Universal Docking System

Abstract

A docking system is presented for an ecosystem where multiple media players provide functionality according to the location of corresponding docking stations. The docking stations have locally encoded media player persona information that depends on the location where the docking station is installed. Once a media player is docked with the docking station, the media player obtains the persona information and configures itself to provide the functionality required for the location. The media player can restrict content as necessary based on the obtained persona information. Other features also can be incorporated within the docking station and media player assemblies to provide for proper airflow, isolation from vibration, or installation by unskilled individuals. A preferred ecosystem employing the disclosed techniques includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment system.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 61 / 119,132 filed on Dec. 2, 2008. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The field of the invention is docking technologies for electronic devices.BACKGROUND[0003]Various entertainment providing systems represent quite complex ecosystems of electronic devices, especially those employed in aircraft. For example, in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems can comprise hundreds of media players connected to content distribution servers, system managers, or even via one or more on-board networks. Known IFE networks require installed media players ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Preferred docking stations are configured to receive a media player in a manner where unskilled individuals can install or remove the media player with ease, and preferably without use of a tool. In a preferred embodiment, the docking stations are configured with one or more guiding surfaces that compliment one or more guiding surfaces of the media player. As an individual installs a media player, the cooperation of the guiding surfaces guide the media player into a proper fit. Contemplated guiding surfaces preferably include one or more beveled surfaces that can also act as ducting surfaces. The ducting surfaces of the docking stations or the media player can provide for a passive cooling airflow to cool a docked media player.

[0015]In some embodiments, the media players can mate with the docking station via a floating connector to aid in vibrationally isolating the surfaces of the media player from the surfaces of the docking station to reduce stresses on the connector in a vibrationally harsh environment as typically found in an aircraft. In a preferred embodiment, the connectors lack an intervening cable to reduce requirements for having a skilled technician install or remove the player. Additionally, the connection can float within a constrained region within the docking station or the media player to provide some play within the assembly to allow some vibration without causing damage to the devices.

Problems solved by technology

Various entertainment providing systems represent quite complex ecosystems of electronic devices, especially those employed in aircraft.

Unfortunately media players are often bolted or otherwise rigidly attached to an aircraft at installation locations within an aircraft including overhead locations, seatbacks, armrests, bulkheads, or other locations.

Unfortunately, the airline industry has largely failed to develop systems, methods, or configurations for IFE systems to allow a media player to operate dynamically in such a varied ecosystem.

However, Perlman fails to recognize that players can take on different roles or responsibilities based on a location on where a media player is installed.

Although Falcon discusses that device could be docked with different appliances, Falcon also fails to appreciate that an ecosystem could have different location dependent functional roles, and fails to appreciate that such an environment has a many-to-many relationship among docking stations and devices.

As with the previous examples, Minoo also fails to appreciate that an ecosystem can have location dependent functional roles and where any one of a set of media players can fulfill the functional roles.

Although Minoo, Flacon, and Smith provide suitable solutions for their intended purposes, they all fail to recognize issues associated with an ecosystem of devices that work together to form a coherent, functional ecosystem, especially as in an IFE system of an aircraft where any media player could be installed at any location, and where there can be a many-to-many relationship among players and docking station with respect to the functional roles required at each location.

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