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 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.
Claims12
A system for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station, the system comprising:
- the docking station, the docking station comprising:
- 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;
- a software application stored in a memory, the software application for communicating with the docking station, the software application comprising:
- a messaging component stored in the memory, the messaging component for sending messages to, and receiving messages from, the docking station;
- an authorization component stored in the memory, the authorization component for authorizing unlocking of the mechanical locking mechanism of the docking station, the authorization component configured to (1) receive a password;
- (2) detect the presence of a nearby wireless device;
- or (3) detect a hardware key and, upon successful authorization, set the docking station to an unlocked state;
- and
- an undocking component stored in the memory, the undocking component configured to dismount data storage devices connected to the docking station.
A system for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station, the system comprising:
- the docking station, the docking station comprising:
- 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;
- a software application stored in a memory, the software application for communicating with the docking station, the software application configured to:
- receive an undock message;
- determine a lock state of the docking station and, if the docking station is not in a locked state, display a confirmation message on the electronic device and if the dock station is in a locked state, authorize unlocking of the docking station;
- dismount a data storage device attached to the electronic device;
- and
- send a message to the docking station, which, upon receipt by the docking station, causes the docking station to remove a first plug of the docking station from a first port of the electronic device by sliding the first plug away from the electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.