Abstract:
A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer&#39;s keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer&#39;s keyboard as a comfortable height.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable computer docking units have been marketed as devices that allow the user to have the advantages of a portable computer without any of the portable computer&#39;s limitations, at least when operating at the user&#39;s desk or other primary work location. 
     In the typical implementation, the docking unit is located at the user&#39;s office. The docking unit has a docking bay for receiving and providing electrical connections to the portable computer. The docking unit may also have a bus extension that electrically mates with the portable computer&#39;s bus when it is in the docking bay and a number of expansion slots to hold hard drives, CD-ROMs, modems etc., which are not found in the portable computer. As a result, when the portable computer is installed in the docking unit, its minimalist portable computer capabilities are augmented and extended to those that are typically found in most desktop or non-portable computer systems. In this way, the user has the advantages associated with the portable computer while not losing the functionality that would otherwise be available from a desktop computer system. 
     Most docking units also have port replication functionality. Many times the portable computer will be outfitted with a variety of communication ports, including serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus ports (USB), video ports, RJ45 network ports, etc. These ports are accessed through port connectors, usually on the back of the computer. It is typical for the docking unit to have a similar array of port connectors so that when the portable computer is connected to the docking unit, the portable computer&#39;s communication ports are tied to the analogous port connectors in the docking unit. In the parlance of the industry, the portable computer&#39;s communication ports are replicated in the docking unit. The advantage of this system is that the user can connect such components as a network interface, full size keyboard, mouse, and full size monitor to the port connectors of the docking unit. The docked portable computer thus connects to these various devices, but the mere act of undocking the portable computer serves to disconnect the computer from these various devices, in one step. 
     Some docking units are intended primarily as port replicators. These devices will not have the bus extensions, and consequently, the expansion slots, to support additional active bus devices for the portable computer. Instead, they are primarily intended to perform the port replication function. While obviously not having all of the advantages associated with the more elaborate docking units, port replicators provide the user with many of the core advantages of a desktop docking unit, such as the possibility of using a full size keyboard and desktop monitor and offering these features at a reasonable price point in a system with a small footprint. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the main disadvantages associated with docking units is that they effectively require the user to connect a full size keyboard to the docking unit. Some docking units prevent access to the portable computer&#39;s keyboard, when installed on the dock, and among the class of units that do allow access the portable&#39;s keyboard, the docking unit will have some thickness such that when the portable computer is connected onto it, the portable computer&#39;s keyboard is raised to the height at which it is uncomfortable for typing, when many desktops are already uncomfortably high for proper typing posture. In many ways, however, this is unfortunate because the newer keyboards offered by portable computers are otherwise very useful such that full size separate keyboards offer few incremental advantages. Moreover, even if the docking unit is relatively thin, it will not be at the proper typing angle. Many portable computers have folding legs under the rear portion of the portable computer&#39;s base. This allows the user to incline the keyboard for a more comfortable typing angle. Typically, however, installation of the portable computer in the docking bay of the docking unit necessitates the folding of these legs. Thus, even if the keyboard of the portable computer, when installed on the docking unit, can be located at the proper height, its angle will be uncomfortable for the user. 
     The present invention is directed to a docking unit for a portable computer. According to the invention, it is wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer&#39;s keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboard since the leading edge is relatively thin. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the docking unit is a port replicator. As such, it replicates communication ports of the portable computer, enabling the portable computer to be disconnected from peripheral devices on the replicator&#39;s ports by disconnecting the portable computer from the docking unit. Specifically, the docking unit replicates parallel ports, serial ports, USB ports, keyboard ports, network ports, and video ports of the portable computer as corresponding replicated ports on the docking unit. The communication ports of the portable computer are connected to the replicated port connectors of the docking unit via a combination connector. Preferably, the combination connector of the docking unit mates with a compatible connector on the portable computer as the portable computer is installed in the docking bay of the docking unit. 
     In the preferred implementation, the docking unit comprises a wall that projects in front of the communication port connectors of the portable computer when the computer is installed on the docking unit. This prevents access to the portable computer&#39;s port connectors by the user, thereby requiring the user to use the replicated port connectors of the docking unit and preventing incompatible electrical connections to both port connectors simultaneously. 
     In general, according to another aspect, the invention also features a method for docking a portable computer. This method comprises providing a docking unit with a wedge cross-section. Consequently, installation of the portable computer on the docking unit&#39;s docking bay inclines a keyboard of the portable computer towards the user to thereby provide a more comfortable angle for typing. 
     The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the rear portion of a port replicator, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view detailing the technique used to connect the front of the computer system with the port replicator; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective, top view of the port replicator showing the insertion of a battery into the charging cradle according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is another, top perspective view of the port replicator with the battery fully inserted into the cradle according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows a portable computer being connected into the port replicator of the present invention according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows the inventive port replicator with the portable computer installed in its docking bay; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the docking latch release system according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the electronic control of the latching system of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a port replicator docking unit, which has been constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     Generally, the port replicator  100  comprises a computer docking bay  110 , which is configured to receive a compatible portable computer on the port replicator  100 . To this end, the right and left tabs  112 ,  114  are provided on a front wall  111  of the docking unit  100 . The tabs  112 ,  114  project rearward from the front wall  111  and are located over wells  116 ,  118 . 
     As detailed in FIG. 1A, tabs  112 ,  114  mate with rectangular recesses on the front of a compatible portable computer  10 , allowing the front of the portable computer to be physically connected into the docking unit. Specifically, the portable computer  10  is aligned in the computer docking bay area  110  so that the rectangular recesses  12  in the portable computer&#39;s housing are aligned in front of each of the projecting tabs  112 ,  114 . The computer is then moved in the direction of arrow  14  so that the tabs  112 ,  114  engage the recesses  12 . This connection has the effect of hinging the front of the computer  10  to the port replicator  100 . 
     Returning to FIG. 1, in the central section of the docking unit  100 , a cutout  120  is formed. In the preferred embodiment, this extends entirely through the docking unit. This has the advantage of providing an easy means for carrying the docking unit, forming an improvised handle. Rearward of the cutout  120  is battery charging cradle  122 . 
     Better shown in FIG. 2, the cradle  122  is sized and adapted to receive battery  124 . When inserted into the cradle, the battery&#39;s electrodes  126  electrically mate with the charging connector  123  in the charging cradle  122 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the battery  124  installed in the charging cradle. Preferably, the top wall  125  of the battery  124  is flush or level with a bay wall  129  of the docking unit  100 . A battery charging unit  128  is located in an electronics section  127  under bay wall  129  of the docking unit  100 . In the preferred embodiment, the battery is a lithium ion battery and the charger  128  is adapted to provide the charging profile required for lithium ion batteries. 
     Behind the battery charging cradle  122  on the top bay wall  129  of the docking unit  100  is a combination connector  130 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, installing the portable computer  10  onto the docking unit is accomplished by engaging the tabs  112 ,  114  with the rectangular recesses  12  to provide the hinging action at the point of connection between the computer  10  and the front of the docking unit  100 . As the rear portion of the computer  10  descends into the docking bay  110 , the docking unit&#39;s combination connector  130  electrically mates with the compatible connector  14  on the bottom of the portable computer  10 . This allows the portable computer&#39;s communication ports to be replicated at the communication port connectors  131  on the port replicator  100 . Also, the combination connector  130  provides electrical power to the portable computer  10 . 
     The rear of the docking unit  100  has the array of communication port connectors or jacks  131 . Preferably, these connectors comprise an RJ-45 connector  142  for connection to a network, a USB connector  144 , a power supply connector  146 , a parallel printer port connector  148 , a serial port connector  150 , a VGA video port connector  149 , mouse port connector  152 , and a keyboard port connector  154 . These replicated port connectors  131  function as the replicated port connectors of the portable computer installed in the docking bay area. The ports of the portable computer connect to the replicated port connectors via the combination connector  130 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the docking unit  100  comprises a rear wall  182  that projects upward, over the docking bay  110  at the rear side of the unit  100 . This projecting wall  182  is preferably arcuate and projects in front of the communication port connectors  18  of the portable computer. This effectively prevents the simultaneous connection of devices to the portable computer&#39;s communication port connectors and the same connectors of the docking unit, preventing incompatible electrical connection. The set of communication port connectors  18  of the portable computer include a parallel printer port connector  45 , a serial port connector  46 , and a VGA video port connector  47 . These connectors  18  are accessed during mobile operation by opening the door  20 . However, as the portable computer  10  is inserted into the docking bay  110  of the docking unit  100 , projecting wall  182  engages the door  20 , if it is in the open position. This forces the door  20  closed as the portable computer  10  is completely seated into the docking bay  110 . It thus prevents access to the communication port connectors  18  of the portable computer  10 , requiring these connections to be made from the replicated port connectors  131  of the docking unit  100 . 
     The final docked state is shown in FIG. 5, when the computer  10  is installed on the docking unit  100 , the projecting wall  182  holds the door  20  closed, preventing access to the portable computer&#39;s communication port connectors. 
     According to the invention, the docking unit  100  has a wedge lateral cross-section. As shown, when the portable computer  10  is installed on the docking unit, the docking unit&#39;s wedge shape inclines the portable computer&#39;s keyboard  180  and pointing device  182  towards the user at an angle of between 7° and 13°, preferably 10°. This provides a more comfortable typing angle for the user, allowing the use of the portable computer&#39;s keyboard when the portable computer is connected into the docking unit  100  without necessitating an extra, desktop-version keyboard. 
     As best shown in FIG. 4, docking unit  100  and portable computer  10  have a system for securing the computer to the unit. The docking unit has two latching elements  132 ,  134  in the docking bay  110 . They allow the portable computer  10  to be latched on docking unit. 
     In more detail, lowering the portable computer  10  onto the docking bay causes the bottom wall of the portable computer, surrounding the right and left latching holes  22 ,  24  to engage latch release buttons  168 ,  170 . This causes the latching elements  132 ,  134  shown in their retracted position in FIG. 4, to extend upward and toward the rear of the docking unit  100 . The latching elements  132 ,  134  thus extend into the right and left latching holes  22 ,  24  of the portable computer  10  to securely hold the rear of the portable computer  10  against the docking unit  100  in the docking bay  110 . This in combination with the engagement of the tabs  112 ,  114  at the front of the portable computer, retain the portable computer  10  securely in the docking bay  110 . 
     The latching system forms part of a security system for the portable computer. The latching elements  132 ,  134  prevent the portable computer  10  from being removed from the docking unit  100 , and the docking unit is, in turn, secured at a work area via a locking cable arrangement that engages locking port  184 . In one example, a Kensington (trade name) cable system is used that engages the port  184  to lock and secure the docking unit  100  to a workstation via a cable  221  shown schematically. 
     The right and left latching elements  132 ,  134  release the computer  10  and are returned to the retracted position by depressing right and left latch release buttons  136 ,  138 , respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the latch release buttons  136 ,  138  in combination with an undock request button  184  prevent removal of the portable computer  10  when it is docked to the docking unit  100  by unauthorized persons. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the latch control system that operates the latching elements, which is located in the electronic section  127  of the docking unit  100 , according to the present invention. The right and left latch release buttons  136 ,  138  each comprise elongate, metal rods  302 ,  304 , respectively. Additionally, the body portion of the buttons  136 ,  138  each have camming surfaces  306 ,  308 . When each of the latch release buttons  136 ,  138  is depressed, the camming surfaces  306  and  308  engage arm portions  310 ,  312  of the latching elements  132 ,  134 . This causes the latching elements  132 ,  134  to be retracted, and thereby release the computer  10  from the docking unit  100 . 
     In order to provide security, the depression of the latch release buttons  136 ,  138  is prevented in software. Specifically, each of the metal arms  302 ,  304  extends to a spring loaded locking element  314 . Specifically, spring  316  biases the locking element  314  in the direction of arrow  318  against wall  320 . 
     In an unlocked state, depression of of the latch release buttons  136 ,  138  causes the pointed, distal ends of the metal rods  304 ,  308  to engage the inclined surfaces  322 ,  324  of the locking element  314 . The locking element  314  is free to rotate counter to arrow  318  to accommodate the movement of each of the rods in the direction of arrows  326 . 
     In the locked state, however, an arm  330  of solenoid  332  is extended as shown in FIG.  6 . This prevents the rotation of the locking element  314  counter to the direction of arrow  318  and thus in turn prevents the movement of the rods  302 ,  304  in the direction of arrows  326 . By stopping the depression of buttons  136 ,  138 , the retraction of the latching elements  132 ,  134  is prevented, thereby retaining the portable computer on the docking unit  100 . The state of the solenoid arm  330  is sensed by switch  336 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a latch control system for operating the solenoid  332 . Specifically, a microcontroller  342  located in the portable computer system  10  monitors for depression of the undock request button  186 , which is located on the docking unit&#39;s right sidewall, see FIG.  1 . When the depression of the undock request button  186  is detected, the microcontroller  342  communicates to the computer system&#39;s operating system to request the entrance of a password by the user. If the proper password is entered, the operating system  342  communicates this to the microcontroller  340 , which signals, via an I 2 C bus, a latch  344  in the dock. The latch generates a pulse to a release BJT transistor  346 , which activates on retracting MOSFET  348 . Capacitor  350  controls the period of time the MOSFET is turned on. This operates the solenoid  332  to retract the arm  330 . Successful retraction of the arm  330  is detected by switch  336 . 
     If the latch  344  fails to detect the change in state of the arm  330  of the solenoid  332  via switch  336 , the latch again issues a pulse to BJT  346  to try to attempt to retract the arm again. This continues until the arm  330  is successfully retracted. 
     A similar process is used to lock the portable computer system  10  on the dock  100 . The microcontroller  340  functions as a docking detection system to detect the coupling of the computer&#39;s connector  14  to the combination detector  130  on the dock  100 . When this event is detected, and an automatic locking state has been selected by the user in the operating system  342 , the microcontroller  340  issues a signal to latch  344  to enter a locked state. The latch generates a pulse via a locking BJT transistor  354  which operates MOSFET  356  to extend the arm  330  of the solenoid  332 . Capacitor  351  maintains the on state of MOSFET  356  for the time required for the solenoid to change states. Again, the successful movement of the solenoid arm  330  is detected by the feedback from the switch  336  to latch  344 . The latch continues to attempt to extend the arm  330  until it is successful. Extension of the solenoid arm prevents the rotation of the locking element  314  shown in FIG.  6 . This prevents the depression of buttons  136 ,  138  and thus the undocking of the portable computer  10  from the docking unit  100 . 
     In additional embodiments, the portable computer comprises a middle docking unit such that the portable computer unit is latched to the middle docking unit and the middle docking unit is latched to the port replicator. For example, such middle docking units provide extended multimedia capabilities to the portable computer. This system allows all three sections to be secured to the work area with a single locking cable. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described specifically herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims.