Locking mechanisms in hybrid electronic devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10025352-B1
Application number	US-201715462571-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 17, 2017
Priority date	Mar 17, 2017
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for locking a hybrid electronic device are described herein. An electronic device may include a housing, a first lock component attached to the housing or positioned in an opening of the housing, and a second lock component attached to the housing or positioned in an opening of the housing. The electronic device may be configured to connect with a locking device at the first lock component. The electronic device may also be configured to connect with an additional electronic device at the second lock component to provide a hybrid electronic device. Additionally, when the locking device is connected at the first lock component, the electronic device is configured to prevent the additional electronic device from being detached at the second lock component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing;
a first lock component attached to the housing or positioned in an opening of the housing;
a second lock component attached to the housing or positioned in an opening of the housing;
a power supply; and
a switch configured to move between a connected mode and a cut-off mode,
wherein the electronic device is configured to connect with a locking device at the first lock component,
wherein the electronic device is configured to connect with an additional electronic device at the second lock component,
wherein power from the power supply is provided to the second lock component in the connected mode and cut-off to the second lock component in the cut-off mode, and
wherein, when the locking device is connected at the first lock component,
the switch is configured to move to the cut-off mode, thereby preventing the additional electronic device from being detached from the electronic device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer, a display device, an input device, or a smart phone.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the locking device comprises a Kensington lock.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the locking device comprises a docking station.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first lock component is positioned in an opening of a first surface of the housing, and the second lock component is attached to a second surface of the housing or positioned in an opening of the second surface of the housing.

6. A hybrid electronic device comprising:
a first electronic device having a housing, a lock component attached to the housing or positioned in an opening of the housing, a power supply positioned within the housing, and a circuit positioned within the housing; and
a second electronic device that is detachable from the first electronic device,
wherein the first electronic device is configured to connect with a locking device at the lock component,
wherein the circuit is configured to provide power from the power supply to a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device,
wherein, when the locking device is connected to the lock component, the hybrid electronic device is configured to prevent the first electronic device and the second electronic device from being detached from each other, and
wherein the circuit is interrupted when the locking device is connected at the lock component, thereby preventing the second electronic device from being detached from the first electronic device.

7. The hybrid electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the first electronic device comprises an input device, and
wherein the second electronic device is a tablet computer.

8. The hybrid electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the first electronic device is a tablet computer, and
wherein the second electronic device comprises an input device.

9. A hybrid electronic device comprising:
a first electronic device having a lock component;
a second electronic device that is detachable from the first electronic device;
a sensor configured to identify when a locking device is attached at the lock component of the first electronic device;
a power supply;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the hybrid electronic device to at least perform:
identify a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device;
identify the locking device attached at the lock component of the first electronic device; and
prevent the second electronic device from being detached from the first electronic device by cutting off power from the power supply to the connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device when the sensor has determined that the locking device is attached, thereby preventing the second electronic device from being detached from the first electronic device.

10. The hybrid electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is positioned within a housing of the first electronic device.

11. The hybrid electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is positioned within a housing of the second electronic device.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Gault Joseph Benjamin
• Giaimo Edward
• Talbot-Mantooth Harold Franklin
• Bowers Scott Douglas

Classifications

• G06F1/1669

  Detachable keyboards · CPC title

• G06F1/1632 Primary

  External expansion units, e.g. docking stations · CPC title

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title

• E05B73/0082

  for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators · CPC title

• G06F1/1616

  with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position · CPC title