Patent Description:
When using a hybrid computer in a high demand application, such as a graphic intensive application or a power intensive application, disconnection of the first body of the hybrid computer from the second body of the hybrid computer results in faults in the application or damage to the electronic components.

Conventional locking mechanisms in hybrid computers are biased toward a locked state or an unlocked state. For example, moving the locking mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state, or vice versa, includes applying a force or electricity to the locking mechanism. Removal of the force or electricity causes the locking mechanism to revert to the previous state. Continual application of force or electricity may reduce battery life and/or increase wear on the components of the locking mechanism.

<CIT> discloses a docking station structure used to operatively connect a notebook computer to desktop computer peripheral devices.

<CIT> discloses a merchandise security device. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

<CIT> describes a latch which receives a manipulation force to move the latch from a rest position to a non-rest position. The latch is capable of delaying its return to the rest position after a period of time.

<CIT> describes an electrically controlled door lock detent.

The present invention consist in a method and an apparatus as defined in the accompanying independent claims. Several embodiments are described in the the dependent claims.

In a background example, a device for actively locking an electronic device includes an engagement member and an actuator. The engagement member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator is instantiated by a power source and configured to move the engagement member between the locked position and the unlocked position. The actuator uses a first amount of power to move the engagement member to a locked position. The actuator uses a second amount of power to move the engagement member to the unlocked position. The actuator uses a third amount of power, the third amount being less than the first amount and less than the second amount, to retain the engagement member in the locked position and in the unlocked position.

In a background example, a device for sequential actuation of a two-state device includes a wheel and an actuator. The wheel includes a first circumferential profile and a second circumferential profile. The first circumferential profile has a plurality of notches with a first period to advance the wheel in a first direction. The Second circumferential profile has a periodic radial dimension with a second period greater than the first period. The actuator is in contact with the first circumferential profile and configured to apply a force to at least one of the notches of the plurality of notches to rotate the wheel.

In an example, a method of locking an electronic device with a locking mechanism includes receiving a demand status from the electronic device, checking a lock status of the locking mechanism, actuating the locking mechanism, and updating the lock status after actuating the locking mechanism. Actuating the locking mechanism moves the locking mechanism to a locked state or an unlocked state based at least partially upon the demand status.

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example implementations, the implementations will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:.

This disclosure generally relates to locking apparatuses, systems, and methods. More particularly, this disclosure generally relates to locking apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing computing devices. The present disclosure may describe one or more implementations of sequential locking devices, systems, and methods that positively lock at least one part of a computing device to another component or peripheral of the computing device. While implementations of locking devices and systems may be described herein in relation to computing devices, it should be understood that at least one implementation described herein may be used in other devices, systems, and methods.

In some implementations, a lock according to the present disclosure may provide sequential locking to a device or system. For example, an implementation of a lock described herein may be actuated sequentially by repeated application of force in the same direction. In other words, the lock may be actuated in a "push-push" fashion, allowing the lock to be moved between states by iterating through sequential actuation.

In some implementations, a lock may have two states, a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock may move from a locked state to an unlocked state by a first application of force in a first direction. The lock may move from the unlocked state to the locked state by a second application of force in the first direction. The lock may further move from the locked state to the unlocked state again by a third application of force in the first direction. In other implementations, a lock may have any number of states attainable by repeated, sequential applications of force in a first direction.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a locking mechanism <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The locking mechanism <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM> configured to apply a force in a first direction to a wheel <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> may contact a lever <NUM> and move the lever <NUM> as the wheel <NUM> rotates relative to the lever <NUM>.

In some implementations, the actuator <NUM> includes a power source <NUM> and a contact plate <NUM>. The implementation of a power source <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is in communication with a shape-memory material (SMM) wire <NUM>. For example, the SMM wire <NUM> may include or be a shape-memory alloy, such as Nitinol, a shape-memory polymer, or other shape-memory material. In some implementations, the SMM wire <NUM> may have a plurality of microstructural states (e.g., an austenitic state and a martensitic state) that are at least partially related to the temperature of the SMM wire <NUM>. For example, changing the temperature of the SMM wire <NUM> may move the SMM wire <NUM> from a first microstructural state to a second microstructural state. In other implementations, the SMM wire <NUM> may have a plurality of microstructural states (i.e., an austenitic state and a martensitic state) that are at least partially related to the electrical state of the SMM wire <NUM>. For example, the SMM wire <NUM> may move from a first microstructural state to a second microstructural state by changing an electrical current and/or electrical potential across the SMM wire <NUM>.

In some implementations, the plurality of microstructural states may allow the SMM wire <NUM> to exhibit one or more "remembered" macrostructural states. For example, the power source <NUM> may apply an electrical current to the SMM wire <NUM>, apply an electrical potential to the SMM wire <NUM>, alter the temperature of the SMM wire <NUM>, otherwise alter the SMM wire <NUM>, or combinations thereof to change the SMM wire <NUM> from the first microstructural state to the second microstructural state. In at least one example, the SMM wire <NUM> may shorten in longitudinal length upon moving from the first microstructural state to the second microstructural state.

In some implementations, the SMM wire <NUM> may apply a force to the contact plate <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> may be configured to move in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the direction of movement of the SMM wire <NUM>) from an initial position. The contact plate <NUM> may translate the force from the SMM wire <NUM> to the wheel <NUM>. Upon the SMM wire <NUM> returning to the first microstructural state (e.g., the longer microstructural state), a biasing element <NUM> may urge the contact plate <NUM> in the second direction and may reset the contact plate <NUM> to the initial position. In some implementations, the biasing element <NUM> may include or be a coil spring, a leaf spring, a Belleville spring, a bushing, a compressible fluid, other resilient member, or combinations thereof.

The wheel <NUM> may have a plurality of circumferential profiles. In some implementations, the wheel <NUM> may have a first circumferential profile <NUM> and a second circumferential profile <NUM>. For example, the first circumferential profile <NUM> may be a discontinuous circumferential profile, allowing unidirectional movement of the wheel <NUM> relative to the contact plate <NUM> or other actuator <NUM>. In other examples, the first circumferential profile <NUM> is any other circumferential profile that provides unidirectional movement of the wheel. In at least one example, the first circumferential profile <NUM> has a sawtooth pattern, similar to that shown in <FIG>.

The wheel <NUM> may have a second circumferential profile <NUM> with a radially outer surface configured to contact the lever <NUM>. The second circumferential profile <NUM> may have a periodically varying radius that moves the lever <NUM> in a periodic and/or cyclic pattern. The lever <NUM> may have a thumb <NUM> that contacts the second circumferential profile <NUM> and rides along the radially outer surface of the second circumferential profile <NUM>.

The lever <NUM> may include and/or connect to an engagement member <NUM>. The engagement member <NUM> may include a hook, a latch, a pin, a prong, a tooth, a clip, or any other structure that mechanically interlocks with another physical feature to limit or prevent movement of the locking mechanism <NUM> relative to the physical feature. In some implementations, the engagement member <NUM> may translate in an arc scribed by the lever <NUM>. In other implementations, the engagement member <NUM> may translate in a linear path as the level <NUM> moves.

In some implementations, the movement of the lever <NUM> and/or engagement member <NUM> may be biased by a biasing element <NUM>. In some implementations, the biasing element <NUM> may include or be a coil spring, a leaf spring, a Belleville spring, a bushing, a compressible fluid, other resilient member, or combinations thereof.

Referring now to <FIG>, the locking mechanism <NUM> is shown in perspective to illustrate the relative position of the first circumferential profile <NUM> and second circumferential profile <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> interacts with the first circumferential profile <NUM> of the wheel <NUM> to rotate the wheel <NUM>. The rotation of the wheel <NUM> then moves the thumb <NUM> as the second circumferential profile <NUM> moves relative to the thumb <NUM>.

The first circumferential profile <NUM> may be substantially adjacent to the second circumferential profile <NUM> in the axial direction of the wheel <NUM>. In other implementations, the first circumferential profile <NUM> may be axially displaced from the second circumferential profile <NUM>. For example, a wheel <NUM> may have more than two circumferential profiles and a third circumferential profile may be positioned between the first circumferential profile <NUM> and the second circumferential profile.

In some implementations, the locking mechanism <NUM> may include a receiver plate <NUM> that at least partially surrounds the engagement member <NUM>. The receiver plate <NUM> may receive a complimentary engagement feature with which the engagement member <NUM> may engage to limit movement of the locking mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG> is an axial view of the implementation of a wheel <NUM> of <FIG>. The wheel <NUM> has a first circumferential profile <NUM> and a second circumferential profile <NUM>, as described herein. The first circumferential profile <NUM> is a drive profile that allows for a unidirectional rotation of the wheel <NUM>. The second circumferential profile <NUM> is a periodic profile that applies a force in the radial direction with a series of lobes <NUM>.

In some implementations, the first circumferential profile <NUM> is a sawtooth profile, as shown in <FIG>. The first circumferential profile <NUM> has a period that is defined by the rotational distance between a first notch <NUM>-<NUM> and a second notch <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the wheel <NUM> may rotate about a rotational axis <NUM> a given amount when the first notch <NUM>-<NUM> receives a force from an actuator (such as actuator <NUM> in <FIG>). The actuator may engage with the first notch <NUM>-<NUM>, apply a linear force to the first notch <NUM>-<NUM>, and then engage the second notch <NUM>-<NUM>. Application of force to the second notch <NUM>-<NUM> may rotate the wheel <NUM>, allowing the actuator to engage with another notch, and so forth.

In some implementations, the positioning of the first notch <NUM>-<NUM> may correspond to a local maximum radius <NUM> of the second circumferential profile <NUM>. Additionally, the positioning of the second notch <NUM>-<NUM> may correspond to a local minimum radius <NUM> of the second circumferential profile <NUM>. For example, each sequential actuation of the actuator may rotate the wheel forward by one notch (i.e., from the first notch <NUM>-<NUM> to the second notch <NUM>-<NUM> of the first circumferential profile <NUM>) and from the local maximum radius <NUM> to the local minimum radius <NUM> of the second circumferential profile <NUM>. In other implementations, at least one of the notches may be angularly displaced from a local maximum radius <NUM> or the local minimum radius <NUM>.

In some implementations, a second circumferential period <NUM> may be greater than a first circumferential profile period <NUM>. For example, the second circumferential period <NUM> may be double the first circumferential profile period <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In other implementations, the second circumferential period <NUM> may be an integer multiple of the first circumferential profile period <NUM>. For example, the second circumferential period <NUM> may be greater than a first circumferential profile period <NUM> by a factor of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or greater.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of the contact plate <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> engaged with the first notch <NUM>-<NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. In some implementations, the contact plate <NUM> may translate relative to the wheel <NUM>. For example, the contact plate <NUM> may have elongated openings <NUM> through which mechanical fasteners may travel. The translational movement of the contact plate <NUM> relative to the mechanical fasteners may allow the contact plate <NUM> to engage with and turn the wheel <NUM>.

As described herein, the contact plate <NUM> may translate by an actuator <NUM> including a SMM wire. In other implementations, the actuator may include a stepper motor, a squiggle motor, a magnetic linear actuator, a piezoelectric motor, a solenoid, any other motor that provides linear motion, or a combination thereof.

In some implementations, a contact arm <NUM> may engage with the first circumferential profile <NUM> in the first notch <NUM>-<NUM> to apply a force to the wheel <NUM>. The contact arm <NUM> may be a resilient member such that the contact arm <NUM> applies a force to the wheel <NUM> in a radial direction. The contact arm <NUM> may, therefore, track along the first circumferential profile <NUM> so that the contact arm <NUM> remains in contact with the wheel <NUM> during translational movement of the contact plate <NUM>.

Moving the contact plate <NUM> to rotate the wheel <NUM> to a locked position may use a first amount of power from a power source. In some implementations, the first amount of power may be in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> watts, which in some implementations may be the peak power consumption. In some embodiments, the peak power consumption may be <NUM> watts. In some implementations, a total amount of energy required to move the contact plate <NUM> to rotate the wheel <NUM> to a locked position may be between <NUM> and <NUM> Joules. In some embodiments, the total amount of energy required may be about <NUM> Joules.

Rotating the contact plate <NUM> to rotate the wheel <NUM> to an unlocked position may use a second amount of power from a power source. The second amount of power may be greater than, less than, or the same as the first amount of power. In some implementations, the second amount of power may be in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> watts, which in some implementations may be the peak power consumption. In some embodiments, the peak power consumption may be <NUM> watts. In some implementations, a total amount of energy required to move the contact plate <NUM> to rotate the wheel <NUM> to an unlocked position may be between <NUM> and <NUM> Joules. In some embodiments, the total amount of energy required may be about <NUM> Joules.

Holding the wheel <NUM> in a given state may use a third amount of power from a power source. In some implementations, the third amount of power may be may be less than both the first amount of power and the second amount of power. For example, the wheel <NUM> may be rotated to actuate the wheel to an unlock position and/or a locked position, while passive spring tension may retain the wheel <NUM> in an given position. In at least one implementation, the third amount of power is, essentially zero, as there is no energy consumed to hold the wheel <NUM> in a given state.

In some implementations, the thumb <NUM> may be in contact with the second circumferential profile <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. The thumb <NUM> may rotate the lever <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> in the lever <NUM>. The rotational movement of the lever <NUM> may then urge the engagement member <NUM> to move.

In some implementations, the engagement member <NUM> may have one or more elongated openings <NUM> therein that allow the engagement member <NUM> to translate relative to the lever <NUM>. For example, the connection between the lever <NUM> and the engagement member <NUM> may include an elongated opening <NUM> that allows the connection point to float relative to the pivot <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. In some implementations, the elongated opening <NUM> of the contact between the engagement member <NUM> and the lever <NUM> may allow the engagement member <NUM> to translate without the lever <NUM> imparting a force or motion in a direction other than the translational direction of the engagement member <NUM>.

In some implementations, the rotation of the wheel <NUM> may be limited to a unidirectional rotation by the contact arm <NUM>. In other implementations, a ratcheting device may be in contact with the wheel <NUM> to limit the rotation of the wheel <NUM> in at least one direction. For example, in the implementation depicted in <FIG>, a ratchet arm <NUM> may engage with the wheel <NUM> to limit and/or prevent rotation of the wheel <NUM> in a second direction.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a wheel <NUM> that is actuated by a rotational motor <NUM> that is configured to rotate about the rotational axis <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. In other implementations, a rotational motor <NUM> may rotate about a different axis and may be operably coupled to the wheel <NUM> through one or more gears, cables, chains, or other power transfer elements. In the implementation of a locking mechanism <NUM> in <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> may apply force to the wheel <NUM> in one direction. In the implementation depicted in <FIG>, the rotational motor <NUM> may rotate in either direction. In such implementations, rotation of the wheel <NUM> may be limited by the ratchet arm <NUM> interacting with the wheel <NUM>.

In some implementations, the ratchet arm <NUM> may be a resilient member such that ratchet arm <NUM> applies a force to the wheel <NUM> in a radial direction. The ratchet arm <NUM> may, therefore, track along a radial profile of the wheel <NUM> so that the ratchet arm <NUM> remains in contact with the wheel <NUM> during rotational movement of the wheel <NUM>.

In some implementations, it may be beneficial to monitor or sample the state of the wheel. <FIG> illustrates an implementation of an encoder arm <NUM> that may be connected to a surface of a wheel <NUM> (the body of the wheel <NUM> is not shown in order to see the encoder arm <NUM>). The encoder arm <NUM> may provide electrical communication with one or more of a plurality of contacts <NUM> adjacent the wheel <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> may allow for the sampling and/or detection of the position of the encoder arm <NUM> and the associated wheel <NUM>. The position of the wheel <NUM> may be correlated to the state of the lock (i.e., a locked state or an unlocked state).

The contacts <NUM> may include a first contact <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a first state (e.g., a locked state of the lock), a second contact <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to an intermediate or transitory state of the lock, and a third contact <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a second state of the lock (e.g., an unlocked state of the lock).

In some implementations, the contacts <NUM> may be pressure sensitive, such as a button. In other implementations, the contacts <NUM> may be electrical contacts and/or the contacts <NUM> may be part of a printed circuit board (PCB). In some implementations, the encoder arm <NUM> may contact a first contact <NUM>-<NUM> and indicate that the lock is in a first state. In other implementations, the encoder arm <NUM> may contact a first contact <NUM>-<NUM> and a radially opposing contact to form an electrical circuit indicating the lock is in a first state. The encoder arm <NUM> and/or contacts <NUM> may communicate the state of the wheel <NUM> to one or more devices or users.

<FIG> illustrate the actuation of an implementation of a lock. <FIG> illustrates a contact arm <NUM> in contact with a first circumferential profile <NUM> of a wheel <NUM>. As the contact arm <NUM> applies a force to the wheel <NUM>, the wheel <NUM> may begin to rotate. The rotation of the wheel <NUM> may cause the first circumferential profile <NUM> to apply a radially outward force to the ratchet arm <NUM>, elastically deforming or otherwise moving the ratchet arm <NUM>. The rotation of the wheel <NUM> may cause the second circumferential profile <NUM> to apply a radially outward force to a thumb <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an intermediate state of the rotation of the wheel <NUM> with the thumb <NUM> moving radially outward, and <FIG> illustrates the radially outward movement of the thumb <NUM> translating the engagement member <NUM> toward a locked position. <FIG> illustrates the engagement member <NUM> in the locked position and the contact arm <NUM> and ratchet arm <NUM> reset to their original positions, respectively. The thumb <NUM> in a radially outermost position relative to the wheel <NUM> and the ratchet arm <NUM> limits and/or prevents rotation of the wheel in the opposite direction to limit and/or prevent the engagement member <NUM> from returning to an unlocked position unintentionally.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method <NUM> of locking an electronic device using a lock according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, a lock according to the present disclosure is used in an electronic device, such as a hybrid computer or laptop. The lock retains a first body of the electronic device in contact with and/or communication with a second body the electronic device. For example, the first body may include a display, a memory module, and a central processing unit (CPU) while the second body includes a graphical processing unit (GPU) and/or a power supply. Some implementations of a method of locking an electronic device automatically or intelligently lock the first body to the second body when one or more components of the first body are communicating with one or more components of the second body.

The method <NUM> includes receiving a demand status from the CPU, GPU, or other component of the first body and/or second body that may communicate with other components of the electronic device at <NUM>. For example, the demand status may include or be the processor load on the CPU, the processor load on the GPU, one or more predetermined active threads on the CPU and/or GPU, a predetermined power supply status, a storage medium access rate, other demand on the electronic device, or combinations thereof. In at least one example, a software application may send a demand status while the software application is open, indicating the electronic device is preparing and/or ready for more processor intensive operations. In at least another example, a GPU load of more than <NUM>%, more than <NUM>%, more than <NUM>%, or more than <NUM>%, over a rolling average of a predetermined time period may send a demand status. In yet another example, a battery status in the first body above a predetermined value may send a demand status indicating the first body and second body need not be locked together. In a further example, the CPU may send a demand status to lock the locking mechanism when the electronic device enters a sleep state.

The method <NUM> includes checking the lock status at <NUM> to verify the lock is in the desired locked or unlocked state based on the demand status received at <NUM>. In some implementations, checking the lock status may include receiving a signal from the encoder arm and/or contacts (such as described in relation to <FIG>). In other implementations, checking the lock status may include one or more other sensors on the lock or electronic device. In yet other implementations, checking the lock status may include checking the status of a software flag retained in memory.

If the lock is not in the desired state, the lock or a part of the locking mechanism is actuated to move to the desired state such as at <NUM>. Actuating the locking mechanism may include any of the structures or operations described in relation to <FIG> of the present disclosure. After actuating the locking mechanism, the lock status is updated at <NUM>. The lock status may be updated by the encoder arm and contacts described in relation to <FIG>, by other sensors on the lock, by a software flag, or combinations thereof. For example, the lock status may be updated by a sensor positioned on the engagement member. In other examples, an optical sensor may detect and update the lock status after the locking mechanism is actuated.

Locking mechanisms, systems, and methods described herein may be used to intelligently connect and retain one or more bodies of an electronic device relative to one another by software controls of the electronic device. <FIG> is a schematic representation of an implementation of an electronic device <NUM> including a locking mechanism <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the locking mechanism <NUM> may include at least an actuator <NUM> and an encoder <NUM> or other device for checking the lock status. The locking mechanism <NUM> may be in data communication with a CPU <NUM> and/or a GPU <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> may be in communication with memory <NUM> having code stored thereon that, when executed by the CPU <NUM>, may cause the CPU <NUM> to perform one or more steps of a method described herein.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for actively locking an electronic device comprising a first body and a second body, to retain the first body in contact with and/or communication with the second body, the apparatus comprising:
an engagement member (<NUM>) configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position; and
an actuator (<NUM>), instantiated by a power source, configured to move the engagement member upon receiving a demand status;
means for checking a lock status of the engagement member (<NUM>) to verify the engagement member is in a desired locked or unlocked state based on the demand status; and
means for updating the lock status after moving the engagement member (<NUM>);
characterized in that when the demand status indicates a graphical processing unit of the second body is above a predetermined load threshold the actuator is configured to move the engagement member to a locked state.