Portable computer docking station with module connection replicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
- a portable computer includingat least one module connector dimensioned to detachably receive, and make electrical contact to, modules having a module connector format, andinterface connectors connected to provide external data communications; and
a docking station including thereina first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer, and at least one additional docking location dimensioned to receive one of said modules, andfirst docking connectors including data connectors positioned to make electrical connection with said interface connectors when said computer is in said first docking location, and connected to provide data communication between said computer and the exterior of said docking station; and
additional docking connectors positioned to form electrical connections to a module in said additional docking location, and connected to provide a data connection between said computer and said module through said data connectors and said additional docking connectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer docking station in which the computer is inserted vertically into a vertical slot. An additional slot receives modular accessories (such as a CD drive, floppy disk drive, or extra battery) to be inserted. Connectors in the vertical slot provide power to the computer, and provide connection to external display and user input devices, and also provide electrical connection from the computer to whichever module is in the additional slot, and also provides charging if the additional module is a battery.
65 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
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a portable computer including at least one module connector dimensioned to detachably receive, and make electrical contact to, modules having a module connector format, and interface connectors connected to provide external data communications; and a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer, and at least one additional docking location dimensioned to receive one of said modules, and first docking connectors including data connectors positioned to make electrical connection with said interface connectors when said computer is in said first docking location, and connected to provide data communication between said computer and the exterior of said docking station; and additional docking connectors positioned to form electrical connections to a module in said additional docking location, and connected to provide a data connection between said computer and said module through said data connectors and said additional docking connectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6)
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5. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
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a portable computer including at least one module connector dimensioned to detachably receive, and make electrical contact to, modules having a module connector format, and interface connectors connected to provide external data communications; and a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer, and at least one additional docking location dimensioned to receive one of said modules, and first docking connectors including data connectors positioned to make electrical connection with said interface connectors when said computer is in said first docking location, and connected to provide data communication between said computer and the exterior of said docking station; and additional docking connectors positioned to form electrical connections to a module in said additional docking location, and connected to provide a data connection between said computer and said module through said data connectors and said additional docking connectors; wherein said computer is capable of being closed, and includes an integral display which is not visible when said computer is closed, and wherein said first docking location is dimensioned to receive said computer only when said computer is closed.
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7. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
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a portable computer including at least one module connector dimensioned to detachably receive, and make electrical contact to, modules having a module connector format, and interface connectors connected to provide display signal outputs and to receive user input signals; and a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer; a plurality of additional docking locations each dimensioned to receive one of said modules; first docking connectors including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location, and data connectors connected to make electrical connection with said interface connectors when said computer is in said first docking location, to thereby route said display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer; and additional docking connectors positioned, in at least one said additional docking location, to form electrical connections to a module inserted therein, and connected to provide a data connection between said computer and said module, through said data connectors and said additional docking connectors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable computer docking system comprising:
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a portable computer including at least one module connector dimensioned to detachably receive, and make electrical contact to, modules having a module connector format, and interface connectors connected to provide display signal outputs and to receive user input signals; and a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer; a plurality of additional docking locations each dimensioned to receive one of said modules; first docking connectors including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location, and data connectors connected to make electrical connection with said interface connectors when said computer is in said first docking location, to thereby route said display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer; and additional docking connectors positioned, in at least one said additional docking location, to form electrical connections to a module inserted therein, and connected to provide a data connection between said computer and said module, through said data connectors and said additional docking connector; wherein said computer is capable of being closed, and includes an integral display which is not visible when said computer is closed, and wherein said first docking location is dimensioned to receive said computer only when said computer is closed.
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12. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
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a portable computer having interface connectors mounted on a first external surface thereof, and connected to provide display signal outputs and to receive user input signals; a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer with a vertical direction of insertion, with said first external surface leading; and first docking connectors, positioned to form electrical connections with said portable computer in said first docking location, including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location, and data connectors connected to route said display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A portable computer docking system, comprising:
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a portable computer having interface connectors mounted on a first external surface thereof, and connected to provide display signal outputs and to receive user input signals; a docking station including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer with a vertical direction of insertion, with said first external surface leading; and first docking connectors, positioned to form electrical connections with said portable computer in said first docking location, including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location, and data connectors connected to route said display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer; wherein said computer is capable of being closed, and includes an integral display which is not visible when said computer is closed, and wherein said first docking location is dimensioned to receive said computer only when said computer is closed.
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17. A docking station for receiving a portable computer, comprising:
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a first docking location dimensioned to receive a portable computer, and at least one additional docking location dimensioned to receive detachable modules which are also capable of being attached to and carried with said computer; and first docking connectors, positioned to form electrical connections with said portable computer in said first docking location, including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location; data connectors connected to route display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer, and to provide a data interface to said computer in said first docking location; and additional docking connectors positioned to form electrical connections to a module in said additional docking location;
wherein said additional docking connectors and said data connectors are interconnected to provide a digital data path therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A docking station for receiving a portable computer, comprising:
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a first docking location dimensioned to receive said portable computer, and a plurality of additional docking locations each dimensioned to receive one of said modules; and first docking connectors, positioned to form externally accessible electrical connections with said portable computer in said first docking location, including a power connection which provides power to said computer at said first docking location; data connectors connected to route display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, and to route user input signals from a user input device to said computer; and additional docking connectors positioned to form electrical connections between said additional docking connectors and a module in one of said additional docking locations. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of docking a portable computer to user-interface hardware, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) inserting the computer into a body including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive the computer;
wherein first docking connectors are positioned in said body to mate with said computer in said first docking location; and(b.) after said step (a.), routing display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, through first docking connectors and complementary interface connectors, and routing user input signals from an external user input device to said computer, through said first docking connectors; and (c.) inserting at least one detachable module, which is also capable of being inserted into said computer, into at least one additional docking location in said body which includes additional docking connectors which mate with said module; and (d.) after said steps (a.) and (c.), performing data communication in at least one direction between the module and the computer through said first docking connectors and said additional docking connectors. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of docking a portable computer to user-interface hardware, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) inserting the computer into a body including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive the computer;
wherein first docking connectors are positioned in said body to mate with said computer in said first docking location; and(b.) after said step (a.), routing display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, through first docking connectors and complementary interface connectors, and routing user input signals from an external user input device to said computer, through said first docking connectors; and (c.) inserting at least one detachable module, which is also capable of being inserted into and carried with said computer, into at least one additional docking location in said body which includes additional docking connectors which mate with said module; and (d.) after said steps (a.) and (c.), performing data communication in at least one direction between the module and the computer through said first docking connectors and said additional docking connectors; wherein said computer includes an integral display which is not visible when said computer is closed; and
wherein, in said step (a.), said computer is inserted in a closed position.
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26. A method of docking a portable computer to user-interface hardware, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) inserting the computer into a body including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive the computer;
wherein first docking connectors are positioned in said body to mate with said computer in said first docking location; and(b.) after said step (a.), routing display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, through first docking connectors and complementary interface connectors, and routing user input signals from an external user input device to said computer, through said first docking connectors; (c.) inserting first and second detachable modules, which are both also capable of being inserted into said computer, into two additional docking locations in said body which each include respective additional docking connectors which mate with said respective module;
wherein said second detachable modules includes a battery;(d.) after said steps (a.) and (c.), performing data communication in at least one direction between the first detachable module and the computer through said first docking connectors and said additional docking connectors; and (e.) after said step (c.), charging said battery while said second detachable module is positioned in one of said additional docking locations. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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27. A method of docking a portable computer to user-interface hardware, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) inserting the computer into a body including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive the computer;
wherein first docking connectors are positioned in said body to mate with said computer in said first docking location; and(b.) after said step (a.), routing display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, through first docking connectors and complementary interface connectors, and routing user input signals from an external user input device to said computer, through said first docking connectors; (c.) inserting first and second detachable modules, which are both also capable of being inserted into and carried with said computer, into two additional docking locations in said body which each include respective additional docking connectors which mate with said respective module;
wherein said second detachable modules includes a battery;(d.) after said steps (a.) and (c.), performing data communication in at least one direction between the first detachable module and the computer through said first docking connectors and said additional docking connectors; and (e.) after said step (c.), charging said battery while said second detachable module is positioned in one of said additional docking locations; wherein said battery of said second module is charged, during said step (e.), regardless of which of said additional docking locations said second module is inserted into during said step (c.).
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30. A method of docking a portable computer to user-interface hardware, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) inserting the computer into a body including therein a first docking location dimensioned to receive the computer;
wherein first docking connectors are positioned in said body to mate with said computer in said first docking location; and(b.) after said step (a.), routing display signal outputs from said computer to an external display, through first docking connectors and complementary interface connectors, and routing user input signals from an external user input device to said computer, through said first docking connectors; (c.) inserting first and second detachable modules, which are both also capable of being inserted into and carried with said computer, into two additional docking locations in said body which each include respective additional docking connectors which mate with said respective module;
wherein said second detachable modules includes a battery;(d.) after said steps (a.) and (c.), performing data communication in at least one direction between the first detachable module and the computer through said first docking connectors and said additional docking connectors, and (e.) after said step (c.), charging said battery while said second detachable module is positioned in one of said additional docking locations; wherein said computer includes an integral display which is not visible when said computer is closed; and
wherein, in said step (a.), said computer is inserted in a closed position.
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Specification