Motor-Driven Tablet Dock for Vehicle Theft Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices, such as tablet computers, are vulnerable to theft when unattended in passenger vehicles and can be difficult to use while being held by a user, as they require two hands for operation.

Innovation Solution

A tablet computer dock that includes a tablet receiver and a tablet positioner with a drive and sensors, allowing the tablet to be securely stored and easily accessed between an insert/eject position, a use position, and a stowed position, using a motor-driven roller system to facilitate movement between these positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tablet computer is left unattended in the passenger vehicle, then it is easily accessible for use, but it becomes vulnerable to theft

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of tabletVSAvoidTheft vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet dock implements dynamic positioning with multiple states: an accessible position for use and a retracted/stowed position for security. The positioning mechanism dynamically moves the tablet between these states based on user interaction, allowing the system to adapt between accessibility and theft protection modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the tablet computer is held by a user, then it is portable, but it requires two hands for operation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUsabilityVSAvoidHand coordination requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dock provides a stable support structure that acts as a surrogate for hand holding. By placing the tablet in the dock, users transfer the support function from their hands to the dock structure, freeing both hands for operation while maintaining tablet stability through the receiver and positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the tablet computer is stored in a compartment, then it is protected from theft, but it is difficult to access and eject

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTheft protectionVSAvoidAccess and ejection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism enables self-service access and ejection. When the user inserts or pulls the tablet, the mechanism automatically detects the force direction and moves the tablet to the appropriate position (inserted for storage, ejected for removal) without requiring manual manipulation of locks or complex release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The dock effectively secures the tablet from theft by hiding it when not in use and allows for one-handed or voice-controlled operation, enhancing usability within a passenger vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

The drive roller is illustratively arranged inside the compartment to engage the tablet computer when the tablet computer inserted into the compartment through the slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9690729B2Tablet computer dock

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 AUDI AG

AI summary

A tablet computer dock for use in a passenger vehicle is configured to support a tablet computer for use or storage inside the passenger vehicle. The tablet computer dock illustratively includes a tablet receiver that defines a compartment sized to receive a tablet computer. The compartment is accessible through a slot sized to allow the tablet computer to pass into and out of the compartment.