Abstract:
A portable computer docking station comprising a base and a panel rotatably connected to the base. An angle is formed between the base and the panel. A mounting point is disposed on the panel and provides a releasable connection to an interface assembly that is operable to releasably connect to a portable computer. An adjusting system controls the angle of the panel relative to the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Portable computers are compact, lightweight computing devices and may comprise any portable electronic device, for example, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, tablet personal computers, and laptop computers. Although designed for portability and mobile uses, many people use portable computers in desktop environments. The use of portable computers in desktop environments has always created challenges with ergonomics and ease of use. Many of the features that make portable computers useful mobile tools, such as compact size and integrated components, can be limitations when used in a desktop environment.  
         [0002]     Portable computer docking stations have been developed to ease the use of a portable computer in a desktop environment. Many of these docking stations provide interfaces with peripheral equipment, for example, input devices, networks, printers, and additional display devices, that allows the portable computer to be more easily used as a desktop system. Certain pieces of peripheral equipment, such as additional displays and input devices, enable more ergonomic use of a portable computer but are redundant to components integral to the portable computer. These redundant components not only increase hardware investment but also often occupy a large amount of desktop space.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     Therefore, as can be appreciated, there is a need for a portable computer docking station that enables ergonomic use of a portable computer while limiting the use of desktop space. The problems noted above are solved in large part by a portable computer docking station comprising a base and a panel rotatably connected to the base. An angle is formed between the base and the panel. A mounting point is disposed on the panel and provides a releasable connection to an interface assembly that is operable to releasably connect to a portable computer. An adjusting system controls the angle of the panel relative to the base. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a portable computer docking station in accordance with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of the portable computer docking station of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of a portable computer installed on a portable computer docking station in accordance with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a portable computer installed on a portable computer docking station in accordance with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates an adjustment system in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of a portable computer docking station in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE  
       [0011]     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or a direct electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and connections.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , portable computer docking station  10  comprises base  12 , panel  14 , hinge  16 , and adjustment system  18 . Computer docking station  10  is shown with portable computer interface assembly  20  removably connected to panel  14  at mounting point  38 . Base  12  comprises a substantially planar main body  22  having a front edge  24  and a rear edge  26 . Front edge  24  comprises outer hinge mounts  28  that interface with hinge  16 . Rear edge  26  comprises cable slot  30  that runs along body  22  towards front edge  24 .  
         [0013]     Panel  14  comprises front surface  32 , rear surface  34 , and lower edge  36 . Panel  14  also comprises mounting points  38  that engage portable computer interface  20 , and protruding shoulders  40  that support an installed portable computer (see  FIG. 3 ). Adjustment system  18  is housed within panel  14  and can be actuated by handles  42 , which are mounted on rear surface  34 . Cable tray  44  is disposed on rear surface  34  and may be aligned with cable slot  30  in base  12 . Lower edge  36  comprises inner hinge mount  46  that interfaces with hinge  16 .  
         [0014]     Interface assembly  20  can be releasably connected to panel  14  and comprises an electronic interface  48  that detachably couples to a portable computer system (see  FIG. 3 ). Assembly  20  may releasably connect to panel  14  using any effective releasable connector. Assembly  20  is shown as having slots  50  that releasably engage mounting points  38 . Mounting points  38  are preferably compatible with a variety of interface assemblies allowing a single docking station to be used with more than one interface assembly.  
         [0015]     Interface assembly  20  may be a port replicator (PR), an advanced port replicator (APR), or the like, that provides fixed attachment points for cables for network connections, peripheral equipment, and other components. Assembly  20  also comprises input/output ports  52  that provide communication between the portable computer system and peripheral systems plugged into the ports. Ports  52  may comprise serial, parallel, universal serial bus (USB), and other electronic data transfer and communication ports.  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , portable computer  54  is shown installed on computer docking station  10 . Computer  54  is coupled to interface assembly  20  by interface  48  and supported by shoulders  40  on panel  14 . Connecting cables  56  can be routed through cable slot  30  and tray  44  to couple to ports  52  on assembly  20 . Adjustment mechanism  18  can be actuated by pulling on one, or both, of handles  42  such that panel  14  can be rotated about hinge  16  to a desired working elevation. Although shown as configured for a notebook computer system, computer docking station  10  may also be configured for use as a docking station for a variety of portable computer systems.  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , adjustment mechanism  18  is shown comprising handles  42 , actuation cables  58 , and latch  60 . Latch  60  comprises actuation arms  66 , engaging arm  68 , and biasing spring  70 . Handles  42  comprise cable attachment bar  72  and springs  74 . Adjustment mechanism  18  is used to limit the rotation of panel  14  about hinge  16 . Hinge  16  comprises shaft  62  that has ends  64  retained in outer hinge mounts  28 . Shaft  62  also has splined section  64  that is aligned with latch  60 .  
         [0018]     Biasing spring  70  urges engaging arm  68  against splined section  64  by rotating latch  60  about pivot  76 . Engaging arm  68  has teeth  78  that engage splined section  64  and prevent rotation of shaft  62 . When one, or both, of handles  42  are pulled outward, springs  74  compress and tension is applied to actuation cables  58 . Actuation cables  58  transfer this tension to actuation arms  66 , which, when pulled, cause latch  60  to rotate. As latch  60  rotates, biasing spring  70  is compressed and teeth  78  disengage splined section  64 , enabling panel  14  to rotate relative to shaft  62 .  
         [0019]     Panel  14  can be rotated to any desired position. Once panel  14  is positioned, handles  42  are released and adjustment system  18  maintains the position of panel  14 . The release of handles  42  enables springs  74  to retract the handles and relieve tension from actuating cables  58 . Without the tension from actuating cables  58 , biasing spring  70  rotates latch  60  back towards its initial position and engaging arm  68  engages shaft  72 . The interface between teeth  78  and splined section  64  prevents rotation of shaft  72  relative to panel  14 .  
         [0020]     Adjustment system  18  is one embodiment of a system for angular adjustment of panel  14  relative to base  12 . Other one-hand and two-hand actuated systems may be used. Adjustment system  18  facilitates movement of panel  14  from substantially parallel to base  12  to an incline of between 0 and approximately 45 degrees, or more. Other ranges of inclination are also possible.  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , portable computer docking station  10  is shown with an alternate computer interface assembly  80  installed. Computer interface assembly is illustrated as an advanced port replicator that provides increased functionality over the port replicator as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Interface assembly  80  also comprises an electronic interface  48  that couples to a portable computer. Assembly  80  may mount to panel  14  using any effective connector and is shown as having slots  82  that engage mounting points  38 . In this manner, mounting points  38  can be used to support a variety docking stations, port replicators, and other interface assemblies as desired, thus providing flexibility in the use of computer docking station  10 .  
         [0022]     The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, an adjustable computer docking station may be configured for use with a variety of portable computers, for example, other types of notebook systems, notepad systems, personal digital assistants, and other equipment.