Abstract:
A multiple docking system includes a portable computer having a first docking connector extending in a first direction and a docking station having a second docking connector extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A converter has mating interconnections for each of the first and second connectors. The converter may provide expanded functionality including floppy and CD-ROM functionality.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The disclosures herein relate generally to information handling systems and more particularly to docking stations for portable computer systems.  
           [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.  
           [0003]    Known docking solutions are available to provide cable management of pass-through connections for various portable computer functions by means of a single connector.  
           [0004]    One docking solution provides a rearwardly extending connection on the portable computer which connects to an opposed, forwardly extending connector on a docking station. This is often referred to as a Rear-dock. Another docking solution provides a bottom downwardly extending connection on the portable computer which connects to an opposed upwardly extending connector on a docking station. This is often referred to as a Bottom-dock.  
           [0005]    Another known docking solution is often referred to as a media slice which provides the user with a portable docking solution with greater functionality, such as added input/output (I/O) ports, spindle drives, better speakers, CD-Rom and floppy. Thus, the media slice is a portable Bottom-dock with added functionality.  
           [0006]    A problem arises therefore if a user has only a Rear-dock docking solution and cannot therefore connect to a Bottom-dock connector on a portable computer.  
           [0007]    Therefore, what is needed is a docking converter which permits a Bottom-dock connector on a portable computer to be linked to a Rear-dock connector on a docking solution, either with or without the added functionality discussed above.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    One embodiment, accordingly, provides an apparatus for docking to multiple docking stations. To this end, a portable computer has a first docking connector extending in a first direction. A docking station has a second docking connector extending in a direction offset from the first direction. A converter is provided to interconnect the first and second connectors.  
           [0009]    A principal advantage of this embodiment is that a docking converter is provided either with or without the expanded functionality. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a computer system.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2. is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a docking system.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a docking system.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a docking system.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a docking converter.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a docking converter.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.  
         [0017]    In one embodiment, computer system  10 , FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.  
         [0018]    In FIG. 2A, a classic Bottom-dock arrangement is illustrated. A portable computer  26 , which includes a self-contained system such as that described at  10  in FIG. 1, includes a docking connector  28  which is directed downwardly from a bottom surface  26   a  of computer  26 . A docking solution  30  includes a direct docking connector  32  extending upwardly from an upper surface  30   a  of docking solution  30 . Connector  32  is aligned for engagement with connector  28 .  
         [0019]    A user having portable computer  26  may only have access to a Rear-dock docking solution  34 , FIG. 2, which includes a forwardly directed docking connector  36  extending from a surface  34   a  by using a converter member  38 . It can be seen that connector  36  is offset from and substantially orthogonal to connector  28  of computer  26 .  
         [0020]    The converter member  38  includes mating interconnections for the connectors  28  and  36 . For example, converter member  38  includes a connector  40  directed upwardly from a surface  38   a  and extending toward connector  28 . Also, converter member  38  includes a connector  42  directed rearwardly from a surface  38   b  and extending toward connector  36 .  
         [0021]    In a perspective view, FIG. 3, computer  26  is positioned for seating on converter member  38 , however, connector  28  is not viewable in FIG. 3. Surface  38   a  of converter member  38  faces upwardly toward surface  26   a  of computer  26  and connector  40  extends upwardly toward surface  26   a  which includes the connector  28  (not shown).  
         [0022]    Converter member  38  is seated on a support surface  34   b  of docking solution  34 , and connector  42  extends rearwardly toward forwardly extending connector  36 .  
         [0023]    Converter member  38 , FIG. 4, may function as a portable converter only by providing the connectors  40  and  42  along with the required electrical interconnections to connect computer  26  to docking solution  34 . Alternatively, a converter member  38 , FIG. 5, may comprise a portable media slice including not only connectors  40 ′ and  42 ′, but added functionality such as for example, a slot  50  for a floppy disk insertion, and an extendable carrier  52  for CD-ROM insertion.  
         [0024]    Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.