External button control system
A control system for a computing device includes a control device configured to be communicatively coupled to an external network; a first actuator coupled to the control device, the first actuator being electronically operable by the control device in response to commands received by the control device via the external network; a second actuator manually operable by a local user; and a linkage system coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator. Both the first actuator and the second actuator are operable to move the linkage system from a first position to a second position to physically engage an external interface of the computing device.
1 . A control system for a computing device, the control system comprising:
a control device configured to be communicatively coupled to an external network;
a first actuator coupled to the control device, the first actuator being electronically operable by the control device in response to commands received by the control device via the external network;
a second actuator manually operable by a local user; and
a linkage system coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator,
wherein both the first actuator and the second actuator are operable to move the linkage system from a first position to a second position to physically engage an external interface of the computing device.
2 . The control system of claim 1 , wherein the linkage system includes a bracket configured to move linearly, and a rotatable arm positioned adjacent to the bracket and configured to rotate relative to the bracket.
3 . The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor unit communicatively coupled to the control device, the sensor unit being configured to generate data associated with a position of the first actuator, a position of the second actuator, a position of the linkage system, a position of the external interface of the computing device, or any combination thereof, the sensor unit being further configured to transmit the data to the control device.
4 . The control system of claim 1 , wherein the control device is a microcontroller.
5 . The control system of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is an electric motor.
6 . The control system of claim 1 , wherein the second actuator is a button.
7 . The control system of claim 2 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are operable to impart force on the bracket such that the bracket moves linearly toward the rotatable arm, the linear movement of the bracket causing the rotatable arm to rotate toward and physically engage the external interface of the computing device.
8 . The control system of claim 5 , wherein the electric motor is a stepper motor or a servomotor.
9 . The control system of claim 7 , wherein the external interface of the computing device is a button, and wherein the rotatable arm is configured to press the button in response to the first actuator or the second actuator moving the linkage system from the first position to the second position.
10 . The control system of claim 7 , wherein the first actuator is an electric motor having a rotatable shaft coupled to a cam, and wherein in response to the control device operating the motor, the cam rotates against the bracket causing the bracket to move linearly, the linear movement of the bracket causing the rotatable arm to rotate.
11 . The control system of claim 7 , wherein the second actuator is a button, and wherein in response to the local user pressing the button, the button presses against the bracket to cause the bracket to move linearly, the linear movement of the bracket causing the rotatable arm to rotate.
12 . The control system of claim 7 , wherein the linkage system is biased toward the first position, and wherein, in response to the first actuator or the second actuator no longer imparting force on the bracket, the bracket moves linearly away from the rotatable arm, the linear movement of the bracket causing (i) rotation of the rotatable arm away from the external interface and (ii) physical disengagement of the external interface.
13 . A computing system comprising:
a housing;
a computing device positioned within the housing and having an external interface;
a control device positioned within the housing and configured to be communicatively coupled to an external network;
a first actuator positioned within the housing and coupled to the control device, the first actuator being electronically operable by the control device in response to commands received by the control device via the external network;
a second actuator positioned partially within the housing and accessible externally from the housing, the second actuator being manually operable by a local user; and
a linkage system positioned within the housing and coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator,
wherein both the first actuator and the second actuator are operable to move the linkage system from a first position to a second position to physically engage the external interface.
14 . The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the external interface of the computing device includes a button, a lever, a switch, a dial, a knob, or any combination of thereof.
15 . The computing system of claim 13 , wherein physically engaging the external interface of the computing device powers on the computing device, powers off the computing device, resets the computing device, or ejects an insertable component from the computing device.