Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating – Electrical digital calculating computer
Reexamination Certificate
1994-11-08
2001-06-05
Ngo, Chuong Dinh (Department: 2121)
Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating
Electrical digital calculating computer
C361S689000, C710S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243727
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computer docking station and more particularly to an automatic computer docking station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The growth in the use of Personal Computers marks the present age. Not only for the use in desktop computing but also the use of a portable notebook or laptop type computer when traveling. The use of the two computers, one for the desktop and one for traveling, has created a problem that when the traveler returns to the office the desktop or portable computer now has more recent data in it than did the office base computer. Also, when you leave to go on a trip the portable would be behind the desktop computer. Complex systems of lap-link type cables and software haven't developed to speed up the exchange of information from the portable computer to the desktop or base computer. This also, however, results in a problem of trying to know just which computer had the latest and greatest data. The solution is the ability to simply have only a portable computer and use it as a base station with a means referred to as a “docking station” in which the portable computer is mounted to the base station which connects up to a real size keyboard and monitor and to a modem and LAN or local area network. One of the small problems that seems though lingering in that with all of the plugs, key/cable, LAN adapters, one could spend a good deal of time just tending to all the hardware to connect and disconnect. The docking station is an idea to simplify all of the hookups, but it still takes manipulation and task just to see if everything gets plugged in right and without bending one of the many pins. The current state-of-art docking stations have a buss pin at one end in which like a printed circuit card, the CPU is mounted and then manually the other elements are plugged in. This can be a concern with a relatively heavy portable computer and many tiny pins. What is really in need is some form of automatic docking station so that one need not be a hardware expert or have certain training and skill and adeptness and take time to hookup the monitor, the keyboard, the cables, and the LAN and check over before turning on the computer system are automatic systems that will automatically hookup correctly, self check and turn on while the user is attending to other activities is highly desirable when you're ready to leave or go on a trip.
It is highly desirable to have a docking station that also appropriately disconnects the portable computer in the manner of ejecting a tape from a VCR so the traveler is ready to go in an instant. It would be desirable to provide some way of automatic loading and unloading the laptop computer when one is ready for a trip. Many people who utilize computers do not consider themselves expert in the field of wiring or plugging in equipment. They simply want to put it in something and have it automatically loaded and when leaving to such a button and have the docking station deliver it free to travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The described embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station having connection means for coupling to an external monitor, an external keyboard, and means for connecting the portable computer to the docking station. The docking station further includes means for determining whether or not the external monitor is coupled to the docking station, automatically displaying on the external monitor when the external monitor is coupled to the docking station and displaying on the display of the portable computer when said external monitor is not coupled to said docking station.
In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of a top housing cover of the docking station is moveable to facilitate opening of the portable computer to permit user access to the internal display and keyboard of the portable computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5313596 (1994-05-01), Swindler et al.
patent: 5341316 (1994-08-01), Nishigaki
patent: 5384686 (1995-01-01), Mesfin et al.
patent: 5394552 (1995-02-01), Shirota
patent: 5396400 (1995-03-01), Register et al.
patent: 5440784 (1995-08-01), Sekine et al.
Neerings Ronald O.
Ngo Chuong Dinh
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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