Abstract: Disclosed is a housing for an electronic device that includes a rear wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a central electrical contact in the rear wall, a first cut-out on the exterior surface of the rear wall exposing a portion of the central electrical contact, a first radial electrical contact in the rear wall, and a second cut-out on the exterior surface of the rear wall exposing a portion of the first radial electrical contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drivetrain for use in a motorized docking station including a driveshaft, a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread, a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a right-hand thread, a plurality of gears, an electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears, and a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft. The drivetrain can have a manual override gear coupled to the driveshaft and a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station including a first plug positioned to slidably interface with a first port of the electronic device, a second plug opposite the first plug and positioned to slidably interface with a second port of the electronic device, a mechanical locking mechanism operable to restrict removal of the first and second plugs from the electronic device, and a software application for communicating with the docking station, the software application including a messaging component for sending messages to, and receiving messages from, the docking station, and an authorization component for authorizing unlocking of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting system for an electronic device includes a first portion associated with an electronic device and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion. The first portion includes a first face formed from an electrically insulating material, a first central electrical contact on the first face, a first plurality of radial electrical contacts on the first face and positioned around the central contact, a first ferromagnetic member. The second portion includes a second face formed from an electrically insulating material, a second central electrical contact on the second face, a first radial electrical contact on the second face, and a first magnetic member. Magnetic attraction between the first magnetic member and the first ferromagnetic member substantially maintains the first and second central electrical contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device including a tray for receiving the electronic device, the tray having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of positioning members of the top surface of the tray for positioning the electronic device with respect to the top surface, a first rail fixed to the bottom surface of the tray; and a first sliding member slidably connected to the first rail. The docking station can further include a second rail and a second sliding member slidably connected thereto. The docking station can also include recesses sized to receive the feet of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device including a first connector block slidably connected to a first side of the docking station, a second connector block opposite the first connector block and slidably connected to a second side of the docking station, a first plug of the first connector block positioned to interface with a first port of the electronic device, a security hole for receiving an external lock; and a sensor in the security hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device having a housing, a top surface of the housing for receiving the electronic device, a plurality of positioning members of the top surface for positioning the electronic device with respect to the top surface, a first sensor for detecting the presence of the electronic device, a first connector block, a first connector of the first connector block, a first arm of the first connector block, a motor connected to the first arm via one or more gears, and a security hole for attaching a lock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drivetrain for use in a motorized docking station including a driveshaft, a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread, a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a right-hand thread, a plurality of gears, an electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears, and a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft. The drivetrain can have a manual override gear coupled to the driveshaft and a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station having a secure assembly including a chassis, a tray at least partially covering the chassis, a port block slidably connected to the tray, the port block configured to translate between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, a drivetrain connected to the chassis, a fastener connecting the port block to the drivetrain, an access hole in the chassis. The fastener is accessible via the access hole when the port block is in an open position. The fastener is inaccessible via the access hole when the port block is in a closed position inhibiting disassembly of the docking station.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for holding an electronic device that includes an interface surface, a central electrical contact on the interface surface, a first radial electrical contact on the interface surface, a first magnetic member near the first radial electrical contact, and a second magnetic member near the central electrical contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device including a first connector block slidably connected to a first side of the docking station, a second connector block opposite the first connector block and slidably connected to a second side of the docking station, a first plug of the first connector block positioned to interface with a first port of the electronic device, a first port on the docking station electrically connected to the first plug, a first dummy plug of the second connector block positioned to interface with a second port of the electronic device, and a security hole for receiving a lock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device including a port block, a first electronic connector of the port block, a retention member of the port block, a tray for receiving the electronic device, a sidewall of the tray, an interior side of the sidewall, a first through-hole of the sidewall sized to slidably receive the first connector, a second through hole of the sidewall sized to slidably receive the retention member, wherein the port block is configured to slide between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position with respect to the sidewall of the tray, and wherein the first connector protrudes from the first through-hole on the interior side of the sidewall of the tray when the port block is in the substantially closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the position of a cursor on a display screen connected to a computer including entering a pattern on an input device connected to the computer and displaying an indicator on the display screen identifying the position of the cursor. The input device can be a mouse and the pattern can be a predetermined set of movements. Upon entering the predetermined movements, an easy-to-see indicator can identify the location of the cursor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting the position of a cursor on a display screen including determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen, receiving a move-intent input, displaying a ghost cursor at the eye-gaze location, receiving a confirmation-intent input, and repositioning the cursor to the eye-gaze location. The move-intent input can be, for example, a button press on an input device such as a mouse and the confirmation-intent input can be, for example releasing the button on the input device. Method can further include fine-tuning the ghost cursor position and hiding the ghost cursor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for positioning a cursor on a display screen including, determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen, determining an eye-gaze duration at the eye-gaze location, increasing a value of a gravity well associated with the eye-gaze location when the eye-gaze duration exceeds a first predetermined threshold duration, receiving a cursor position from an input device, calculating a net force of gravity due to the gravity well, updating the cursor position consistent with the net force of gravity, and decreasing the value of the gravity well after a second predetermined threshold duration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for logically positioning a second display screen relative to a first display screen including detecting a collision event of a cursor with an edge the first display screen, logically positioning the second display screen at the edge of the first display screen, calculating a projected path of the cursor, displaying the cursor on the second display screen, detecting a mouse event, calculating an offset between the mouse event and the projected path, and logically repositioning the second display screen consistent with the offset.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor system for a docking station including a receiving portion, a topside of the receiving portion for receiving an electronic device, a bottom side of the receiving portion, a first magnetic sensor on the bottom side of the receiving portion for detecting the presence of the electronic device. The sensor system can further include a second magnetic sensor on the bottom side of the receiving portion for detecting the presence of the electronic device. The first sensor can be positioned to correspond to the position of the first speaker when the electronic device is seated in the topside of the receiving portion and the second sensor can be positioned to correspond to the position of the second speaker when the electronic device is seated in the topside of the receiving portion. Sensor system can detect the presence and proper position of an electronic device in a docking station by having magnetic sensors to detect a magnetic field emitted by the speakers of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm includes a block-side portion and a follower portion. The block-side portion can have a first end connected to the connector block. The follower portion can be connected to a second end of the block-side portion with a linear clutch. The linear clutch can include a bolt, a spring, and two sliding members. The bolt can pass through the block-side portion and the follower portion. A force on an end of the arm can cause the clutch to slip allowing the follower portion to move independently of the block-side portion. A sensor can detect a slippage of the linear clutch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station including inserting a first plug into a first port of the electronic device, inserting a second plug into a second port of the electronic device, setting the docking station to a locked state, preventing removal of the first plug from the first port while the docking station is in the locked state, setting the docking station to an unlocked state, removing the first plug from the first port, and removing the second plug from the second port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for holding a plurality of external connectors in position to interface with an electronic device including a main body having a first side and a second side, a positioning member extending vertically from the first side of the main body for receiving the electronic device, a stabilizing member extending horizontally on the second side, a first through-hole extending from the first side to the second side, and a fastening mechanism for securing an external connector in the through-hole.