Portable computing, communication and entertainment device with central processor carried in a detachable portable device
First Claim
1. A docking display unit for use with a portable computing device having a central processing unit and a tactile user interface;
- said display unit comprising;
a housing having;
a first region;
a second region;
a display screen mounted in the first region;
a keyboard mounted in the second region;
a docking port, at least partially complementary to the portable computing device, defined in the second region and being adapted to receive the portable computing device therein such that downward pressure on the tactile user interface will not result in a downward rotation of the portable computing device relative to the keyboard; and
at least one connector provided in the docking port;
said connector being adapted to physically engage the portable computing device and thereby attach the portable computing device with the housing; and
whereby the tactile user interface is operably connected to the display screen when the portable computing device is attached with the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A docking display unit for physically engaging a portable computing unit and a combination of the same. The display unit may include or exclude a central processing unit and includes a housing with a hinged first and second region. The first region includes a display screen and the second region includes a keyboard. A recessed docking port is provided in the second region and is configured to receive the portable device therein. At least one connector is provided in the docking port to operationally link a central processor in the portable device with the display screen and keyboard. A touchscreen on the portable device provides a user interface for controlling the combined display unit and portable device. The portable device preferably is a smartphone.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A docking display unit for use with a portable computing device having a central processing unit and a tactile user interface;
- said display unit comprising;
a housing having; a first region; a second region; a display screen mounted in the first region; a keyboard mounted in the second region; a docking port, at least partially complementary to the portable computing device, defined in the second region and being adapted to receive the portable computing device therein such that downward pressure on the tactile user interface will not result in a downward rotation of the portable computing device relative to the keyboard; and at least one connector provided in the docking port;
said connector being adapted to physically engage the portable computing device and thereby attach the portable computing device with the housing; andwhereby the tactile user interface is operably connected to the display screen when the portable computing device is attached with the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
- said display unit comprising;
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8. A docking display unit for use with a portable computing device having a central processing unit;
- said display unit comprising;
a housing having; a first region; a second region having an interior wall, an exterior wall, a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of opposed side edges; a hinge connecting the first and second regions together;
whereby the first region may selectively be folded over the second region;a display screen mounted in the first region; a keyboard mounted in the interior wall of the second region; a docking port defined in second region and being adapted to receive the portable computing device therein; at least one connector provided in the docking port;
said connector being adapted to physically engage the portable computing device and thereby attach the portable computing device with the housing;wherein the docking port comprises a recess defined in the interior wall;
said recess including a bottom wall spaced a distance away from the interior wall;
a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall to the interior wall and originating at a first position along the front edge of the second region, and terminating at a second position along the front edge, and whereby a gap is defined between the first and second positions and complementary in size to at least a portion of the portable computing device;wherein a portion of the interior wall of the second region extends for a distance beyond the peripheral wall, thereby forming a lip which extends outwardly beyond the at least one connector.
- said display unit comprising;
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11. In combination:
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a docking display unit and a portable computing device selectively engageable therewith; said display unit comprising; a housing having a first region and a second region;
whereby the first region is selectively foldable onto the second region;a display screen provided in the first region; a docking port defined in the second region; at least one connector provided in the docking port; and said portable device comprising; a housing, at least a portion of which is complementary to the docking port of the display unit; a central processing unit disposed within the housing of the portable device; at least one jack provided on the housing of the portable device and being operationally connected to at least one connector on the display unit when the portable device is physically received within the docking port, whereby the portable device is electronically connected to the display unit; and a user interface, whereby the user interface is exposed to allow physical manipulation by the user when the portable computing device is engaged with the docking display, the portable computing device being engaged by the docking display such that physical manipulation of the user interface by the user will not result in movement of the portable computing device relative to the docking display, and whereby the user interface is operably connected to the display screen of the display unit when the portable computing device is engaged with the docking display. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22)
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21. In combination:
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a docking display unit and a portable computing device selectively engageable therewith, the display unit comprising; a housing having a first region and a second region and a hinge connecting the first and second regions;
whereby the first region is selectively foldable onto the second region;a display screen provided in the first region; a keyboard provided in the second region; a docking port defined in the second region adjacent the keyboard;
at least one connector provided in the docking port; and
wherein the portable device includes;a housing, at least a portion of which is complementary to the docking port of the display unit; a central processing unit disposed within the housing of the portable device; at least one jack provided on the housing of the portable device and being operationally connected to at least one connector on the display unit when the portable device is physically received within the docking port, whereby the portable device is electronically connected to the display unit; wherein the display unit housing has a length and the docking port is oriented at right angles to the length and the portable device is thereby disposed at right angles to the length of the display unit when docked in the docking port; wherein the housing of the portable device has a first length and the docking port has a second length, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length; and whereby the portable device extends outwardly for a distance beyond a front edge of the display unit.
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23. A method of operating a computing device comprising the steps of:
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supplying a first computing device housing with a docking port and a display screen; docking a portable computing device having a touchscreen into the docking port; allowing the portable computing device to communicate with the first computing device, using the touchscreen on the portable computing device as a touch pad on the first computing device, whereby the touchpad is operably connected to the display screen such that use of the touchscreen does not result in a movement of the portable computing device relative to the docking port; sliding the portable computing device into a recessed region on the first computing device; engaging a communications port on the portable computing device with a complementary communications port on the first computing device to operatively connect the first computing device and portable computing device together; and pivoting a first section of the first computing device between a first closed position where the first section is in abutting contact with a second section thereof, and a second open position where the first section is not in abutting contact with the second section. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification