Smart Device Docking Mechanism for Multi-Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitations in form factor and size of smart devices hinder the development of applications that could leverage the combined features and configurations of multiple devices, leading to frustration for users and designers, as existing solutions fail to efficiently combine smart devices to enhance user experience and application execution.
Innovation Solution
The system and method for physically and logically combining two or more smart devices through docking mechanisms, such as housing configurations and communication interfaces, allowing for data transfer, charging, and enhanced functionality like video conferencing, while enabling relationship identifiers for master-slave or standalone operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smart devices are used individually with fixed form factors, then device portability is maintained, but application functionality and user experience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a docking mechanism that physically combines multiple smart devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) into a unified system. The docking basin receives multiple devices and establishes physical and logical connections, allowing them to function as an integrated unit with enhanced capabilities beyond individual devices could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides physical support for multiple devices, establishes electrical connections for power and data transfer, creates logical relationships between devices, and enables various operational modes (master-slave, standalone, parallel processing). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing versatile application functionality without requiring each individual device to be complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart devices are combined through docking, then enhanced functionality is achieved, but physical and logical integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the integration management into distinct components: the docking basin handles physical integration, communication interfaces handle logical connections, and relationship identifiers manage device roles. This segmentation allows complex integration to be broken down into manageable functions, reducing overall integration complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism acts as an intermediary between multiple smart devices, centralizing the complexity of integration in a dedicated component rather than requiring each device to manage its own connections. The docking basin and communication interfaces serve as intermediaries that simplify the interaction between devices, enabling enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing device-level complexity.
3Productivity
If existing solutions attempt to combine smart devices, then new functionalities are enabled, but implementation effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism establishes physical and logical connections in advance before devices are fully integrated into the system. Relationship identifiers are assigned and communication interfaces are configured beforehand, ensuring that when devices are combined, the integration is immediate and reliable. This preliminary action eliminates instability that would arise from ad-hoc connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices can detect their presence in the docking basin, communicate their capabilities through interfaces, and establish appropriate relationships based on real-time information exchange. This feedback loop ensures stable and reliable integration by allowing devices to adapt to each other's requirements, improving both productivity and reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for physically and/or logically combining two or more smart devices to enhance user experience and help efficiently design, create, implement, or execute desired applications. According to one embodiment, system of the present disclosure provides a smart device apparatus having one or more processors, a communication interface device, and one or more internal data storage devices that are operatively coupled to the one or more processors. The smart device or a sleeve thereof further includes a housing, also interchangeably referred to as a slot or a docking basin, where the housing is configured to physically receive a second smart device and couple the smart device with the second smart device.