Docking station

Details Docking station Docking station

1999-02-26

2001-08-21

Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Peripheral adapting

C710S015000, C710S064000, C713S152000, C713S152000, C709S229000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279059

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to remote control operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to the placement and remote control of sensors and other devices.
BACKGROUND ART
Industrial automation frequently requires the placement of sensors or other devices in locations difficult to access for installation, operation, repair, or removal. For example, a surveillance system may include multiple cameras in inconspicuous locations. Desirable attributes of such placements could include, among others: simplicity; low cost; ease of installation, operation, repair, and removal; flexibility in the initial selection of the sensors or other devices; flexibility to subsequently change the sensors or other devices; maximizing the range of motion of the sensors or other devices; establishing and maximizing control over the motion of the sensors or other devices; and maximizing the rate of information transfer to and from the sensors or other devices.
It has been proposed that docking stations could provide some combination of these desirable attributes. However, some of these attributes, such as simplicity and low cost, conflict with others, such as flexibility and maximizing the range of motion. As a result of these conflicts, design optimization significantly complicates the development of such docking stations. Moreover, communicating with and controlling the operation of such sensors and other devices often proves difficult.
Thus, there exists a need in the art to provide docking stations that overcome the disadvantages of prior art placement and remote control of sensors and other devices and to improve communications with and control of such sensors and other devices.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a docking station that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention includes a platform, a motion control mechanism, a power source, a mount, a signal interface, and a platform signal routing system. The motion control mechanism is operably coupled to the platform. The power source is operably coupled to the motion control mechanism. The mount allows attachment of a peripheral device to the platform. The signal interface interfaces the platform with a network. The platform signal routing system routes signals from the signal interface to the motion control mechanism.
In one embodiment of this invention, the signal interface is a high-speed serial interface and the platform signal routing system is a high-speed platform signal routing system.
In another embodiment of this invention, the signal interface is an IEEE 1394 protocol signal interface and the platform signal routing system is an IEEE 1394 protocol platform signal routing system.
In a further aspect, the invention includes a platform, a motion control mechanism, a power source, a mount, first and second signal interfaces, and a platform signal routing system. The motion control mechanism is operably coupled to the platform. The power source is operably coupled to the motion control mechanism. The mount allows attachment of a peripheral device to the platform. The first signal interface interfaces the platform with a network. The second signal interface interfaces the platform with the peripheral device. The platform signal routing system routes signals from the first signal interface to the motion control mechanism and from the second signal interface to the first signal interface.
In one embodiment of this further aspect of the invention, the first and second signal interfaces are high-speed serial interfaces and the platform signal routing system is a high-speed platform signal routing system.
In another embodiment of this further aspect of this invention, the first and second signal interfaces are IEEE 1394 protocol signal interfaces and the platform signal routing system is an IEEE 1394 protocol platform signal routing system.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5139261 (1992-08-01), Openiano
patent: 5456332 (1995-10-01), Borenstein
patent: 5609525 (1997-03-01), Ohno et al.
patent: 5878211 (1999-03-01), Delagrange et al.
patent: 5936240 (1999-08-01), Dudar et al.
patent: 6027257 (2000-02-01), Richards et al.
patent: 6042382 (2000-03-01), Halfhill
patent: 6064421 (2000-05-01), Pohl

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