Security docking cable for computer docking system

• US 6,297,963 B1
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Fogle, Steven L
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/394,981
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/728, 361/729, 361/730, 361/732, 361/725, 361/740, 361/747, 361/731, 70/33, 70/58, 70/57, 70/38.R, 439/638, 439/928
• US Class Current: 361/747
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A docking cable, used to interconnect a computer with a clocking station, has an integrated cabling structure that bundles at least one electrically conductive line (e.g., signal, ground, or power line) together with a security cable. The security cable may be implemented as a strand or alternatively as a grounded tube that wraps around the conductive line to provide both structural security as well as a shield to protect from external electro-magnetic interference. The integrated cabling structure preferably has an anchor portion that allows affixation of the docking cable to a fixture (e.g., desktop, chair, wall, etc.). The docking cable preferably has a computer-side connector coupled to one end of the integrated cabling structure for connection to the computer and a station-side connector coupled to the other end of the integrated cabling structure to interface with the docking station. The computer-side connector preferably has a locking mechanism for locking onto the computer. It also preferably has an undocking button to enable a user to request that the computer be undocked from the docking station and preferably an indicator light to indicate when it is safe to undock the computer from the docking station.

Claims

1. A docking cable to interconnect an electronic device with a docking station, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the electronic device and the docking station; and

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure;

wherein the security cable surrounds the electrically conductive line.

2. A docking cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one electrically conductive line is selected from a group comprising a signal line, a ground line, and a power line.

3. A docking cable as recited in claim 1, further comprising signal and power lines bundled together with the security cable in the integrated cabling structure.

4. A docking cable as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a first connector to connect the cabling structure to the computer electronic device; and

a second connector to connect the cabling structure to the docking station.

5. A docking cable as recited in claim 1, further comprising an anchor portion of cable to connect the cabling structure to a fixture.

6. A docking cable to interconnect an electronic device with a docking station, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the electronic device and the docking station; and

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure, wherein the security cable surrounds the electrically conductive line and is grounded to form a shield to protect the electrically conductive line.

7. A docking cable to interconnect an electronic device with a docking station, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the electronic device and the docking station;

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure; and

a locking mechanism to secure the cabling structure to the electronic device.

8. A docking cable to interconnect an electronic device with a docking station, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the electronic device and the docking station;

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure; and

an undocking button to enable a user to request that the electronic device be undocked from the docking station.

9. A docking cable to interconnect an electronic device with a docking station, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the electronic device and the docking station;

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure; and

an indicator light to indicate when it is safe to undock the electronic device from the docking station.

10. A computer system, comprising:

a docking station;

a computer; and

a docking cable to interface the computer with the docking station, the docking cable having;

at least one electrically conductive line configured to electrically connect the computer and the docking station; and

a security cable bundled together with the electrically conductive line to form an integrated cabling structure.

11. A docking cable to electrically connect a computer with a docking station, comprising:

an integrated cabling structure having at least one electrically conductive line bundled together with a security cable;

a computer-side connector coupled to one end of the integrated cabling structure to alternately connect to and disconnect from the computer, the computer-side connector having a locking mechanism to lock the computer-side connector onto the computer;

a station-side connector coupled to another end of the integrated cabling structure to interface with the docking station; and

the integrated cabling structure further having an anchor portion of cable to enable affixation of the integrated cabling structure to a fixture.

12. A docking cable as recited in claim 11, wherein the security cable surrounds the at least one electrically conductive line.

13. A docking cable as recited in claim 11, wherein the computer-side connector has an undocking button that enables a user to request that the computer be undocked from the docking station.

14. A docking cable as recited in claim 11, wherein the computerside connector has an indicator light to indicate when it is safe to undock the computer from the docking station.

15. A docking cable as recited in claim 11, wherein the computer-side connector has a solenoid, actuatable by signals received from the computer, that alternately allows and prevents the locking mechanism to be unlocked.

16. A computer system, comprising:

a docking station;

a computer; and

a docking cable to interface the computer with the docking station, the docking cable having;

an integrated cabling structure having at least one electrically conductive line bundled together with a security cable;

a computer-side connector coupled to one end of the integrated cabling structure to alternately connect to and disconnect from the computer, the computer-side connector having a locking mechanism to lock the computer-side connector onto the computer;

a station-side connector coupled to another end of the integrated cabling structure to interface with the docking station; and

the integrated cabling structure further having an anchor portion of cable to enable affixation of the integrated cabling structure to a fixture.

17. A computer system, comprising:

a docking station;

a computer; and

a docking cable to interface the computer with the docking station, the docking cable having;

a locking mechanism that securely fastens to the computer;

a cabling structure that bundles an electrically conductive line together with a security cable; and

a cable anchor to affix the cabling structure to a fixture.

18. A computer system as recited in claim 17, wherein the docking cable has an undocking button to enable a user to request that the computer be undocked from the docking station.

19. A computer system as recited in claim 17, wherein the docking cable has an indicator light to indicate when it is safe to undock the computer from the docking station.