Multipurpose docking apparatus for a mobile computer

• US 20050013103A1
• Filed: 07/17/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Chandley, Adrian
• Application Number:
  US10/621,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20050013103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An multipurpose docking apparatus for mobile or other computers for operation both with and without an installable mobile computer is presented. The multipurpose docking station includes a port for insertion of a handheld or other mobile computer or computer code. Without the mobile computer installed, the multipurpose docking apparatus is functional as a remote display or terminal for a personal computer. When the mobile computer is installed into the installation port, the combination is functional as a fully accessible computing system with the ability to communicate with other computers, peripherals and network interfaces.

Claims

1. A docking station for a computer comprising:

a port for receiving a mobile computer;

a communication interface for communicating with at least one external computer; and

a data transfer interface communicatively connected to a display for rendering information to the display;

wherein the docking station is itself mobile and enables the communication interface to acquire external computer information and enables the data transfer interface to display the external computer information when the mobile computer is not installed into the port; and

wherein the docking station enables communications with the mobile computer when the mobile computer is installed into the port.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the display is a display integrated with the docking station.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the port for receiving the mobile computer comprises a connector.

4. The docking station of claim 3, wherein the port further receives a chassis for the mobile computer.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the at least one external computer is the mobile computer.

6. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a user interface comprising one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a lightpen, a stylus, audio interface, tactile transducer, vibration transducer and an external connector for an external input/output device permitting interaction with rendered information on the display.

7. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle for receiving electrical power.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the communication interface for communicating with at least one external computer is one or more of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

9. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the mobile computer is one of an ultra compact computer, a computer core, a handheld computer and a laptop computer.

10. A system supporting communications between a mobile docking station and at least one external computer comprising:

a mobile docking station comprising;

a port for receiving a mobile computer;

a communication interface for communicating with at least one external computer; and

a data transfer interface communicatively connected to a display for rendering information to the display;

at least one external computer for communicating with the mobile docking station;

wherein the mobile docking station enables the communications interface to support communication with the at least one external computer when the mobile computer is not installed; and

wherein the mobile docking station supports communication with at least one external device when the mobile computer is installed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the display is a display integrated with the mobile docking station.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one external computer is the mobile computer.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a user interface comprising one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a lightpen, a stylus, audio interface, tactile transducer, vibration transducer and an external connector for an external input/output device permitting interaction with rendered information on the display.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication interface for communicating with at least one external computer is one or more of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless connection is one or more of a radio frequency connection, an infrared connection and an acoustic connection.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one external device is one or more of a remote computer and a peripheral device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote computer is one or more of a desktop computer and a laptop computer.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the peripheral device is one or more of a peripheral device connected to a computer system and a standalone peripheral device.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one external device is one or more of a network interface, a personal digital assistant and one or more mobile docking stations.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the mobile computer is one of an ultra compact computer, a computer core, a handheld computer and a laptop computer.