HP jornada vehicle docking station/holder

• US 6,788,528 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Macklin, Lee, Enners, Ryan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US10/040,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20030128504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 976 Days
• Field of Search: 439/503, 361/683, 361/686, 248/918, 710/303
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A docking station and holder for use with a portable computer, and in particular, an HP Jornada™ portable computer. The docking station has a contour that is designed to receive the HP Jornada portable computer. The docking station connects to a center console of a vehicle. The docking station has a cradle that holds the portable computer in place while driving. The docking station has a cigarette lighter adapter for power and a cable that connects it to a stereo system of the vehicle to provide for audio (MP3) playback of music like.

Claims

1. Docking apparatus for use with a portable computer in a vehicle, comprising:

a bracket including a base and an arm for attaching the apparatus to a dashboard of the vehicle; and

a docking cradle attached to the arm that comprises a connector adjacent its lower end that mates with a connector of the portable computer to electrically interconnect the portable computer to the docking cradle;

a power cable and connector for connecting the docking cradle to a vehicle power source; and

an audio cable interconnects the docking cradle to a vehicle audio system.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the portable computer comprises HP Jornada portable computer.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the docking cradle comprises plastic.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the power cable and connector comprise a cigarette lighter adapter.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable electrically connects the portable computer to the vehicle audio system.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable is connected to an input connector of the vehicle audio system.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the audio cable permits audio playback of music files stored in the portable computer.