HP Jornada vehicle docking station/holder

• US 20030128504A1
• Filed: 01/05/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Macklin, Lee, Enners, Ryan S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/683
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A docking station and holder for use with a portable computer, and in particular, an HP Jornada™ portable computer. The docking station has a contour that is designed to receive the HP Jornada portable computer. The docking station connects to a center console of a vehicle. The docking station has a cradle that holds the portable computer in place while driving. The docking station has a cigarette lighter adapter for power and a cable that connects it to a stereo system of the vehicle to provide for audio (MP3) playback of music like.

Claims

1. Docking apparatus for use with a portable computer in a vehicle, comprising:

a bracket including a base and an arm for attaching the apparatus to a dashboard of the vehicle; and

a docking cradle attached to the arm that comprises a connector adjacent its lower end that mates with a connector of the portable computer to electrically interconnect the personal computer to the docking cradle;

a power cable and connector for connecting the docking cradle to a vehicle power source; and

an audio cable interconnects the docking cradle to a vehicle audio system.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the portable computer comprises HP Jornada portable computer.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the docking cradle comprises plastic.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the power cable and connector comprise a cigarette lighter adapter.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable electrically connects the portable computer to the vehicle audio system.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable is connected to an input connector of the vehicle audio system.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable permits audio playback of music files stored in the portable computer.