Docking stations, electronic devices, and fiber optic cable assemblies having a magnetic optical connection
View Patent ↗Docking stations, electronic devices, fiber optic cable assemblies, and display devices incorporating optical connections including a magnetic coupling portion are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a docking station for an electronic device having a major surface. The docking station includes a mating surface operable to contact a major surface of an electronic device, and an optical connection disposed in the mating surface. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an electronic device including a major surface having a cavity, and an optical connection disposed in the cavity. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. The optical interface portion is offset from the major surface. Display devices are also disclosed.
1. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a mating surface; and
an optical connection disposed in the mating surface, the optical connection comprising an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the optical interface portion, wherein the optical interface portion comprises at least one alignment fiducial.
2. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic coupling portion comprises at least one coded magnetic array comprising a plurality of magnetic regions magnetized according to a magnetic coding pattern.
3. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the optical connection is isolated from the mating surface.
4. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board having one or more active components, wherein the optical interface portion is aligned over the one or more active components.
5. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical connection further comprises a lens block that defines the optical interface portion;
the lens block comprises a lens surface comprising a lens element; and
the lens block defines an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block.
6. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical connection further comprises an optical module that defines the optical interface portion; and
the optical module comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) surface operable to turn optical signals within the optical module by total internal reflection, thereby providing a turned optical path.
7. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the optical connection further comprises a connector body extending from the mating surface, and the optical connection is disposed within the connector body.
8. The docking station of claim 7 , further comprising a port expansion surface comprising one or more electrical ports, one or more optical ports, or combinations thereof.
9. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the mating surface is transverse to a support plane of the docking station.
10. The docking station of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic coupling portion extends across a majority of a width of the mating surface.
11. The docking station of claim 9 , further comprising a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, wherein:
the optical connection further comprises an optical module defining the optical interface portion, the optical module comprising:
a total internal reflection (TIR) surface operable to turn optical signals within the optical module by total internal reflection, thereby providing a turned optical path; and
a fiber receiving portion comprising a plurality of fiber guides for receiving and securing the plurality of optical fibers to the optical module.
12. The docking station of claim 9 , wherein the optical connection is isolated from the mating surface.
13. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of legs, each leg having an end, wherein the ends of the plurality of legs define a support plane, and the mating surface is transverse to the support plane.
14. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising one or more device holding features extending from the mating surface.
15. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising:
a storage cavity configured to receive an electronic device, wherein the mating surface is disposed within the storage cavity; and
a keyboard surface comprising a keyboard, wherein the keyboard is communicatively coupled to the optical connection.
16. An electronic device comprising:
a minor surface defining an edge of the electronic device;
a major surface comprising a cavity, wherein the major surface is transverse to the minor surface; and
an optical connection disposed in the cavity, the optical connection comprising an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the optical interface portion.
17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the magnetic coupling portion comprises at least one coded magnetic array comprising a plurality of magnetic regions magnetized according to a magnetic coding pattern.
18. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the optical connection is isolated from the major surface.
19. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the optical interface portion comprises at least one alignment fiducial.
20. The electronic device of claim 16 , further comprising a groove extending from the cavity.
21. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the optical connection further comprises a lens block that defines the optical interface portion and provides an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block.
22. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein:
the optical connection further comprises an optical module that defines the optical interface portion; and
the optical module comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) surface operable to turn optical signals within the optical module by total internal reflection, thereby providing a turned optical path.
23. The electronic device of claim 16 , further comprising a circuit board having one or more active components, wherein the optical interface portion is aligned over the one or more active components.
24. A display device comprising:
an optical connection disposed in a mating surface, the optical connection comprising:
a lens block comprising an optical interface portion that defines an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block; and
a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the lens block,
wherein the mating surface is proximate a rear surface of the display device, and the optical connection is substantially planar with respect to the mating surface.
25. The display device of claim 24 , wherein the magnetic coupling portion comprises at least one coded magnetic array comprising a plurality of magnetic regions magnetized according to a magnetic coding pattern.