Patent Publication Number: US-2020293089-A1

Title: Dock for a portable electronic device with an alternative power source

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a dock having a locking mechanism for a portable electronic device and, more particularly, to a dock having an ability to interface with an alternative power source. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a dock for a portable electronic device. The dock includes a base and a locking element that is configured to engage the portable electronic device. The locking element is further configured to operate in a locked condition and an unlocked condition and includes an electronic actuator configured to unlock the locking element. The dock further includes a controller. The controller includes an electronic processor, a memory coupled to the electronic processor, and a power supply in electric communication with a utility power input connection that is configured to receive a utility power input. The power supply is further in communication with an external power source input connection configured to receive an external power input. The power supply is configured to receive power form one of the utility power input connection and the external power source input connection and to provide power to one or more electrical components within the dock. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication from a user to unlock the locking element, and determine if the utility power input is present at the utility power input connection. The electronic processor is further configured to provide power to the electronic actuator from the power supply to unlock the locking element upon receiving the indication, wherein the external power input is provided to the power supply from the external power source input connection based on no utility power input being present at the utility power input connection. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for securing a portable electronic device. The system includes an external power supply and a dock configured to interface with the portable electronic device. The dock includes a base and a locking element that is configured to engage the portable electronic device. The locking element is further configured to operate in a locked condition and an unlocked condition and includes an electronic actuator configured to unlock the locking element. The dock further includes a proximity sensor configured to receive an indication to unlock the locking members and a controller. The controller includes an electronic processor, a memory coupled to the electronic processor, and a power supply in electric communication with a utility power input connection that is configured to receive a utility power input. The power supply is further in communication with an external power source input connection configured to receive an external power input. The power supply is configured to receive power form one of the utility power input connection and the external power source input connection and to provide power to one or more electrical components within the dock. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication from a user to unlock the locking element, and determine if the utility power input is present at the utility power input connection. The electronic processor is further configured to provide power to the electronic actuator from the power supply to unlock the locking element upon receiving the indication, wherein the external power input is provided to the power supply from the external power source input connection based on no utility power input being present at the utility power input connection. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method for securing a portable electronic device within a dock. The method includes engaging a locking element to lock the portable electronic device into the dock, wherein the locking element is configured to operate in a locked condition and an unlocked condition. The locking element includes an electronic actuator configured to unlock the locking element. The method further includes receiving a signal, at an electronic processor, to unlock the locking element, and determining, at the electronic processor, if the dock is connected to a utility power source. When the dock is connected to a utility power source, the method includes providing power to the electronic actuator from the utility power source, and actuating the electronic actuator to move the locking element to the unlock condition. When the dock is not connected to the utility power source, the method includes coupling an external power source to an external power source input connection of the dock, providing power to the electronic actuator from the external power source, and actuating the electronic actuator to move the locking element to the unlocked condition. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dock for securing a portable electronic device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a top cross-sectional view of the dock illustrating select internals of the dock of  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dock of  FIG. 1  communicating with a remote apparatus, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the dock of  FIG. 1  and a portable electronic device communicating with the remote apparatus, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a dock of an alternative embodiment, the dock including an electronic lock mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the dock shown in  FIG. 5  with the electronic lock mechanism exploded away from the dock, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is schematic view of a dock device having an electronic locking mechanism, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the dock device of  FIG. 7  receiving power via an external power source, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating a dock having an electronic locking mechanism, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a dock  12  for use with a portable electronic device  10  ( FIG. 4 ). The electronic device  10  is securable to the dock  12  via first and second arms  16 ,  20  that are movably supported on and extend into a base  14  and around a portion of the electronic device  10  to inhibit unwanted removal of the electronic device  10  from the dock  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  10  is a portable computer such as a laptop or notebook computer. In other embodiments, the portable electronic device  10  may be another electronic device having a hinge. In other examples, the portable electronic device  10  may be a non-hinged electronic device, such as a tablet computer. The electronic device  10  may include a display portion  10 B and a user interface portion  10 A ( FIG. 4 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first arm  16  includes a first hook  18  and the second arm  20  includes a second hook  22 . When the portable electronic device  10  is positioned on the dock  12  (e.g., against a support platform  26  and a housing  28  of the dock  12 ), the arms  16 ,  20  extend around opposing edges of the portable electronic device  10 . More specifically, the arms  16 ,  20  extend around a portion of the rear, respective sides, and the front of the portable electronic device  10 . In combination with the structure of the base  12 , the arms  16 ,  20  inhibit unwanted removal of the portable electronic device  10  from the dock  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  14  includes a housing  28  defining an interior volume in which a plurality of electrical and mechanical components are located. The housing  28  includes openings  30 ,  32  on opposing sides of the base  14 . The first arm  16  extends into and is slidable relative to the first opening  30 , and the second arm  20  extends into and is slidable relative to the opposing second opening  32 . In other embodiments, only one of the arms  16 ,  20  may be movable or slidable relative to the base  14 , and the other one of the arms  16 ,  20  may be fixed relative to the base  14  (i.e., not slidable or movable). As the arms  16 ,  20  slide inward within the base  14  (i.e., the hooks  18 ,  22  translate closer to one another), the gap between the hooks  18 ,  22  decreases. When the gap between the hooks  18 ,  22  is greater than the width of the electronic device  10 , this is an unlocked position in which the electronic device  10  is insertable and removable from the dock  12 . When the gap between the hooks  18 ,  22  is less than the width of the electronic device  10 , this is a locked position in which the electronic device  10  is inhibited from being removed from the dock  12 . When the dock  12  is in the locked position with no electronic device  10  positioned on the dock  12 , the hooks  18 ,  22  further inhibit insertion of an electronic device  10  onto the dock  12 . 
     The first arm  16 , as described below, is the left arm shown in  FIG. 1  (e.g., the first arm  16  surrounds the left side of the screen of the electronic device  10  from a perspective in front of the screen). In other embodiments, the first arm  16  can be the right arm. Likewise, the second arm  20 , as described below, is the right arm (e.g., the second arm  20  surrounds the right side of the screen of the electronic device  10  from a perspective in front of the screen). In other embodiments, the second arm  20  can be the left arm. In some embodiments, the dock  12  may only include one arm (e.g., the first arm  16 ), and the second arm  20  may be replaced by a hook or other suitable structure fixed to the dock  12 . 
     The first arm  16  includes a main body  34  that extends into the first opening  30  and is capped by the first hook  18  at a distal end of the arm  16  (i.e., the end located outside of the housing  28  when assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ). The first hook  18  includes a plate  36  extending from and attached to the main body  34  and a protrusion  38  extending from the plate  36  parallel to the lengthwise direction of the main body  34 . When the portable electronic device  10  is mounted to the dock  12 , the main body  34  is positioned behind a display portion  10 B, the plate  36  extends around a side of the display portion  10 B, and the protrusion  38  is positioned in front of a portion of the display portion  10 B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first hook  18  is permanently attached to the main body  34 , and the plate  36  of the first hook  18  is permanently attached to the protrusion  38 . For example, the main body  34 , the plate  36 , and the protrusion  38  may be integrally formed, molded, welded, glued, bolted, or otherwise secured together to form the first arm  16 . 
     The second arm  20  is similar to (and mirrored relative to) the first arm  16  except as otherwise described. The second arm  20  includes a main body  42  that extends into the second opening  32  and is capped by the second hook  22  at a distal end of the arm  20  (i.e., the end located outside of the housing  28  when assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ). Similar to the first hook  18 , the second hook  22  includes a plate  44  extending from and attached to the main body  42  and a protrusion  46  extending from the plate  44 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plate  44  of the second arm  20  has a greater thickness than the plate  36  of the first arm  16 . The plate  44  defines a housing in which one or more electronic components are located. As described in greater detail below, the plate  44  can house a proximity sensor, antenna, wireless transceiver, and/or other sensors configured to sense a presence of a remote apparatus, such as a key fob or smartphone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main body  34  of the first arm  16  includes a ratchet gear set  50 . The ratchet gear set  50  includes a plurality of teeth  52  extending along at least a portion of a length of the main body  34 . The illustrated gear set  50  is formed on a rear-facing side (nearer the rear of the dock  12 , away from the support platform  26 ) of the main body  34 . 
     The main body  34  of the first arm  16  further includes a rack  58  extending in the lengthwise direction of the arm  16  toward a center of the base  14 . The rack  58  engages a pinion gear  60 . The pinion gear  60  is positioned on, coupled to, and rotatable relative to the base  14 . Therefore, when the first arm  16  is translated relative to the base  14 , the rack  58  translates relative to the base  14  and relative to the pinion gear  60 . As the rack  58  is engaged with the pinion gear  60 , translation of the rack  58  results in rotation of the pinion gear  60 . 
     The second arm  20  further includes a rack  62  that is engaged with the pinion gear  60  to couple movement of the first arm  16  to the second arm  20 . Therefore, when the first arm  16  and the first hook  18  are translated inward toward the base  14  in a first direction, the second arm  20  and the second hook  22  are likewise translated inward toward the base  14  (e.g., decreasing the gap between the opposing hooks  18 ,  22 ). Similarly, when the first arm  16  and the first hook  18  are translated away from the base  14  in a second direction, the second arm  20  and the second hook  22  are likewise translated away from the base  14  (e.g., increasing the gap between the opposing hooks  18 ,  22 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a dampener  82  is coupled to the pinion gear  60 . The dampener  82  limits the rotational speed of the pinion gear  60 , thereby dampening the motion (e.g., limiting the speed) of the arms  16 ,  20  as the arms  16 ,  20  translate relative to the base  14 . As shown, the dampener  82  is coaxial with the pinion gear  60  and is located below the pinion gear  60  within the base  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dampener  82  is a rotary dampener. In other embodiments, other suitable dampeners may be used, or the dampener  82  may be omitted. 
     The dock  12  further includes a spring  66  to bias the first arm  16  toward an unlocked position (i.e., biasing the first arm  16  and the first hook  18  away from the base  14 ). As shown, the spring  66  is a linear compression spring. The spring  66  is positioned around a post  68  (i.e., the post  68  is positioned within the inner diameter of the spring  66 ) to limit the movement of the spring  66  to linear motion parallel to the translation direction of the first arm  16 . A first end of the spring  66  abuts a first stop  70  at the base  14  to define a limit for the spring  66  relative to the base  14 . A second end of the spring  66  abuts a second stop  72  at the first arm  16 . The second stop  72  defines a limit for the spring  66  relative to the first arm  16 . The second stop  72  is movable with the arm  16  relative to the first stop  70  such that the spring  66  is able to expand and contract with translation of the first arm  16 . As movement of the first arm  16  is coupled to movement of the second arm  20  via the pinion gear  60 , when the spring  66  biases the first arm  16  and the first hook  18  away from the base  14 , the spring  66  further biases the second arm  20  and the second hook  22  away from the base  14 . Likewise, the spring  66  is compressed when either of the arms  16 ,  20  and hooks  18 ,  22  are moved toward the base  14 . The spring  66  overcomes the friction of the dampener  82  to move the arms  16 ,  20  relative to the base  14  at a controlled and predetermined speed (based on the characteristics of the dampener  82 ). Such an arrangement inhibits the arms  16 ,  20  from abruptly popping out of the base  14  under the influence of the spring  66 . 
     The dock  12  includes an electrical connector  78 A for electrically coupling the portable electronic device  10  to the dock  12 . The electrical connector  78 A attaches to the portable electronic device  10  via a cable (e.g., a USB-C cable) or may otherwise be fixed within the base  14  to directly connect to a port of the portable electronic device  10 . The base  14  further supports a plurality of electric components within the interior volume of the base  14 . A circuit board or controller  76  includes a plurality of ports  78 B- 78 H for electrically coupling electrical cables such as power cables, USB cables, or HDMI cables to the electronic device  10  via the electrical connector  78 A. As shown, the controller  76  includes a network port  78 B, a headphone or speaker jack  78 C, a first plurality of USB ports  78 D, a second plurality of USB ports  78 E, a USB-C port  78 F, a video output port  78 G (e.g., DisplayPort, HDMI port), and a power port  78 H. The dock  12  therefore functions as a port replicator so that various electrical cables and peripherals (e.g., flash drives, keyboards, mice, power adapters, etc.) can be plugged into ports  78 B- 78 H of the dock  12  in addition to or instead of the ports on the portable electronic device  10 , directly. Further, the dock  12  may support more ports  78 B- 78 H than are found directly on the portable electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the rear of the dock  12  (near the ports  78 B- 78 H) may further include an opening  98  (e.g., a K-slot) utilized to physically couple the dock  12  to an immovable object  80  via a security cable  110 . 
     As discussed briefly above, the plate  44  of the second arm  20  includes an interior space for supporting another electric component: a proximity device  84  including one or more of a proximity sensor, an antenna, and a wireless transceiver. The proximity device  84  wirelessly communicates with a key fob or another remote apparatus to provide a lock signal and/or unlock signal to the dock  12 . The proximity device  84  is electrically coupled to the circuit board  76 . In other embodiments, the proximity device  84  may be located within the base  14 . 
     The base  14  of the dock  12  supports an electronic actuator  76  within the interior volume of the base  14 . The electronic actuator  86  is actuatable via a signal from the proximity device  84 , from the circuit board  76 , and/or from the portable electronic device  10 . The electronic actuator  86  may be embodied as, for example, an electric motor, such as a servomotor, or a solenoid. In other embodiments, other suitable electronic or electro-mechanical actuators may be used. The electronic actuator may be mechanically coupled to one or more components within the dock  12 , and may be configured to manipulate one or more components within the dock  12  in order to engage or disengage a locking function of the dock. The locking function may be configured to prevent the slidable operation of one or more of the arms  16 ,  20 . Specifically, the arms  16 ,  20  may be locked into either the locked position or unlocked position, as described above. 
       FIGS. 3-4  illustrate the dock  12  discloses above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, a remote apparatus  150 , such as an RFID or NFC device (e.g. fob, key card, etc.) or other portable electronic devices such as cellphones and/or smartphones may be utilized to lock/unlock the dock  12 , as described herein. The remote apparatus  150  may be assigned to a specific portable electronic device  10 , or user such that an administrator can match the remote apparatus  150  to a specific user or device. A feedback indicator  152  may be located on the dock  12 . More specifically, the feedback indicator  152  may be positioned on the plate  44  of the arm  20 . The feedback indicator  152  may be an illumination device (e.g. one or more LEDs), an audio indicator, a haptic feedback indicator, or any combination thereof. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative dock  200  is shown, which is configured to provide a locking mechanism for the electronic device  10 . Similar to dock  12 , above, the electronic device  10  is secured to the dock  200  to selectively inhibit removal of the device from the dock  200 . The dock  200  includes a channel  202  and a support platform  204 , and a single translatable arm  206 , having a hook  208  and a body portion  210  slidable within the channel  202 . It may be noted that the single arm  206  extends into the opposite end of the channel  202 , as opposed to the operation of dock  12 , above. However, in some embodiments, the dock  200  may have multiple arms slidable within the channel  202 . Further, the dock  200  includes an additional hook  212 , which caps one end of the channel  202 . The additional hook  212  may be integrally formed or permanently attached (e.g., heat staked, friction welded, etc.) to the channel  202 . In other embodiments, the position of the arm  206  and the hook  212  relative to the channel  202  may be reversed. The additional hook  212  may further include an additional protrusion  213  for extending around a portion of the portable electronic device  10 . 
     The arm  206  includes a side door  214 , extending from the body portion  210  and supporting a protrusion  216  for extending around a portion of the portable electronic device  10 . The side door  214  and the attached protrusion  216  may be removable from the body portion  210  of the arm  206 , in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the side door  214  and the protrusion  216  may be movable (e.g. slidable) relative to the body portion  210 , but not fully removable. For example, the side door  214  may be movable away from the body portion  210 , to provide clearance for attaching a portable electronic device to or disconnecting a portable electronic device from the dock  200 . 
     The dock  200  may further include an electronic lock mechanism  218 . The electronic lock mechanism  218  may be selectively actuated via an interface  220  to lock or unlock the side door  214  to the body portion  210  of the arm  206  and thereby to the remainder of the dock  200 . The interface  220  for the electronic lock mechanism  218  may be a button that is actuatable when a wireless key, such as an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth device, is within a prescribed distance to the dock  200 . In some examples, the button may be actuatable by a user when the user uses a key or other mechanical interlock within the dock  200  to allow the button to be actuated. Alternatively, the interface  220  may be unlockable in response to inputting a password, passcode, or other security identifier into the associated portable electronic device. In some examples, a command from the portable electronic device, may provide the signal to the electronic lock mechanism  218  to lock or unlock the side door  214 . Further still, the interface  220  may be a biometric sensor and may respond to a user scan (e.g. fingerprint scan, retinal scan, etc.) to actuate the electronic lock mechanism  218 . In some examples, a command from the portable electronic device, may provide the signal to the electronic lock mechanism  218  to lock or unlock the side door  214 . In some embodiments, the side door  214  may include a controller, as described below, as well as a proximity device (such as proximity device  84 ) to allow for wireless communication with a key fob or other remote apparatus to provide a lock signal and/or unlock signal to the dock  200 . While not shown, the dock  200  may include an internal power source (e.g. battery) or external power connection to provide power to the dock  200 . Finally, while not described herein, the electronic lock mechanism may include multiple electronic lock configurations applicable to locking and unlocking the side door  214  to the body portion  210  of the arm  206 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , schematic representations of a dock  300  are shown, according to some embodiments. The dock  300  may be similar in constructions to docks  12  and  200 , described above. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the dock  300  includes a controller  302 . The controller  302  may be similar to the controller  76 , described above. The controller  302  may include a proximity device  304 , one or more electrical connectors  306 , one or more electronic actuators  308 , one or more interface devices  310 , and an internal power source (e.g. battery)  312 . The proximity device  304  may be similar to the proximity device  84  described above, and is configured to receive a wireless signal from a remote apparatus (e.g. fob, key card, smartphone, cellphone, etc.). The one or more electrical connectors  306  are configured to connect to the electronic device  10 . The electrical connectors  306  may be similar to the electrical connector  74  described above, and may include various connector types, such as USB-C, USB-A, Firewire, Lightning Bolt, or other applicable data/power connections. In some embodiments, where the electrical connector  306  is a USB-C type connection, two-way power transfer may be enabled, allowing power to flow to the electronic device  10  from the dock  300 , and vice versa. The electronic actuator  308  may be similar to the electronic actuators described above. In one embodiment, the interface device  310  is similar to the interface  152 , described above, and can be used to initiate a locking or unlocking process, as will be described in more detail below. 
     The controller  302  includes an electronic processor  320 , a memory  322 , a power supply  324  and one or more input/output (I/O) ports  326 . The electronic processor  320  is electrically coupled to the electronic actuator  308  and to the proximity device  304 . The electronic processor  320  may be implemented as a programmed microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), a group of processing components, or with other suitable electronic processing components. In one embodiment, the electronic processor  320  is configured to store wireless signals received by the proximity device  304  from the remote apparatus  90 , as described above, within the memory  322  as a registered signal. The electronic processor  320  is further in electrical communication with the power supply  324 , the electronic device  10  (via the electrical connector  306 ) and the I/O ports  326 . 
     The memory  322  (for example, a non-transitory, computer-readable medium) includes one or more devices (for example, RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers, and modules described herein. The memory  322  may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory  322  may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structure described in the present application. According to one example, the memory  322  is communicable connected to the electronic processor  320 , and may include computer code for executing one or more processes described herein. 
     The power supply  324  may be configured to regulate one or more power inputs provided to the controller. For example, power may be provided to the controller  302  via the internal power source  312  or via external connections to a utility power source  330  or an external power source, as will be described in more detail below. As shown in  FIG. 7 , power is provided to the controller  302  via the utility power source  330  (e.g. an AC wall outlet). For example, the utility power source  330  may be provided via a dedicated power port such as power port  78 H, described above. The power supply  324  may be configured to convert the received power (e.g. AC or DC) into multiple voltages required within the dock  300 . For example, the power supply  324  may be configured to transmit power to the electronic processor  320 , as well as to other components, such as the I/O ports  326 , the electrical connector  306 , the proximity device  304 , the electronic actuator  308  and/or the interface  310 . In some configurations, the electronic processor  320  may be selectively transmit power from the power supply  324  to the various components of the dock  300 . In some embodiments, the power supply  324  can provide power to the electronic device  10  via the electrical connector  306 , as well as to one or more external devices, such as external device  332 , via the I/O ports  326 . For example, the power supply  324  may provide output power via the ports  326 , such as via USB-A or USB-C ports, as well as over other ports that are capable of transmitting power. Accordingly, the power supply  324  can power external devices  332 , which may include electronic devices (as described above), a smartphone, a computer peripheral (e.g. mouse, keyboard), lights, or external battery power supplies. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  an internal power source  312  is shown, and may provide limited power to the dock  300  when utility power is not available. In some embodiments, the internal power source  312  is a battery, such as a Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) or other battery types. The internal power source  312  may be configured to provide only limited power to the controller  302 , which can limit the functions of the controller  302  to operate when not connected to utility power. For example, when operating via the internal power source  312 , the electronic processor  320  may operate in a low-power mode, and may be configured to limit operations to maintaining any necessary processes (e.g. real time clocks, etc.), and/or providing basic feedback to a user to indicate that there is insufficient power to provide full functionality. For example, the electronic processor  320  may be configured to provide feedback to the user, such as via the indicator  310 , which can indicate that the dock needs to be connected to a power source. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , the dock  300  of  FIG. 7  is shown with the utility power source  330  removed from the dock. An external power supply  334  is shown as connected to the controller  302  via the I/O ports  226 . The external power source  334  may be connected to the controller  302  via non-traditional power input ports, such as USB-A and/or USB-C ports. In some embodiments, the I/O ports  326  may include a dedicated USB-A port configured to receive power from an external power supply. In other configurations, the I/O ports  326  may include dedicated USB-Type C, USB-Type B, USB Mini A, USB Mini B, USB Mini AB, USB Micro A, USB Micro B, USB Micro AB, or other USB ports configured to receive power from an external power supply. In other embodiments, the external power source  334  may be coupled to the controller via a USB-C port, USB-Type B port, USB Mini A port, USB Mini B port, USB Mini AB port, USB Micro A port, USB Micro B port, and/or a USB Micro A port within the I/O ports  326 , which has been configured to allow for bi-directional power transfer. By using a USB-C port, a USB-Type B port, a USB Mini A port, a USB Mini B port, a USB Mini AB port, a USB Micro A port, a USB Micro B port, and/or a USB Micro A port no dedicated port is required to allow for power to be input to the dock  300 . 
     In one embodiment, the external power source  334  is a rechargeable battery pack. The rechargeable battery pack may include one or more lithium-ion (Li-Ion) power cells for storing energy. The external power source  334  may further include one or more connection ports for connecting with a device, such as the dock  300 . The connection ports may include USB-A ports, USB-C ports, or other connection ports for facilitating the transfer of power from the external power source  334 . The external power source  334  may be a power supply associated with the electronic device  10 . For example, where the electrical connector  306  is a USB-C connector, power may be provided from the electronic device  10  to the controller  302  via the electrical connector  306 . In other embodiments, a connection may be made from the electronic device  10  to the I/O ports  326  to provide power from a power source of the electronic device  10  to the controller  302 . 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the controller  302  may be powered via an external power source  334  connected via the I/O ports  326  when utility power is not available. This can allow a user to unlock the electronic device  10  from the dock  300  in a situation where utility power or even power from the electronic device  10  is lost. Specifically, by connecting the external power source  334  to the dock  300 , the controller  302  can be powered, and can subsequently provide power, as necessary, to other components within the dock  300 , such as the proximity device  304 , the interface  310 , and the electronic actuator  308 . In some embodiments, the electronic processor  322  may be configured to control the power supply  324  based on the source of power to the dock  300 . For example, the electronic processor  322  may be configured to restrict which components receive power when the dock  300  is powered via the external power source  334 , such as the electronic actuator  308 , the interface  310  and the proximity device  304 . In still further embodiments, the electronic processor  322  may be configured to control the power supply  324  such that power from the external power source  334  is only used by the power supply  324  when utility power is not available. In another example, the electronic processor  320  may interface or control one or more of the I/O ports  326  to prevent power from being transmitted from the external power source  334  to the power supply  324 . 
       FIG. 9  identifies a method  900  of operating a dock. The method  900  describes the locking and unlocking of an electronic device to an electronically actuated docking device, such as the docks described herein. Any reference to specific docks described herein is intended to apply all dock embodiments described in this application. 
     To lock the portable electronic device to the dock, the portable electronic device  10  is positioned between locking members (such as opposing arms  16 ,  20 ) at process block  902 . At process block  904 , the locking members are positioned to secure the electronic device, and are locked into place. 
     At process block  906 , the dock receives a signal indicating a request to unlock the electronic device from the dock. In one embodiment, the unlock request is received by the proximity device. As described above, the proximity device may wirelessly receive the signal from a remote apparatus, such as remote apparatus  150  described above. In alternative embodiments, the signal may be provided via an input in the dock, such as an interface (e.g. interface  310 ), or the electronic device  10 . For example, a user may actuate the interface  310  to provide a signal to the controller to unlock the dock. The received signal is transmitted internally to the controller. At process block  908 , the controller determines if the dock is connected to utility power (e.g. wall outlet). If the dock is determined be connected to utility power, an electronic actuator is actuated by the controller to disengage the locking members at process block  910 . Disengaging the locking members may include unlocking the locking members, allowing them to move within the dock, such that the locking members can be disengaged from the electronic device  10 . 
     The electronic device  10  is then disengaged from the dock at process block  912 . The electronic device  10  may be disengaged from the dock by manually manipulating the locking members to allow for the electronic device  10  to be removed from the dock once the locking mechanisms have been disengaged. Finally, the electronic actuator is de-energized at process block  914 . De-energizing the electronic actuator ensures that the electronic actuator does not need to remain energized at all times when the dock is unlocked. Returning now to process block  908 , if the dock is determined to not be connected to utility power, the controller may determine if the dock is connected to an external power supply at process block  916 . In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to use power provided by the internal power supply to determine if the dock is connected to power supplies other than the utility power. If the dock is determined to be connected to an external power source, the process proceeds with unlock the electronic device at process block  910 . 
     If the dock is determined to not be connected to an external power supply at process block  916 , the controller may provide an indication to a user that the user needs to connect an external power supply to the dock to complete the unlock process. In one embodiment, the indication may be provided via a feedback indicator, such as feedback indicator  152 ,  310  described above. For example, a visual or audio instruction or indication may be provided via the feedback indicator. In some embodiments, the internal power supply provides sufficient power to the controller to allow for the indication to be provided to the user. The user may then connect an external power supply to the dock at process block  918 , at which point the process proceeds to process block  910 , as described above. 
     While the above described docks described providing one or more electrical connections to the electronic device  10 , it is contemplated that the above locking, unlocking, and power sourcing components described above may be applied to locking stations, which are configured to physically secure the electronic device, but do not provide any additional electrical connections to or from the electronic device  10 . 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.