WO2006109226A2

WO2006109226A2 - Portable electronic device docking bay with connector and supply plug.

Info

Publication number: WO2006109226A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/051067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guenter Draschkowitz; Paul Ullmann
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-04-11
Filing date: 2006-04-07
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Also published as: WO2006109226A3

Abstract

A base unit (10) defining a docking bay (12) for receiving a mobile telephone (14) or the like to connect it to external electronic apparatus, comprises a multipurpose connector (18) to which a corresponding multipurpose connector (16) of the mobile telephone (14) is to be connected in a docked configuration. The base unit (10) further comprises a dedicated supply plug (22) connected to a power source, the supply plug (22) being located in the docking bay (12) adjacent the base unit connector (18). The supply plug cooperates with a corresponding socket (23) adjacent the mobile telephone connector (16) so as to facilitate guidance of the mobile telephone (14) during a docking process, and ensure that the telephone and base unit connectors (16, 18) are correctly aligned.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE DOCKING BAY WITH CONNECTOR AND SUPPLY PLUG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a docking bay for enabling electrical connection of a mobile communications device to external electronic equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many circumstances in which a mobile communications device, such as a mobile telephone, may be required to be physically connected to other electronic equipment. As a specific example, it is known to provide a base unit for enabling data transfer between a mobile telephone and a computer, which unit comprises a docking bay for receiving the mobile telephone and a connector for connecting the base unit to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port of the computer. For this purpose, mobile telephones feature a multipurpose connector with relatively small contact spacing for electrical connection to a corresponding multipurpose connector in the docking bay.

High population contacts such as these multipurpose connectors require application of force to fully compress the connectors for a sufficient contact that will ensure a good signal between the mobile communications device and the base unit. However, the relatively small contact spacing of the respective connectors can make the docking action quite difficult in certain situations, for example, when the mobile telephone is required to be docked in a partially closed bay. The connectors of the mobile communications device and base unit must be aligned, which often requires viewing the base unit and the connectors from a difficult position. As a result, the docking action may be cumbersome because correct relative positioning of the two connectors is difficult and the mobile communications device may be improperly docked without the user even realizing. Furthermore, a large force is required to be applied to fully compress the connectors and achieve a sufficient contact, such that there is also the risk of damage to the connectors as a result of misalignment thereof. US Patent Application Publication No. US2004/209489A describes a method and apparatus for performing docking actions of the type described above, which utilizes magnetic attraction to align and dock a mobile communications device with a base unit. In order to facilitate this, a number of electromagnetic components are provided in respect of the respective connectors and magnetic attraction is utilized to align and dock the mobile communications device with the base unit. In addition, the electromagnetic components maintain a contact force that ensures signal integrity between the connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a base unit defining a docking bay for receiving a mobile communications device in electrical connection therewith, wherein correct alignment of the respective connectors is facilitated reliably without the need for electromagnetic components.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a base unit for connection of a portable electronic device to an external electronic device, the base unit defining a docking bay having a first connector for electrical connection with a corresponding second connector on said portable device, said docking bay further having a dedicated supply plug connected to a power supply and located adjacent said first connector, for location in a corresponding socket of said portable device. Thus, the present invention provides a base unit defining a docking bay for receiving a portable electronic device, such as a mobile communications device, e.g. a mobile telephone, for connection thereof to other electronic apparatus, wherein a dedicated supply plug is provided next to the multipurpose connector which locates with a corresponding socket on the portable device and acts as a guide to ensure the correct alignment between the respective connectors of the mobile device and the base unit. Although the main purpose of the supply plug is mechanical guidance so as to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, an additional advantage is afforded by the present invention in that the provision of a dedicated supply plug allows for the provision of a higher supply current, than that which can be achieved if the supply is routed through the multipurpose connector. In a preferred embodiment, the supply plug extends further beyond the surface defining the docking bay than the connector. In one exemplary embodiment, the connector may be of a first height and the adjacent supply plug may be of a second height greater than the first height. Thus, early guidance is facilitated during the docking action, due to the fact that the supply plug is significantly longer than the multipurpose connector. In other words, secure guiding starts early in the docking process.

Beneficially, the supply plug is mounted in the docking bay via resiliently flexible connection means, such as a rubber or rubber- like bearing, so as to provide an element of compliance and, therefore, a centering function for the portable device during docking. Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable device having a second connector for electrical connection with the first connector within said docking bay of the base unit defined above, the portable device further comprising a socket located adjacent said second connector for receiving said supply plug of the base unit defined above.

The multipurpose connector provided on a portable device such as a mobile telephone is often protected by flap or cover that is hingedly mounted so as to be movable from a first position in which it covers the connector and a second position in which the connector is exposed for use. In one specific arrangement, such a flap may be made of a resiliently flexible material such as rubber or rubber- like material, and is not completely removable from the device. In this case, where a docking bay is partly closed, it actually becomes impossible for the device to be docked, because the open flap causes an obstruction.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cover retaining means is beneficially provided on one wall of a partially enclosed docking bay, which cover retaining means is arranged to cooperate with a connector cover of a portable electronic device, the retaining means being movable relative to the said one wall of the docking bay in a direction corresponding to movement of the portable device relative to the base unit during a docking process. In use, manual force applied to the mobile communications device during a docking process causes corresponding movement of the retaining means so as to permit passage of the cover in to the docking bay and permit the connectors of the portable device and the base unit to be connected. In a preferred embodiment, the cover retaining means comprises a holder mounted in a guiding groove in the said one side wall of the docking bay. A spring return mechanism may be provided to return the holder to a starting position when the portable device is removed from the docking bay. Thus, the cover retaining means receives the connector cover or flap of the portable device at a point that is easily accessible to a user and keeps the flap open, whilst allowing passage of the flap and device into the docking bay, right up until the final docking position. Of course, full compatibility with devices which do not have connector covers is beneficially retained. These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure Ia is a schematic side view of a mobile telephone and base unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure Ib is a schematic bottom view of the mobile telephone of Figure Ia;

Figure Ic is a schematic plan view of the docking bay of the base unit of Figure Ia;

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded side view of the multipurpose connector and dedicated supply plug of the base unit of Figure Ia;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a mobile telephone unit; Figure 4 is a perspective partial view of a base unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a mobile telephone during a docking process;

Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a cover retaining mechanism employed in the base unit of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the mechanism of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures Ia, Ib and Ic of the drawings, the present invention provides a base unit 10 defining a docking bay 12 for receiving a mobile communications device 14, such as a mobile telephone. The mobile telephone 14 typically features a multipurpose connector 16 arranged and configured for electrical connection with a corresponding connector 18 located within the docking bay 12.

Referring additionally to Figure 2 of the drawings, the multipurpose connector 18 located within the docking bay 12 of the base unit 10 can be connected via a connecting line 20 to external electronic apparatus, such as the USB port of a personal computer (not shown), for data transfer therebetween. A dedicated supply plug 22 is mounted by means of a rubber bearing 24 on the floor of the docking bay, and connected to a power supply via a separate supply line 26. In use, during a docking process, the mobile device 14 is inserted into the docking bay 12, such that the supply plug 22 locates with a corresponding socket 23 provided adjacent the connector 16 of the communications device 14. The device 14 is then pushed further into the docking bay 12, guided by the cooperation of the supply plug 22 and socket 23, until the connector 16 of the mobile communications device 14 connects with the connector 18 in the docking bay 12.

As shown, the supply plug 22 is significantly longer than the height of the adjacent connector 18 and, therefore, secure guiding of the mobile device 14 into the correctly aligned position within the docking bay 12 of the base unit 10 starts early in the docking process, and therefore facilitates relatively easy use of the arrangement. In addition, because of the element of compliance afforded by the resiliently flexible nature of the rubber bearing 24, good catching and guiding of the mobile device 14 during docking is achieved, and any mechanical over-stress will be absorbed by the overmoulded rubber portion 24.

More generally, in addition to providing convenient mechanical guidance during the docking process, the provision of a dedicated supply plug allows for higher currents than if the supply were routed through the multipurpose connector 18 and, since both the supply plug 22 and the rubber part 24 are relatively inexpensive, in terms of manufacturing and sourcing resources, the object of the invention is achieved thereby in a very cost efficient manner.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, a typical mobile communications device 14, such as a mobile telephone, having a multipurpose connector may also have a cover or flap 28 to protect the connector 16 from the ingress of moisture and debris, when the connector 16 is not in use. Typically, this flap may be made of a resiliently flexible material such as rubber or rubber- like material, but this is not always the case.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a flap holder 30 may be provided for receiving and retaining the leading edge of the flap 28 when it is in the open configuration. Referring additionally to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, a cover retaining mechanism, including the flap holder 30 is shown, and it can be seen that as a user applies pressure, via the mobile telephone 14, on the flap holder 30 it moves along the guide groove 32 in which it is mounted in the direction of the docking action so that the phone connector is allowed to approach the docking bay connector 18, keeping the flap 28 in the open configuration during the docking process to the final docking position, in which the phone and base connectors are contacted. A spring return mechanism 34 is provided to return the flap holder 30 to its starting position at the top of the guiding groove 32 when the mobile telephone 14 is removed from the docking bay (and the flap 28 is, therefore, disengaged).

It will be appreciated that the present invention is envisaged to apply to all types of base unit defining a docking bay for receiving many different types of portable electronic devices for connection thereof to external electronic apparatus, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. For example, the device may comprise a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or it may comprise, for example, a digital camera. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice- versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A base unit (10) for connection of a portable electronic device (14) to an external electronic device, the base unit (10) defining a docking bay (12) having a first connector (18) for electrical connection with a corresponding second connector (16) on said portable electronic device (14), said docking bay (12) further having a dedicated supply plug (22) connected to a power supply and located adjacent said first connector (18), for location in a corresponding socket (23) of said portable electronic device (14).

2. A base unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the supply plug (22) extends further beyond the surface defining the docking bay (12) than the first connector (18).

3. A base unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first connector (18) is of a first height and the adjacent supply plug (22) is of a second height greater than the first height.

4. A base unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the supply plug (22) is mounted in the docking bay (12) via resiliently flexible connection means (24).

5. A base unit (10) according to claim 4, wherein said resiliently flexible connection means comprises a rubber or rubber-like bearing (24).

6. A base unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein said docking bay (12) is partially enclosed and a cover retaining means (30) is provided on one wall thereof, which cover retaining means (30) is arranged to cooperate with a connector cover (28) of a portable electronic device (14), the retaining means (30) being movable relative to the said one wall of the docking bay (12) in a direction corresponding to movement of the portable electronic device (14) relative to the base unit (10) during a docking process.

7. A base unit (10) according to claim 6, wherein the cover retaining means comprises a holder (30) mounted in a guiding groove (32) in the said one side wall of the docking bay (12).

8. A base unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein a spring return mechanism (34) is provided to return the holder (30) to a starting position when the portable electronic device (14) is removed from the docking bay (12).

9. A portable electronic device (14) having a second connector (16) for electrical connection with a first connector (18) within a docking bay (12) of a base unit (10) for connection of the portable electronic device (14) to an external electronic device, the portable electronic device (14) further comprising a socket (23) located adjacent said second connector (16) for receiving a supply plug (22) of said base unit (10) connected to a power supply and located adjacent said first connector (18).

10. A portable electronic device according to claim 9, comprising a mobile communications device.

11. A portable electronic device according to claim 9, further comprising a connector cover (28).