Device to allow computers to adapt to multiple docking stations

• US 20040066620A1
• Filed: 10/08/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Grunow, David W., Kingsmore, Terry A. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/266,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066620A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/686
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A multiple docking system includes a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction and a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A converter has mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors. The converter may provide expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

Claims

1. Apparatus for docking to multiple docking stations comprising:

a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction offset from the first direction; and

a converter member having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the first docking connector is orthogonally disposed to the second docking connector.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the converter member includes expanded functionality.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the expanded functionality includes floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

5. A multiple docking system comprising:

a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;

a first converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors; and

a second converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors and having expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein the first and second converters are portable.

7. A method of providing multiple docking solutions comprising:

providing a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

providing a docking station having a second connector extending in a direction offset from the first direction; and

interconnecting the portable computer and the docking station by a converter member having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors.

8. The method as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

orthogonally disposing the first docking connector to the second docking connector.

9. The method as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

providing expanded functionality in the converter member.

10. The method as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

providing floppy and CD-ROM functionality in the converter member.

11. A method of providing multiple docking solutions comprising:

providing a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

providing a docking station having a second connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;

interconnecting the portable computer and the docking station by selecting one of;

a) a first converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors; and

b) a second converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors and having expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the first and second converters are portable.

13. A multiple docking system comprising:

a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a first docking station having a direct docking connector aligned for engagement with the first docking connector;

a second docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction offset from the first direction; and

a converter member having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the first docking connector is orthogonally disposed to the second docking connector.

15. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the converter member includes expanded functionality.

16. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the converter member includes floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

17. A multiple docking system comprising:

a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a first docking station having a direct docking connector aligned for engagement with the first docking connector;

a second docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;

a first converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors; and

a second converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors and having expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein the first and second converters are portable.

19. An information handling system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

the chassis having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction offset from the first direction; and

a converter member having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors.

20. An information handling system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

the chassis having a first docking connector extending in a first direction;

a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;

a first converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors; and

a second converter having mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors and having expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.