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

"The patent describes a system where media players can be installed in different locations around a structure, like an aircraft, to provide a consistent and flexible operating ecosystem. The media players can be easily swapped and used for different functions without needing to update or change content. The docking stations are designed to be easily installed and can provide cooling airflow to the media players. The media players can also be connected to the docking stations using a floating connector to isolate the surfaces from vibrations in the environment. The technical effects of this system include improved flexibility, ease of installation, and reduced stress on the components."

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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