Authors:
Brad Johnson, David Steiner, Jeff Thomas, Kimberly Wood
Abstract:
This disclosure proposed using an Electro-Magnet as the interface between a mobile retail sled and a fixed base or point of sale system.
Background:
The docking and undocking of a retail tablet in a store environment is done many times a day and needs to be simple, intuitive & robust. Many of today’s current solutions are dependent on insertion of the tablet / sled pins (male /female) This must be done in a precise manner not to cause damage. Over time pins can get bent causing failure. In this scenario you must have a 2nd locking mechanism to keep the table secure. There are normal magnet docking solutions on the market currently.
Description:
An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current. Electromagnets usually consist of wire wound into a coil. A current through the wire creates a magnetic field which is concentrated in the hole, denoting the center of the coil. The magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. The wire turns are often wound around a magnetic core made from a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material such as iron; the magnetic core concentrates the magnetic flux and makes a more powerful magnet. The main advantage of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet is that the magnetic field can be quickly changed by controlling the amount of electric current in the winding
The ideal embodiment of a tablet docking system would use an electro magnet that is capable of the adjustment of magnetic force (preset or on the fly) to attract , align/ repel and seat the tablet sled to the power / signal & locking pins. With an electromagnet, the ability to dial magnetic strength would allow this same mechanism to act as a locking feature. Setting a threshold of pounds of force required for removal & or engaging a mechanical locking pin. Another feature of an electro magnet is its ability to switch poles, + - in the same plane / on the same side, without moving the magnet (flipping it). This would help solve the problem of users trying to dock the tablet too hard. The magnetic field would at first repel the tablet & then as it's detected the poles could switch and attract the tablet sled to dock it with the POS or docking post.
The electromagnet could draw power from both or either the tablet or the POS
Power and signal can be delivered across these types of systems.
TGCS Reference 1795
