US6461185B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for an electromechanically controlled electronic interface plug
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 2001-04-20
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Granted: 2002-10-08
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Expires: 2021-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for an electromechanically controlled electronic interface plug. The interface plug provides electrical connection with a complementary connector while providing electromechanical control over the ability to disconnect or decouple the interface plug. When the prevention mechanism is in an engaged position it prevents decoupling the interface plug. When the prevention mechanism is in a disengaged position it allows decoupling the interface plug. An electrical signal controls whether the prevention mechanism moves from the engaged to the disengaged position. An electronic controller provides the electrical signal when it is determined safe to allow the interface plug to decouple. The electromechanical interface plug is especially useful in notebook computer docking/undocking applications where the notebook computer must be in a safe state before undocking can occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Alan James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6275; H01R13/64; H01R13/641; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/707; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An interface plug designed for coupling with a complementary connector, the interface plug comprising: an electrical connector to provide electrical coupling; and a prevention mechanism coupled to the electrical connector to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in an engaged position and to allow the interface plug to be decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in a disengaged position, the prevention mechanism comprising a wire, the wire to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the prevention mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An interface plug designed for coupling with a complementary connector, the interface plug comprising: an electrical connector to provide electrical coupling; and a prevention mechanism coupled to the electrical connector to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in an engaged position and to allow the interface plug to be decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in a disengaged position, the prevention mechanism comprising a wire, the wire to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the prevention mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interface plug of claim 1 further comprising: an electronic controller, coupled to the prevention mechanism, to provide the electrical current to the prevention mechanism to move the prevention mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interface plug of claim 1 wherein the prevention mechanism comprises at least one hook member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The interface plug of claim 2 for coupling a computer to another electronic device, wherein the electronic controller allows decoupling of the interface plug when it is safe for a user to decouple the computer from the electronic device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An interface plug comprising: at least one hook member movably coupled to a support member; a spring, coupled to the at least one hook member, to pull the at least one hook member into an engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and a wire, coupled to the at least one hook member, to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the at least one hook member into a disengaged position to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
An interface plug comprising: at least one hook member movably coupled to a support member; a spring, coupled to the at least one hook member, to pull the at least one hook member into an engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and a wire, coupled to the at least one hook member, to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the at least one hook member into a disengaged position to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising: a pivot pin coupled to the support member, wherein the at least one hook member is rotatably coupled to the pivot pin, wherein the spring pulls the at least one hook member to rotate in a first direction about the pivot pin, wherein the wire pulls the at least one hook member to rotate in a second direction about the pivot pin, the second direction being rotationally opposite the first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising an override release mechanism, coupled to the at least one hook member, to allow an external force to move the at least one hook member into the disengaged position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising: a housing member coupled to substantially enclose the interface plug, wherein the housing member has an override release opening to allow human access to the override release mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising: a controller, coupled to the wire, to provide the electrical current to the wire to allow selective disengagement of the interface plug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electromechanically controlled interface plug comprising: first and second pivot pins coupled to a housing member; a first hook member, rotatably coupled to the first pivot pin, to rotate into either an engaged position or a disengaged position; a second hook member, rotatably coupled to the second pivot pin, to rotate into either the engaged position or the disengaged position; a spring, coupled to the first and second hook members, to pull the first and second hook members into the engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and a wire, coupled to the first and second hook members, to contract and pull the first and second hook members into the disengaged position in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electromechanically controlled interface plug comprising: first and second pivot pins coupled to a housing member; a first hook member, rotatably coupled to the first pivot pin, to rotate into either an engaged position or a disengaged position; a second hook member, rotatably coupled to the second pivot pin, to rotate into either the engaged position or the disengaged position; a spring, coupled to the first and second hook members, to pull the first and second hook members into the engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and a wire, coupled to the first and second hook members, to contract and pull the first and second hook members into the disengaged position in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interface plug of claim 10 further comprising an override release mechanism, coupled to the first and second hook members, to allow an external force to move the first and second hook members into the disengaged position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interface plug of claim 11 further comprising: a housing member coupled to substantially enclose the interface plug, wherein the housing member has an override release opening to allow human access to the override release mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interface plug of claim 10 further comprising: a controller, coupled to the wire, to provide the electrical current to the wire to allow selective disengagement of the interface plug.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6244889B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-07 | 2006-04-08 | 2006-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-07 | 2010-04-08 | 2010-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-07 | 2014-04-08 | 2014-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |