Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-25
2002-04-02
Feild, Lynn D. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C710S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06366458
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In a portable electronic device such as for example a portable computer, because importance is attached to portability, there is a limit to the number of external devices and communications devices and the like that can be built into the portable electronic device itself. And when a portable computer is used on a table, individually connecting various cables such as a printer cable, a monitor cable and a communication cable and the like and an a.c. adaptor to the computer can be extremely complicated. For this reason, an operator sometimes uses a portable computer docking unit, also called an expansion unit or docking station, for expanding the capabilities of the portable computer.
FIG. 1
shows a docking unit
1100
of this kind and a portable computer
1006
. By the portable computer
1006
being slid onto the docking unit
1100
along guides
1112
, a connector
1113
of the docking unit
1100
and a connector of the portable computer
1006
are connected. At this time the portable computer
1006
slides along a support part
1111
of the docking unit
1100
. A key mechanism for locking the portable computer to the docking unit is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H.6-14909.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, if when an operator is operating a portable computer which has been set on this kind of docking unit the portable computer is mistakenly removed from the docking unit, because the connector of the portable computer is disconnected from the connector of the docking unit, the accident of processing work in progress on the computer being suddenly interrupted occurs. It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve this problem and provide a docking unit for a portable electronic device and a locking method for this docking unit which when an operator using a portable electronic device set on the docking unit tries to remove the portable electronic device from the docking unit can ensure that the portable electronic device is removed safely after processing in the electronic device is finished.
To achieve this and other objects, the invention provides a docking unit for having a portable electronic device engage/disengageably set thereon using a connector and electrically connecting the portable electronic device to an external device, comprising: a base part for supporting the portable electronic device; positioning means for positioning the portable electronic device in a predetermined position on the base part as the portable electronic device is moved on the base part; and operating means, having an engaging part for engaging with a portable electronic device, for holding the positioned portable electronic device on the base part using the engaging part.
According to the invention, a portable electronic device is placed on the base part of the docking unit. The positioning means positions the portable electronic device in a predetermined position on the base part as the portable electronic device is moved. The operating means has an engaging part for engaging with the portable electronic device and holds the positioned electronic device using the engaging part. As a result, using the positioning means the portable electronic device can be correctly positioned in a predetermined position on the base part and by using the operating means it can be simply and surely held on the base part. By this means, damage to connectors can be prevented and furthermore the portable electronic device, and external devices by way of the docking unit, can be electrically connected surely by way of connectors.
As described above, with this invention, electrical connection of a portable electronic device can be established surely and easily. Also, the electronic device can be removed safely from the docking unit after processing in the electronic device is finished.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5313596 (1994-05-01), Swindler et al.
patent: 5323291 (1994-06-01), Boyle et al.
patent: 5450271 (1995-09-01), Fukushima et al.
patent: 5477415 (1995-12-01), Mitcham et al.
patent: 5530620 (1996-06-01), Sangveraphunsiri
patent: 5557562 (1996-09-01), Yoshiharu et al.
patent: 5640301 (1997-06-01), Roecker et al.
patent: 5664118 (1997-09-01), Nishgaki et al.
patent: 5737541 (1998-04-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 5751547 (1998-05-01), Honda et al.
patent: 5822185 (1998-10-01), Cavello
patent: 5864294 (1999-01-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5933321 (1999-08-01), Ruch et al.
Karasawa Akio
Yoshida Tatsuo
Feild Lynn D.
Kananen Ronald P.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Sony Corporation
LandOfFree
Docking unit for portable electronic device and locking... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Docking unit for portable electronic device and locking..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Docking unit for portable electronic device and locking... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2825163