Patent ID: 8145821

Claim:
A docking station apparatus for interfacing a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising: a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the portable electronic device, the docking assembly configured to be installed adjacent to a seat in the aircraft; a mechanical interface in the cavity of the docking assembly and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the portable electronic device; a power supply conversion circuit for translating aircraft power levels to portable electronic device power levels; and one or more support circuits or connectors that provide different connectivity functions for the portable electronic device, the support circuits or connectors comprising: input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub; an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub; multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and aircraft navigation data, to the portable electronic device in a wired or wireless mode, wherein the docking assembly is configured to be placed in a cup holder and comprises: a top housing section having an upper surface with an elongated slot, and a rear portion; a bottom housing section coupled to the top housing section and having a substantially cylindrical shape; a back portion that extends upwardly from the upper surface of the top housing section and configured to support the portable electronic device in an upwardly angled position; one or more media connectors located in the rear portion of the top housing section; and a lip portion on the upper surface in front of and adjacent to the slot, the lip portion configured to support the portable electronic device in a landscape mode position.