the base electronic device; a docking platform for receiving the mobile electronic device, the docking platform removably coupled to the base electronic device and positioned in an upper region of the base electronic device, the docking platform including an opening; an electrical connector electrically coupled to the base electronic device, the electrical connector removably and slidably coupled to the docking platform, at least a portion of the electrical connector extending through the opening in the docking platform and electrically connectable to the mobile electronic device. 15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a posterior support bracket coupled to the base electronic device to provide support to the mobile electronic device when received on the docking platform, the posterior support bracket extending from the base electronic device in a direction having a vertical component. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the electrical connector includes a channel and the docking platform includes a track configured for engagement with the channel whereby the electrical connector is removably and slidably and coupled to the docking platform. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical connector includes a second electrical connector electrically coupled to the first electrical connector via a flexible cable. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the base electronic device includes a connector port configured for removably coupling the second electrical connector to the base electronic device. 19. The system of claim 19, wherein the second electrical connector is a USB connector. 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical connector is configured for at least 180 degrees of rotation in the docking platform."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present application generally relates to adjustable docking apparatuses for electronic devices. In particular, the present application relates to docking apparatuses having adjustable components, which adjustability allows the apparatuses to accommodate a variety of electronic devices having spatially different electrical connector configurations.\n\nSome electronic systems are designed for structural coupling with other independent portable devices. For example, electronic speaker systems are available that include docking units configured to engage with a particular mobile electronic device, such as cellular telephone or smart phone. In such systems, docking the electronic device with the docking unit of the system generally electrically connects the mobile device and the base system electrically and creates an interface that allows data files such as audio or video files stored on the mobile device to be transmitted to and through the base system. However the prolific generation of mobile device makes production of a docking system that is structurally configured to physically support a device having a particular geometry and data port location more challenging. Accordingly, a large subset of devices may not be compatible with an underlying base system due to the differing geometries, dimensions, or port locations of the device, which limits sales and or increases manufacturing costs and hence increases production costs.\n\nInventive embodiments provide an apparatus for adjustably docking a mobile electronic device on a base electronic device.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 1/1632",
    "H02J 7/731",
    "H04M 1/04",
    "H04M 1/72409"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 1/16",
    "H05K 7/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SDI Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Eric Holzer",
    "Mary Beth Poandl",
    "Thomas Choi",
    "Andrew Skurdal"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-08-31",
  "publication_date": "2013-03-07",
  "priority_date": "2011-09-02",
  "application_number": "US-201213601285-A",
  "family_id": "47003207",
  "cited_by_count": 60,
  "citations": [
    "US20070263348A1",
    "US7738247B2"
  ]
}