Docking station for an electronic device with improved electrical interface
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device having a first and second ports for attaching a first and second external connectors, a first and second plugs positioned to interface with a first and second ports of the electronic device, and a first and second pins positioned to interface with a first and second electrical contact of a third port on the electronic device.
1. A device for providing power to an electronic device, comprising:
a main body;
a data plug protruding from the main body, the plug positioned to interface with the electronic device;
a data port on the main body electrically connected to the data plug;
a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;
a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device;
a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device; and
a power port on the main body electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port and the data plug are electrically connected in a pass-through configuration.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the data plug is adjacent to the first pin.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is electrically connected to only the data plug.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is a USB port and the data plug is a USB plug.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is an Ethernet port and the data plug is an Ethernet plug.
7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a retention mechanism for maintaining the electronic device electronically connected to the first pin and the second pin.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is a friction fit between the data plug and a port on the electronic device.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is a locking tab on the data plug.
10. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is gravity.
11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
an AC to DC converter configured to receive AC electrical power from the power port and provide DC power to the first pin.
12. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
a third pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a third contact of a port of the electronic device; and
a fourth pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a fourth contact of a port of the electronic device.
13. The device of claim 11 further comprising:
a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin and the fourth pin.
14. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:
a main body;
a plurality of ports on the main body;
a plurality of plugs protruding from the main body, the plurality of plugs positioned to interface with the electronic device;
a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;
a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device;
a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device; and
an AC to DC power adapter configured to receive AC power and provide DC power to the first pin.
15. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:
a main body;
a plurality of ports on the main body;
a plurality of plugs protruding from the main body, the plurality of plugs positioned to interface with the electronic device;
a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;
a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device,
a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device, and
a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin.
16. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:
a main body;
a first port on the main body for attaching a first external connector;
a second port on the main body for attaching a second external connector;
a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device;
a second plug on the main body positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device;
a first pin on the main body positioned to interface with a first electrical contact of a third port of the electronic device;
a second pin on the main body positioned to interface with a second electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device; and
an AC to DC power supply configured to accept AC power and provide a positive DC voltage at the first pin and a negative DC voltage at the second pin.
17. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:
a main body;
a first port on the main body for attaching a first external connector;
a second port on the main body for attaching a second external connector;
a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device:
a second plug on the main body positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device;
a first pin on the main body positioned to interface with a first electrical contact of a third port of the electronic device;
a second pin on the main body positioned to interface with a second electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device;
a third pin positioned to interface with a third electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device;
a fourth pin positioned to interface with a fourth electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device; and
a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin.