Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for holding an electronic device having a main body, a first channel in the main body, a back side of the first channel, a front side of the first channel, a first plug in the first channel, a first port electronically connected to the first plug, and an extraction force associated with the first plug. A normal force of the main body is greater than an extraction force associated with the first plug. The main body is formed primarily from a first material and a net density of the main body is greater than half of the density of the first material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting misalignment between a plurality of plugs in a motorized docking station and a corresponding plurality of ports on an electronic device, the method including applying an electrical charge to a motor, the motor connected to a drive train and the drive train connected to the plurality of plugs, monitoring an electrical property of the electrical charge, and removing the electrical charge from the motor if the electrical property exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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 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 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 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 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 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 docking station for holding an electronic device having a main body, a first channel in the main body, a back side of the first channel, a front side of the first channel, a first plug in the first channel, a first port electronically connected to the first plug, and an extraction force associated with the first plug. A normal force of the main body is greater than an extraction force associated with the first plug. The main body is formed primarily from a first material and a net density of the main body is greater than half of the density of the first material.

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 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 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 connector module for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising a first plug insert injection molded with the connector module, a second plug insert injection molded with the connector module, a first port insert injection molded with the connector module, a second port insert injection molded with the connector module, a first electrical connection between the first plug and the first port, the first electrical connection being insert injection molded with the connector module, a second electrical connection between the second plug and the second port, the second electrical connection being insert injection molded with the connector module, and a first indexing member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device including a main body, a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device, a slot in the main body for slidably receiving a second external connector and for positioning the second external connector to interface with a second port of the electronic device. The slot has a first opening on a first surface of the main body to receive the second external connector, a second opening on a second surface of the main body to allow a portion of the second external connector to protrude from the second opening of the main body, a first wall opposite the first surface, a rear wall opposite the second surface, a top wall, and a bottom wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for audibly producing an audio signal including a first speaker, a second speaker, a first housing surrounding the first speaker, a second housing surrounding the second speaker, a curved member having a first curvature and connected to the first housing and the second housing, a receiver for receiving the audio signal, and an energy storage device mounted on the curved member, the energy storage device electrically connected to the receiver and having a second curvature congruent to the first curvature.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a docking station for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device, a first plug on the connector module, a second plug on the connector module, a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug, a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug, a base member for holding the connector module, a first indexing member on the base member, and a second indexing member on the connector module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector module for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising a first plug insert injection molded with the connector module, a second plug insert injection molded with the connector module, a first port insert injection molded with the connector module, a second port insert injection molded with the connector module, a first electrical connection between the first plug and the first port, the first electrical connection being insert injection molded with the connector module, a second electrical connection between the second plug and the second port, the second electrical connection being insert injection molded with the connector module, and a first indexing member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device including a main body, a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device, a slot in the main body for slidably receiving a second external connector and for positioning the second external connector to interface with a second port of the electronic device. The slot has a first opening on a first surface of the main body to receive the second external connector, a second opening on a second surface of the main body to allow a portion of the second external connector to protrude from the second opening of the main body, a first wall opposite the first surface, a rear wall opposite the second surface, a top wall, and a bottom wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter piece for retaining an external connector and to be used with a docking station for an electronic device, the adapter piece comprising a main body, a cavity in the main body forming an inner portion sized to match the dimensions of the external connector, a first opening to the cavity on the main body for receiving the external connector, a second opening to the cavity on the main body allowing a portion of the external connector to protrude therefrom, and an outer portion sized to match the dimensions of a slot on the docking station.