Docking unit for portable computer

• US 6,570,758 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Maeda, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US08/995,722
• Time in Patent Office: 1,982 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/683, 248/552, 248/553, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 70/14, 70/57, 70/58, 70/32--34, 395/281-283
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• 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

According to the present invention, provided is a superior docking unit for a portable computer that can provide adequate theft prevention environments for a “single user mode” during which the docking unit is used by only one user, and a “multi-user mode” during which the docking unit is shared by a plurality of users. A docking unit for a portable computer according to the present invention has first and second kensington slots positioned on the outer wall of the main body. When the kensington lock is inserted into the first kensington slot, this event is transmitted to inhibit the release of the engagement of the mounted portable computer, to enable its removal and to restrict the exchange of a PC card relative to the docking unit. But when the kensington lock is inserted into the second kensington slot, this event is not transmitted, so that the mounted portable computer can be removed, and restriction for the exchange of the PC card relative to the docking unit is released. Therefore, in the single user mode, the first kensington lock shall be inserted into the first kensington slot, so that the portable computer and the docking unit can be secured together. In the multi-user mode, the kensington lock shall be inserted into the second kensington slot, so that only the docking unit is secured, the attachment/removal of the portable computer is ensured, and the exchange of the PC card is enabled.

Claims

1. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a first locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(d) a second locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(e) engaging means for engaging with the portable computer mounted on said mounting portion; and

(f) engaging control means for controlling said engaging means from being released in response to a condition where a locking member, for securing said docking unit to a desired surrounding object, is loaded at one of said locking portions.

2. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a first kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(d) a second kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(e) engaging means for engaging with the portable computer mounted on said mounting portion; and

(f) engaging control means for controlling said engaging means from being released in response to whether a kensington lock is inserted into one of said first and said second kensington slots.

3. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a first kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(d) a second kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(e) engaging means for engaging with the portable computer mounted on said mounting portion; and

(f) engaging control means for inhibiting said engaging means from being released in response to that a kensington lock is inserted into said first kensington slot, and for not inhibiting said engaging means from being released in response to that the kensington lock is inserted into said second kensington slot.

4. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a PC card slot provided in said main body for inserting a PC card;

(d) ejecting means provided for said PC card slot for ejecting an inserted PC card;

(e) a first kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(f) a second kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(g) engaging means for engaging with the portable computer mounted on said mounting portion; and

(h) engaging control means for inhibiting activation of said ejecting means and release of said engaging means when a kensington lock is inserted into said first kensington slot, and for inhibiting activation of said ejecting means but not inhibiting release of said engaging means when the kensington lock is inserted into said second kensington slot.

5. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a PC card slot provided in said main body for inserting a PC card;

(d) restricting means formed at said ejection opening of said PC card slot to restrict the exchange of a PC card;

(e) a first locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(f) a second locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(g) restricting release means for releasing a restriction of the exchange of a PC card imposed by said restricting means; and

(h) means for maintaining a restriction condition on the exchange of a PC card in response to whether a locking member, for securing said docking unit to a desired peripheral object, is attached at one of said first and said second locking portions.

6. A docking unit for mounting a portable computer comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a mounting portion for mounting a portable computer;

(c) a PC card slot provided in said main body for inserting a PC card;

(d) ejecting means provided for said PC card slot for ejecting an inserted PC card;

(e) a first kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(f) a second kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(g) engaging means for engaging with the portable computer mounted on said mounting portion; and

(h) engaging control means for inhibiting both an ejection of said ejecting means and release of said engaging means when a kensington lock is inserted into said first kensington slot, and for not inhibiting either an ejection of said ejecting means nor release of said engaging means even though said kensington lock is inserted into said second kensington slot.

7. A portable electronic apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a first locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(c) a second locking portion provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(d) first theft prevention means for setting said main body to a first security mode when a locking member, for locking said main body to a desired peripheral object, is inserted into said first locking portion; and

(e) second theft prevention means for setting said main body to a second security mode which differs from said first security mode, when said locking member is inserted into said second locking portion.

8. A portable electronic apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a first kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(c) a second kensington slot provided on the outer wall of said main body;

(d) first theft prevention means for setting said main body to a first security mode when a kensington lock is inserted into said first kensington slot; and

(e) second theft prevention means for setting said main body to a second security mode being different from said first security mode, when said kensington lock is inserted into said second kensington slot.