Ultra thin tablet computer battery and docking system

• US 20060221565A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Drennan, Lee, Doherty, John, Steigerwald, Todd W., Altounian, David, Leveridge, Philip, West, Jefferson Blake, Rylander, Mark, Ulla, Imran, Cutherell, David
• Application Number:
  US11/121,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20060221565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultra thin tablet computer battery and docking station system. The system comprises of an ultra thin tablet computer system providing an ultra thin tablet computer (339) with edge mounted main battery (347) with an optional extended battery (310) and a docking system (501) for presenting the tablet computer (339) as a monitor to the user in an articulatable manner with or without the extended battery (310) while simultaneously charging the tablets main battery (347) and the extended battery (301) if it is mounted to the tablet computer while docked.

Claims

1. A tablet computing system comprising:

a tablet computer with a display-side and back-side and at least one outer edge;

a main battery which mounts to an edge of the tablet computer mounting(s) for receiving an extended battery to the back-side of the tablet computer opposite the display-side; and

electrical connections for making electrical contact with the extended battery.

2. The tablet computing system of claim 1 wherein the tablet further comprising an extended battery mounted on the mountings for receiving the extended battery.

3. The tablet computing system of claim 1 wherein the mounts contain locking means for temporarily fixing the extended battery to the back-side of the tablet computer

4. The tablet computing system of claim 2 wherein the extended battery temporarily fixes to the back-side of the tablet computer.

5. The tablet computing system of claim 2 wherein extended battery is a flat and covers a substantial portion of the back-side of the tablet computer.

6. The tablet computing system of claim 1 wherein the main battery is generally cylindrical.

7. The tablet computing system of claim 1 wherein the main battery is generally rectangular.

8. The tablet computing system of claim 1 wherein the edge of the tablet computer which the main battery is mounted generally thicker than most of the other edges of the tablet computer.

9. A tablet computing system comprising:

a tablet computer with a display-side and back-side and at least one outer edge;

a main battery which mounts to an edge of the tablet computer mountings for receiving an extended battery to the back-side of the tablet computer opposite the display-side;

electrical connections for making electrical contact with the extended battery; and

a dock for presenting the tablet computer to the user as a monitor while simultaneously charging the main battery of the tablet computer wherein the dock receives the tablet computer whether or not an extended battery is mounted to the back side of the tablet computer.

10. The tablet computing system of claim 9 wherein the tablet further comprising an extended battery mounted on the mountings for receiving the extended battery.

11. The tablet computing system of claim 9 wherein the mounts contain locking means for temporarily fixing the extended battery to the back-side of the tablet computer

12. The tablet computing system of claim 10 wherein the extended battery temporarily fixes to the back-side of the tablet computer.

13. The tablet computing system of claim 10 wherein extended battery is a flat and covers a substantial portion of the back-side of the tablet computer.

14. The tablet computing system of claim 9 wherein the main battery is generally cylindrical.

15. The tablet computing system of claim 9 wherein the main battery is generally rectangular.

16. The tablet computing system of claim 9 wherein the edge of the tablet computer which the main battery is mounted generally thicker than most of the other edges of the tablet computer.