Motorized horizontal docking station having integrated locking mechanism
AssigneeHenge Docks LLC
InventorsMatthew Leigh Vroom, Benjamin Edwards Maskell
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims22
A method for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station, the docking station having a port block configured to slide between an open and closed positions, the method comprising:
- sliding the port block to a closed position to insert a first plug of the port block 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;
- sliding the port block to an open position to remove the first plug from the first port;
- and
- removing the second plug from the second port.
A method for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station, the docking station having a port block configured to slide between an open and closed positions, the method comprising:
- receiving a lock message at the docking station;
- setting the docking station to a locked state;
- disabling sliding of a port block to an open state while the docking station is in the locked state;
- receiving an unlock message at the docking station;
- setting the docking station to an unlocked state;
- and
- enabling sliding of the port block to an open state while the docking station is in the unlocked state.
A method for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station, the docking station having a port block configured to slide between an open and closed positions, the method comprising:
- determining whether the electronic device is docked in the docking station;
- sending a “lock” message from the electronic device to the docking station;
- disabling sliding of a port block to an open state while the docking station is in the locked state;
- receiving a “request authorization” message from the docking station;
- authorizing unlocking of the docking station;
- and
- sending an “unlock” message from the electronic device to the docking station;
- and
- enabling sliding of a port block to an open state while the docking station is in the locked state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.