Abstract:
A portable electronic device mount provides a secure attachment point for a personal navigation device, or other electronic device. The mount provides access to the device electronics through interface ports and feature connectors. The mount connects to an attachment mechanism that firmly and reliably attaches the mount to a windshield or other surface. The mount also includes a flexible linkage through which the mounted device may be securely oriented over a wide range of positions. In addition, extendible and retractable extension arms help achieve a compact form factor for convenient carrying and storage of the mount.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to a mechanical mount for a portable electronic device. 
     2. Related Art 
     Rapid developments in modern technology have led to the widespread adoption of sophisticated portable electronic devices. These devices include personal navigation devices (PNDs), music players, satellite radio receivers, and other devices. Manufacturers have also produced ergonomic mounts into which the device may be secured. For example, a PND may have a mount that attaches to the windshield of a vehicle and that permits the driver to readily view the PND while driving. 
     However, prior mounts had drawbacks. In some cases, the mounts did not seal or attach effectively, because of, as one example, an unreliable connection to a windshield. In other cases, the mounts had limited positional capability, making it difficult to position the portable electronic device precisely where desired. Furthermore, prior mounts were often bulky to carry and store, and were plagued by loose connections that permitted the portable electronic device to rattle while attached to the mount. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved mount that addresses the problems noted above and other previously encountered. 
     SUMMARY 
     A portable electronic device mount provides a secure attachment point for a personal navigation device, or other electronic device. The mount connects to an attachment mechanism that firmly and reliably attaches the mount to a windshield or other surface. The mount also includes a flexible linkage through which the mounted device may be securely oriented in a wide range of positions. A collapsible arm system helps achieve a small form factor for convenient carrying and storage of the mount. 
     In one implementation, the portable electronic device mount (“mount”) includes a backrest, a locking tab on the backrest, and a lock release button. The mount also includes a lock release mechanism coupled between the lock release button and the locking tab, a portable electronic device mating guide positioned on the backrest opposite the locking tab, and an electronics interface adjacent the locking tab. 
     The mount may include multiple locking tabs. In one design, two locking tabs are provided on the back rest, and the locking tabs are positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent to the electronics interface. In addition, vibration dampers on the backrest may help reduce mechanical rattling when the device is inserted into the mount. The vibration dampers may be placed above and adjacent the locking tabs, or in other locations. The electronics interface may be a two dimensional pin array. The pins may be individually spring-loaded conductive pins arranged to press against exposed contact pads on the electronic device, when the electronic device is inserted into the mount. 
     The mount may also include a socket behind the backrest and a ball disposed in the socket. A spring in the socket biases the ball against the socket to help the mount retain the position set by the user. The spring may be a flat spring, formed from sheet metal or other resilient material. 
     An attachment mechanism for the mount securely connects the mount to a surface, such as a windshield. The attachment mechanism may include a support structure defining a chamber and a sealing structure, a deformable membrane covering the chamber and extending beyond the sealing structure, and a piston in the support structure and coupled to the deformable membrane. A piston lever is coupled to the piston and, when depressed, displaces the piston and draws the membrane into the chamber. The result is a vacuum seal against the mounting surface (e.g., the windshield). A flange coupled to the membrane assists with moving or removing the mount from the mounting surface. 
     The attachment mechanism may include a spring to bias the piston into a position in which the membrane is not drawn into the chamber. The piston moves in an opening that receives the piston. A pin connected to the piston may also connect to the piston lever. The piston lever includes a lever lock that rotates into a locked position when the lever arm is sufficiently displaced (e.g., rotated through 90 degrees). For example, the lever lock may include an unlocked edge, a locked edge, and an edge transition that transitions the unlocked edge into the locked edge. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included within this description, are within the scope of the claimed subject matter, and are protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The mount may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the system. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  shows an end view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 4  shows an end view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device mount and attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  shows a locking tab, lock release button, and a lock release mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross section view of a portable electronic device mount. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of an attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 12  shows a cutaway view of an attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 13  shows a flow diagram of manufacturing a portable electronic device mount. 
         FIG. 14  shows a flow diagram of manufacturing an attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 15  shows a retaining shell for a ball and socket joint. 
         FIG. 16  shows a retaining shell for a ball and socket joint. 
         FIG. 17  shows a retaining shell for a ball and socket joint. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a top view of a portable electronic device mount (“mount”)  100  and attachment mechanism  1000 . The mount  100  includes a backrest  102  against which a portable electronic device may sit when secured into the mount  100 . The backrest  102  includes a mating guide  104 , a first locking tab  106 , a second locking tab  108 , and a lock release button  110 . A lock release mechanism (described below) connects the lock release button  110  and the locking tabs  106  and  108 . The lock release button  110  and mating guide  104  are disposed near the bottom side of the backrest  102 , while the locking tabs  106  and  108  are disposed opposite, near the top side of the backrest  102 . The lock release button  110  and locking release tabs  106  and  108  may be located in other spatial relationships and in other locations on the backrest  102 . The spatial relationship shown in  FIG. 1  facilitates convenient and ergonomic one-handed insertion and removal of the portable electronic device. 
     The mount  100  also includes a portable electronics device mating guide  104 . The mating guide  104  is located near the bottom of the backrest  102 , but may be located in other places on the backrest  102 . The mating guide  104  aligns with an aperture location in the portable electronic device to guide the device into the mount  100 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the mating guide  104  takes the form of a longitudinal ridge or lip of material that mates with a slot in the portable electronic device. The mating guide  104  may take many other forms, however, such as one or more mating posts or holes, ridges or lips of material or slots, or other positive location structures. 
     The mount  100  also includes vibration dampers  112  and  114  on the backrest. The vibration dampers  112  and  114  buffer the electronics device against the backrest  102 . As a result, the vibration dampers  112  and  114  help reduce the adverse effects of vibration and physical jarring of the electronics device against the backrest  102 . Rubber, foam, or other dampening materials are suitable for the material used for the vibration dampers  112  and  114 . The vibration dampers  112  and  114  are located immediately above their respective locking tabs  106  and  108  and may be approximately 0.5 mm thick. However, vibration dampers may be located in additional, fewer, or different locations on the backrest  102  in additional, fewer, or different shapes, sizes, thicknesses and orientations. 
     An electronics interface  116  is also present on the mount  100 . The electronics interface  116  may be disposed between the locking tabs  106  and  108 . In one implementation, the locking tabs  106  and  108  are immediately adjacent the electronics interface  116  and thereby help to ensure a reliable connection to the portable electronic device. The electronics interface  116  may be implemented with one or more conductors. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronics interface  116  is a 5×3 array of spring-loaded conductive pins (e.g., Pogo pins), with the center pin removed (e.g., to provide a keying location). The electronics interface  116  may use any other pin configuration. The array may be densely packed in one or more dimensions to provide a significant number of electrical connection points without consuming an undue amount of physical space. For example, the conductive pins have a constant or variable pitch spacing of between 0.35-2.54 mm, 0.35-0.65 mm, or any other range of spacing. 
       FIG. 1  also shows part of the attachment mechanism  1000 . The support structure  1000  includes a support structure  118  positioned above a deformable membrane  120 . A flange  122  provides a convenient handle for removing or positioning the attachment mechanism  1000 . The flange  122  may be bent out of the plane of the deformable membrane  120  to facilitate interaction with the attachment mechanism  1000 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the mount  100  and attachment mechanism  1000 .  FIG. 2  shows the side of the locking tab  108 , with a locking edge extending downward for engaging a slot or other aperture in the portable electronic device. One or more conductive pins (e.g., the conductive pin  202 ) of the electronics interface  116  may electrically connect to the interface port  204 . The interface port  204  thereby provides general purpose access to the portable electronics device when it is secured in the mount  100 . The interface port  204  may provide a connection to any power or data signals desired and may facilitate operation and interaction with any desired feature of the portable electronic device secured in the mount  100 . The interface port  204  may be a USB port, firewire port, proprietary port, or other interface port. 
     A ball  206  includes or is connected to an extension member that is secured with a fastener  208  (e.g., a screw or bolt) to an extension arm coupling  218 . The ball  206  is disposed inside a socket  210  behind the backrest  102 . The ball  206  and socket  210  provide a wide range of movement and positioning ability for the backrest  102 . The extension arm  212  facilitates extendible and retractable linear positioning of the backrest  102  (e.g., closer to or farther from the viewer). The support structure  118  has a generally conical shape that allows the extension arm  212  and ball  206  to fold back against the support structure  118  to form a very compact and portable unit. The extension arm  212  connects to the attachment mechanism  1000  through the torque pin  214 . A piston lever  216 , illustrated in more detail below, facilitates securing the attachment mechanism  1000  to an attachment point, such as a windshield. 
       FIG. 3  shows an end view of the mount  100  and the attachment mechanism  1000 . The optional standoffs  302  and  304  extend perpendicularly from the mating guide  104 . The standoffs  302  and  304  may help dampen vibration effects on the portable electronic device.  FIG. 4  shows another end view of the mount  100  and the attachment mechanism  1000 .  FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the mount  100  and the attachment mechanism  1000 , including the deformable membrane  120  (shown in its flat state) and the flange  122 .  FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the mount  100  and the attachment mechanism  1000 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a rear perspective view of the mount  100  and the attachment mechanism  1000 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a second extension arm  704  opposite the first extension arm  212 . A second torque pin  702  secures the second extension arm  704  to the attachment mechanism  1000 . 
       FIG. 7  also shows feature connectors  706  and  708  in the mount  100 . The feature connectors  706  and  708  may connect to one or more pins in the electronics interface  116 . The feature connector  706  may be an audio-out connector connected to the electronics interface  116 . Accordingly, audio signals from the portable electronic device may be provided through the electronics interface  116  over the feature connector  706  for input to other devices, such as a line-in on a stereo, an FM modulator, or other device input. 
     The feature connector  708  may be an external microphone connector. An external microphone attached to the feature connector  708  may thereby be placed where it is desired, independent of the location of the portable electronic device mount  100 . The feature connector  708  may also be an external antenna connector for enhanced reception of radio signals including traffic reports, radio data service data, or other broadcast information. 
     The feature connectors  706  and  708  provide freedom for the portable electronic device to be inserted into and removed from the mount  100  without requiring disconnection of external cables, such as an audio-out cable connected to an audio-out jack on the portable electronic device itself. Instead, the cables may remain in place in the mount  100 , ready to fill their roles whenever the portable electronic device is present in the mount  100 . Additional, fewer, or different feature connectors may be present in the mount  100  or the attachment point  1000 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an internal view of the mount  100 . The internal view reveals a lock release mechanism  802  connected between the lock release button  110  and the locking tabs  106  and  108 . In the implementation shown in  FIG. 8 , the lock release mechanism  802  includes a central member  804  that braches in a Y-shape into a left arm  806  and a right arm  808 . Each of the arms  806  and  808  displaces a corresponding locking tab  106  and  108 . The release spring  810  biases the release mechanism into the locked position. 
     When inserted, the locking apertures on the back of the portable electronic device force the locking tabs  106  and  108  upward. At the same time, the guide  104  positively guides the portable electronic device into the proper position for secure mounting. When the locking tabs  106  and  108  have been sufficiently displaced, the portable electronic device snaps into place, with the locking tabs returning toward downward. The edges of the locking tabs  106  and  108  and the guide  104  hold the portable electronic device in place. 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the mount  100 . The cross section shows the generally conical cross section internal structure of the socket  210 . In particular, the socket  210  is a generally hemispherical cavity formed in part by the angled walls  910  and  912 . Inside the socket  210 , a flat spring  902  provides bias for the ball  206  against the socket  210 . In addition, a retaining shell  914  is in place between the flat spring  902  and the ball  206 . The flat spring  902  may include bends  904  and  906  to enhance the spring action against the ball  206  by bringing the spring portion  905  into firm but flexible contact with the retaining shell  914  held against the ball  206 . A fastener  908  holds the flat spring  902  and the retaining shell  914  in place. The flat spring  902  may be formed from a thin piece of sheet metal, for example between 1 to 5 mils thick. 
     The socket  210  may be dimensioned such that the socket  210  captures the ball  206  in the socket  210 . The diameter of the opening  916  of the socket  210  may be chosen to prevent the ball  206  from popping out of the socket when the socket  210  is presented with any pre-estimated or pre-determined amount of force exerted when an operator orients the backrest of the mount  100 . In other words, in one implementation, the socket  210  does not deliberately allow the ball  206  to freely pop in and out of the socket  210 . In that regard, the ratio of the socket diameter to the ball diameter may be approximately 0.96 to 0.97. However, the socket diameter may be made smaller, as desired, to retain the ball  206  against any expected, measured, or simulated amount of force, such as the maximum forces expected or exerted when an operator repositions or re-orients the backrest of the mount. During assembly, when the mount  100  is not yet fully assembled, the ball  206  is placed against the socket opening, with an extension member extending to the extension arm coupling  218  and secured with the fastener  208 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the attachment mechanism  1000 . The mount  100  may connect to the attachment mechanism  1000  through the extension arms  212  and  704 . The extension arms  212  and  704  connect to the torque pins  214  and  702  that are part of the torque assembly  1002 . The attachment mechanism  1000  includes a support structure  118  that defines a chamber  1210  ( FIG. 12 ) and includes a sealing structure  1004 . 
     The support structure  118  provides a general support frame for the piston lever  216  and torque assembly  1002 . The sealing structure  1004  may be a ring of material around the periphery of the support structure  118 . The deformable membrane  120  extends outward beyond the sealing structure  1004 . 
     A deformable membrane  120  covers the chamber  1210  and extends beyond the sealing structure  1004 . The sealing structure  1004  clamps down on the deformable membrane  120  when the piston lever  216  is engaged. The sealing structure  1004  prevents air from flowing under the deformable membrane  120  to reach the interior of the chamber  1210 , thereby causing a lack of vacuum pressure holding the attachment mechanism in place. 
     Regarding the structure of the piston lever  216 , it includes an actuator tab  1006 , a lever arm  1008 , and a lever lock  1010 . The lever lock  1010  extends at approximately a right angle with respect to the lever arm  1008 . A piston coupling  1012  connects the piston lever  216  to an internal piston, and provides a rotation point for the piston lever  216 . The piston coupling  1012  may be a pin, fastener, or other coupling structure connected to the internal piston. The lever lock  1010  rests on and rotates against the support surface  1014 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a side view of the attachment mechanism  1000 . In particular, when the actuator tab  1006  is depressed, the lever lock  1010  rotates to displace its unlocked edge  1102  along the edge transition  1104  to place the locked edge  1106  against the support surface  1014 . The edge transition  1104  may include curvature or other structure features that facilitate rotation of the lever lock into and out of the locked position. When the piston lever  216  is in the locked position, the actuator tab  1006  may align against or with the support structure surface  1108 . The angle of the support structure surface  1108  helps provide a compact profile for the attachment mechanism, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a side sectional view of the attachment mechanism  1000 . A piston  1202  in the support structure  118  is coupled to the deformable membrane  120 . As an example, the piston  1202  may be encompassed in the membrane as part of a molding process, and may include side flanges to help retain connection with the deformable membrane  120 . The piston  1202  may attach to the deformable membrane  120  in other manners however, such as though an adhesive, fastener, or other connection. 
     The piston lever  216  is connected to the piston  1202 . The piston lever  216 , when displaced, moves the piston  1202  in the opening  1206  along the line  1208 . In turn, the piston  1202  draws the deformable membrane  120  into (and out of) the chamber  1210  while the sealing structure  1004  clamps down on the deformable membrane  120 . The deformation of the deformable membrane  120  creates a space underneath the deformable membrane  120  that approximates a vacuum. Accordingly, external air pressure holds the attachment mechanism securely against the mounting surface. The piston lever  216  and piston  1202  may be arranged to provide approximately 6 mm of travel in the piston  1202  and generate a vacuum force of approximately 10 kgf to approximately 30 kgf, and in one implementation, approximately 20 kgf. This amount of vacuum force typically holds the attachment point  1000  very securely against the mounting surface. 
     The piston spring  1204  biases the piston  1202  into the lowered position. In the lowered position, the deformable membrane  120  is in its flat position. In the flat position the attachment mechanism can be more easily removed or repositioned on the mounting surface using the flange  122 . In the locked position, the membrane is displaced into the chamber  1210  and vacuum pressure strongly holds the attachment mechanism  1000  to the attachment point. The lever lock  1010  holds the piston  1202  in locked position against the bias force generated by the piston spring  1204 . 
       FIG. 13  provides a flow diagram for manufacture of the mount  100 . The individual components of the mount may be formed from a wide range of materials, including general purpose plastics, metals, polymers, and other materials. A backrest  102  is obtained ( 1302 ). To the extent that the backrest  102  does not already include a mating slot  104  and offsets  302  and  304 , these features may be added ( 1304 ). Similarly, during manufacture, the locking tabs  106  and  108 , release button  110 , and release mechanism  802  are added to the backrest  102  ( 1306 ). Furthermore, an electronic interface  106 , vibration dampers  112  and  114 , and other features may be added to the backrest  102  ( 1408 ). 
     As noted above, the mount  100  may include an interface port  204  or feature connectors  706  and  708 . The electronic interface  116  is connected to the interface port  204  and feature connectors  706  and  708  ( 1310 ). The connections may be accomplished using circuit boards, flex cables, discrete wiring, or other interconnection mechanisms. 
     The ball  206  may be connected to the extension arms  212  and  704  ( 1312 ). To that end, a fastener  208  may secure an extension arm molded with or attached to the ball  206  into the extension arm coupling  218  connected to or integral with the extension arms  212  and  704 . The extension arms  212  and  704  are connected to the attachment mechanism  1000  ( 1314 ) such as through torque pins. 
       FIG. 14  provides a flow diagram for manufacture of the attachment mechanism  1000 . A support structure  118  is obtained ( 1402 ). A piston  1202  and deformable membrane  120  is secured in the support structure ( 1404 ), with a piston spring  1204  biasing the piston  1202 . The support structure  118  may include the flange  122 , or a flange may be separately secured to the deformable membrane. 
     With regard to the piston lever  216 , an unlocked edge  1102 , edge transition  1104 , and locked edge  1106  are formed in the piston lever  216  (and specifically in the lever lock  1010 ) ( 1406 ) if not already present. The piston lever  216  is secured to the piston  1202  ( 1408 ). To that end, a piston coupling  1012  (e.g., a pin) may attach the piston lever  216  to the piston  1202 . 
     In addition, the torque assembly  1002  is attached to the support structure  118  ( 1410 ). The torque assembly  1002  provides torque pins  214  and  702 . The extension arms  212  and  704  may then be attached to the torque pins  214  and  702  ( 1412 ). 
       FIG. 15  shows a rear perspective view of the retaining shell  914 . The retaining shell  914  has a generally circular construction consistent with the circular cross section of the socket  210  shown in  FIG. 9 . Apertures  1502 ,  1504 , and  1506  receive fasteners, such as the fastener  908 , that secure the retaining shell  914  in place in the socket  210  between the flat spring  902  and the ball  206 . 
     The retaining shell  914  also includes multiple cantilevered flanges  1508 ,  1510 , and  1512 . The cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512  may be sections of a circular shell that receive the ball  206 . In other words, the retaining shell  914  has material removed in the areas  1514 ,  1516 , and  1518  to form the cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512 . The cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512  may be formed from a flexible and resilient plastic or other material and provide a mechanism that helps hold the mount  100  in place due to friction with the ball  206 . The curved cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512  transition into generally flat receiving sections  1520 ,  1522 , and  1524  at one end. The flat spring  902  may exert a spring force against the receiving sections  1520 ,  1522 , and  1524 . In turn, the cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512  and the receiving sections  1520 - 1524  exert force against the ball  206  that holds the mount  100  in the desired orientation, but that still allows the operator to reposition the mount  100 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a rear view of the retaining shell  914 .  FIG. 17  shows a front perspective view of the retaining shell  914 . The ball  206  sits in the generally circular cavity  1702 .  FIG. 17  shows that the retaining shell  914  has a generally conical base starting from the outer radius  1704  to the inner radius  1706  where the cavity  1702  is defined. The cantilevered flanges  1508 - 1512  extend downward from the inner radius  1706  to form the cavity  1702 . 
     While various embodiments of the voice detector have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.