Portable pen-based computer with vehicular docking station

• US 6,426,872 B1
• Filed: 11/27/1998
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xplore Technologies Corporation (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Swindler, Danile, Sutton, John, Clifton, Glen, Perley, Richard, Groh, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSTER, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US09/200,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/724, 361/727, 439/76.1, 439/131, 439/135, 439/136, 439/626, 439/638, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer. The computer utilizes a main or primary housing for the major components of the computer, and a separate, independent, auxiliary expansion unit having its own housing for mounting a replaceable radio module that is connected to the main computer via a multi-pin connector, whereby the replacement or exchange of the radio module for a different one is easily and readily achieved, and where auxiliary or expansion devices may be connected to the main computer thereby, and where the auxiliary device itself serves as a handle for holding the main computer. Also provided is a vehicular docking station for the combined main computer and auxiliary unit, which vehicular docking station is provided with a multi-pin connector for receiving thereby a multi-pin connector of the auxiliary unit when the computer is connected to the auxiliary unit.

Claims

1. An auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a portable computer, which computer comprises a central processor and first connector means for coupling the auxiliary unit thereto, comprising:

an independent, self-contained main housing having second connector means for coupling to said first connector means of said computer for coupling said central processor to peripheral equipment whereby said computer may be connected directly to peripheral equipment;

said auxiliary unit further comprising device-coupling means for operatively coupling at least one peripheral device with said computer, so that said computer may access said at least one device;

said auxiliary unit further comprising a removable, interchangeable, radio-module means for providing wireless communication to said computer, said removable, radio-module means being connected to said central processor of said computer via said first and second connectors.

2. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 1, wherein said device coupling means comprises at least one of a port and PCMCIA card cage.

3. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 2, wherein said device-coupling means comprises printed-circuit board means for coupling said at least one of a port and PCMCIA card cage to said central processor of said computer via said first and second connector means.

4. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 2, wherein said main housing of said auxiliary unit comprises at least one opening for accessing said at least one of a port and PCMCIA card cage.

5. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 1, wherein said device-coupling means comprises printed circuit board means comprising at least one of a:

serial port, parallel port, keyboard port, mouse port, universal serial bus port, and floppy-disk drive connector.

6. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 5, further comprising at least one of a:

printer, keyboard, mouse, floppy-disk drive, CD ROM drive operatively connected to said central processor of said computer via said at least one of a port and PCMCIA card cage.

7. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to 1, wherein said removable, radio-module means comprises a transceiver associated with one of the following systems:

ARDIS, RAM, GPS, CDPD, Spread Spectrum.

8. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 1, wherein said main housing comprises an upper section, said upper section having a hole formed therein;

and antenna means for said radio-module means;

said antenna means passing through said hole.

9. A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;

said main housing also comprising a rear section secured to said front section, with the interior volume between said front and rear sections housing operational parts;

means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;

connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station; and

actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing, said actuating means being mounted in said interior volume;

said securing means comprising a slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;

said actuating means moving said slidable plate means in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;

said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing;

said at least one protruding securing arm comprising a first leg section and a second leg section of shorter length than, and at an angle to, said first leg section;

said slidable plate means having first cooperating means for removably mounting said at least one protruding securing arm thereto;

each of said first and second leg sections having second cooperating means for cooperating with said first cooperating means so that either of said first and second leg sections may be mounted to said first cooperating means, whereby either of said first and second leg sections of said at least one protruding securing arm may protrude beyond said front surface in order to accommodate a portable computer without attached auxiliary unit and a portable computer with attached auxiliary unit.

10. An auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a portable computer, which computer comprises a central processor and first connector means for coupling the auxiliary unit thereto, comprising;

an independent, self-contained main housing having second connector means for coupling to said first connector means of said computer for coupling said central processor to peripheral equipment whereby said computer may be connected directly to peripheral equipment;

said auxiliary unit further comprising device-coupling means for operatively coupling at least one device with said computer;

said device-coupling means comprises at least one of a port or PCMCIA card cage;

said main housing of said auxiliary unit comprising at least one opening for accessing said at least one of a port or PCMCIA card cage;

said main housing being a hand-held unit capable of substantially fitting into one hand for carrying and transport thereby;

said hand-held unit serving as handle means for carrying a computer connected to said main housing.

11. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 10, in combination with a portable computer;

said portable computer comprising said first connector means;

said portable computer being coupled to said main housing of said auxiliary unit via said first and second connector means.

12. The auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a computer, according to claim 11, wherein said portable computer is a pen-based computer.

13. An auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a portable computer, which computer comprises a central processor and first connector means for coupling the auxiliary unit thereto, comprising:

an independent, self-contained main housing having second connector means for coupling to said first connector means of said computer for coupling said central processor to peripheral equipment whereby said computer may be connected directly to peripheral equipment;

said auxiliary unit comprising radio-module means for providing wireless communication to said computer;

said main housing comprising an upper section having a hole formed therein; and

antenna means for said radio-module means, said antenna means passing through said hole.

14. A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;

said main housing also comprising a rear section secured to said front section, with the interior volume between said front and rear sections housing operational parts;

means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;

connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station; and

actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing, said actuating means being mounted in said interior volume;

said securing means comprising a first slidable plate, said actuating means moving said first slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;

said first slidable plate mounting said connector means thereto;

said front surface of main housing having a cutout through which protrudes said connector means, whereby, when said first slidable plate is slid in said first direction by said actuating means, said connector means is moved toward a mating connector means on a portable computer juxtapositioned against said front surface for securing the connector means together;

said securing means further comprising a second slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;

said actuating means also moving said second slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;

said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing, whereby, when said second slidable plate is slid in said second direction by said actuating means, said at least one protruding securing arm is forced against a portion of a portable computer positioned against said front surface for locking the portable computer in place;

said actuation means comprising a pivotal lever arm, and coupling means coupling said lever arm to said first and second slidable plate means;

said coupling means comprising a first link having a first end connected to said lever arm and a second end connected to said first slidable plate, and a second link having a first end connected to said lever arm and a second end connected to said second slidable plate;

said lever arm comprising a base portion having a through hole and a lever portion projecting from said base portion; and

pivot mounting means passing through said hole of said base portion for pivotally mounting said lever arm to said main housing;

said first end of said first link being connected to said lever arm on one lateral side of said hole of said base portion, and said first end of said second link being connected to said lever arm on the other lateral side of said hole of said base portion, whereby, when said lever arm is moved in a one direction, said first slidable plate is moved in said first direction and said second slidable plate is moved in said second direction opposite to said first direction.

15. A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;

means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;

connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on a portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station; and

actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;

said securing means comprising a slidable plate, said actuating means moving said slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;

said slidable plate mounting said connector means thereto;

said front surface of main housing having a cutout through protrudes said connector means, whereby, when said slidable plate is slid in said first direction by said actuating means, said connector means is moved toward a mating connector means on a portable computer juxtapositioned against said front surface for securing the connector means together;

said securing means further comprising another slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;

said actuating means also moving said another slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;

said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing, whereby, when said another slidable plate is slid in said second direction by said actuating means, said at least one protruding securing arm is forced against an upper portion of a portable computer positioned against said front surface for locking the portable computer in place;

said actuation means comprising a pivotal lever arm movable in one of two directions, and coupling means coupling said lever arm to both said slidable plates;

said coupling means coupling said another plate for movement in the same direction as said lever arm and coupling said slidable plate for movement said in the opposite direction as said lever arm.

16. The docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer according to claim 15, further comprising break-out box means for providing peripheral devices to said docking station remote from said docking station;

said peripheral-device coupling means for electrically coupling the central processor of a portable computer to peripheral equipment associated with said docking station comprising a printed-circuit board.

17. A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising;

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;

said main housing also comprising a rear section secured to said front section, with the interior volume between said front and rear sections housing operational parts;

means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;

connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station; and

actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing, said actuating means being mounted in said interior volume;

said connector means being open from the top for mating connection with a downwardly-open connector of a portable computer;

said main housing further comprising hood means above said connector means for protecting said connector means from dust, dirt and moisture.