Coupling systems and methods for electronic devices

1. A first electronic device for operably receiving and coupling a second electronic device to the first electronic device, the first electronic device comprising:

a housing including a first engagement surface adapted to operably receive the second electronic device;

a display module hingeably coupled to the housing;

a first magnet array that is movably coupled to the housing; and

a motion transfer mechanism coupled to the housing and the first magnet array to move the first magnet array relative to the housing to perform at least one of operably coupling or de-coupling the received second electronic device to or from the first electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is a compute module.

2. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism is adapted to move the first magnet array relative to the housing to attract or repel a second magnet array on the second electronic device.

3. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism includes a rack and pinion system.

4. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism includes a motor, and wherein the motion transfer mechanism converts a rotational output from the motor into a linear output to translate the first magnet array relative to the housing.

5. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnet array includes a first located first magnet array and a second located first magnet array, and wherein the motion transfer mechanism is adapted to transfer motion from an actuator to move the first located first magnet array and the second located first magnet array.

6. The first electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism further comprises:

a connecting shaft extending from a first end portion to a second end portion of the motion transfer mechanism;

a first link to transfer motion to the first located first magnet array; and

a second link to transfer motion to the second located first magnet array,

wherein the first end portion is coupled to the first link to form a first coupling mechanism, and

wherein the second end portion is coupled to the second link to form a second coupling mechanism.

7. The first electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the first coupling mechanism includes a first rack and pinion system, and wherein the second coupling mechanism includes a second rack and pinion system.

8. The first electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising electrical circuitry disposed in the housing, wherein the first engagement surface comprises an aperture perimeter surrounding an aperture that extends through the housing from the first engagement surface to a second surface opposite the first engagement surface, and wherein the first engagement surface is configured to receive the second electronic device in the aperture.

9. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first electronic device comprises a user interface module.

10. The first electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first electronic device includes a light communication system having a first light transmitter configured to transmit light to the second electronic device, and a first light receiver configured to receive light emitted by the second electronic device to determine if the second electronic device is properly aligned with the first electronic device.

11. The first electronic device of claim 10 , wherein responsive to the light communication system determining that the second electronic device is properly aligned with the first electronic device, an actuator is caused to couple the first electronic device to the second electronic device.

12. An electronic device for operably receiving and coupling a compute module to the electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

a housing including a first engagement surface and a second surface opposite the first engagement surface, the first engagement surface adapted to operably receive the compute module;

a display module hingeably coupled to the housing; and

a first magnet array that is movably coupled to the housing to perform at least one of operably coupling or de-coupling the received compute module to or from the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , further comprising a motion transfer mechanism coupled to the housing and the first magnet array, wherein the motion transfer mechanism is configured to move the first magnet array relative to the housing to attract or repel a second magnet array of the compute module.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 , further comprising a motor, wherein the motion transfer mechanism converts a rotational output from the motor into a linear output to translate the first magnet array relative to the housing.

15. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the first magnet array includes a first located first magnet array and a second located first magnet array, and wherein the motion transfer mechanism is adapted to transfer motion from an actuator to move the first located first magnet array and the second located first magnet array.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism further comprises:

a connecting shaft extending from a first end portion to a second end portion of the motion transfer mechanism;

a first link to transfer motion to the first located first magnet array; and

a second link to transfer motion to the second located first magnet array,

wherein the first end portion is coupled to the first link to form a first coupling mechanism,

wherein the second end portion is coupled to the second link to form a second coupling mechanism,

wherein the first coupling mechanism includes a first rack and pinion system, and

wherein the second coupling mechanism includes a second rack and pinion system.

17. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the first engagement surface comprises an aperture perimeter surrounding an aperture that extends through the housing from the first engagement surface to the second surface, wherein the first engagement surface is configured to receive the compute module in the aperture.

18. An electronic device for operably receiving and coupling a compute module to the electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

a housing including a first engagement surface adapted to operably receive the compute module;

a display module hingeably coupled to the housing;

a first magnet array that is movably coupled to the housing; and

a motion transfer mechanism coupled to the housing and the first magnet array to move the first magnet array relative to the housing to perform at least one of operably coupling or de-coupling the received compute module to or from the electronic device, wherein the motion transfer mechanism includes a rack and pinion system.

19. The electronic device of claim 18 , wherein the motion transfer mechanism includes a motor, wherein the motion transfer mechanism converts a rotational output from the motor into a linear output to translate the first magnet array relative to the housing.

20. The electronic device of claim 18 , further comprising electrical circuitry disposed in the housing, wherein the first engagement surface comprises an aperture perimeter surrounding an aperture that extends through the housing from the first engagement surface to a second surface, and wherein the first engagement surface is configured to receive the compute module in the aperture.