Docking stations for transferring data between handheld electronic devices
and various data input/output devices are provided. A docking station includes
a housing, an infrared (IR) signal emitter disposed within the housing, and one
or more cradles formed within the housing. Each cradle is configured to removably
receive a handheld electronic device therein and includes a floor and a first peripheral
wall extending outwardly from the floor in a direction transverse to the floor.
The first peripheral wall is permeable to IR signals. A second peripheral wall
surrounds the first peripheral wall in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship such
that the first and second peripheral walls define a peripheral area. The second
peripheral wall comprises an IR-reflective inner surface. A cylindrical lens is
positioned within the peripheral area and is configured to receive IR signals from
an IR emitter and scatter the IR signals throughout the peripheral area. The IR-reflective
surface is configured to reflect the scattered IR signals through the IR-permeable
first peripheral wall and into the cradle.
