Computer docking system having means for customizing the hardware configuration in a docking station for optimum performance

• US 6,285,911 B1
• Filed: 11/08/1994
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Robert, Davis, Kevin D., Grimm, Tom, Tonsing, Robert E., Mitcham, Larry, Verdun, Gary, Watts, LaVaughn F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US08/336,134
• Time in Patent Office: 2,492 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/725, 361/679, 361/684, 361/685, 395/325, 439/378, 439/374, 700/2, 700/5
• US Class Current: 700/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/185 Mounting of expansion boards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/186 Securing of expansion boards in correspondence to slots provided at the computer enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/12 Disposition of constructional parts in the apparatus, e.g. of power supply, of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62905 comprising a camming member H01R13/62933 and H01R13/641 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking system and method for connecting a portable computer to a docking station and method for coupling the docking station to an external monitor and an external keyboard and a technique for customizing the hardware configuration in the docking station for optimum performance. In a preferred embodiment, the technique for customizing the program hardware in the docking station is capable of customizing common hardware in various docking stations.

Claims

1. A computer docking system, comprising:

a portable computer;

a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station and means for coupling said docking station to an external monitor and an external keyboard;

means for customizing a hardware configuration in the docking system for optimum performance is capable of customizing common hardware in various docking stations;

a housing for holding said portable computer therein, said housing having connection means for coupling said docking station to said portable computer;

a tray adapted to receive said portable computer thereon slidably mounted to said housing; and

drive means coupled between said housing and said tray for driving said tray and said portable computer into and out of said housing and automatically mating said connection means of said housing to said connection means on said portable computer.

2. The docking station of claim 1, in which said drive means includes a first drive means for driving said tray in a first direction and a second drive means for a first connection means on said housing for driving said first connection means in a second orthogonal direction to a first connection means on said portable computer.

3. The docking station of claim 2, in which said first drive means includes a drive motor and gear means coupled to said drive motor and said tray includes a rack means on the bottom of said tray and side gear means is coupled to said rack means to drive said tray.

4. The docking station of claim 3, in which said second drive means includes a second drive motor and associated second gear means and said first connection means includes a connector holder means slidably mounted in said second orthogonal direction having pins therein extending into a rack/cam plate and said rack portion is coupled to said second gear means.

5. A computer docking station, comprising:

connection means for coupling said computer docking station to an external monitor and an external keyboard, and means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and

a hardware configuration in the docking station that is customizable for optimum performance when said docking station is docked to a portable computer;

a housing for holding said portable computer therein, said housing having connection means for coupling said docking station to said portable computer;

a tray adapted to receive said portable computer thereon slidably mounted to said housing; and

drive means coupled between said housing and said tray for driving said tray and said portable computer into and out of said housing and automatically mating said connection means of said housing to said connection means on said portable computer.

6. The docking station of claim 5, in which said drive means includes a first drive means for driving said tray in a first direction and a second drive means for a first connection on said housing for driving said first connection means in a second orthogonal direction to a first connection means on said portable computer.

7. The docking station of claim 6, in which said first drive means includes a drive motor and gear means coupled to said drive motor and said tray includes a rack means on the bottom of said tray and side gear means is coupled to said rack means to drive said tray.

8. The docking station of claim 7, in which said second drive means includes a second drive motor and associated second gear means and said first connection means includes a connector holder means slidably mounted in said second orthogonal direction having pins therein extending into a rack/cam plate and said rack portion is coupled to said second gear means.