MX2013003519A

MX2013003519A - Systems and methods for docking portable electronics devices.

Info

Publication number: MX2013003519A
Application number: MX2013003519A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Kevin Bosse; Scott Semenik; Richard Page; Taras Manivskiy; Volodya Andreev; Keith Mcauliffe
Original assignee: Z124
Priority date: 2010-10-01
Filing date: 2011-10-03
Publication date: 2013-10-30
Also published as: WO2012134536A2; CN103262056B; CN103262056A; EP2622492A4; WO2012134536A3; JP2013539141A; EP2622492A2; BR112013007605A2

Abstract

Systems and methods for docking portable electronic devices. A master device may be docked to a slave device to control the operation of the slave device. The slave device may have a form factor different than that of the master device. For example, the slave device may be a tablet and the master device may be a handheld device such as a smart phone. The slave device may include a retention mechanism to retain the master device in a docked position with respect to the slave device. When in the docked position, the master device may be in operative communication with one or more hardware components of the slave device to control the operation thereof. The slave device may lack the ability to exploit the full functionality of the one or more hardware components of the slave device without communication with the master device.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONNECTING ELECTRONIC DEVICES PORTABLE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The predominance of portable electronic devices has increased in recent years. Also, the performance capabilities of portable electronic devices have increased in recent years. For example, more powerful processors, improved wireless radios, increased memory capacities and other increases in performance have been made in portable electronic devices. Therefore, the number and variety of tasks that can be performed with portable electronic devices has also increased.

Additionally, portable electronic devices that have different form factors have been proposed. For example, a number of tablet or tablet devices have been proposed that may have advantages over smaller pocket electronic devices (such as smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.) for example, Tablets often make use of of screens wider than electronic pocket devices. In this respect, Tablets can present a wider viewing area that can provide additional features (for example, more robust graphical user interfaces can be developed for use with Tablet devices). Additionally, because the total size of Tablet-type devices is often larger than that of electronic pocket-sized devices, more powerful and larger batteries can be provided, which have longer battery life than batteries of electronic pocket devices. . As such, tablet devices may be able to operate for longer time lengths than electronic pocket devices.

However, Tablets can also suffer from a number of disadvantages when compared to pocket electronic devices. For example, Tablets additionally, although they are potentially more convenient than many desktop or laptop computers, may not demonstrate the same convenience of pocket electronic devices. Additionally, in many cases, electronic pocket devices can be used as telephones or include wireless radios that allow communication with similar networks (for example, include both data and voice network capabilities). While some tablets include some form of wireless radio (eg 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.), many do not include wireless radios for communication with a cellular network. Those Tablets that do not include cellular radios often require an additional provision (for example, an additional contract, or a single SIM card) with a service provider to use the cellular network with the Tablet type device.

Users often use both tablet and pocket devices. For example, what device the user uses may depend on the context of specific use. In this regard, a user may want data continuity through the devices used. However, the ability to provide data continuity across multiple devices can be laborious. For example, an individual may begin a task using an electronic pocket device and wish to continue the task using another device (e.g., Tablet-type device). However, the ability to change the performance of the task from an electronic pocket device to the Tablet type device can be difficult. Some proposed solutions include, for example, cloud computing, server solutions, and other means of data synchronization across multiple devices. However, these proposed solutions often require expensive subscriptions or complicated hardware adjustments to achieve such services. In addition, the continuity of the tasks that are performed can be interrupted (for example, requiring the progress of the task to be saved and reopened on the other device) as opposed to the changes of the devices "on the fly". As such, these solutions often present a heavy economic burden, can present security problems with respect to sensitive data, and can interrupt the continuity of tasks performed using the devices.

A first aspect includes a slave device for supporting and coupling a master device. The slave device includes a. operable latching mechanism for retaining a master device in a connected position with respect to the slave device. When in the connected position at least a portion of the master device is contained within the sheath of the slave device. The slave device also includes one or more hardware components provided integrally with the slave device. The slave device further includes a connector disposed relative to the retention mechanism. The connector is operable to establish a communication interface between the master device and one or more hardware components for communication between the master device and one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position. As such, the master device is operable to control one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position, and one or more hardware components require communication with the master device to perform full functionality.

A second aspect includes a system for connecting portable electronic devices. The system includes a master device that includes a processor. The master device has a communication port in operational communication with the processor. The system also includes a slave device. The slave device includes an operable latching mechanism for holding the master device in a connected position with respect to the slave device. When in the connected position, at least a portion of the master device is contained within the sheath of the slave device. The slave device also includes one or more hardware components provided integrally with the slave device. The slave device further includes a connector disposed relative to the retention mechanism and in operative communication with one or more hardware components. The connector is operable to establish a communication interface with the communication port of the master device for communication between the processor and one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position. The processor of the master device is operable to control one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position, and one or more hardware components require communication with the processor to perform full functionality.

A number of feature enhancements and additional features apply to the first and second aspects. These improvements of additional features and characteristics can be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following characteristics that will be discussed may be, but is not required to be, used with any other characteristic or combination of characteristics of the aspects presented herein.

In one embodiment, the slave device can be a Tablet-type device, and the master device can be a pocket device. Additionally, the latching mechanism may be operable to selectively release the master device from the connected position. The retaining mechanism may include at least one coupling member which is interlocked with a correspondingly shaped coupling feature of the master device. When the master device is in the connected position to securely hold the master device in the connected position. At least one coupling member can be displaced from the interlocked coupling with the coupling feature to selectively release the master device. In one embodiment, the coupling feature of the master device comprises a contour defined at least partially by the housing of the master device.

In another embodiment, the retention mechanism may include frictional engagement of the master device by the slave device. In this regard, the retention mechanism may include a frictional engagement member in contact with the master device when in the connected position to hold the master device in the connected position.

At least one input device of the master device can be exposed to an outside of the slave device when the master device is in the connected position. In one embodiment, one or more hardware components may include a touch screen display screen arranged on a first side of the slave device. Accordingly, when the master device is in the connected position, the display data provided to, and the input data received from, the touch screen display screen may be interchangeable between the slave device and the master device. The slave device may not include a wireless modem.

In addition, the slave device may not include an operable processor to exploit the full functionality of one or more hardware components.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the communication interface established between the connector and the communication port includes a power interface to provide power between the master device and the slave device. In this regard, the power can be supplied from the master device to the slave device or from the slave device to the master device via the power interface.

A third aspect includes a method for connecting portable electronic devices. The method includes placing a master device in a connected position with respect to the slave device.

Additionally, the method includes retaining, using a retention mechanism, the master device with respect to the slave device. The method also includes connecting, during placement, a communication port of the master device with a slave device connector disposed with respect to the data communication and retention mechanism between the slave device and the master device. The method further includes controlling with the master device, one or more hardware components of the slave device.

A number of additional feature and feature enhancements are applicable to the third aspect.

These improvements of additional features and characteristics can be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following characteristics that will be discussed may be, but is not required to be, used with any other characteristic or combination of characteristics of the aspects presented herein.

For example, in one mode, the connection may occur during the operation of the master device. As such, communication and control can occur without interruption of operation of the master device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a system for connecting portable electronic devices.

Figure 2 illustrates a front and back perspective view of one embodiment of a system for connecting portable electronic devices including a Tablet and pocket type device.

Figure 3 illustrates a detailed view of the embodiment of Figure 2 showing the pocket device in a connected position.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a slidable base for receiving a pocket device.

Figure 5 illustrates the embodiment of the slidable base according to Figure 4 in position with respect to a pocket device.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a perspective cut-away view of the embodiment of Figure 2 with the pocket device in a disconnected and connected position, respectively.

Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment of a retention mechanism.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the retention mechanism of Figure 7 in a connected and disconnected position, respectively.

Figure 9 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the retention mechanism embodiment of Figure 7.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of a retention mechanism.

Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment of a Tablet-type device including a slot for receiving a pocket device.

Figure 13 illustrates an extreme view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10.

The following description is not intended to limit the invention to the form described herein. Accordingly, variations and modifications comparable with the following teachings, experience and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are also intended to explain known ways of practicing the invention and to allow others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention.

The following description relates, generally, to systems and methods of connection of portable electronic devices. As described herein, a device may be referred to as a "slave device" or "master device". It is intended that a master device be operative to control at least some functionality of the slave device when it is connected to it. The connection of master and slave devices may allow resources (eg, processor, wireless radio, cellular radio, memory, etc.) of the master device to provide functionality to components of the slave device (eg, input devices, devices). display, audio and / or video devices, etc.) As such, a relatively simple and accessible slave device that lacks the resources of the master device can be provided. The slave device may take a different form from the shape of the master device to provide functional versatility associated with a form different from that of the master device. Because the resources of the master device provide the functionality to the components of the slave device, the transition between using a master device and a slave device can be transparent or "on the fly" and allow all the functionality and data resources of the device master to be used with the slave device without the need for expensive and complex synchronization capabilities such as cloud computing, server access, or time-consuming physical synchronization operations.

A slave device including a latching mechanism for retaining a master device in a connected position with respect to the slave device may be provided. For example, the slave device can be a Tablet-type device and the master device can be a pocket device (for example, a smartphone). In this regard, a connector provided in the Tablet can be interconnected with a communication port of the pocket device when the pocket device is connected to the Tablet. The connector can provide a communication interface between the pocket device and the Tablet. Additionally, the connector can establish an interface to provide power between the Tablet and the pocket device. The Tablet may include hardware components that are integrated into the Tablet-type device that can be controlled by the pocket device when the pocket device is in the connected position. For example, a touch screen display screen provided on the tablet device can display information from the pocket device and the pocket device can receive inputs from the touch screen display screen. Therefore, as will be discussed in more detail below, the advantages of both a Tablet and a pocket device can be realized.

Figure 1 includes a schematic view of a slave device in the form of a Tablet 100 and a master device in the form of a pocket device 150. It will be understood that these particular forms of master and slave devices are for informational purposes only and other forms of slave devices and master devices may be provided without limitation.

For example, other forms of devices, such as devices in the form of game controls, laptop-type computers, desktop computers, or workstation terminals can be used as either a slave or master device without limitation.

Tablet device 150 may include a retention mechanism 102. The retention mechanism 102 may correspond to the pocket device 150 so that the pocket device 150 is releasably engaged by the retention mechanism 102 of the Tablet 100. As will be discussed in more detail below, the master device 150 may retained by the latching mechanism 102 so that at least a portion of the master device 150 is contained within the sheath of the slave device 100. When engaged in a resilient manner by the retention mechanism, the pocket device 150 can be in a position connected with respect to the Tablet type device 100.

The Tablet 100 may also include a connector 104. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 104 may be arranged in relation to the latching mechanism 102 so that when the pocket device 150 engages the latching mechanism 102, the connector 152 can be interconnected with a communication port 152 of pocket device 150. In this regard, the connector 104 may be exposed or may extend in a space provided in the Tablet 100 in which the pocket device 150 is received when it is in the connected position.

The pocket device 150 may include a processor 154 in operative communication with the communication port 152. The processor 154 may be in additional operational communication with various components of the pocket device 150. As such, the processor 154 can be operated to control the operation of the various components of the pocket device 150. For example, the processor 154 may be in operative communication with a memory 170. The memory 170 may store executable code that is executable by the processor 154 to control the operation of the pocket device 150. For example, the memory 170 may contain code corresponding to an operating system executable by the processor 154 for controlling the pocket device 150.

The pocket device 150 may also include other various components. In one embodiment, the pocket device 150 can be a smartphone device. In this regard, the pocket device 150 may include components that provide functionality associated with a smartphone. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the pocket device 150 may include a display screen 158 (e.g., a touch screen display device including input and display capabilities). The pocket device 150 may also include one or more wireless radios 160. For example, one or more wireless radios may include a Wi-Fi radio employing, for example, an IEEE 802.11 standard; a cellular radio employing, for example, GSM, CDMA, LTE, or WiMAX; a bluetooth radio; or another appropriate wireless radio. Pocket device 150 may also include removable storage 162, such as, for example, a Secure Digital (SD) card slot or the like. In addition, the pocket device 150 may include, for example, a battery 164, audio and / or video outputs 166, and a camera module 168. Various other components may be provided without limitation (eg, an accelerometer, dedicated hardware input devices, contextual hardware input devices, antennas, etc.). The various components of the pocket device 150 may be in operative communication with the processor 154. by means of a communication bus 156.

The connector 104 of the Tablet 100 may also be in operative communication with various components of the Tablet 100. For example, the Tablet 100 may have components that are redundant with those provided in the pocket device (e.g., a camera module 112). , audio and / or video outputs 114, removable storage 118, a touch screen display 106, a battery 110) or may have unique components not shared by the handheld device (eg, USB port 120, etc.) - Additionally, the Tablet 100; · could include a power connector 122 that can be operative to charge the battery 110 of the Tablet or the battery 164 of the pocket device 150 when it is connected to the Tablet 100.

When the pocket device 150 is provided in the connected position, the interface of the communication port 152 and the connector 104 can establish operational communication between the processor 154 and a communication bus 124 provided in the Tablet 100. The various components of the Tablet 100 may also be in operative communication with the communication bus 124, so that the processor 154 is in operative communication with the various components of the Tablet 100 when in the connected position. The communication between the processor 154 and the various components of the Tablet 100 may allow the processor 154 to control the operation of various components of the Tablet 100.

The Tablet 100 can be considered as a "dumb" device. That is, the Tablet 100 may lack the resources to exploit the full functionality of the components of the Tablet 100. It is noted that the Tablet 100 may lack an operating processor to provide full functionality of the various components of the Tablet 100. In addition , the Tablet 100 may lack a radio.

In this regard, the Tablet 100 can rely on the processor 154 and radio 160 of the pocket device 150 to provide full functionality of the components of the Tablet 100. For example, the Tablet 100 may require communication with the master device 150 for sufficient power processing to exploit the components of the Tablet 100 or to facilitate wireless communication. However, the Tablet 100 can provide some rudimentary functionalities without the assistance of the master device 150. For example, the touch screen display 106 may be in communication with a display controller 108 that allows the touch screen display 106 to be used for simple tasks (e.g., display status information of the Tablet 100 including battery levels, if a master device is connected, etc.). However, the functionality of the display controller 108 may be limited to certain predefined functionalities.

Additionally, the interface defined between the connector 104 and the communications port 152 may include a power interface. As such, energy can be supplied from the Tablet (e.g., from battery 110 or power connector 122) to pocket device 150. In addition, energy can be passed from the pocket device 150 (e.g., battery 164) to the Tablet 100. In this way, the power interface can be established to provide power from the tablet to the handheld or pocket device. to the Tablet.

With further reference to Figure 2, a modality of a Tablet 100 with a handset 150 provided in a position connected with respect to the Tablet 100 is shown. Figure 2 includes front and back perspective views of the Tablet 100. As can be seen from Figure 2, the Tablet 100 may include a front side 202, and a rear side 204. The front side 202 may include the touch screen display 106. further, the front side 202 may include a number of input devices 116. For example, a number of buttons or touch-sensitive areas can be provided with which a user can interact. The camera module 112 mentioned in the foregoing can be arranged on the front side 202 of the Tablet 100. Although not shown, additional camera modules can be provided (eg, rear orientation camera module on the rear side 204 of Tablet 100).

The rear side 204 may include an opening 206 through which the pocket device 150 may be disposed. The opening 206 may extend from an exterior of the Tablet 100 to an interior of the Tablet 100 as will be discussed in more detail below. A latching mechanism 102 (not shown in FIG. 2) can be provided to engage the pocket device 150 in a resilient manner so that the pocket device 150 is retained in the aperture 206. In this respect, a portion of the device 150 of FIG. The pocket can be covered by a back panel 208 of the Tablet 100 when the pocket device 150 is in the connected position. That is, a portion of the pocket device 150 may be contained within the sleeve of the Tablet 100. In one embodiment, substantially all of the pocket device 150 may be contained within the sleeve of the Tablet 100. The sleeve of the Tablet 100 It may correspond to the largest external dimension of the Tablet. Accordingly "content within the tablet case" may mean that the pocket device 100 does not extend the overall external dimensions of the Tablet 100.

Figure 3 depicts a detailed view of the pocket device 150 in a position connected with respect to the Tablet 100. The back panel 208 can be molded to accommodate the reception of the pocket device 150 in the opening 206. A portion of the device 150 can still be accessed from an exterior of the Tablet 100. For example, as shown in Figure 3, physical input devices 302 (eg, buttons such as volume, mute or power buttons) of the pocket device 150 they may be accessible from the outside of the Tablet 100. In this regard, the physical input devices 302 may be used when the pocket device 150 is in the connected position. Accordingly, the need to provide redundant physical input devices 302 in the Tablet 100 can be eliminated.

In one embodiment, the retention mechanism 102 includes a slidable base 402 as shown in Figure 4. With further reference to Figures 6A and 6B, the slidable base 402 can be positioned relative to an outlet 412 of the opening 206 extending to through the rear panel 208. In this regard, the opening 206 extends through the rear panel 208 so that the pocket device 150 can be passed through an inlet 410 (best shown in Figure 3) and can be received by the slidable base 402 after passing through the outlet 412. As can be seen from Figure 4, the sliding base 402 is generally open on one side thereof. A backing plate 412 and a side wall 416 can be molded to receive the pocket device 150. The sliding base 402 can be arranged with respect to the rear panel 208 as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, so that the backing plate 412, side wall 416 and back panel 208 generally define a cavity for receiving the pocket device 150.

With further reference to Figure 5, the sliding base 402 may also include a flange 410 extending therefrom which supports a latch 500. The operation of the latch 500 will be described in greater detail below with respect to Figure 8A and 8B. Figure 5 shows the pocket device 150 in position relative to the slidable base402. Sliding base 402 may include a cutout 418 in side wall 416 to accommodate a connector 104 as will be further described with respect to Figures 6A, 6B and 7.

Figure 6A shows a mode of a pocket device 150 in a disconnected position with respect to a mode of a Tablet 100 and Figure 6B shows the pocket device 150 in a position connected with respect to the Tablet 100. In figures 6A and 6B, the back panel 208 of the Tablet 100 is shown and the front side 204 (eg, the display screen 106, frame, etc.) has been removed for clarity. A printed circuit board 400 (PCB) is visible in Figures 6A and 6B. The PCB 400 may include the connector 104 that is operable to interface with the communication port 152 of the pocket device 150. The connector 104 is obstructed from view in Figures 6A and 6B by the flange 410. However, the connector 104 is shown passing through the cutout 418 of the side wall 416 of the sliding base 402 in Figure 7, which represents a view taken from an opposite side of the Tablet 100 of that shown in Figures 6A and 6B. In Figure 7, the rear panel 208 has been removed for clarity. The PCB 400 can also include electronic components to support the functionality of the Tablet 100 as described above. Figure 7 In one embodiment of the retention mechanism 102, the pocket device 150 can be arranged through the opening 206 in the rear panel 208 and received by a slidable base 402. As shown in Figure 6A, the slidable base 402 can be found in a disconnected position so that it connects the outlet 412 of the opening 206. The sliding base 402 can also be movable with respect to the rear panel 208. In this regard, the springs 404 may be attached to a first end 406 of the rear panel 208 and at a second end 408 to the slidable base 208. Note that different potential embodiments of spring mounting locations are shown in Figures 6A-6B and Figure 7. In no sense, the sliding base 402 can be biased to the disconnected position shown in Figure 6A.

When the pocket device 150 is disposed through the opening 206, the pocket device 150 may come into contact with the slidable base 402 once it leaves the outlet 412. The pocket device 150 may continue to advance so that the sliding base 402 is moved against the biasing force exerted by the springs 404 to a connected position as shown in Figure 4B. As can be seen from Figure 4B, the slidable base 402 has moved away from the outlet 412 of the opening 206 so that the slidable base no longer splices with the outlet 412 when it is in the connected position. In addition, it can be seen from Figures 4A and 4B that the flange 410 moves with respect to the edge of the rear cover 208. The movement of the slidable base 402 from a disconnected position to the connected position can allow the advancement of the pocket device 150 with respect to the connector 104 so that a communication port 152 of the pocket device 150 couples to the connector 104 to establish operational communication. between the pocket device 150 and the connector 104. As the slide base 402 moves relative to the PCB 400, the connector 104 can project through the cutout 418 such that the communication port 152 of the pocket device 150 is Coupling to connector 104.

Also, when the sliding base 402 advances, the tab 410 having the latch 500 disposed therein can advance with the slidable base 402. The latch 500 can couple the rear panel 208 to retain the slidable base 402 and the pocket device 150 in a connected position so that the communication port 152 of the pocket device 150 couples with the connector 104.

The latch 500 can be selectively decoupled to release the pocket device 150 from the Tablet 100. When uncoupled, the springs 404 can act on the slidable base 402 to retract the slidable base 402 from the connected position shown in Figure 6B to the disconnected position shown in Figure 6A. In this regard, the pocket device 150 may undergo a corresponding retraction movement, so that the communication port 152 is decoupled from the connector 104. Also, the pocket device 150 may be ejected from the opening 206 a sufficient amount of so that the user can manipulate the pocket device 150 to completely remove the pocket device 150 from the opening 206.

Figure 8A shows a cross-sectional view of the adjacent Tablet 100 where the latch 500 engages the rear panel 208 to retain the slidable base 402 in the connected position. The tab 410 includes a spring-loaded receptacle 602, (also shown in Figure 4) that holds a release spring 604 in position with respect to the flange 410. The latch 500 may be capable of pivoting about a pivot 606. The spring Release 604 acts on the latch 500 to bias the latch 500 to a docked position as shown in Figure 8A. When the user wishes the pocket device 150 to be released, the user can press latch 500 to overcome the deflection force exerted by release spring 604 as shown in Figure 8B. In this regard, the latch 500 can uncouple the rear panel 208 in such a manner that the latch 500 slides with respect to the rear panel 208. This may allow the slidable base 402, flange 410 and latch 500 to retract by means of the biasing force exerted on the slidable base 402 by the springs 404 as shown in Figure 8B.

Returning to Figure 4, the sliding base 402 may also include coupling members 502 for physically coupling the pocket device 150 to assist in retention of the pocket device 150 in the connected position. In the absence of the coupling members 502, the only retention of the pocket device 150 in the connected position may be the coupling of the connector 104 with the communication port 152. That is, while the sliding base 402 can be held in the position connected by the latch 500, the pocket device 150 can still be free to slide out of the opening 206 if the frictional force exerted on the pocket device 150 in the interface of communication port 152 and connector 104 is exceeded. The coupling members 502 can furthermore couple the pocket device 150 to prevent the pocket device 150 from moving from the connected position.

With further reference to Figure 9, which represents the slidable base 402 releasably attaching to the pocket device 150, the coupling members 502 may extend from the slidable base 402. The coupling members 502 may be cantilevered, such as so that the coupling members 502 can deflect along the length of the coupling members 502 to move toward and away from the pocket device 150. Ramps 702 may be provided (eg, molded into the rear cover 208) such that when the sliding base 402 advances from the disconnected position to the connected position, the coupling members 502 contact the ramps 702. This may result in the coupling members 502 being biased towards the forward pocket device 150 of the slidable base 402 towards the PCB 400 and the connector 410. The coupling members 502 may include projections 704 that are formed to interlock with the corresponding contours 706 of the device 150 pocket. The contours 706 of the pocket device can be defined in the housing of the pocket device. For example, the pocket device 150 may be an articulated device. In this regard, a hinge 708 may be provided between panels 710 of the pocket device 150. Interconnection of panels 710 adjacent hinge 708 may define contours 706. As such, when coupling members 502 advance toward pocket device 150 by the interaction of coupling members 702 with ramps 702 when the slidable base 402 advances to the connected position, the projections 704 can be interlocked with the contours 706 of the pocket device 150. In this regard, pocket device 150 can be safely retained in the connected position.

Another embodiment of a retention mechanism 102 is shown in Figures 10 and 11. A tray 800 is shown in Figures 10 and 11. The tray 800 may correspond in shape to the pocket device 150. The tray 800 may be provided in the Tablet 100 instead of the sliding tray 402 and associated components described therein (e.g. springs 404, etc.). The tray 800, unlike the sliding base 402, may be motionless relative to the rear panel 208. The tray 800 and back panel 208 can still define a cavity in which the pocket device 150 is received when it is disposed through the opening 206. The tray 800 can include a frictionally engaging member 810 frictionally engaging the device 150 pocket when advancing to the tray 800. For example, the frictional engagement member 810 may include an elastic material 802 (eg, a sponge material) that is provided in the tray 800 adjacent a cutout 812 to receive the connector 104. The frictional engagement member 810 may also include a cover 804 that is provided in the elastic material 802. The cover 804 may be provided to assist in the frictional engagement control of the pocket device 150. For exampleThe cover 804 may be a Mylar® polyester film. As can be appreciated, the tray 800, similar to the sliding base 402 described above, can be arranged relative to a surface on the Tablet 100 to define a space for receiving the pocket device 150. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the tray 800 may include a heat dissipation member 806. For example, the heat dissipation member 806 may be incision lines provided in the tray 800 or portions of the heat dissipation member 806 (eg, alternating frames in the grid shown). It can be removed to allow heat to flow through them.

In this embodiment of the retention member 102, when the pocket device 150 advances in the tray 800 toward the cutout 812, the pocket device 150 may come into contact with the friction engaging member 810. The elastic material 802 may be biased to allow the pocket device 150 to continue forward in such a manner that the communications port of the pocket device 150 couples a connector 104 disposed in the cutout 812 as previously described. The elastic material 802 can frictionally couple the pocket device 150 adjacent the connector 104. In this regard, the pocket device 150 can be held frictionally in the connected position. Accordingly, when a user wishes to remove the pocket device 150 from the Tablet, the user can hold the pocket device 150 and apply sufficient force to overcome the frictional engagement of the pocket device 150 to retract the pocket device 150 from the tray. 800 Figure 12 depicts another embodiment of a Tablet 100 that can hold a pocket device 150 in a resilient manner. The embodiment shown in Figure 12 may have a slot 1000 for receiving a pocket device 150. With further reference to Figure 13, which shows an extreme view of the slot 1000, the slot 1000 may include a flange 1002 projecting at least a portion of the slot 1000. The flange 1002 may assist in retaining the device 150 from Pocket in the connected position. The embodiment shown in Figure 10 can be used in conjunction with either the frictional engagement or mechanical interlock modes of the retention mechanism 102 described above, or with any other suitable retention mechanism.

It will be appreciated from Figures 12 and 13, that a pocket device 150 disposed in a slot 1000 may have a portion thereof exposed to the exterior of the Tablet 100 when the pocket device 150 is in the connected position. For example, the display screen 158 of the pocket device 150 may be exposed when the pocket device 150 is in the connected position. Alternatively, the exposed portion of the pocket device 150 may allow the heat to dissipate from the pocket device 150.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description should be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. For example, certain embodiments described in the above may be combined with other embodiments described and / or arranged in other ways (for example, process elements may be performed in other sequences). Accordingly, it should be understood that only preferred embodiments and variants thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A slave device for coupling and supporting a master device, the slave device characterized in that it comprises: A latching mechanism operable to retain a master device in a position connected with respect to the slave device, wherein when in the connected position at least a portion of the master device is contained within the sheath of the slave device; one or more hardware components provided integrally with the slave device; Y a connector arranged in relation to the holding mechanism, the connector is operable to establish a communication interface between the master device and one or more hardware components for communication between the master device and one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position; wherein the master device is operable to control one or more hardware components of the slave device when the master device is in the connected position, and wherein one or more hardware components require communication with the master device to perform full functionality.

2. The slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the retention mechanism is operable to selectively release the master device from the connected position and wherein the retention mechanism includes at least one coupling member that is interlocked in an interlocking manner. a coupling characteristic correspondingly formed of the master device when the master device is in the connected position to securely hold the master device in the connected position.

3. The slave device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one coupling member is displaceable from the coupling interlocked with the coupling feature to selectively release the master device and wherein the coupling characteristic of the master device comprises a defined contour to the less partially by the housing of the master device.

4. The slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention mechanism includes frictional engagement of the master device by the slave device and wherein the retention mechanism includes a frictional engagement member in contact with the master device when it is in the connected position to hold the master device in the connected position.

5. The slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one input device of the master device is exposed to the outside of the slave device when the master device is in the connected position.

6. The slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slave device does not include an operable processor to exploit the full functionality of one or more hardware components.

7. A system for connecting portable electronic devices, the system characterized in that it comprises: a master device that includes a processor, the master device has a communication port in operational communication with the processor; Y a slave device that includes: a latching mechanism operable to hold the master device in a position connected with respect to the slave device, wherein when in the connected position, at least a portion of the master device is contained within the sleeve of the slave device, one or more hardware components provided integrally with the slave device, and a connector arranged in relation to the retention mechanism and in operative communication with one or more hardware components of the slave device, wherein the connector is operable to establish a communication interface with the communication port of the master device for communication between the processor and one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position; wherein the processor is operable to control one or more hardware components when the master device is in the connected position, and wherein one or more hardware components require communication with the processor to perform full functionality.

8. The system in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the slave device comprises a Tablet-type device, wherein the master device comprises a pocket device and wherein the retention mechanism is operable to selectively release the master device from the connected position.

9. The system in accordance with the claim 8, characterized in that the retention mechanism includes at least one coupling member which is interlocked in an interlocking manner with a correspondingly shaped coupling feature of the master device when the master device is in the connected position to securely hold the master device in position. the connected position, wherein at least one coupling member is displaceable from the coupling interlocked with the coupling feature to selectively release the master device and wherein the coupling feature of the master device comprises a contour at least partially defined by the housing of the master device. master device.

10. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the retention mechanism includes frictional engagement of the master device by the slave device and wherein the retention mechanism includes a frictional engagement member in contact with the master device when in the position connected to hold the master device in the connected position.

11. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one input device of the master device is exposed on an exterior of the slave device when the master device is in the connected position.

12. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the slave device does not include a wireless modem.

13. A method for connecting portable electronic devices, the method characterized in that it comprises: placing a master device in a connected position with respect to a slave device; retain, using a holding mechanism, the master device with respect to the slave device; connecting, during placement, a communication port of the master device with a slave device connector disposed with respect to the latching mechanism; communicate data between the slave device and the master device; Y control with the master device, one or more hardware components of the slave device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the connection occurs during the operation of the master device and where communication and control occur without interruption of the operation of the master device. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method further includes providing power through a connector and the communication port between the master device and the slave device.