초록 ▼

Sleeves for different portable electronic devices (portable media players, wireless telephones, handheld computers, etc.) adapt the outer contours of the devices such that all can fit within the pocket of a standard device dock. Each sleeve situates its portable electronic device within the pocket o

Sleeves for different portable electronic devices (portable media players, wireless telephones, handheld computers, etc.) adapt the outer contours of the devices such that all can fit within the pocket of a standard device dock. Each sleeve situates its portable electronic device within the pocket of the dock such that at least one of its power/communications ports is situated at a standard location. The device dock then also accommodates a connector which fits within the dock pocket, and which has power/communications ports situated at the standard location, such that when the sleeved device is inserted into the pocket, its power/communications ports interface with the power/communications ports of the connector. The connector can incorporate data storage devices, power supplies, interface cables extending to other devices (such as personal computers, stereo systems, etc.) such that it lends the functionality of these devices to the sleeved device situated within the pocket.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A docking system for a first portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:a. a device dock having a dock interior pocket:(1) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface w

What is claimed is: 1. A docking system for a first portable electronic device having a device connection port thereon, the docking system including:a. a device dock having a dock interior pocket:(1) with a dock port connector therein, the dock port connector being configured to directly interface with the device connection port of the first portable electronic device when the device connection port and dock port connector are engaged together;(2) bounded by pocket walls wherein the dock interior pocket is configured to loosely receive the first portable electronic device between the pocket walls when inserted within the dock interior pocket, such that when the first portable electronic device is inserted within the dock interior pocket in abutment with at least one of the pocket walls, the device connection port of the first portable electronic device cannot directly interface with the dock port connector;b. a first device sleeve:(1) including a sleeve body having:(a) opposing top and bottom sleeve sides, and(b) opposing lateral sleeve sidewalls extending between the top and bottom sleeve sides, wherein the sleeve sidewalls:(i) extend outwardly from the sleeve body to define a device insertion space between the sleeve sidewalls and adjacent the sleeve body, and(ii) include inner sidewall faces facing inwardly toward each other across the device insertion space, the inner sidewall faces being concave, and(iii) are spaced at least substantially uniformly away from each other save for at the top and bottom sleeve sides, where the sleeve sidewalls extend inwardly toward each other, whereby a channel is defined between the sleeve sidewalls and adjacent the sleeve body, the channel being narrower at the top and bottom sleeve sides and broader therebetween;(2) configured to:(a) extend about a portion of the exterior of the first portable electronic device to:(i) removably engage the first portable electronic device within the first device sleeve, while(ii) leaving the device connection port exposed;(b) abut spaced portions of the pocket walls when the first device sleeve, with the first portable electronic device engaged therein, is fully received within the dock interior pocket, wherein at least a major portion of the outer circumference of the first device sleeve:(i) within the dock interior pocket, and(ii) aligned at least substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the first device sleeve within the dock interior pocket, is spaced from the pocket walls; and(c) guide the device connection port of the first portable electronic device to directly interface with the dock port connector of the device dock when the first device sleeve, with the first portable electronic device engaged therein, is fully received within the dock interior pocket;