Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Including movement of coupling part about axis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2001-04-24
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Including movement of coupling part about axis
C439S137000, C439S310000, C439S929000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220883
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to portable computer docking at a docking connector, and more particularly, to docking a portable computer at an underside docking connector.
Portable “personal” computers have developed from the early cumbersome suitcase design to smaller laptop designs to the now commercially-predominant notebook, sub-notebook and palm top computers. The evolution has been toward smaller, lighter computers with increasing transportability and usability. The state of the art continues to improve by (i) increasing battery life, (ii) decreasing circuitry and system weight, (iii) adapting compartments for add-in cards, and (iv) decreasing housing size.
The typical portable computer includes a display screen housing hinged to a keyboard housing. The display screen housing folds down against the keyboard where the two housings latch together. A disk drive often is mounted in the keyboard housing. Additional features include a docking connector, input/output ports and one or more compartments for receiving PCMCIA cards, (peripheral devices conforming to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) standards for personal computer-based peripherals).
Even though the processing throughput, memory and other performance features of a notebook computer are achieving similar levels to desktop computers, there still are trade-offs for using a notebook computer. Typically, the keyboard and display are smaller than are used for desktop computers. Larger displays and keyboards are desired for usability and ergonomic reasons. As a result, it is common to have a docking station in a desktop environment. A full-size keyboard, a desk top display monitor, additional memory storage devices, network resources, and peripherals, typically are accessible through the docking station.
It is desirable that the connection and disconnection between the notebook computer and the docking station be easy, convenient and reliable.
Portable computers often are used in an office environment with a docking station. One concern with such usage is the ease with which a portable computer can be removed and stolen. Accordingly, there is a desire for including security precautions in a docked notebook computing environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a notebook computer includes an underside docking connector which connects to a docking station with a vertical action. Features for securing the computer are included in the docking action.
According to one aspect of the invention, docking of a notebook computer having an underside docking connector is facilitated relative motion between a ramp at the docking station and a docking connector of the notebook computer. To dock the notebook computer, the computer is slid onto the ramp and guided into a prescribed position. In one docking method, the user then pushes the computer down, depressing the ramp about a pivot line. In an alternative docking method, the user moves a lever which moves the ramp about the pivot line. As the computer and ramp move downward, the computer's docking connector mates to a docking connector in the docking station. In an alternative apparatus, the docking station's connector moves with the lever, instead of the ramp, to cause docking.
According to one aspect of this invention, the computer includes guide tracks and an alignment member along the undersurface of the computer housing. Such undersurface is the surface upon which the computer normally rests, while in use. The computer's docking connector is accessible from such undersurface during a docking process.
According to another aspect of the invention, the docking station includes a ramp having rails upon which the computer slides. The docking station also includes an alignment member corresponding to the alignment member of the computer. During docking, the computer is placed on the docking station and slid along the ramp with the ramp rails running within the computer's undersurface tracks. When the computer reaches a prescribed position the alignment members of the computer and docking station mate or otherwise align. While in the alignment position, the docking connectors of the computer and docking station are poised for mating.
According to another aspect of this invention, the ramp includes an opening through which the station's docking connector is accessible during docking. The ramp rotates about a pivot line relative to the remainder of the docking station. As the notebook computer and ramp come down, the docking connector of the computer moves toward and mates with the docking connector in the docking station accessible through the ramp. Undocking is achieved by a lever release.
According to another aspect of this invention, the docking station includes hooking mechanisms which hook into an opening along a rear edge of the computer. The hooking mechanisms ensure that the portable computer and docking station docking connectors are aligned before docking is attempted. This prevents connector damage. Such hooking mechanisms also serve to prevent an operator from removing the notebook computer while docked without going throough an appropriate undocking sequence.
According to another aspect of this invention, the underside docking and the rear edge hooking fix the computer relative to the docking station along three axes of motion. Thus, the computer is secure. Additional security is achieved by locking the lever in position so that the computer cannot be undocked or removed. A physical lock or solenoid are exemplary locking mechanisms to secure the lever. The hooking mechanisms and the locked lever serve to secure the notebook computer in the docked position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the docking connector at the undersurface of the notebook computer is normally unexposed. During the docking process a door in the computer housing opens allowing access to the docking connector. In one embodiment, a docking station structure pushes the notebook computer's connector door open as the computer slides along the ramp into the alignment position.
According to another aspect of this invention, the docking station docking connector normally is covered by a door. During docking such door is opened allowing access to the station's docking connector. In one embodiment the station's door is in the docking ramp and is opened by the station docking connector pushing open the door as the ramp rotates down toward the station's docking connector.
According to another aspect of the invention, a notebook computer with an underside expansion module is capable of docking at the docking station using underside connectors.
Another advantage of the invention is that the docking process is easy, convenient and reliable. The operator slides the computer onto the ramp, then pushes down on the computer or moves a lever. Such manual docking has the ease and reliability of an automated process, but is achieved at substantially less cost. Another advantage is that the docking connectors are unexposed while the computer is away from the docking station. These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4969830 (1990-11-01), Daly et al.
patent: 5310358 (1994-05-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5488572 (1996-01-01), Belmont
patent: 5535093 (1996-07-01), Noguchi et al.
patent: 5619398 (1997-04-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 5882220 (1999-03-01), Horii et al.
Derocher Michael D.
Helot Jacques H.
Abrams Neil
Dinh Phuong KT
Hewlett--Packard Company
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