Abstract:
A docking station assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking station assembly comprises a housing for forming an enclosure for the docking station assembly and the housing includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and a removable and replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particular digital camera.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a divisional of application Serial No. U.S. Ser. No. 09/874,680, filed Jun. 5, 2001, entitled A DOCKING STATION ASSEMBLY FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL FILES by Laura R. Whitby and Lisa W. Jaffe. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to docking stations for digital cameras and, more particularly, to such docking stations having a replaceable insert for permitting docking of a plurality of cameras.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Currently known and utilized docking stations for digital cameras include a base portion into which the camera is inserted for downloading images and the like to a personal computer. The docking station further includes an electrical connector which is connected to the personal computer for transmitting the digital images to the computer.  
         [0004]     Although the currently known and utilized docking station is satisfactory, it includes drawbacks. Such prior art docking stations only permit one model of camera to be inserted into a particular docking station. Consequently, a user must purchase a new docking station for each camera. Obviously, this is not cost efficient.  
         [0005]     Consequently, a need exists for a docking station which permits multiple models of cameras to be inserted therein.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention resides in a docking station assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking station assembly comprising: a) a housing for forming an enclosure for the docking station assembly and said housing includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and b) a removable and replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particular electronic device.  
         [0007]     These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0000]     Advantageous Effect Of The Invention  
         [0008]     The present invention has the advantage of permitting a plurality of digital cameras to use a single docking station. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a docking station of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an insert of the present invention that is attached to the docking station of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second insert of the present invention that is also attachable to the docking station of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the insert installed in the docking station. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In the following description, the present invention will be described in the preferred embodiment as a software program. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the equivalent of such software may also be constructed in hardware.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a docking station  10  of the present invention. The docking station  10  includes a base portion  20  for permitting the docking station  10  to be placed on suitable objects, such as a desk and the like. The docking station  10  further includes an upper enclosing portion  30  attached to the base portion  20  which upper portion  30 , in combination with the base portion, forms an enclosure for the docking station  10 . As is well-known to those skilled in the art, the docking station  10  includes electronic components in the interior of the enclosure formed by the base  20  and upper enclosing portion  30  for permitting transmission of digital images to a personal computer (not shown). This transmission may be directed by any suitable software program, such as Kodak Picture Software™ available in EasyShare™ products from Eastman Kodak Company, which software may be installed on the personal computer.  
         [0015]     The upper enclosing portion  30  includes a notched-out, elongated indentation portion  40  for receiving a replaceable insert (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). It is instructive to note that the indentation portion  40  may receive any of a plurality of inserts, each insert receives a particular digital camera. This permits the docking station to be flexible and cost-efficient in that it can receive a plurality of digital cameras  32 . The upper enclosing portion  30  further includes a electrical connector  35  which matingly connects to a portion of the digital camera for permitting electrical signal transmission between the camera  32  and the docking station  10 . A finger insert  85  is disposed in the upper portion  30  for permitting insertion of the user&#39;s finger for easily removing the insert without any tools. Two recessed portions  45  are also positioned on the upper portion  30  for mating with tabs (described below) for securing fit of the docking station  10  and the insert.  
         [0016]     A transmit button  50  is disposed in the upper enclosing portion  30  for permitting a user to initiate transmission of the images by pressing the button  50 . A light  60  is included on the upper enclosing portion  30  for indicating charging of the camera. It is instructive to note that charging is automatically initiated upon insertion of the digital camera  32 . Such charging techniques are well-known in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. The base portion  30  also includes an electrical connecting portion  70  for receiving an electrical cable which is connected to the personal computer. A power cable  80  is also attached to the base portion  20  which power cable  80  is connected to an electrical outlet (not shown) for supplying electrical power to the docking station  10 .  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the replaceable insert  90  of the present invention. The insert  90  includes a bottom portion  100  (not shown in its entirely) having a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the indentation  40  of the docking station  10  for permitting the insert  90  to be matingly received by the docking station  10 . The insert  90  includes an upper portion  110  having a contoured-shape portion  120  which conforms substantially to the shape of a mating portion of the particular camera  32  to which it will be mated. It is instructive to note that the docking station  10  permits a plurality of inserts to be inserted therein all of which mate to the indentation portion  40 .  
         [0018]     The insert further includes a cut-away portion  95  for permitting the electrical connection  35  of the docking station  10  to pass therethrough when installed on the docking station  10 . Two stabilizing elements  105  are disposed on the floor of the insert  90  for stabilizing the connection of the camera  32  to the insert  90 . Positioning tabs  108  are disposed around the peripheral portion of the insert  90  for securing the fit of the insert  90  to the docking station  10 . It is instructive to note that the tab  108   a  mates with the finger inset  85 , and the tabs  108   b  and  108   c  respectively mate with the recesses  45 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is an example of one of the plurality of inserts.  FIG. 3  illustrates another example of an insert  90  having the same components as discussed above. It is to be noted, however, that the contoured-shape portion  120  has a different shape from the previously discussed insert  90  for permitting reception of a different camera  32 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , and for clarity of understanding, there is shown the insert  90  matingly placed in the docking station  10 . As is obvious from the illustration, the docking station  10  and insert  90  mate together in an integrated manner.  
         [0020]     Although the preferred embodiment illustrates a digital camera, it is instructive to note that multi-media devices, such as MP3™ players, personal digital assistants, or other electronic devices, may be installed in lieu of the digital camera. Still further, wireless devices may also be substituted for the digital camera. In this case, the electrical connection  35  is deleted and substituted with an RF receiver.  
         [0021]     The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.  
       Parts List  
       [0000]    
       
           10  DOCKING STATION  
           20  BASE PORTION  
           30  UPPER ENCLOSING PORTION  
           32  DIGITAL CAMERA  
           35  ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR  
           40  INDENTATION PORTION  
           45  RECESSED PORTION  
           50  TRANSMIT PORTION  
           60  LIGHT  
           70  ELECTRICAL CONNECTING PORTION  
           80  POWER CABLE  
           85  FINGER INSERT  
           90  REPLACABLE INSERT  
           105  STABILIZING ELEMENT  
           108  TABS  
           110  UPPER PORTION  
           120  CONTOURED-SHAPED PORTION