Apparatus for electrically connecting to a portable electronic device
View Patent ↗An apparatus including a support configured to receive a portable electronic device including a door and a first electrical connector; and a member, moveable relative to the support and configured to provide force to the door to open the door and expose the first electrical connector, the apparatus defining a cavity configured to receive the opened door.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a support configured to receive a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including a door and a first electrical connector; and
a member, moveable relative to the support and configured to provide force to the door to open the door and expose the first electrical connector, the apparatus defining a cavity configured to receive the opened door;
wherein the member provides a force to open the door without causing physical contact between the member and the door.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support defines a cavity configured to receive the portable electronic device therein.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector of the portable electronic device.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the door of the portable electronic device comprises metal, and the apparatus further comprises a magnet configured to attract the metal of the door and retain the opened door in the cavity.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a guide, moveable relative to the support and configured to guide a portable electronic device when being received by the support, the guide comprising the member.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the guide defines the cavity configured to receive the opened door.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the member is defined by a protrusion on the guide.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the guide is coupled to the support via a resiliently biased member.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a docking station for the portable electronic device.
10. A method comprising:
forming an apparatus including:
providing a support configured to receive a portable electronic device including a door and a first electrical connector; and
providing a member, moveable relative to the support and configured to provide force to the door to open the door and expose the first electrical connector, the apparatus defining a cavity configured to receive the opened door;
wherein the member provides a force to open the door without causing physical contact between the member and the door.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the support defines a cavity configured to receive the portable electronic device therein.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising providing a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector of the portable electronic device.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the door of the portable electronic device comprises metal, and the method further comprises providing a magnet configured to retain the opened door in the cavity.
14. A method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising providing a guide, moveable relative to the support and configured to guide a portable electronic device when being received by the support, the guide comprising the member.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the guide defines the cavity configured to receive the opened door.
16. A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the member is defined by a protrusion on the guide.
17. A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the guide is coupled to the support via a resiliently biased member.
18. A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is a docking station for the portable electronic device.
19. An apparatus comprising:
a support configured to receive a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including a door and a first electrical connector; and
a member, moveable relative to the support and configured to provide force to the door to open the door and expose the first electrical connector, the apparatus defining a cavity configured to receive the opened door;
wherein the door of the portable electronic device comprises metal, and the apparatus further comprises a magnet configured to attract the metal of the door and retain the opened door in the cavity.