Docking station for multiple devices

• US 6,309,230 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Helot, Jacques H.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US09/752,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20010001083A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 439/374, 439/929, 439/131, 361/724, 361/725, 361/727, 361/686, 361/683
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A docking station includes mechanisms to accommodate multiple devices simultaneously. In the preferred embodiment, the docking station can accommodate at least a notebook computer and a palmtop-type handheld device. The docking station preferably facilitates a communication link between the handheld device and the notebook computer when the two devices are docked to the docking station. The communication link allows transmission and synchronization of data between the handheld device and the notebook computer. In a first embodiment of the invention, the docking station includes a docking connector that can mate with the notebook computer. The docking station also includes a docking cradle that can accommodate the handheld device. In the preferred embodiment, the docking cradle is configured to be adjustable in angle, so that the docked handheld device can be positioned at a desired angle. In the most preferred embodiment, the docking cradle includes a security feature that locks the handheld device to the docking cradle to prevent theft. In a second embodiment of the invention, the docking station includes a slot in the housing to accommodate the handheld device, instead of the docking cradle. In a third embodiment of the invention, the docking station is comprised of two modules, a primary docking module and a supplemental docking module. The primary docking module is configured to accommodate the notebook computer, while the supplemental docking module is configured to accommodate the palmtop-type handheld device.

Claims

1. A docking station comprising:

a docking structure;

first means located on said docking structure for connecting a portable computer to said docking structure, said first means being configured to physically affix said portable computer to said docking structure when said portable computer is connected to said docking structure, wherein portable said computer includes a keyboard; and

second means located on said docking structure for connecting a handheld computing device to said docking structure, said second means being configured to physically affix said handheld computing device to said docking structure when said handheld device is connected to said docking structure, and wherein said first and second means located on said docking structure allows said portable computer and said handheld computing device to be simultaneously physically affixed to said docking structure.

2. The docking station of claim 1 wherein said first means is in communication with said second means such that a communication link is established when both said handheld computing device and said portable computer are affixed to said docking structure.

3. The docking station of claim 1 wherein said first means includes a first electrical connector that is configured to mate with a corresponding first electrical connector on said portable computer, and wherein said second means includes a second electrical connector that is configured to mate with a corresponding second electrical connector on said handheld computing device.

4. The docking station of claim 3 further comprising a docking cradle that is attached to said docking structure, said docking cradle including said second electrical connector such that said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle when said handheld computing device is connected to said second electrical connector.

5. The docking station of claim 4 wherein said docking cradle includes a mechanism to lock said handheld computing device to said docking cradle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle.

6. The docking station of claim 5 wherein said mechanism is configured to unlock said handheld computing device from said docking cradle when a command is entered into said handheld computing device or said portable computer either via a menu item of a software application operating in said handheld computing device or said portable computer, or via an undocking button located on said docking cradle.

7. The docking station of claim 4 wherein said docking structure is configured such that said docking cradle can be inserted into said docking structure when said handheld computing device is not attached to said docking cradle.

8. The docking station of claim 4 wherein said docking cradle is structurally configured to position said handheld computing device at an angle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle, said angle being relative to a line normal to a plane defined by a flat surface on which said docking station can be placed.

9. The docking station of claim 8 wherein said docking cradle is structurally adjustable to vary said angle such that said handheld computing device can be positioned at a desired angle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle.

10. The docking station of claim 1 wherein said docking structure includes a slot that can accommodate said handheld computing device within said docking structure, said second means located within said slot such that said handheld computing device is connected to said second means when said handheld computing device is inserted into said slot of said docking structure.

11. The docking station of claim 10 wherein said docking structure includes a first module and a second module, said first module including said first means such that said portable computer is attached to said first module when said portable computer is connected to said first means, said second module having said slot such that said handheld computing device is embodied in said second module when said handheld computing device is connected to said second means.

12. The docking station of claim 11 wherein said second module further includes at least one computer-related device.

13. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a power cord to receive electrical power from an external source, said power cord being connected to said second means such that said handheld computing device is supplied with said electrical power when said handheld computing device is connected to said second means.

14. The docking station of claim 1 wherein said second means is configured to be connected to a palmtop-type handheld device.

15. A docking station comprising:

a housing having a first connector, said first connector being configured to mate with a first corresponding connector on a portable computer such that said portable computer is physically affixed and electrically coupled to said housing when said first connector of said housing and said first corresponding connector on said portable computer are mated, wherein portable said computer includes a keyboard; and

a docking cradle attached to said housing, said docking cradle having a second connector that is configured to mate with a second corresponding connector on a handheld computing device such that said handheld computing device is physically affixed and electrically coupled to said docking cradle when said second connector of said docking cradle and said second corresponding connector of said handheld computing device are mated, and wherein said docking station allows said portable computer and said handheld computing device to be simultaneously physically affixed to said docking station.

16. The docking station of claim 15 wherein said second connector of said docking cradle is operatively connected to said first connector of said housing such that a communication link is established between said portable computer and said handheld computing device when said handheld computing device is affixed to said docking cradle and said portable computer is affixed to said housing.

17. The docking station of claim 15 wherein said docking cradle and said housing are structurally engaged such said docking cradle can be inserted into said housing when said handheld computing device is not affixed to said docking cradle.

18. The docking station of claim 15 wherein said docking cradle includes a mechanism to lock said handheld computing device to said docking cradle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle.

19. The docking station of claim 18 wherein said mechanism is configured to unlock said handheld computing device from said docking cradle when a command and a password are entered into said handheld computing device or said portable computer.

20. The docking station of claim 15 wherein said docking cradle is shaped such that said handheld computing device is positioned at an angle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle, said angle being relative to a line normal to a plane defined by a flat surface on which said docking station can be placed.

21. The docking station of claim 20 wherein said docking cradle is structurally adjustable to vary said angle such that said handheld computing device can be positioned at a desired angle when said handheld computing device is attached to said docking cradle.

22. The docking station of claim 15 wherein said docking cradle is configured to accommodate a palmtop-type handheld device.

23. A docking system comprising:

a structure having a slot to accommodate a handheld computing device;

a first electrical connector located on said structure, said first connector being configured to mate with a first corresponding electrical connector on a portable computer such that said portable computer is physically affixed to said structure when said first connector of said structure and said first corresponding connector on said portable computer are mated, wherein portable said computer includes a keyboard; and

a second electrical connector located within said slot of said structure, said second connector being configured to mate with a second corresponding electrical connector on said handheld computing device when said handheld computing device is positioned within said slot of said structure while said portable computer is physically affixed to said structure.

24. The docking station of claim 23 wherein said slot of said structure has dimensions to accommodate a palmtop-type handheld device.

25. The docking station of claim 23 wherein said second connector is electrically connected to said first connector such that said portable computer and said handheld computing device are electrically coupled when both said portable computer and said handheld computing device are affixed to said structure.

26. The docking station of claim 23 wherein said structure includes a first module and a second module, said first module including said first connector such that said portable computer is attached to said first module when said portable computer is electrically mated to said first connector, said second module having said slot such that said handheld computing device is embodied in said second module when said handheld computing device is electrically connected to said second connector of said structure.

27. The docking station of claim 23 further comprising a power cord to receive electrical power from an external source, said power cord being connected to said second connector such that said handheld computing device is supplied with said electrical power when said handheld computing device is electrically connected to said second connector of said structure.