Patent Publication Number: US-7583495-B2

Title: Portable device docking station

Description:
The present application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/480,666 filed in the name of the inventor of the present application on Jun. 30, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,611, as amended on Nov. 27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to trays for holding portable devices, and in particular to quick release docking stations for portable computers and other portable electronics devices having one or more input/output (I/O) communication ports. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Portable notebook-type computers using a built-in battery pack power source are generally well-known and have an advantage in being handy to carry about and freely used even in those places which are not accessible to the commercial power supply. 
   Such computers are compact in design for higher portability, so that their standard functions are inevitably more limited than those of desktop computers. Accordingly, such portable computers are generally provided with one or more connectors and ports for function expansion, usually on the rear face of its casing which supports a keyboard and a display unit. These computers are additionally furnished with new functions by connecting peripheral devices, such as a hard disk drive, mouse, printer, etc., to the connectors and ports. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a notebook-type portable computer  1  for use as a portable electronic device which is connected to an external expanding apparatus, commonly referred to as a “docking station.” The computer  1  includes a plastic casing  2  serving as an apparatus body. The casing  2  is in the form of a flat generally rectangular box having a bottom face  2   a  and a top face  2   b , which extend generally parallel to each other, and a front face  2   c , a rear face  2   d , and side faces  2   e  and  2   f , which are continuous with the bottom and top faces  2   a  and  2   b . At least one such computer casing  2  further includes a tongue  2   g  projected from the front face  2   c  and having a bottom face  2   h  which may be continuous with the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2 , a top face  2   i  which extends generally parallel to the bottom face  2   h , and a front face  2   j  that is spaced away from the casing front face  2   c . The tongue  2   g  may include side surfaces  2   k  and  2   l  extending between the computer casing front surface  2   c  and the tongue front face  2   j . Other surfaces of the casing  2 , such as one of the side faces  2   e ,  2   f  may includes additional features, such as but not limited to a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM  3   a  and a main power switch  3   b.    
   Arranged on the top face  2   b  of the casing  2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is a keyboard  7  which is used to input information and commands. A pair of display supporting portions  8   a  and  8   b , left and right, are formed at the rear end portion of the top face  2   b . A flat display unit  9  having a thickness t is connected to the display supporting portions  8   a  and  8   b . The display unit  9  is rotated about a hinge axis h on a pair of legs  10   a  and  10   b , left and right, which are pivotally mounted on the supporting portions  8   a  and  8   b , respectively, by means of hinge devices as is generally well-known. Thus, the display unit  9  is supported on the casing  2  to be rotatable about the hinge axis h relative to the casing  2  between a closed position, in which a display screen surface  9   a  of the display unit  9  touches the top face  2   b  of the casing  2 . The display unit  9  thereby covers the keyboard  7  for protecting both the keyboard  7  and display screen surface  9   a  of the display unit  9  with a hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . The display unit  9  alternately rotates into an open position in which the display unit  9  stands upright with the display screen surface  9   a  exposed at the back of the keyboard  7 , as illustrated. Furthermore, a hard shell lip portion  9   c  of the display unit  9  surrounds the sensitive display screen  9   d , the display screen  9   d  is slightly recessed below the hard shell lip portion  9   c.    
     FIG. 2  illustrates an input/output (I/O) electrical connector or port  4  of the known portable computer  1  being provided in the rear face  2   d  between interface apertures  4   a  and  4   b  on either side thereof. The I/O electrical connector  4  includes a quantity of pins or pin receptors (shown)  4   c  are organized in a selected pattern. The pins or pin receptors  4   c  provided input/output (I/O) capability for communicating with various peripheral components that may provide such functions as for example but not limited to: a modem, a game port, audio output, a microphone input, serial connections, parallel connections, a video display output, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, a mouse connection, a keyboard connection, an external power supply connection. Alternatively, connection to these or other peripheral devices are provided by a separate and individual modem connector, a game port, audio speaker connectors, a microphone connector, two serial connectors, a parallel connector, a display unit connector, a USB connector, a mouse connector, a keyboard connector, and an external power supply connector, as are generally well-known in the art. A metallic terminal plate  5  is exposed on the rear face  2   d  and surrounds the I/O connector  4  and includes an open end of each of the apertures  4   a  and  4   b . The apertures  4   a  and  4   b  each include a cylindrical aperture or a lengthwise slot (shown) or an aperture of another shape extending from the rear face  2   d  of the casing  2  toward the opposite front face  2   c.    
   In transporting the computer  1  peripheral devices must be removed from their corresponding connectors or ports, or alternatively the single I/O electrical connector  4 . In restoring the computer  1  to its original state after using it elsewhere, any peripheral devices must be connected again via the I/O electrical connector  4 . In the case where a large number of peripheral devices are connected, therefore, the removal and connection require very troublesome operations. 
   To cope with this, there have recently been provided external expanding apparatuses or “docking stations” which are adapted to be interposed between a portable computer and a plurality of peripheral devices and relay signals transferred between the computer and the devices. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates one such docking station  13  having a plurality of connectors and ports connectable with the peripheral devices, external power supply connector, etc., and an expansion connector  15  is presented at a connector presentation surface  21  which is opposed to the rear face  2   d  of the computer casing  2 . The expansion connector  15  is structured to engage the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4 . The expansion connector  15  is mounted on a movable bracket  18  structured to engage apertures  4   a  and  4   b  on opposite sides of the I/O connector  4  as a prelude to the expansion connector  15  actually engaging the I/O electrical connector  4 . By example and without limitation, the bracket  18  includes a pair of guide pins or arms  18   a  and  18   b  that are positioned on opposite sides of the expansion connector  15  to engage apertures  4   a  and  4   b  on opposite sides of the I/O connector  4 . The expansion connector  15  includes a quantity of pin receptors or pins (shown)  15   a  organized in a selected pattern to engage the pins or pin receptors  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4 . The pins  15   a  of the expansion connector  15  are connected electrically to different ones of the connectors and ports that are connectable with the peripheral devices. 
   In known prior art docking station devices  13  the pair of guide pins or arms  18   a  and  18   b  positioned on opposite sides of the expansion connector  15  are extended forward of the expansion connector  15  and its pin receptors or pins (shown)  15   a  such that the guide arms  18   a ,  18   b  engage the apertures  4   a  and  4   b  on opposite sides of the I/O electrical connector  4  before the expansion connector  15  and its pin receptors or pins  15   a  the I/O electrical connector  4 . Furthermore, the expansion connector  15  is typically loosely mounted on the bracket  18  with a little lateral play such that the expansion connector  15  is permitted to move relative to the bracket  18  and its pin receptors or pins (shown)  15   a  wiggle or “float” into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the I/O connector  4  after the guide arms  18   a ,  18   b  have established a nominal docking position. Thus, the guide arms  18   a ,  18   b  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors)  15   a  of the expansion connector  15  relative to the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4  prior to final insertion. 
   The docking station  13  also includes a mounting platform  17  on which the computer  1  is removably mounted. The mounting platform  17  is, for example, adjacent connector presentation surface  21 , and includes a bearing surface  19  on which the bottom face  2   a  of the computer casing  2  is placed. The docking station apparatus  13  also includes bullet-nosed engaging pins  23   a  and  23   b , which are provided on the bearing surface  19  adjacent to the connector presentation surface  21 . The bottom face  2   a  of the computer casing  2  includes a pair of locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  situated adjacent to the rear face  2   d  and the side faces  2   e  and  2   f  of the casing  2 . The locating holes  6   a ,  6   b  each include a cylindrical aperture extending from the bottom face  2   a  toward the opposite top face  2   b  and sized to accept the bullet-nosed engaging pins  23   a ,  23   b  on the bearing surface  19  of the docking station  13 . The locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  thus serve to locate the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  relative to the expansion connector  15  on the presentation surface  21  of the docking station  13 . 
   In connecting the computer to the docking station  13 , the tongue  2   g  of the computer casing  2  is fit into a mouth  25  of a mating receiver structure  27  adjacent to the bearing surface  19  opposite from and facing toward the connector presentation surface  21 . The computer casing  2  is rotated about the tongue  2   g  with the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2  guided toward the bearing surface  19 . When the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2  is close to the bearing surface  19 , the mating locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  in the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2  engage the locating pins  23   a ,  23   b  of the docking station  13 , which positions the casing  2  relative to the docking station  13 , and in particular positions the I/O electrical connector  4  relative to the docking station&#39;s expansion connector  15 . 
   Thereafter, the docking station&#39;s expansion connector  15  and the pair of guide pins or arms  18   a ,  18   b  on either side of the expansion connector  15  are moved together in the direction indicated by the arrow toward the rear face  2   d  of the computer  1  in a manner such that the pair of guide pins or arms  18   a ,  18   b  are fitted individually in the recesses of the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  by operation of a swingable operating lever  29 . Such engagement of the guide arms  18   a ,  18   b  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors)  15   a  of the expansion connector  15  relative to the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Continued operation of the operating lever  29  continues movement of the expansion connector  15  toward the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4 , and engages the pins (or pin receptors)  15   a  with the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  during final insertion. 
   As a result, the expansion connector  15  of the docking station  13  is connected to the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4 . Additionally, the computer  1  cannot be removed from the docking station  13  because the guide pins or arms  18   a ,  18   b  engaging the interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  conspire with the receiver structure  27  engaging the computer casing&#39;s tongue  2   g , and the locating pins  23   a  and  23   b  engaging the mating locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  in the bottom surface  2   a  of the computer casing  2  to secure the computer  1  relative to the docking station&#39;s connector presentation surface  21  and the bearing surface  19 , respectively. 
   In removing the computer from the docking station apparatus  13 , the operating lever  29  is reversed to move the expansion connector  15  away from the computer rear surface  2   d , whereby the expansion connector  15  is disconnected from the computer&#39;s I/O electrical connector  4 , and the guide pins or arms  18   a ,  18   b  are disengaged from the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b . The computer casing  2  can be rotated about the tongue  2   g  so that the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2  is disengaged from the bearing surface  19 , and the computer  1  is disengaged from the docking station  13 . 
   In the docking station apparatus  13  described above, the pins (or pin receptors)  15   a  of the expansion connector  15  are attached to a circuit board which is located within a casing  31  of the apparatus  13 , and the expansion connector  15  is connected to the circuit board through a flexible wiring harness. The flexible wiring board is in turn connected through other flexible wiring harnesses to separate and individual modem connector, a game port, audio speaker connectors, a microphone connector, two serial connectors, a parallel connector, a display unit connector, a USB connector, a mouse connector, a keyboard connector, and an external power supply connector, as are generally well-known in the art. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an input/output (I/O) plate  33  of the docking station  13  where the flexible wiring harnesses of external devices may be connected to, for example, a mouse connector  35 , a keyboard connector  37 , a display unit connector  39 , one or more serial connectors  41 , a game port  43 , a parallel connector  45 , a serial connector  47 , one or more USB connectors  49 , a microphone connector  51 , one or more speaker connectors  53 , an external power supply connector  55 , a modem connector  57 , or a power switch  59 . 
   However, known docking station apparatus are limited in their ability to provide the above expansion efficiently and reliably. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A novel external expanding apparatus or “docking station” is presented that is operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof. The novel external expanding apparatus or “docking station” provides all of the features of prior art expanding apparatus with fewer parts that are also simpler than those of prior art devices. The present novel docking station thus performs all of the functions of prior art devices, but eliminates many of the structures required in prior art devices for performing those functions. The present novel docking station also provides novel new features that perform new functions not provided in any known prior art expanding apparatus. 
   According to one aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes a substantially rigid body portion having a substantially rigid bearing plate formed with a substantially rectangular computer bearing surface on an outer face thereof on which the computer device body is to be placed. The body portion includes one or more guides on an inner face of the substantially rigid bearing plate opposite from the bearing surface. A connector presentation surface is provided adjacent to the bearing surface along a rear edge of the computer bearing surface and has an opening formed therein that is projected above the bearing surface for opposing the device I/O connector when the computer device body is placed on the bearing surface. A computer device receiver structure is fixedly positioned adjacent to a front edge of the bearing surface and is projected there above opposite from the connector presentation surface. The receiver structure has a jaw structure with an opening facing toward the connector presentation surface and is structured to receive and mate with a front face of the computer device casing. A clearance hole is formed through the bearing plate and communicates between the inner and outer faces thereof, the clearance hole is positioned between the front edge of the bearing surface and a rear edge thereof. The body portion also includes a peripheral device connector presentation surface having one or more peripheral device connectors. 
   A pair of engaging pins sized to be matingly received into the pair of locating holes in the bottom surface of the casing of the portable computer device is fixedly projected above the bearing surface at opposite corners thereof and adjacent to the rear edge thereof in positions for being matingly received into the pair of device locating holes. 
   An expansion connector drive mechanism is provided that is movable relative to the connector presentation surface, the expansion connector drive mechanism includes: a substantially rigid movable frame having an integral retention plate that is formed with a lengthwise slot that is movably coupled to the one or more guides on the inner face of the body portion&#39;s bearing plate for moving the frame relative to the bearing plate between the front and rear edges of the bearing surface along a drive axis that is aligned with the opening in the connector presentation surface, an integral connector seat adjacent to a first end of the frame, an integral security plate positioned opposite the clearance hole through the bearing plate, the security plate being formed with a keyhole aperture therethrough that has a relatively narrow elongated slot portion oriented substantially parallel with the frame drive axis and a relatively larger aperture communicating with one end of the slot portion opposite from the integral connector seat, an integral catch mechanism that is positioned adjacent to a second end of the frame opposite from the integral connector seat, one or more keepers that are coupled to the bearing plate with the integral retention plate of the frame being movably secured therebetween, and a handle extended from the frame. 
   A connector bracket connectable with the pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides of the device I/O connector is coupled to the connector seat of the frame and projected above the bearing surface of the bearing plate and is substantially aligned with the opening in the connector presentation surface. The connector bracket has a pair of substantially rigid guides in spaced-apart positions for engaging the pair of positioning apertures provided on the computer device back plane on opposite sides of the I/O connector. A computer expansion connector that is connectable with the I/O connector of the computer is mounted on the connector bracket between the guides thereof. 
   A releasable safety catch that is operable between the keyhole aperture in the integral security plate of the frame and the clearance hole through the bearing plate, the safety catch having a first relatively narrow stem portion that is sized to pass through both the relatively narrow slot portion of the keyhole aperture in the security plate and the clearance hole through the bearing plate, and a second base portion having a relatively wider shoulder portion that is sized to pass through only the relatively larger keyhole aperture and is too oversized relative to the relatively narrow slot portion to pass therethrough. 
   A resilient biasing mechanism, such as a conventional compression spring, is coupled to the safety catch and is structured for urging the safety catch toward the bearing plate. The biasing mechanism is structured for urging the relatively narrow stem portion of the safety catch to pass through both the relatively narrow slot portion of the keyhole aperture in the security plate and the passage through the bearing plate, and the biasing mechanism structured for simultaneously urging the relatively wide shoulder portion of the base portion to pass through the relatively enlarged passage of the keyhole aperture. 
   A latch mechanism is positioned on the body portion adjacent to a front surface of the bearing plate and is projected below the inner face thereof adjacent to a near end of the guide mechanism. The latch mechanism is structured to alternately engage and disengage the catch mechanism of the frame portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism. 
   The connector bracket is linearly movable along or substantially parallel with the frame drive axis between a first disengaged position wherein the connector bracket guides and expansion connector are retracted within the opening in the connector presentation surface adjacent to the rear edge of the bearing surface, and a second engaged position wherein the connector bracket guides and expansion connector are extended from the opening in the connector presentation surface over the rear edge of the bearing surface. The connector bracket coupled to the frame is linearly movable between the first disengaged position and the second engaged position by release of the releasable safety catch, which includes retraction of the first relatively narrow stem portion thereof relative to the clearance hole through the bearing plate, and disengagement of the second relatively wider shoulder portion of the base of the releasable safety catch from the relatively larger keyhole aperture in the security plate, with the elongated slot portion of the keyhole being continuously substantially aligned with the passage through the bearing plate during travel of the connector bracket between the first disengaged position and the second engaged position in its position coupled to the connector seat of the frame portion of the expansion connector drive mechanism. 
   A mounting structure is coupled to a bottom portion of the body portion and is structured to adapt the body portion for mounting to an external support structure. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes one or more electrical connectors that are electrically coupled to the expansion connector and presented on an exterior surface of the apparatus body, at least one of the one or more electrical connectors is adapted for receiving a Universal Serial Bus connector. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes one or more electrical connectors that are electrically coupled to the expansion connector and being substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body, at least one of the one or more electrical connectors is adapted for receiving a Universal Serial Bus connector. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes a Universal Serial Bus hub device substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and electrically coupled to the expansion connector, and wherein at least one of the one or more electrical connectors substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and adapted for receiving a Universal Serial Bus connector is further electrically coupled to the Universal Serial Bus hub device. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, at least one of the electrical connectors presented on an exterior surface of the apparatus body and adapted for receiving a Universal Serial Bus connector is further electrically coupled to the Universal Serial Bus hub device. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes an internal memory storage device substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and electrically coupled to the expansion connector. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the internal memory storage device is further an internal hard drive contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and electrically coupled to the expansion connector. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the internal memory storage device is further one or more of a magnetic floppy disc drive device, an optical disc drive device, and a flash memory device. Optionally, according to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the optical disc drive device is further one of a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) drive device, a digital versatile disk read only memory (DVD-ROM) drive device, and a combination compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disk read only memory (DVD-ROM) drive device. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes an internal wireless short-range communications technology device substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and adapted for performing a wireless signal communication with at least one peripheral electronic device having an other internal wireless short-range communications technology device and being positioned within a predetermined range. According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, by example and without limitation, the internal wireless short-range communications technology device is further a Bluetooth system module positioned within the interior cavity of the body portion and being electrically coupled for communication with the computer expansion connector through the Universal Serial Bus hub device for performing a wireless signal communication with a corresponding second Bluetooth module in at least one second electronic device situated within a predetermined range of the Universal Serial Bus hub device. 
   According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the novel docking station apparatus includes an internal digital computer substantially contained within the interior cavity of the apparatus body and electrically coupled to the expansion connector. According to another aspect of the novel docking station apparatus, the internal digital computer includes a microprocessor structured for executing instructions and connected to a system bus, a memory bus connected to the system bus and having both a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM) connected thereto for access by the microprocessor. 
   Other aspects of the novel docking station are detailed herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this novel docking station will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an example of a known portable computer; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an input/output (I/O) connector or port of the known portable computer illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being provided in the rear face thereof between interface apertures; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a known computer docking station having an expansion connector structured to engage the computer&#39;s I/O connector and being provided on a connector presentation surface thereof which is opposed to the rear face of the known computer illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a plurality of connectors and ports connectable with different peripheral devices, external power supply, etc.; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an input/output (I/O) plate of the known docking station where flexible wiring harnesses of different external peripheral devices, external power supply, etc. may be connected; 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view that illustrates the novel external computer expanding apparatus or “docking station”; 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 7  is a side perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 8  is another side perspective view that illustrates the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 10  is another bottom perspective view of the docking station; 
       FIG. 11  is another bottom perspective view of the docking station; 
       FIG. 12  is a close-up bottom perspective view of an external wire harness support of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 13  is another close-up bottom perspective view of the external wire harness support of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view that shows novel cable supports of the external wire harness support of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the external wire harness support of the novel docking station illustrating a side view of the cable supports of the novel docking station and an end cross-sectional view of one of a novel gang support of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 16  is perspective view inside an upper body portion of the docking station and illustrates a novel expansion connector drive mechanism as well as novel features of the upper body portion that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism; 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the alternative non-locking latch mechanism of the present novel docking station by example and without limitation as a flexible latch mechanism useful with the novel expansion connector drive mechanism; 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a novel guide mechanism of the novel docking station that cooperates with a novel frame portion of the novel expansion connector drive mechanism; 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism of the present novel docking station as well as novel features of the upper body portion that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism; 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism of the present novel docking station in a deployed position; 
       FIG. 21  is a section view of the expansion connector drive mechanism of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 22  illustrates the novel docking station being in an initial state of readiness to accept the computer; 
       FIG. 23  illustrates the novel docking station being in an intermediate state of accepting the computer; 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the novel docking station being in final state of accepting the computer; 
       FIG. 25  illustrates the novel docking station being in final state of accepting the computer removed here for clarity; 
       FIGS. 26 and 27  are respective top and bottom perspective views of the novel docking station that together illustrate one embodiment of a frame portion of the expansion connector drive; 
       FIG. 28  is perspective view inside the upper body portion of the novel docking station and further illustrates a simplified novel expansion connector drive mechanism; 
       FIG. 29  is an upside-down close-up view showing novel edge mounting holes of the novel docking station formed along a mutual contact line between the upper and lower body portions of the novel docking station&#39;s two-piece body; 
       FIG. 30  illustrates that an extension portion of a well portion of a novel nut pocket of the novel docking station extends past the contact line between the upper and lower body portions of the novel docking station&#39;s two-piece body; 
       FIG. 31  is a section view of the nut pockets taken from inside the two-piece body of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 32  is a section view of the nut pockets of the novel docking station taken from inside the two-piece body of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 33  illustrates a mechanical nut installed in the nut pocket of the novel docking station with a screw or bolt inserted through the edge mounting hole and mated with the nut; 
       FIG. 34  illustrates the lower body portion of the novel docking station with the upper body portion removed for clarity, the nut pockets here illustrated as being optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion or lower body portion (shown); 
       FIG. 35  illustrates one of the novel edge mounting holes of the novel docking station alternatively formed with a novel screw or bolt pocket of the novel docking station formed by example and without limitation as a pair of mating pockets (shown in a subsequent figure) integrally formed on inside surfaces of the respective lower body portion and upper body portion of the novel docking station and adjacent to the respective edges thereof; 
       FIG. 36  is a section view of one of the novel screw pockets taken from inside the two-piece body of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 37  illustrates the novel screw pocket being alternatively configured to accommodate a carriage bolt (shown in phantom) wherein the nut pocket is formed having integral near and far portions substantially aligned with a novel edge mounting hole of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 38  is a section view of the novel screw or carriage bolt pocket taken from inside the two-piece body of the docking station of the novel docking station; 
       FIG. 39  illustrates a novel display unit support of the novel docking station that is structured for supporting the computer&#39;s flat display unit; 
       FIG. 40  illustrates the novel display unit support in a stored position having a rigid support arm rotated about a pivot axis toward a bearing surface of the upper body portion of the novel docking station, and an anvil of the novel display unit support being nested in an edge recess of the novel body portion; 
       FIG. 41  is a side view that illustrates the jaw of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station being rotated about a drive axis of a novel biasing mechanism into substantial alignment with the support arm during storing of the novel display unit support; 
       FIG. 42  illustrates the novel docking station with the novel display unit support in an active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the display unit of the computer in an open upright position relative to the computer&#39;s keyboard on the computer casing top face; 
       FIG. 43  illustrates the novel docking station with the novel display unit support in an active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the display unit clamping mechanism of the novel docking station supporting the computer display unit in an open upright position relative to the computer keyboard with the anvil being positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion of the computer display unit; 
       FIGS. 44 through 50  illustrate that the arcuate support surface of the anvil portion of the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the novel docking station permits the backing portion of the computer display unit to roll thereabout in smooth substantially constant contact during rotation relative to the computer keyboard, wherein: 
       FIG. 44  also illustrates the novel docking station with the novel display unit support in the active position of  FIG. 43  having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the computer&#39;s display unit in an open upright position relative to the computer&#39;s keyboard, 
       FIG. 45  is a side view of the novel docking station having the computer&#39;s display unit support in one active position, as illustrated in previous figures, having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the computer display unit in one open over-center position relative to the computer&#39;s keyboard; 
       FIG. 46  is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station in the active position of  FIG. 45  for constraining the computer&#39;s display unit in the open over-center position by a pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the active over-center position; 
       FIG. 47  is a side view of the novel docking station having the novel display unit support in another active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the computer&#39;s display unit in a substantially vertical upright position relative to the computer&#39;s keyboard with the anvil portion being positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion of the computer display unit; 
       FIG. 48  is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station in the active position of  FIG. 47  for constraining the computer&#39;s display unit in the substantially vertical upright position by the pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil portion with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the upright position; 
       FIG. 49  is a side view of the novel docking station having the novel display unit support in another active position having the support arm rotated about the pivot axis with the novel display unit clamping mechanism supporting the computer display unit in another open position having the display unit in an extreme over-center upright position relative to the computer keyboard; 
       FIG. 50  is an opposite side view of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station in the active position of  FIG. 49  for constraining the computer display unit in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw portion relative to the anvil portion with the knob being tightened to secure the support arm in the extreme over-center position; 
       FIG. 51  illustrates by example and without limitation the pivot mechanism of the novel docking station that constrains the support arm to operate about the pivot axis with the shoulder portion abutting the body&#39;s hub portion; 
       FIG. 52  illustrates by example and without limitation one alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism of the novel docking station wherein the head portion of a screw or bolt type pivot axle is constrained in the body&#39;s novel nut pockets; 
       FIG. 53  illustrates by example and without limitation another alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 52 ; 
       FIG. 54  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station in an active configuration clamping the computer&#39;s display unit in an open position relative to the computer casing; 
       FIG. 55  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism of the novel display unit support of the novel docking station in a passive configuration wherein the hard shell backing portion of the computer&#39;s display unit is supported by the anvil portion of the support arm with the opposing jaw portion in an open position relative to the computer display unit&#39;s display screen surface; 
       FIG. 56  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel docking station having one or more circuit cards substantially enclosed within the docking station body with a wiring harness electrically coupling the circuit card or cards to the expansion connector on the connector presentation surface for connection to the computer&#39;s I/O connector and another wiring harness electrically coupling the circuit card or cards to others of the plurality of peripheral device connectors on the peripheral device connector presentation surface of the lower body portion; 
       FIG. 57  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel docking station having one or more circuit cards that may be used in the novel docking station, wherein one circuit board is illustrated as being electrically coupled through the wiring harness to the expansion connector, another wiring harness is illustrated by example and without limitation as electrically coupling the circuit card or cards a plurality of the USB connections on the connector presentation surface, electrical traces on the circuit card electrically couple the expansion connector substantially directly to one or more of the plurality of the USB connections on the connector presentation surface, and additional electrical traces electrically couple the expansion connector substantially directly to one or more additional USB connections located internally of the novel docking station&#39;s body; and 
       FIG. 58  schematically illustrates the internal circuit board being electrically coupled through the wiring harness to the expansion connector on the connector presentation surface for connection to the computer&#39;s I/O connector. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements. 
     FIG. 5  is a front perspective view that illustrates the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a novel external computer expanding apparatus or “docking station”  100  which is adapted to be interposed between a portable computer of the type illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and a plurality of peripheral devices and relay signals transferred between the computer and the devices. 
   The docking station  100  includes a two-piece body  102  having an upper body portion  102   a  connected to a lower body portion  102   b  along a line  103  of mutual contact. The upper body portion  102   a  is formed with a bearing surface  104  on one face of a substantially rigid bearing plate  105 . The bearing surface  104  is structured for the computer casing  2  to be removably placed thereon. A connector presentation surface  106  is projected above the bearing surface  104  for presenting an electrical expansion connector  108  to the rear face  2   d  of the computer  1  when the computer&#39;s bottom face  2   a  is placed on the bearing surface  104 . The upper body portion  102   a  also includes means for securing the computer  1  to the bearing surface  104  in fixed position relative to the connector presentation surface  106  such that a coupling with the electrical expansion connector  108  is not interrupted unintentionally. By example and without limitation, the securing means includes a receiver structure  110  fixedly positioned adjacent to a front portion  111  of the bearing surface  104  opposite from the connector presentation surface  106  and having an open jaw structure  112  facing toward the connector presentation surface  106  and structured to receive and mate with the tongue  2   g  on the front face of the computer casing  2 . Mating of the tongue  2   g  within the open jaw  112  of the receiver structure  110  resists separation of the computer casing&#39;s bottom face  2   a  from the bearing surface  104 . Such mating of the tongue  2   g  within the jaw  112  of the receiver structure  110  also resists sliding of the computer casing  2  along the bearing surface  104  away from the connector presentation surface  106 . Additionally, the open jaw  112  may optionally include lips on either side thereof that engage side surfaces  2   k  and  2   l  (if present) of the tongue  2   g , and by such engagement, resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface  104  parallel of the connector presentation surface  106 . 
   The securing means also includes a pair of engaging pins  114   a  and  114   b  fixedly positioned on a rear portion  115  of the bearing surface  104  adjacent to the connector presentation surface  106 , the engaging pins  114   a ,  114   b  are structured to be slidingly received into the mating locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  in the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2 . The two engaging pins  114   a  and  114   b  operate to position the computer casing  2  relative to the docking station bearing surface  104 , and in particular to position the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  relative to the docking station&#39;s electrical expansion connector  108 . Such mating of the two engaging pins  114   a ,  114   b  within the respective locating holes  6   a ,  6   b  also serve to resist both lateral and longitudinal slippage of the computer casing  2  relative to the bearing surface  104 . The two engaging pins  114   a ,  114   b  resist both sliding of the computer casing  2  along the bearing surface  104  away from the connector presentation surface  106 , and simultaneously resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface  104  parallel of the connector presentation surface  106 . 
   The securing means also includes a pair of guides  116   a  and  116   b  provided as either substantially rigid pins or stiff arms that are positioned on opposite sides of the electrical expansion connector  108 . The guides  116   a  and  116   b  extend past the electrical expansion connector  108  and engage the apertures  4   a  and  4   b  on opposite sides of the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  in advance of the electrical expansion connector  108  engaging the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . As is discussed in detail below, by operation of a sliding expansion connector drive mechanism  118 , the electrical expansion connector  108  simultaneously with the pair of guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  (hereinafter “guide arms”) on either side of the electrical expansion connector  108  are together moved inward from the presentation surface  106  (in the direction indicated by arrow  120 ) across the bearing surface  104  toward the opposing open jaw  112  of the receiver structure  110  in a manner such that the pair of guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  are fitted individually in the recesses of the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  the rear face  2   d  of the computer casing  2  in advance of connection of the electrical expansion connector  108  with the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Such engagement of the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  presses the pair of guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  against the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  in the rear face  2   d  of the computer casing  2 , which in turn pushes the front face  2   c  toward the receiver structure  110  and the tongue  2   g  into its open jaw  112 . Additionally, the mating of the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  within the respective computer casing interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  resist sideways slippage along the bearing surface  104  parallel of the connector presentation surface  106 . More importantly, the mating of the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  within the respective computer casing interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  resists separation of the computer casing&#39;s bottom face  2   a  from the bearing surface  104  so that the two engaging pins  114   a ,  114   b  within the respective locating holes  6   a ,  6   b  more effectively resist both lateral and longitudinal slippage of the computer casing  2  relative to the bearing surface  104 . 
   Furthermore, the electrical expansion connector  108  includes a quantity of pin receptors or pins (shown)  122  organized in a selected pattern to engage the pins or pin receptors  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Accordingly, such engagement of the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side of the electrical expansion connector  108  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  also fine tunes the positioning of pin receptors or pins (shown)  122  of electrical expansion connector  108  relative to the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 , whereby operation of the expansion connector drive  118  causes the electrical expansion connector  108  to engage the computer&#39;s electrical I/O connector  4 , and engages the pins (or pin receptors)  122  with the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c.    
   Thus, the three-part computer securing means includes the receiver structure  110  fixed adjacent the front portion  111  of the bearing surface  104 , the engaging pins  114   a  and  114   b  fixed on the rear face  115  of the bearing surface  104 , and the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side of the electrical expansion connector  108 , which operate together to retain the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  on the rear face  2   d  of the casing  2  in uninterrupted engagement with the docking station&#39;s electrical expansion connector  108 . 
   However, the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side of the electrical expansion connector  108  might interfere with seating the computer casing  2  against the bearing surface  104 , so a sensing means  123  is optionally provided for sensing that the computer&#39;s casing  2  is emplaced on the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104  with its I/O connector  4  positioned to receive the docking station&#39;s electrical expansion connector  108 . For example, the optional sensing means  123  may be provided in the form of safety catch  124  having a stem or button that cooperates with the expansion connector drive  118  to detect presence of the computer  1  against the bearing surface  104 . As discussed herein below, if present, the sensing means  123  is an optional safety mechanism that prevents the expansion connector drive  118  from being operated unless the computer casing  2  is firmly seated against the bearing surface  104  of the docking station upper body portion  102   a , which depresses the safety catch  124 . Thus, the docking station  100  optionally senses the presence of the computer  1  when installation of the casing  2  causes depression of the safety catch  124 , if present. By requiring previous operation of the safety catch  124 , if present, the electrical expansion connector  108  cannot be deployed until the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  is positioned to receive it. Accordingly, neither the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  nor the electrical expansion connector  108  can interfere with seating the computer casing  2 . 
   Furthermore, while the computer casing  2  is being seated, the electrical expansion connector  108  remains tucked safely away in a home position on the sidelines of the bearing surface  104 . For example, the expansion connector  108  is protected in a disengaged “safe” position within an integral housing portion  126  of the casing upper body  102   a  positioned at the rear  115  of the bearing surface  104 , where the expansion connector  108  is out of harm&#39;s way during seating of the computer casing  2 . By example and without limitation, the housing  126  extends above the bearing surface  104  and is formed with a cavity  128  that is extended rearward of the bearing surface  104 . The cavity  128  is sized to hold the expansion connector  108  on a connector bracket  130  having guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  projected therefrom on either side of the expansion connector  108 . The bracket  130 , together with the expansion connector  108  and guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side thereof, is movable (as indicated by arrow  120 ) by operation of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  out of the cavity  128  and inward of the bearing surface  104  through an opening  132  formed in the presentation surface  106  of the housing  126 . 
   The novel docking station  100  optionally includes a locking latch mechanism  134  for constraining the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  relative to the upper body portion  102   a  of the docking station  100 . Accordingly, the locking latch mechanism  134  constrains the bracket  130  having the expansion connector  108  and guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  in a deployed position, the deployed position having the expansion connector  108  outside the cavity  128  and extended over the bearing surface  104 . 
   As a result, the electrical expansion connector  108  of the docking station  100  is connected to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Additionally, the computer  1  cannot be removed from engagement with the docking station  100  because the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  engaging the interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  cooperate with the receiver structure  110  engaging the computer casing&#39;s tongue  2   g , and the locating pins  114   a  and  114   b  engaging the mating locating holes  6   a  and  6   b  in the bottom surface  2   a  of the computer casing  2  to secure the computer  1  relative to the connector presentation surface  106  and the bearing surface  104 , respectively, of the docking station apparatus  100 . The locking latch mechanism  134  ensures the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  cannot be dislodged so that the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  continue to engage the interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b , even if the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is attempted to be dislodged, either accidentally or intentionally. 
   In removing the computer from the novel docking station apparatus  100 , the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is reversed to move the expansion connector  108  away from the computer rear surface  2   d , whereby the expansion connector  108  is disconnected from the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 , and the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  are disengaged from the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b . The computer casing  2  can be rotated about the tongue  2   g  so that the bottom surface  2   a  of the casing  2  is disengaged from the bearing surface  104 , and the computer  1  is disengaged from the docking station  100 . 
   According to one embodiment of the novel docking station  100 , the electrical expansion connector  108  is optionally loosely mounted on the bracket  130  with a little lateral play such that the expansion connector  108  is permitted to move relative to the bracket  130  and its pin receptors or pins (shown)  122  wiggle or “float” into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the I/O connector  4  after the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  have established a nominal docking position, as in the prior art. Thus, the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  fine tunes the positioning of the pins (or pin receptors)  122  of the expansion connector  108  relative to the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  prior to final insertion. 
   Alternatively, the electrical expansion connector  108  is optionally securely mounted on the bracket  130  without appreciable lateral play such that the expansion connector  108  is not permitted to move relative to the bracket  130  and its pin receptors or pins (shown)  15   a  do not wiggle or float into final mating positions with the respective pin receptors (or pins)  4   c  of the I/O connector  4 . Rather, as discussed herein below, the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  provides sufficient lateral play that, the guide arms  18   a ,  18   b  operate to establish both a nominal docking position and a final insertion position of the expansion connector  108  relative to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Thus, the complexity of the prior art bracket  18 , as discussed herein above, is eliminated, while the positioning function is maintained as a feature of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station. 
   Optionally, hand clearances  137  communicate with either side of the docking station&#39;s computer bearing surface  104  for access to the bottom surface  2   a  of the computer  1  for lifting it free of the bearing surface  104  and the guide pins  114   a ,  114   b  projected therefrom. By example and without limitation, the hand clearances  137  are provided as indentations in the upper body portion  102   a  and optionally in the lower body portion  102   b  as well. The hand clearances  137  are located near the connector presentation surface  106  and the guide pins  114   a ,  114   b  for more easily lifting the computer  1  clear of the guide pins  114   a ,  114   b  and the jaw  112  of the receiver structure  110  opposite. 
   Additionally, an edge recess  139  communicates with the docking station&#39;s computer bearing surface  104  and one side of the upper body portion  102   a  for storing a novel display unit support  142  that is structured for supporting the computer&#39;s flat display unit  9 . 
   Additionally, as discussed herein below and more clearly illustrated in subsequent figures, the docking station&#39;s expansion connector  108  is electrically coupled to a plurality of peripheral device connectors  136   a ,  136   b  through  136   n  provided by example and without limitation on a peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . For example, the lower body portion  102   b  includes an integral rear housing  140  having the presentation surface  138  provided thereon. 
   According to one embodiment of the novel docking station, the docking station  100  includes a novel display unit support  142  structured for supporting the computer&#39;s flat display unit  9  in any convenient orientation relative to the keyboard  7  on the computer&#39;s top face  2   b.    
     FIG. 6  is a front perspective view that illustrates the present novel docking station embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station  100 . Here, for clarity the bracket  130  having only the guide pins  116   a ,  116   b  projected therefrom, without the expansion connector  108 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side perspective view that illustrates the present novel docking station embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station  100 . Here, for clarity the bracket  130  having only the guide pins  116   a ,  116   b  projected therefrom, without the expansion connector  108 . 
     FIG. 8  is another side perspective view that illustrates the present novel docking station embodied by example and without limitation as a the docking station  100 . Here, the receiver structure  110  is more clearly illustrated as having the open jaw structure  112  formed between the front portion  111  of the bearing surface  104  and an upper lip  144  which engages the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 , while the front portion  111  of the bearing surface  104  engages the computer casing bottom face  2   a . A recessed throat portion  146  of the receiver structure&#39;s jaw  112  is set back between the front portion  111  of the bearing surface  104  and the upper lip  144 . The recessed throat portion  146  of the jaw  112  engages the front face  2   c  of the computer casing  2 . 
   Here also are illustrated a plurality of edge mounting holes  148  formed along the mutual contact line  103  which also operates as a separation line between the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  of the docking station&#39;s two-piece body  102 . As discussed herein below, the edge mounting holes  148  each provide novel means for holding a square- or hex-head screw with its threaded shaft extending out of the respective mounting hole  148  substantially parallel with the bearing surface  104  and perpendicular to respective side faces  152  and  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b . Any external device can be threadedly attached to the body  102  by means of a nut threaded to the extended shaft of the screw. 
     FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the docking station  100  that includes a mounting structure  155  that is structured to adapt the docking station  100  for mounting to an external support structure, by example and without limitation, the universally positionable device invented by the inventor of the present novel docking station and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885, which is incorporated herein by reference. By example and without limitation, the mounting structure  155  is provided as a plurality of mounting holes  157  projected from a bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  within an integral ring  159  with optional supports  161  formed as elongated gussets integrally structured between the bottom plane  156  and the ring  159 . Other mounting structures  155  are also contemplated and may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   This view further illustrates the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b  having the a plurality of peripheral device connectors  136   a ,  136   b  through  136   n , including by example and without limitation, a video display output  13   a , a mouse connection  136   b , a keyboard connection  136   c , an external Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket connection  136   d . By example and without limitation, the external USB socket connection  136   d  is optionally generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,375, “Electrical Connection Device” issued to Wu on Feb. 22, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a USB (universal series bus) electrical signal connector including a unitary insulative housing having an upper half and a lower half respectively defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein, a plurality of first conductive pins are received in the first chamber and enclosed by a first shielding member to form a power connector for transmitting electrical power, a plurality of second conductive pins are received in the second chamber and enclosed by a second shielding member to form a signal connector for transmitting signals, whereby the USB connector has an integral power connector for supplying electrical power to drive electronic devices connected thereto. Other USB electrical signal connectors may be substituted for the external USB socket connection  136   d  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, examples of conventional USB socket connectors for low frequency data transmission connector requiring only a small power supply are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,156, “Electrical Connector” issued to Sugiyama on May 21, 1991, which is incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,281, “Structure For Electro-Magnetic Wave Shielding In The Electric Plug Used In Telecommunication” issued to Yin on Jul. 5, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other more modern examples of USB socket connectors useful for practicing the external USB socket connection  136   d  and that are optionally substituted for the external USB socket connection  136   d  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention include, by example and without limitation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,395, “Universal Serial Bus Connector” issued to Lee on Mar. 10, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,733, “Universal Serial Bus Plug Connector” issued to Lai on Aug. 24, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,984, “Slim USB Connector With Spring-Engaging Depressions, Stabilizing Dividers And Wider End Rails For Flash-Memory Drive” issued to Lee, et al. on Feb. 15, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,168, “Universal Serial Bus Electrical Connector” issued to Oleynick, et al. on Sep. 6, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a universal serial bus (USB) electrical connector having electrical signal contacts and power contacts in a housing; U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,287, “Extended USB Protocol Plug And Receptacle” issued to Chou, et al. on Oct. 24, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses extended Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and socket connectors, wherein the extended USB plug includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug, and the extended Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug, and wherein the extended USB plugs and sockets further each include a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals with the plug and socket connector contacts being structured to interconnect for transmitting such plurality USB signals and non-USB signals; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,646, “Connectors Having A USB-Like Form Factor For Supporting USB And Non-USB Protocols” issued to Chou, et al. on Feb. 27, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses an extended Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and extended Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket, wherein the USB plug includes an extended pin substrate and at least some of a plurality of contacts thereon that are dimensioned to be mechanically compatible with an industry-standard USB socket and further lacks an industry-standard cover associated with an industry-standard USB plug, thereby causing the extended USB plug to be thinner than the industry-standard USB plug, and the extended USB socket includes an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of an industry-standard USB connector socket and at least some of a plurality of pins therein that are dimensioned to be mechanically compatible with an industry-standard USB connector plug. Other USB electrical signal connectors also may be substituted for the external USB socket connection  136   d  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The a plurality of peripheral device connectors  136   a ,  136   b  through  136   n  optionally also includes, by example and without limitation, an external power supply connection  136   e , an audio output  136   f , a microphone input  136   g , a modem  136   h , serial connections  136   j  and  136   k , and a parallel connection  136   m . These peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  are electrically coupled to the docking station&#39;s expansion connector  108 , as discussed herein. As illustrated here, the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  is projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  and is optionally oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. Therefore, the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  face across the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  and are protected by the integral rear housing  140 . 
   Additionally illustrated here is an external wire harness support  158  that provides strain relief to a plurality of connections between the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  and connectors  160  on a wiring harness  162 , as illustrated in subsequent figures. By example and without limitation, the external wire harness support  158  includes one or more individual cable supports  164   a ,  164   b  through  164   n  projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  adjacent to the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  on the integral rear housing  140 . As illustrated, each of the one or more individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  positioned in close proximity to one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n . Optionally, each of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  is substantially aligned with one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n . Each of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  provides strain relief for a cable connected to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n . The external wire harness support  158  further includes one or more gang cable supports  166  projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  in a position spaced away from the group of individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n , and optionally spaced away from the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  as well. Optionally, one or more additional gang cable supports  166  are provided on the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  in positions that are spaced away from the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  and spaced away from others of the peripheral device connectors  136   j - 136   m.    
     FIG. 10  is another bottom perspective view of the novel docking station  100  that includes the wiring harness  162  having a plurality of individual cables  168  each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness  162  is illustrated here having two individual cables  168   a  and  168   b  each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n . The external wire harness support  158  of the novel docking station is illustrated having wire ties  170  tying the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to respective individual cable supports  164   a ,  164   b . Furthermore, another of the wire ties  170  straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to one of the gang supports  166 . The wire ties  170  are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties  170  may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties. 
   Also illustrated are more of the edge mounting holes  148  formed along the mutual contact line  103  between the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  of the docking station&#39;s two-piece body  102 . Additional one or more of the edge mounting holes  148  are optionally formed along the mutual contact line  103  which extends between respective front faces  172  and  174  of the docking station&#39;s upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b.    
     FIG. 11  is another bottom perspective view of the novel docking station  100  that includes the wiring harness  162  having a plurality of individual cables each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness  162  is illustrated here having two individual cables  168   a  and  168   b  each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors  136   b  and  136   c . The external wire harness support  158  of the novel docking station is illustrated having wire ties  170  tying the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to respective individual cable supports  164   a ,  164   b . Furthermore, another of the wire ties  170  straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to one of the gang supports  166 . The wire ties  170  are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties  170  may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties. 
     FIG. 12  is a close-up bottom perspective view of the novel docking station  100  that includes the wiring harness  162  having a plurality of individual cables  168  each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to a respective one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  presented on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . For clarity and by example and without limitation, the wiring harness  162  is also illustrated here having two individual cables  168   a  and  168   b  each having one of the connectors  160  coupled to one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n . The external wire harness support  158  of the novel docking station is illustrated having wire ties  170  tying the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to respective individual cable supports  164   a ,  164   b . Furthermore, another of the wire ties  170  straps a group or “gang” of the individual cables  168   a ,  168   b  to one of the gang supports  166 . The wire ties  170  are any wire ties selected from a group of wire ties of various types that are generally well-known in the art. For example, the wire ties  170  may be plastic coated wires, plastic straps with a catch at one end that mates with teeth along one face, and other known wire ties. 
   As also illustrated here with respect to the unoccupied individual cable  164   n , each of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  is formed with a valley  176  that is structured to securely receive the cable  168   a ,  168   b  thereinto. The valley  176  is spaced away from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  to the extent that it is substantially aligned with the corresponding one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  on the presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b  such that the respective cable  168   a - 168   n  is substantially straight between the respective cable support  164   a - 164   n  and peripheral device connector  136   a - 136   n . By example and without limitation, the valley  176  is optionally curved in a semi-tubular shape to conform to the typical round cable shape and sized to admit such cable. The cable support  164   n  is further shown to include wall portion  178  extended from either side of the curved valley  176  and substantially contiguous therewith and oriented tangentially therewith. The wall portions  178  are optionally crenellated as shown, or continuous. 
   Clearance is provided for the wire ties  170  between the valley  176  and the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b . By example and without limitation, the wire tie clearance is provided by a tunnel  180  that is extend under and completely through each of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  directly below and slightly spaced away from the valley  176  and oriented crosswise of the valley  176 . Optionally, a slight recess  182  is formed in the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  directly below the valley  176 , such that the tunnel  180  is recessed into the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  directly below and slightly spaced away from the valley  176 . 
     FIG. 13  is another close-up bottom perspective view of the docking station&#39;s external wire harness support  158  of the novel docking station without the wiring harness  162 . As illustrated, the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  are each formed on the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  in a position that is spaced away from a corresponding one of the peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . The valleys  176  are illustrated as being curved in a semi-cylindrical form that is substantially aligned with the corresponding peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138 . Additionally, the valley  176  portion of each cable support  164   a - 164   n  is illustrated with the wall portion  178  extended from either side thereof and substantially contiguous therewith and oriented tangentially therewith. The wall portions  178  are shown as being optionally crenellated, but the wall portions  178  are optionally continuous. 
   The tunnel  180  is illustrated here as an optional single common tunnel having the optional recess  182  extending under all of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  and beyond them to either end  184  and  186 . 
   The gang support  166  is illustrated as being formed with a substantial body portion  200  spaced from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  on spaced apart legs  202  that are projected from the bottom plane  156 . Furthermore, one of the gang supports  166  is illustrated as including a tunnel  188  formed thereunder and having an optional recess  189  recessed into the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  substantially crosswise thereof. Optionally, the tunnel  188  extends therebeyond to either side  190  and  192 . 
     FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view that shows the cable supports  164   a - 164   n  of the external wire harness support  158  each being formed with a substantial body portion  194  projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b . The valley  176  is formed in the body  194  distal of the bottom plane  156 , and the crenellated wall portions  178  extended therefrom. The tunnel  180  is illustrated here as the optional single common tunnel having the optional recess  182  extending under all of the individual cable supports  164   a - 164   n  and beyond them to either end  184  and  186 . Furthermore, the tunnel  180  is illustrated here as being formed completely through the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b.    
   The cables  168   a ,  168   b  are shown seated in the valleys  176  of the respective cable supports  164   a ,  164   b  of the docking station&#39;s external wire harness support  158 . The cables  168   a ,  168   b  are secured in place by the wire ties  170  wrapped around the body portion  194   a ,  194   b  of the respective cable supports  164   a ,  164   b . Furthermore, the wire ties  170  pass through embrasures  196  between spaced apart merlons  198  that form the crenellated wall portions  178 . 
     FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the external wire harness support  158  that shows a side view of the cable supports  164   a - 164   n  and an end cross-sectional view of one of the gang supports  166  projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b . The cables  168   a ,  168   b  are shown seated in the valleys  176  of the respective cable supports  164   a ,  164   b  and being secured in place by the wire ties  170  wrapped around the respective body portion  194   a ,  194   b  thereof. Furthermore, the wire ties  170  are shown passing through the embrasures  196  between the spaced apart merlons  198  that form the crenellated wall portions  178 . 
   In the end cross-sectional view of the gang support  166 , the gang support  166  is illustrated as being formed with the substantial body portion  200  that is projected from the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  on the spaced apart legs  202  (one shown, more clearly shown in  FIG. 13 ). The cables  168   a ,  168   b  are gathered together and secured in place by a single wire tie  170  wrapped around the body portion  200 . Furthermore, that form the crenellated wall portions  178 . Optionally, the gang support  166  is substantially the same as the cable supports  164   a - 164   n  and includes the crenellated wall portions  178  spaced apart on either lengthwise side  190 ,  192  of the body portion  200  and formed distal of the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b , and the wire tie  170  pass through embrasures  196  between spaced apart merlons  198  of the crenellated wall portions  178 . 
     FIG. 16  is perspective view inside the upper body portion  102   a  and illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the present novel docking station as well as features of the upper body portion  102   a  that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism  118 . By example and without limitation the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is formed of a single-piece elongated frame  204  having a substantially planar interface surface  233  (shown in one or more subsequent figures). A follower mechanism  206  is provided by example and without limitation as an elongated lengthwise inner slot that extends substantially along a longitudinal axis L thereof for nearly the entire length of the frame  204  within a retention plate  207 . An integral expanded connector seat  208  is positioned at a first distal or far end  210  of the frame  204  for mounting the expansion connector  108  thereon. 
   An inner surface  224  of the upper body portion&#39;s substantially rigid bearing plate  105  opposite from the bearing surface  104  includes a guide mechanism  226  that cooperates with the inner slot  206  to guide the frame  204  substantially along a drive axis DA that is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis L of the slot  206 . The inner slot follower mechanism  206  of the frame  204  thus cooperates with the guide mechanism  226  for moving the frame  204  across the inner surface  224  of the upper body portion  102   a  along the drive axis DA with the frame&#39;s substantially planar interface surface  233  moving substantially parallel with the inner surface  224  of the bearing plate  105 . Here, the interior of the guide mechanism  226  is exposed for clarity. By example and without limitation, the guide mechanism  226  is formed by two guides  228  arranged on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA. Optionally, the guides  228  are rotating disk guides formed as wheels or rollers that rotate about respective axles or hubs  232  provided on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224 . The axles or hubs  232  may be configured to space the rotating disk guides  228  slightly away from the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  for easier rotation. By example and without limitation, the two guides  228  are optionally provided as one or more slides fixed to the inner surface  224  of the upper body portion  102   a  and permit the frame  204  to slide freely along the drive axis DA. As described herein below, the frame  204  is constrained relative to the guides  228  to move across the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  along the drive axis DA. 
   When mounted on the connector seat  208  at the far end  210  of the frame  204 , the expansion connector  108  fits within the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  and extends above the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a . The frame  204  is moveable, either by sliding or rolling, in cooperation with the guide mechanism  226  across the inner surface  224  of the upper body portion  102   a  and along the drive axis DA. 
   The expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station also provides a small amount of lateral play (indicated by arrow  241 ) such that the connector seat  208  is permitted to move laterally relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  and the bearing surface  104  on the opposite surface of the bearing plate  105  and substantially crosswise of the drive axis DA. For example, the follower mechanism or slot  206  fits with sufficient play on the guides  228  that the frame  204  is permitted sufficient lateral play along arrow  241  that lateral play the connector seat  208  permits electrical expansion connector  108  securely mounted thereon to move laterally relative to the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion&#39;s bearing plate  105 . Thus, although is securely mounted on the bracket  130  without appreciable lateral play, the connector seat  208  actually has sufficient lateral play through the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station to establish both a nominal docking position of the expansion connector  108  relative to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  and a final insertion position of the pin receptors or pins (shown)  122  relative to the I/O connector&#39;s pin receptors (or pins)  4   c . Thus, the complexity of the prior art bracket  18 , as discussed herein above, is eliminated, while the positioning function is maintained as a feature of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station. 
   An integral catch mechanism  212  and integral handle  214  are both positioned adjacent to a second proximal or near end  216  of the frame  204  opposite from the connector seat  208 . The handle  214  may be provided, by example and without limitation, on one side  218  of the frame  204 , while the catch mechanism  212  may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end  216 . The catch mechanism  212  is structured to cooperate with the locking latch mechanism  134  for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  relative to the upper body portion  102   a  of the docking station  100  with the bracket  130  holding the expansion connector  108  and guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side thereof in a deployed position, i.e., with the expansion connector  108  outside the cavity  128  and extended over the bearing surface  104 . By example and without limitation, the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212  includes a lip portion  242  of the that engages either the optional lock mechanism  134 , or an alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  (shown here), which is optionally substituted. 
   As illustrated here, the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  is substituted for the optional locking latch mechanism  134 . The alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  similarly constrains the expansion connector  108  to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. By example and without limitation, the alternative non-locking latch  244  is a flexible latch mechanism of the type illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/064,777 filed in the name of the inventor of the present novel docking station on Feb. 23, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Alternatively, when present, the optional locking mechanism  134  lockingly secures the expansion connector  108  in the deployed position. 
   The sensing means  123  is provided as a security mechanism  220  that is structured to cooperate with the safety catch  124  to resist deployment of the expansion connector  108  until the computer  1  is seated against the bearing surface  104  and the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  is positioned to receive the expansion connector  108 . By example and without limitation, the security mechanism  220  is provided in an integral security plate  221  formed, by example and without limitation, along the side  218  of the frame  204  and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot  206 , for example, between the connector seat  208  and the handle  214 . The security mechanism  220  is provided as a keyhole  222  formed in the security plate  221 , the keyhole  222  being structured for cooperating with the safety catch  124  such that, when the safety catch  124  is engaged with the keyhole  222 , the frame  204  cannot be moved relative to the casing&#39;s upper body portion  102   a . Furthermore, when the safety catch  124  is disengaged from the cooperating keyhole  222  in the security plate  221 , the frame  204  is free to move along the longitudinal axis L. 
   The novel expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is operated by first depressing the safety catch  124  relative to the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a , for example by seating the bottom face  2   a  of the computer casing  2  against the bearing surface  104 . Depressing the safety catch  124  simultaneously disengages the safety catch  124  of the security mechanism  220  from the cooperating keyhole portion  222  in the security plate  221 , which thereby permits the frame  204  to move along the frame drive axis DA. The handle  214  of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is pulled along the drive axis DA toward the front face  172  of the casing&#39;s upper body portion  102   a , which in turn pulls the expansion connector  108  and the guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side thereof into the deployed position described herein, i.e., with the expansion connector  108  outside the cavity  128  and extended over the bearing surface  104 . The lip portion  242  of the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212  engages either the optional lock mechanism  134 , or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  (shown here), which constrains the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  in the deployed position. 
   An optional retraction mechanism  246  is operated for retracting the electrical expansion connector  108  from the deployed position by driving the frame  204  along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion&#39;s front face  172  toward its rear face  248 . By example and without limitation, the retraction mechanism  246  includes a resilient biasing mechanism  250 , such as a tension spring (shown), that is coupled between the rear face  248  of the upper body portion  102   a  and the second or near end  216  of the frame  204  adjacent to the handle  214 . The biasing mechanism  250  operates between the rear face  248  and the near end  216  of the frame  204  for pulling the frame  204  toward the rear face  248 . The biasing mechanism  250  thereby operates to automatically retract the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism  134  or non-locking latch mechanism  244  (shown here) is operated to release the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212 . Alternatively, as illustrated, the spring  250  is coupled between a stanchion  251  near the rear face  248  and the near end  216  of the frame  204  for retracting the expansion connector  108 . 
   Furthermore, the resilient biasing mechanism or tension spring  250  being mounted on one side  218  of the frame  204  offset of the drive axis DA provides leverage to the force applied by the spring  250 . Therefore, the spring  250  also biases the frame  204  on the guides  228  relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  crosswise of the drive axis DA. Accordingly, the spring  250  also pulls the inner slot  206  of the frame  204  against the guides  228  so that the connector seat  208  and the expansion connector  108  securely mounted thereon are biased laterally relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  and the bearing surface  104  on the opposite surface of the bearing plate  105  and substantially crosswise of the drive axis DA. The lateral bias provided by the offset biasing mechanism  250  stabilizes the expansion connector  108  relative to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  for reducing effects on the interconnection of shocks and vibrations experienced by the docking station  100 . The novel expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station thus further improves the interconnection of expansion connector  108  with the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  over the prior art docking station&#39;s expansion connector  15 , as discussed above. 
   As disclosed herein, the safety catch  124  will not interfere with the retraction mechanism  246  retracting the frame  204 . However, another biasing mechanism  252  (shown in subsequent figures) operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer&#39;s casing  2  is emplaced on the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104  before the expansion connector drive  118  can be operated. 
     FIG. 17  illustrates the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  by example and without limitation as a flexible latch mechanism of the type illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/064,777, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, for latching the expansion connector  108  in the deployed position. As illustrated here by example and without limitation the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  includes a tooth  254  positioned at one end of a flexible arm  256  that is integrally (shown) or separately attached at its opposite end to the upper body portion  102   a , such as to the front face  172  thereof. Inclined surfaces  257  and  258  cooperate to allow the to tooth  254  to automatically engage the lip portion  242  of the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212  when the frame  204  is moved into the position for deploying electrical expansion connector  108 , i.e., when the near end  216  of the frame  204  is pulled close to the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a . A handle  260  is provided on the flexible arm  256  or another part of the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  for disengaging the tooth  254  from the frame&#39;s lip portion  242 , which releases the frame  204  for retracting the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position. 
     FIG. 18  illustrates the guide mechanism  226  that cooperates with the inner slot  206  to guide the frame  204  substantially along the drive axis DA. As discussed above, the frame  204  is constrained to move along the two guides  228  relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  along the drive axis DA. Here, by example and without limitation one or more keepers  240  are secured to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  by one or more fasteners  236  for constraining the frame  204  to move along the drive axis DA. The one or more keepers  240  also operate to constrain the guide discs  228 , when present, in a position for cooperating with the inner slot  206  of the frame  204 . Other structures for the guide mechanism  226  are also contemplated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention. For example, the one or more keepers  240  are provided by a pair of disk-shaped keepers, i.e., flat washers, that are secured to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  by the fasteners  236  for constraining the frame  204  to move along the drive axis DA. 
     FIG. 19  illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the present novel docking station as well as features of the upper body portion  102   a  that operate with the expansion connector drive mechanism  118 . Here, the frame  204  is shown adjacent to the rear face  248  of the upper body portion  102   a  with the expansion connector  108  retracted from its deployed position. However, the security mechanism  220  is disengaged by having the safety catch  124  disengaged from the cooperating keyhole  222  in the security plate  221  so that the frame  204  is free to move along the drive axis DA. As illustrated here, the biasing mechanism  252  is shown as a compression spring that operates between the safety catch  124  and, for example, an inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b  (omitted here for clarity, shown in a subsequent figure) to drive the safety catch  124  into security plate  221  and reset the docking station&#39;s computer sensing means. 
     FIG. 20  illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the present novel docking station with the frame  204  is shown adjacent to the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a  with the expansion connector  108  in its deployed position extended over the bearing surface  104 . Here, the biasing mechanism  250  is shown as being in an expanded state for pulling the frame  204  toward the rear face  248  when the security mechanism  220  is subsequently disengaged. The biasing mechanism  250  thereupon operates to retract the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position when the optional lock mechanism  134  is operated to release the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212 . 
     FIG. 21  is a section view taken substantially along a drive axis DA of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118 . This figure illustrates the novel guide mechanism  226  of the novel docking station having the movable frame  204  shifted toward the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a  such that the integral connector seat  208  is positioned to place the expansion connector  108  (removed for clarity) in the deployed position relative to the bearing surface  104 . As illustrated here, the guide mechanism  226  is formed by the two guides  228  arranged on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA within the cooperating inner slot  206  of the frame  204 . By example and without limitation, the two guides  228  are illustrated here as wheels or rollers that rotate about respective axles or hubs  232  provided on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224 . The frame  204  is constrained to move relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  along the drive axis DA by a single one-piece keeper  240  that is held in place by the two fasteners  236 . 
   As illustrated here the optionally lock mechanism  134  constrains the expansion connector  108  to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. 
   The latch on the upper body portion  102   a  for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  relative to the upper body portion  102   a  of the docking station  100  is illustrated here as the lock mechanism  134 . As illustrated, the lock mechanism  134  includes a retractable tooth  262  positioned at one end of a lock cylinder  264  that is attached at its opposite end to the upper body portion  102   a , such as to the front face  172  thereof. An inclined lead surface  266  allows the to tooth  262  to automatically engage the lip portion  242  of the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212  when the frame  204  is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector  108 , i.e., when the near end  216  of the frame  204  is pulled close to the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a . A key  268  is applied to a key hole  270  in the lock cylinder  264  for disengaging the tooth  262  from the frame&#39;s lip portion  242 , which releases the frame  204  for retracting the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position. 
     FIG. 22  illustrates the docking station  100  being in an initial state of readiness to accept the computer  1  (shown in phantom) with the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  spaced away from the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 . Here, the expansion connector  108  is mounted on the connector seat  208  at the far end  210  of the frame  204 , and the expansion connector  108  along with the two guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  that are positioned on opposite sides thereof are fully retracted within the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  adjacent to the bearing surface  104  at the rear face  248  of the upper body portion  102   a.    
   As discussed herein, when the safety catch  124  of the optional sensing mechanism  123  is engaged with the keyhole  222  in the security plate  221 , as shown, the frame  204  cannot be moved relative to the casing&#39;s upper body portion  102   a  and the bearing surface  104 . Furthermore, the expansion connector  108  and guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  are likewise cannot be moved out of the cavity  128  to interfere with seating the computer  1 . For example, a stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  projects above the bearing surface  104  where the computer  1  is to be seated. The stem  272  is sized to pass through both a narrow elongated slot portion  274  at a distal end of the keyhole  222 , and a clearance passage  276  through the bearing surface  104 . Furthermore, the stem portion  272  is cooperatively sized with the narrow slot portion  274  to slide freely along a substantial length thereof, which thus permits the frame  204  to move between the fully retracted position (shown here) and the fully deployed position (shown in subsequent figures). The stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  extends from a base portion  278  having a shoulder  280  that is oversized relative to the passage  276  so that the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  on the backside of the bearing surface  104  operates as a stop for the safety catch  124 . Furthermore, the base portion  278  of the safety catch  124  is too large to pass through the narrow slot portion  274  of the keyhole  222 . However, the keyhole  222  includes an enlarged passage  282  that communicates with a near end  284  of the slot portion  274  and is sized to pass the base portion  278  of the safety catch  124 . As discussed herein, the safety catch  124  is structured to cooperate with the biasing mechanism  252  that operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer&#39;s casing  2  is emplaced on the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104  before the expansion connector drive  118  can be operated. By example and without limitation, when the biasing mechanism  252  is a conventional compression spring, as illustrated here, the base portion  278  of the safety catch  124  is structured with a cavity or pocket  286  that is sized to admit a first end portion  288  of the spring  252  and orient the spring  252  along a drive axis DS of the safety catch  124  that is by example and without limitation oriented substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a . A second end portion  290  of the spring  252  is compressed against the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b  (omitted here for clarity). Accordingly, the spring  252  operates against the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b  to drive the safety catch  124  through the security plate  221  and the passage  276  to project from the bearing surface  104 . Thus, the docking station&#39;s computer sensing means  123  is set and the expansion connector  108  is secure against being inadvertently deployed. 
     FIG. 23  illustrates the docking station  100  being in an intermediate state of accepting the computer  1  (shown in phantom) with the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  seated against the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 . Here, the expansion connector  108  is mounted on the connector seat  208  at the far end  210  of the frame  204 , and the expansion connector  108  along with the two guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  on opposite sides thereof are still fully retracted within the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  adjacent to the bearing surface  104  at the rear face  248  of the upper body portion  102   a.    
   As discussed herein, when the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  is seated against the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 , as shown, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism  252  is compressed against the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b  (shown in a subsequent figure, removed here for clarity). Accordingly, the safety catch  124  is pushed into the passage  276  and flush with the bearing surface  104 . Simultaneously, the safety catch&#39;s base portion  278 , which is oversized relative to the narrow slot portion  274  of the keyhole  222 , is pushed through the keyhole  222  and completely out of the security plate  221 . Only the stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  now extends through the narrow slot portion  274  of the keyhole  222 . Thus, the docking station&#39;s computer sensing means  123  recognizes the presence of the computer  1  as being firmly seated against the bearing surface  104 , and the expansion connector  108  can now be safely deployed. 
     FIG. 24  illustrates the docking station  100  being in final state of accepting the computer  1  (shown in phantom) with the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  seated against the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 . Furthermore, the expansion connector  108  mounted on the connector seat  208  is positioned to engage the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Here, the expansion connector  108  and the two guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  on opposite sides thereof are shown as being deployed out of the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  of the upper body portion  102   a . Accordingly, as discussed herein, engagement of the guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  with the respective interface apertures  4   a ,  4   b  fine tunes positioning of the expansion connector  108  relative to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 , whereby operation of the expansion connector drive  118  has here caused the expansion connector  108  to engage the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 , and has here caused the pins (or pin receptors)  122  to engage the pin receptors (or pins)  4   c.    
   As discussed herein, when the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  is seated against the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 , as shown here, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism  252  is compressed against the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b  (shown in a subsequent figure, removed here for clarity). With the safety catch  124  being pushed into the passage  276  and flush with the bearing surface  104 , the stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  is freely moved along the narrow slot portion  274  of the keyhole  222 . When only the stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  extends through the narrow slot portion  274  of the keyhole  222 , as here, the security plate  221  is moved along the drive axis DA toward the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a  for deploying the expansion connector  108 . Thus, when the computer  1  is firmly seated against the bearing surface  104 , the expansion connector  108  can now be fully deployed (as illustrated) by moving the frame  204  along the drive axis DA. For example, the frame&#39;s handle  214  (shown in previous figures) is pulled toward the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a.    
   The lip portion  242  of the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212  is fully engaged with the lock mechanism  134  provided on the upper body portion  102   a . Accordingly, the expansion connector  108  and guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side thereof are configured in the deployed position described herein, i.e., out of the cavity  128  and extended over the bearing surface  104  for coupling with the computer  1 . Until released, the lock mechanism  134  thus constrains the expansion connector  108  to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. 
   When present, the locking latch mechanism  134  is released by application of the key  268  to the key hole  270  and subsequent operation thereof. Else, the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  is operated by application of pressure against the latch handle  260 . 
   Upon release of either the locking latch mechanism  134  or non-locking latch mechanism  244 , the retraction mechanism  246 , for example the tension spring shown, automatically retracts the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  from its deployed position along with the expansion connector  108 . As illustrated by example and without limitation, the frame  204  is automatically retracted from the deployed position adjacent to the front face  172  of the upper body portion  102   a  toward the retracted position adjacent to the rear face  248 . The guide mechanism  226  cooperates with the inner slot  206  to guide the frame  204  toward the retracted position substantially along the drive axis DA. Retraction of the frame  204  simultaneously retracts the expansion connector  108  seated thereon from the computer  1  and into the safe position within the cavity  128  of the integral housing portion  126  of the casing upper body  102   a  adjacent the rear  115  of the bearing surface  104 , where the expansion connector  108  is out of harm&#39;s way during removal of the computer  1 , as illustrated and discussed herein. 
     FIG. 25  illustrates the docking station  100  being in final state of accepting the computer  1  (removed for clarity). Furthermore, the expansion connector  108  mounted on the connector seat  208  is positioned to engage the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 , as discussed herein. Here, the expansion connector  108  and the two guide pins or arms  116   a ,  116   b  on opposite sides thereof are shown as being deployed out of the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  of the upper body portion  102   a  by operation of the expansion connector drive  118 , as discussed herein. 
   As discussed herein, when the bottom face  2   a  of the casing  2  is seated against the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104 , as shown in previous figures, the compression spring of the biasing mechanism  252  is compressed against the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b . By example and without limitation, a cavity or pocket  292  is provided on the inner surface  253  of the lower body portion  102   b , the pocket  292  being sized to admit the second end portion  290  of the spring  252  opposite from the pocket  286  in the safety catch base portion  278 , and being structured to cooperate with the pocket  286  in the safety catch base portion  278  for orienting the spring  252  along the drive axis DS of the safety catch  124 . The spring  252  is thus compressed between the two pockets  286  and  292  for driving the safety catch  124  through the security plate  221  and the passage  276  to project from the bearing surface  104 . Thus, the spring  252  operates to set the docking station&#39;s computer sensing means  123  for securing the expansion connector  108  against inadvertent deployment. 
     FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  are respective top and bottom perspective views that together illustrate one embodiment of the frame  204  portion of the expansion connector drive  118  of the novel docking station. Here, the single-piece elongated frame  204  is illustrated having the elongated lengthwise inner slot  206  extending nearly the entire length thereof substantially along the longitudinal axis L thereof. The integral expanded connector seat  208  is positioned at the first distal or far end  210  for mounting the expansion connector  108  thereon, and includes a pattern of several mounting holes  294  for attaching the expansion connector  108 . The integral catch mechanism  212  and integral handle  214  portions are both positioned adjacent to the second proximal or near end  216  of the frame  204  opposite from the connector seat  208 . The handle  214  may be provided, by example and without limitation, on one side  218  of the frame  204 , while the catch mechanism  212  may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end  216 . As discussed herein, the catch mechanism  212  includes the lip portion  242  that is structured to cooperate with either the locking latch mechanism  134  or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  for securely fixing the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  relative to the upper body portion  102   a  of the docking station  100  with the expansion connector  108  in a deployed position. As illustrated here by example and without limitation the lip portion  242  is integrally formed with the inclined surface  258  that cooperates with the inclined surface  257  of the latch mechanism&#39;s tooth  254  for helping the to tooth  254  to automatically engage the lip portion  242  when the frame  204  is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector  108 . 
   The inclined surface  258  of the lip portion  242  similarly cooperates with the inclined surface  266  of the retractable tooth  262  of the optional lock mechanism  134 , when present. The inclined surface  258  similarly helps the to tooth  262  to automatically engage the lip portion  242  when the frame  204  is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector  108 . 
   The security mechanism  220  is structured to cooperate with the safety catch  124  to resist deployment of the expansion connector  108  until the computer  1  is seated against the bearing surface  104 . Accordingly, the frame  204  includes the integral security plate  221  formed along the side  218  thereof and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot  206  between the connector seat  208  and the handle  214 . The keyhole  222  is formed in the security plate  221  with the narrow slot portion  274  formed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis L and having the enlarged passage  282  communicating with the proximal or near end  284  thereof. 
   The second proximal or near end  216  of the frame  204  includes means for coupling the resilient biasing mechanism  250  for retracting the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position along the drive axis DA. By example and without limitation, the second proximal or near end  216  of the frame  204  includes a simple clearance hole  298  for coupling the biasing mechanism  250 , i.e., spring  252 , between it and the rear face  248  of the upper body portion  102   a , as shown in  FIG. 16 . The resilient biasing mechanism  250  thus operates between the upper body portion&#39;s rear face  248  and the near end  216  of the frame  204  for retracting the expansion connector drive  118  from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism  134  or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  is operated to release the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  212 . 
     FIG. 28  is perspective view inside the upper body portion  102   a  and illustrates the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the present novel docking station having a simplified single-piece elongated frame  304  having an elongated lengthwise inner slot  306  extending nearly the entire length of the frame  304  substantially along a longitudinal axis LA thereof. An integral expanded connector seat  308  is positioned at a first distal or far end  310  of the frame  304  for mounting the expansion connector  108  thereon. An integral catch mechanism  312  and integral handle portion  314  are both positioned adjacent to a second proximal or near end  316  of the frame  304  opposite from the connector seat  308 . The handle  314  may be provided, by example and without limitation, on an arm  317  extended from one side  318  of the frame  304 , while the catch mechanism  312  may be provided, by example and without limitation, at the near end  316 . The catch mechanism  312  is structured to cooperate with either the locking latch mechanism  134  or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  for constraining the expansion connector  108  to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. 
   The lengthwise slot  306  in the alternate frame  304  cooperates with the guide mechanism  226  on the inner surface  224  of the upper body portion  102   a  opposite from the bearing surface  104  for guiding the frame  304  substantially along the drive axis DA, as described herein. By example and without limitation, lengthwise slot  306  cooperates with the two guides  228  of the guide mechanism  226  that are arranged on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  in spaced apart positions along the drive axis DA. By example and without limitation, the two guides  228  are optionally provided as one or more slides that permit the frame  304  to slide freely along the drive axis DA. Alternatively, the guides  228  are optionally formed as wheels or rollers that rotate about respective axles or hubs  232  provided on the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224 . The axles or hubs  232  may be configured to space the guides  228  slightly away from the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  for easier rotation. The frame  304  is constrained to move relative to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  along the drive axis DA by one or more keepers  240  (shown in phantom). For example, a pair of disc-shaped keepers  240  are secured to the upper body portion&#39;s inner surface  224  by one or more fasteners  236  for constraining the frame  304  to move along the drive axis DA. The one or more keepers  240  also operate to constrain the guide wheels  228 , when present, in a position for cooperating with the inner slot  306  of the frame  304 . Other structures for the guide mechanism  226  are also contemplated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention. 
   The alternate frame  304  is structured such that, when the expansion connector  108  is mounted on the connector seat  308  at the far end  310  of the frame  304 , it fits within the cavity portion  128  of the housing  126  and extends above the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a . The alternate frame  304  is moveable, either by sliding or rolling, in cooperation with the guide mechanism  226  across the inner surface  224  of the upper body portion  102   a  and along the drive axis DA. 
   A security mechanism  320  is structured to cooperate with the safety catch  124  to resist deployment of the expansion connector  108  until the computer  1  is seated against the bearing surface  104  and the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4  is positioned to receive the expansion connector  108 . Similar to the security mechanism  220  of the frame  204  discussed herein, by example and without limitation, the security mechanism  320  of the alternate frame  304  is provided in an integral security plate  321  formed, by example and without limitation, along the side  318  of the frame  304  and spaced away from the lengthwise inner slot  306 , for example, between the connector seat  308  and the handle  314 . The security mechanism  320  is provided as a keyhole  322  formed in the security plate  321 , the keyhole  322  being structured for cooperating with the safety catch  124  such that, when the safety catch  124  is engaged with the keyhole  322 , the frame  304  cannot be moved relative to the casing&#39;s upper body portion  102   a . For example, the keyhole  322  includes at a distal end thereof a narrow slot portion  324  sized to freely move the stem portion  272  of the safety catch  124  along a substantial length thereof so that the frame  304  is permitted to move between the fully retracted position (shown here) and the fully deployed position (shown in previous figures). The keyhole  322  also includes an enlarged passage  326  that communicates with a near end  328  of the slot portion  324  and is sized to pass the base portion  278  of the safety catch  124  for disarming the safety catch  124 . 
   Similar to the novel expansion connector drive mechanism  118  operated with the frame  204 , here the novel expansion connector drive mechanism  118  of the novel docking station is operated by first depressing the safety catch  124  relative to the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a , for example by seating the bottom face  2   a  of the computer casing  2  against the bearing surface  104 . Depressing the safety catch  124  simultaneously disengages the safety catch  124  of the security mechanism  320  from the cooperating keyhole portion  322  in the security plate  321 , which thereby permits the frame  304  to move along the frame drive axis DA. The handle  314  of the expansion connector drive mechanism  118  is pulled parallel to the drive axis DA toward the front face  172  of the casing&#39;s upper body portion  102   a , which in turn pulls the expansion connector  108  and guide arms  116   a ,  116   b  on either side thereof into the deployed position described herein, i.e., the expansion connector  108  outside the cavity  128  and extended over the bearing surface  104 . A integral lip portion  330  of the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  312  engages either the locking latch mechanism  134  (shown) or the alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  provided on the upper body portion  102   a . The locking latch mechanism  134  (shown) or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  constrains the expansion connector  108  to remain in the deployed position, as described herein. As illustrated, the a retractable tooth  262  of the lock mechanism  134  automatically engages the lip  330  when the alternate frame  304  is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector  108  as discussed herein. For example, an inclined lead surface  332  on the frame&#39;s lip portion  330  cooperates with the lead surface  258  to automatically engage the tooth  262  of the lock mechanism  134  when the alternate frame  304  is moved into the position for deploying the expansion connector  108 . 
   The retraction mechanism  246  automatically retracts the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position by pulling the frame  304  along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion&#39;s front face  172  toward its rear face  248 . By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism  250 , such as a tension spring (shown), is coupled between the rear face  248  and a simple catchment  334  at the second or near end  316  of the frame  304  adjacent to the handle  314 . The biasing mechanism  250  operates between the rear face  248  the catchment  334  for retracting the frame  304  toward the rear face  248 . The biasing mechanism  250  thereby operates to retract the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position when the locking latch mechanism  134  (shown) or alternative non-locking latch mechanism  244  is operated to release the frame&#39;s integral catch mechanism  312 . 
   Alternatively, a compression spring  335  is substituted for the compression spring as the biasing mechanism  250  of the retraction mechanism  246  for automatically retracting the expansion connector  108  from the deployed position. The compression spring  335  operates by pushing the frame  304  along the drive axis DA away from the upper body portion&#39;s front face  172  toward its rear face  248 . 
   As disclosed herein, the safety catch  124  will not interfere with retraction of the alternate frame  304 . However, the biasing mechanism  252  operates to reset the sensing means for sensing that the computer&#39;s casing  2  is emplaced on the docking station&#39;s bearing surface  104  before the expansion connector drive  118  can be operated. 
     FIG. 29  is an upside-down close-up view showing the edge mounting holes  148  formed along the mutual contact line  103  between the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  of the docking station&#39;s two-piece body  102 . As discussed herein, the edge mounting holes  148  each provide novel means for holding for example but not limited to a square- or hex-shaped mechanical nut N with its threaded bore aligned with the respective mounting hole  148  substantially parallel with the bearing surface  104  and perpendicular to respective side faces  152  and  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b . Any external device can be threadedly attached to the body  102  by means of the shaft S of a screw or bolt B being inserted into a selected one of the edge mounting holes  148  and threaded into the bore of the nut N. 
   The edge mounting holes  148  are formed by a pair of mating shapes  336  and  338  formed in the docking station&#39;s two-piece body  102  through the mating upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b . The shapes  336 ,  338  meet along the mutual contact line  103 . By example and without limitation, the edge mounting holes  148  are formed by a pair of mating semi-circular holes  336  and  338  formed in the docking station&#39;s two-piece body  102  through the mating upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  along the mutual contact line  103 . However, the mating holes  336 ,  338  may alternatively be different in shape from semi-circular, for example, the holes  336 ,  338  may be mating rectangular shapes that form a square hole when mated, or semi-hexagonal shapes that form a hexagonal shape when mated, or another combination of shapes that form an aperture adjacent to the mating line  103  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b , and such shapes may be substituted for the semi-circular shapes illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the entire shape of the resultant edge mounting holes  148  may be alternatively formed in the edge of either one of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, as illustrated by the edge mounting hole  148  at the far left of the figure, the edge mounting holes  148  may alternatively be formed as a generally “U” or “V” or square-shaped hole  336  entirely within an edge portion  340  of one of the side faces  154  of the lower body portion  102   b , or the front  172  or rear face  248 , while the mating hole is entirely eliminated from the upper body portion  102   a , and the shape  338  is an edge portion  342  of an opposite face  154 ,  174  or  248  of the upper body portion  102   a  that is exposed by the hole  336  in the lower body portion  102   b , whereby the edge mounting hole  148  is formed by the shaped hole  336  that is closed by the mating shape  338  of the upper body portion&#39;s exposed edge portion  342 . Alternatively, as illustrated by the edge mounting hole  148  at the center of the figure, the edge mounting holes  148  may alternatively be formed as a generally “U” or “V” or square-shaped hole  338  entirely within the edge portion  342  of the upper body portion  102   a , while the mating hole  336  is entirely eliminated from the lower body portion  102   b , and the shape  336  is the edge portion  340  of the lower body portion  102   b  that is exposed by the hole  338  in the upper body portion  102   a , whereby the edge mounting hole  148  is formed by the shaped hole  338  that is closed by the mating shape  336  of the lower body portion&#39;s exposed edge portion  340 . 
   Each of the edge mounting holes  148  is backed by a respective nut pocket  346  formed by an open well  348 . As illustrated by the cross-sectional view of the edge mounting hole  148  and corresponding nut pocket  346 , the well  348  of the integral nut pocket  346  is formed in one of the upper body portion  102   a  or the lower body portion  102   b  (shown). The well  348  is generally rectangular in cross-section and extends through the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  past the contact line  103 . The well  348  is formed having an opening  350  formed in the bottom plane  156  of the lower body portion  102   b  (shown) or adjacent to the bearing surface  104  in the upper body portion  102   a . The nut pocket&#39;s well  348  and opening  350  thereto are sized to admit a nut N of a desired size, such as #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, ¼ inch, or metric size nut or bolt head H. For example, the well  348  is formed by a pair of spaced apart rigid side walls  352  and  354  that extend inwardly of the side face  154  of the lower body portion  102   b  and downwardly of the bottom plane  156  and substantially perpendicular to each. The side walls  352 ,  354  are sufficiently spaced to easily admit the nut N of the desired size without being significantly oversized such that the nut N cannot rotate in the well  348 . The side walls  352 ,  354  may include a slight draft angle from the opening  350  toward the contact line  103 . The mating shapes  336 ,  338  along the contact line  103  are correspondingly sized to admit the shaft of the bolt B sized to mate with the nut N. 
     FIG. 30  illustrates that an extension portion  356  of each well  348  extends past the contact line  103 . The extension portion  356  closes the end of the corresponding well  348 . The extension portion  356  is optionally formed integrally with the corresponding well  348 , and may optionally be formed into a point having integral bottom walls  358  and  360  that are contiguous along a corner  362  in the central bottom of the nut pocket&#39;s well  348 . Additionally, the bottom walls  358 ,  360  may optionally form an included angle  363  therebetween centered about the corner  362 , the included angle  363  being constructed to mate with the angled walls of the nut N of the desired size and shape, i.e., square or hex. For example, the included angle  363  between the bottom walls  358 ,  360  is structured to mate with the nut N such as a square or hex nut (shown), whereby the nut N is constrained from turning when torque is applied during insertion and tightening of the screw or bolt B. For example, the angle  363  formed by the bottom walls  358 ,  360  is about 90 degrees to accommodate a square nut. Alternatively, the angle  363  is about 120 degrees to accommodate a hex nut. 
   The extension portion  356  of the well  348  may be integral with the side walls  352 ,  354  (shown at center and right) and extended from the upper or lower body portion  102   b  (shown) past the contact line  103  toward the opposite lower or upper body portion  102   a  (shown). As illustrated (center and right) the nut pockets  346  are optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion  102   a  or lower body portion  102   b  (shown). Alternatively, as illustrated by the nut pocket  340  (far left) the extension portion  356  is optionally formed in the opposing body portion  102   a  (shown) and positioned to align with the walls  352 ,  354  of the well  348 . 
   Each nut pocket&#39;s well  348  also includes a backing panel  364  that is optionally integral with the well&#39;s side walls  352 ,  354  and is spaced away from the side faces  152  and  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  sufficiently to admit the nut N of desired size. The backing panel  364  is a means for constraining the nut N from backing away from the edge hole  148  when the screw or bolt B is applied thereto. 
   Also illustrated here is the simplicity of operation of the nut pockets  346 . Here, the nut pocket  346  is operated by simply dropping the nut N of the appropriate size through the opening  350  into the well  348  corresponding to the selected edge mounting hole  148  with two of the nut&#39;s parallel sides S 1  and S 2  oriented substantially parallel with the well&#39;s side walls  352 ,  354 , as illustrated. Thereafter, the nut N falls into the extension portion  356  at the end of the well  348  and nests between the side walls  352 ,  354  and the bottom walls  358 ,  360  of the extension  356  that combine to form the bottom of the well  348 . Upon the nut N nesting in the extension portion  356  of the well  348 , the nut&#39;s threaded bore Nb substantially automatically self-aligns with the edge mounting hole  148 . Thereafter, the screw or bolt B of the appropriate size is inserted through the corresponding hole  148  and threaded into the nut&#39;s bore Nb for attaching a desired edge attachment. 
     FIG. 31  is a section view of the nut pockets  346  taken from inside the two-piece body  102  of the novel docking station  100 . Here, the nut pocket  346  (far left) is illustrated having the extension portion  356  optionally formed in the opposing body portion  102   a  (shown) and positioned in alignment with the walls  352 ,  354  of the well  348 . 
   This view also illustrates two of a plurality of optional tabs  366  that extend between the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  for alignment therebetween. 
     FIG. 32  is a section view of the nut pockets  346  taken from inside the two-piece body  102  of the novel docking station  100 . Here, the nut pocket  346  (far left) is illustrated having the extension portion  356  optionally formed in the opposing body portion  102   a  (shown) and positioned in alignment with the walls  352 ,  354  of the well  348 . The nut N is illustrated as being installed in the nut pocket  346  with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole  148  and mated with the nut N. The screw or bolt B is thereby positioned to secure an external object O (shown in phantom) to the sides  152 ,  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  of the novel docking station  100 . 
     FIG. 33  illustrates the nut N installed in the nut pocket  346  with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole  148  and mated with the nut N. The screw or bolt B is thereby positioned to secure the external object O (shown in phantom) to the sides  152 ,  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  of the novel docking station  100 . 
     FIG. 34  illustrates lower body portion  102   b  with the upper body portion  102   a  removed for clarity. Here, the nut pockets  346  are illustrated as being optionally fully formed in the selected upper body portion  102   a  or lower body portion  102   b  (shown). The extension portion  356  of the well  348  is integral with the side walls  352 ,  354  and extended from the upper or lower body portion  102   b  (shown) past the contact line  103  toward the opposite lower or upper body portion  102   a  (shown). The nut N is illustrated as being installed in the nut pocket  346  with the screw or bolt B inserted through the edge mounting hole  148  and mated with the nut N. 
     FIG. 35  illustrates one of the edge mounting holes  148  alternatively formed with a screw or bolt pocket  368  formed by example and without limitation as a pair of mating pockets  370  and  372  (shown in a subsequent figure) integrally formed on inside surfaces  374  and  376  of the respective lower body portion  102   b  and upper body portion  102   a  and adjacent to the respective edges  340  and  342  thereof. The pocket  370  is formed by example and without limitation as a construction of integral walls  378  interconnected along corners  380  and a backing panel  382  integrated with the walls  378 . The pockets  370 ,  372  mate along the contact line  103  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b  in substantial alignment with the corresponding shaped holes  336 ,  338  that form the edge mounting hole  148 . The screw pockets  368  are optionally formed with a substantially square shape to accommodate a square-head screw or bolt of a desired size, or may be formed with a substantially hexagonal shape (shown) to accommodate a hex-head screw or bolt of the desired size. Each screw pocket  368  is thus structured to mate with the square or hex head of the screw or bolt B, whereby the screw or bolt B is constrained from turning when torque is applied during installation and tightening of the mating nut N for securing the external object. 
     FIG. 36  is a section view of one of the screw pockets  368  taken from inside the two-piece body  102  of the novel docking station  100 . Here, the screw pocket  368  is illustrated having the mating pockets  370  and  372  integrally formed on inside surfaces  374  and  376  of the respective lower body portion  102   b  and upper body portion  102   a  and adjacent to the respective edges  340  and  342  thereof. The mating pockets  370  and  372  are illustrated with the respective backing panels  382  removed for clarity. The mating pockets  370  and  372  are positioned in alignment with the shaped holes  336 ,  338  that form the corresponding edge mounting hole  148  (shown in previous figures). The screw pockets  368  are optionally formed with a substantially square shape to accommodate the head H of the square-head screw or bolt B of a desired size, or may be formed with a substantially hexagonal shape (shown) to accommodate a hex-head screw or bolt B of the desired size. 
     FIG. 37  illustrates the screw pocket  368  being alternatively configured to accommodate a carriage bolt Bc (shown in phantom) wherein the pocket  368  is formed having integral near and far portions  384  and  386  substantially aligned with the shaped nut hole  338  (or  336 ), and the integral backing panel  364 . The near portion  384  adjacent to the wall  152  (or  154 ) of the body portion  102   a  (or  102   b ) is formed as one half of a square, either as an approximately 90 degree “V” shape or a rectangle (shown) that is sized to accept a square base portion Bc 1  of the carriage bolt head Bch without turning when the nut N is installed and tightened. The far portion  386  spaced away from the wall  152  of the body portion  102   a  by the depth of the near portion  384  is structured to accept a round pan portion Bc 2  of the carriage bolt Bc. By example and without limitation, the far portion  386  of the screw pocket  368  is a “V” shape or a rectangle shape (shown) aligned with the shaped hole  338  (or  336 ) and sized to accept the round pan portion Bc 2  of the carriage bolt Bc. 
     FIG. 38  is a section view of the screw or carriage bolt pocket  368  taken from inside the two-piece body  102  of the novel docking station  100 . Here, the carriage bolt pocket  368  is illustrated by example and without limitation as having the far portion  386  of the screw pocket  368  being a semi-cylindrical shape aligned with the shaped hole  338  (or  336 ) and sized to accept the round pan portion Bc 2  of the carriage bolt Bc. 
     FIG. 39  illustrates the novel display unit support  142  of the novel docking station that is structured for supporting the computer&#39;s flat display unit  9 . The display unit support  142  includes an elongated rigid support arm  388  having a first pivot end portion  390  that is pivotally coupled to the docking station body  102 , the rigid support arm  388  being pivotal about a pivot axis  392  in a plane  394  that is substantially parallel and adjacent to the side faces  152 ,  154  of the body portions  102   a ,  102   b  and substantially perpendicular to the upper body portion&#39;s bearing surface  104 . By example and without limitation, the pivot end  390  of the support arm  388  is coupled in a pivotal relationship with the two-piece body  102  by a pivot mechanism  398 . For example, the pivot mechanism  398  operates about the pivot axis  392  between a hub portion  400  of the body  102  and an enlarged shoulder portion  402  at the pivot end  390  of the arm  388 . According to one optional embodiment of the display unit support  142 , the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  rotates about a pivot axle  404  (shown in one or more subsequent figures) that is aligned along the pivot axis  392  and extends between a hub portion  400  of the body  102  and the arm&#39;s shoulder portion  402 . Alternative embodiments of the pivot mechanism  398  may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The support arm  388  is constrained to operate about the pivot mechanism  398  with the shoulder portion  402  abutting the body&#39;s hub portion  400  by the pivot mechanism  398 . By example and without limitation, the axle  404  is optionally a screw or bolt passed through one of the edge mounting holes  148  of the type described herein and threaded into a nut  406  (shown in one or more subsequent figures) in one of the nut pockets  346  of the type described herein. Thereafter, a knob or handle  408  on the axle  404  is operated for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  vis-á-vis the hub portion  400  of the body  102  by turning relative to the nut  406  in the nut pocket  346  of the body  102 . Thus, the handle  408  on the head portion  410  of the axle  404  operates against an outside face  412  of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  to compress the shoulder portion  402  against the body&#39;s hub  400 . Accordingly, friction between the shoulder portion  402  and the hub  400  caused by tightening of the handle  408  on the head portion  410  of the axle  404  constrains the support arm  388  to remain in a selected rotational orientation with the upper body portion&#39;s bearing surface  104 . The display unit support  142  thus constrains the computer&#39;s flat display unit  9  in the selected rotational orientation. The rotational orientation of the support arm  388  of the display unit support  142  with the upper body portion&#39;s bearing surface  104  is thus infinitely adjustable by alternately loosening and tightening the handle  408 . 
   The novel display unit support  142  of the novel docking station also includes a novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  adjacent to a second extreme support end portion  416  of the rigid support arm  388  opposite from the first pivot end portion  390 . By example and without limitation, the display unit clamping mechanism  414  adjacent to the second support end portion  416  of the support arm  388  is structured as a spring-loaded vice for constraining the display unit  9  relative to the support end portion  416  of the support arm  388 . Accordingly, the display unit  9  is pinched between an integral substantially rigid anvil  418  and a separate and rotatable substantially rigid jaw  420 . By example and without limitation, the clamping mechanism  414  includes the substantially rigid anvil  418  being integral with the elongated support arm  388 . The supporting anvil  418  is extended laterally to a longitudinal axis  422  of the support arm  388  to an extent  423  that at least an end portion  424  of the anvil  418  distal from the support arm  388  is projected into space in a position opposite from a portion of the bearing surface  104  in the vicinity of either one of the pair of fixedly positioned engaging pins  114   a  and  114   b  (shown) and spaced away from the computer bearing surface  104  by several inches. The anvil  418  is formed with an arcuate support surface  426  that is curved in a convex shape covering an extended arc having a substantially smooth face aligned generally with the longitudinal axis  422  of the elongated support arm  388  and facing toward the front face  172  of the body  102   a  such that the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9  is supported in an upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2  by resting against the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418 , as illustrated herein. 
   The separate substantially rigid jaw  420  includes a first proximate barrel-shaped knuckle portion  428  that is projected inward of a substantially rigid finger  430 . The knuckle portion  428  of the jaw  420  is coupled to the anvil  418  adjacent to a heal portion  432  thereof proximate to the end portion  416  of the support arm  388 . The knuckle portion  428  spaces the rigid finger  430  away from the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  by a variable short distance  434  that is adjustably configured to permit the flat display unit  9  of the computer  1  to fit therebetween. The short distance  434  by which the finger  430  is spaced away from the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  is adjustable to accept therebetween different thicknesses t of flat display units  9  of different computers  1  (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). The short distance  434  is also variable as discussed herein to permit the flat display units  9  to rotate to different orientations with the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 , while remaining constrained against the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  by the jaw  420 . 
   Furthermore, an integral hard nub or button  436  (more clearly shown in one or more subsequent figures) is optionally projected slightly from an inward facing surface  438  of the rigid finger  430  adjacent to a second end  440  thereof distal from the first proximate knuckle portion  428  thereof. The jaw  420  is thus positioned in a pinching relationship to the anvil  418  such as to capture the display unit  9  between the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  and the nub  436  projected from the distal end  440  of the rigid finger  430 . Thus, the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9  is supported in an upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2  by the rigid jaw  420 , as illustrated herein. Accordingly, the display unit  9  of the computer  1  is constrained from falling backward away from the keyboard  7  by the anvil  418 , and is simultaneously constrained from falling forward toward the keyboard  7  by the jaw  420 . 
   The display unit clamping mechanism  414  also includes a variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism  442  (detailed in a subsequent figure) that resiliently biases the jaw  420  toward the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  in the pinching relationship described herein. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism  442  automatically varies the spacing distance  434  to accommodate the varying cross-sectional thickness of the display unit  9  of the computer  1  of the prior art as the display unit  9  is rotated relative to the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2  about its hinge axis h into different upright positions at the back of the keyboard  7 . 
     FIG. 40  illustrates the novel display unit support  142  of the novel docking station in a stored position having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  toward the bearing surface  104  of the upper body portion  102   a , and the anvil  418  is nested in the edge recess  139 . The edge recess  139  is sized such that the anvil  418  is nested below the bearing surface  104  so as not to interfere with seating of the computer  1 . The knob  408  may be tightened to secure the support arm  388  in the stored position. 
     FIG. 41  is a side view that illustrates the jaw  420  of the display unit support  142  of the novel docking station being rotated about a drive axis  444  of the biasing mechanism  442  into substantial alignment with the support arm  388  during storing of the display unit support  142 . When rotated into this rest position, the jaw  420  does not interfere with nesting of the anvil  418  in the edge recess  139 . 
     FIG. 42  illustrates the novel docking station  100  with the novel display unit support  142  in an active position having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in an open upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . Accordingly, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . Here, the jaw  420  is illustrated as being rotated about the drive axis  444  into substantial alignment with the support arm  388 . Accordingly, the jaw  420  does not interfere with closing the display unit  9  over the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . The knob  408  may be tightened to secure the support arm  388  in the active position. 
     FIG. 43  illustrates the novel docking station  100  with the novel display unit support  142  in an active position having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in an open upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . Here, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . Furthermore, the jaw  420  is illustrated as being rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9  in the upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . The display unit  9  is thus constrained in the upright position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . As illustrated, the button  436  at the second end  440  of the inward facing surface  438  of the rigid finger  430  presses against the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9 . 
   Furthermore, as illustrated here, the second end  440  of the rigid finger  430  extends sufficiently from the jaw  420  that the button  436  on the inward facing surface  438  thereof is extended over the hard shell lip portion  9   c  of the display unit  9  onto the display screen  9   d . The rigid finger  430  thus wraps around the hard shell lip portion  9   c  of the display unit  9 , and the button  436  thus falls below the lip portion  9   c  onto the display screen  9   d . Accordingly, the novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  is constrained from slipping laterally off of the lip portion  9   c  and inadvertently releasing the display unit  9 . 
     FIGS. 44 through 50  illustrate that the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  permits the backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9  to roll thereabout in smooth substantially constant contact during rotation relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . Simultaneously therewith the rigid jaw  420  constrains the display unit  9  to follow rotations of the support arm  388  about the pivot axis  392 . For example, the integral hard nub or button  436  on the tip  440  of the rigid finger  430  presses against the display screen  9   d  and forces the display screen surface  9   a  toward the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418 . 
     FIG. 44  also illustrates the novel docking station  100  with the novel display unit support  142  in the active position of  FIG. 43  having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in an open upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . Here, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 , while the jaw  420  is positioned supporting the display screen surface portion  9   a . The display unit  9  is thus constrained in the upright position between the jaw  420  and the anvil  418 . 
     FIG. 45  is a side view of the docking station  100  having the display unit support  142  in one active position, as illustrated in previous figures, having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in one open over-center position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . In this active over-center position, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . The jaw  420  is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9  in the upright over-center position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . The display unit  9  is thus constrained in the open over-center position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . 
     FIG. 46  is an opposite side view of the display unit support  142  in the active position of  FIG. 45  for constraining the display unit  9  in the open over-center position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . Here, the knob  408  is tightened to secure the support arm  388  in the active over-center position. 
     FIG. 47  is a side view of the docking station  100  having the display unit support  142  in another active position having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in a substantially vertical upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . In this active upright position, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . The jaw  420  is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9  in the upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . The display unit  9  is thus constrained in the upright position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . 
     FIG. 48  is an opposite side view of the display unit support  142  in the active position of  FIG. 47  for constraining the display unit  9  in the substantially vertical upright position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . Here, the knob  408  is tightened to secure the support arm  388  in the upright position. 
     FIG. 49  is a side view of the docking station  100  having the display unit support  142  in another active position having the support arm  388  rotated about the pivot axis  392  with the display unit clamping mechanism  414  supporting the display unit  9  in another open position having the display unit  9  in an extreme over-center upright position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . In this active extreme over-center position, the anvil  418  is positioned supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . The jaw  420  is rotated into its active position supporting the display screen surface portion  9   a  of the display unit  9  in the extreme over-center open position relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . The display unit  9  is thus constrained in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . 
     FIG. 50  is an opposite side view of the display unit support  142  in the active position of  FIG. 49  for constraining the display unit  9  in the extreme over-center open position by the pincer action of the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418 . Here, the knob  408  is tightened to secure the support arm  388  in the extreme over-center position. 
     FIG. 51  illustrates by example and without limitation the pivot mechanism  398  that constrains the support arm  388  to operate about the pivot axis  392  with the shoulder portion  402  abutting the body&#39;s hub portion  400 . By example and without limitation, when the pivot axle  404  is a screw or bolt such as a shoulder bolt, it includes a first threaded end  450  that is sized to pass through one of the body&#39;s edge mounting holes  148  of the type described herein. The threaded end  450  of the screw or bolt type pivot axle  404  is threaded into the nut  406  installed in one of the nut pockets  346  of the type described herein, wherein the nut  406  is optionally a lock nut of the hex variety. Additionally, a shaft portion  452  of the screw or bolt type pivot axle  404  passes through a complementary rotational clearance bore  454  which is formed through the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  and which is sized to rotate smoothly about the pivot axle shaft portion  452 . The head portion  410  of the screw or bolt type pivot axle  404  distal from the body  102  is by example and without limitation constrained in a recessed nut pocket  456  formed in the knob or handle  408 . The knob  408  constrains the head portion  410  of the pivot axle  404  for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  vis-á-vis the hub portion  400  of the body  102  by turning relative to the nut  406  in the nut pocket  346  of the body  102 . Thus, the handle  408  on the head portion  410  of the pivot axle  404  operates against the outside face  412  of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  to compress an inside face  458  the shoulder portion  402  against an outside face  460  of the hub  400 . Accordingly, friction between the inside face  458  the shoulder portion  402  against an outside face  460  of the hub  400  constrains the support arm  388  to remain in a selected rotational orientation with the upper body portion&#39;s bearing surface  104 , whereby the display unit support  142  constrains the computer&#39;s flat display unit  9  in the selected rotational orientation. The rotational orientation of the support arm  388  of the display unit support  142  is thus infinitely adjustable relative to the upper body portion&#39;s bearing surface  104 . 
   Alternative embodiments of the pivot mechanism  398  may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 52  illustrates by example and without limitation one alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism  398  wherein the head portion  410  of the screw or bolt type pivot axle  404  is constrained in the one of the body&#39;s nut pockets  346 . The shaft portion  452  of the pivot axle  404  passes through the body&#39;s edge mounting holes  148  and extends through the complementary rotational clearance bore  454  which is formed through the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388 . The threaded end  450  of the pivot axle  404  is threaded into a complementary threaded bore  462  in the knob  408 , which is operable for tightening and loosening of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  vis-á-vis the hub portion  400  of the body  102  by turning relative to the pivot axle  404 . 
     FIG. 53  illustrates by example and without limitation another alternative configuration of the pivot mechanism  398 . For example, an optional resilient biasing mechanism  470  may be provided for biasing the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  toward the face  460  on the hub portion  400  of the body  102 . By example and without limitation, the optional resilient biasing mechanism  470  may be formed of a conventional compression spring  472  installed inside an enlarged counter-bore  474  formed in the shoulder portion  402  through an opening  476  in the outside face  412  of the shoulder portion  402 . The spring portion  418  of the biasing mechanism  470  is constrained between a floor portion  478  of the counter-bore  420  and the head portion  410  of the screw or bolt type pivot axle  404 . Optionally, a washer  480  may be inserted between the bolt head  410  and the compression spring  472 . The spring portion  418  of the biasing mechanism  470  thus operates against the floor portion  478  of the counter-bore  474  to compress the inside face  458  of the shoulder portion  402  of the support arm  388  against the outside face  460  of the body&#39;s hub portion  400 . 
   Alternative embodiments of the resilient biasing mechanism  470  may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Additionally, a ratcheting mechanism  482  is optionally provided for securing the support arm  388  in rotational relationship with the bearing surface  104  of the body portion  102   a . By example and without limitation, a first quantity of one or more teeth  484  are provided on the outside face  460  of the hub  400  portion of the body  102  in a variable intermeshing relationship with a quantity of one or more notches  486  formed on the inside face  458  the arm&#39;s shoulder portion  402 . The intermeshing teeth  428  and notches  430  permit the arm to be secured in a desired rotational relationship with the body  102  for supporting the computer&#39;s display unit  9  in a desired discrete orientation relative to the docking station&#39;s computer bearing surface  104 . 
     FIG. 54  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  of the display unit support  142  of the novel docking station in an active configuration clamping the display unit  9  in an open position relative to the computer casing  2 . The novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  is positioned adjacent to a second extreme support end portion  416  of the rigid support arm  388  opposite from the first pivot end portion  390 . By example and without limitation, the display unit clamping mechanism  414  adjacent to the second support end portion  416  of the support arm  388  is a hand for constraining the display unit  9  relative to the support end portion  416  of the support arm  388 . As discussed herein, by example and without limitation, the clamping mechanism  414  includes the substantially rigid anvil  418  that is integral with the elongated support arm  388 . The anvil  418  is extended laterally to a longitudinal axis  422  of the support arm  388  with its end portion  424  being projected into space in a position above the bearing surface  104 . The arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  is curved in the convex shape that covers an extended arc having a center of rotation  488  (best shown in one or more previous figures). The center of rotation  488  is oriented generally parallel with pivot axis  392  of the support arm  388 , substantially lateral of the longitudinal axis  422 , and substantially crosswise of the drive axis  444  of the biasing mechanism  442 . The smooth arcuate support surface  426  is directed generally toward the front face  172  of the body  102   a  for supporting the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9 . 
   The first proximate knuckle portion  428  of the separate jaw  420  is movably coupled to the anvil  418  adjacent to the heal portion  432  thereof. The finger portion  430  of the jaw  420  is thus spaced away from the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  by the variable short distance  434  that is adjustably configured to permit the flat display unit  9  of the computer  1  to fit therebetween. The short distance  434  by which the finger portion  430  of the jaw  420  is spaced away from the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  is adjustable to accept different thicknesses of flat display units  9  of different computers  1  therebetween. Furthermore, the integral hard nub or button  436  is optionally projected slightly from the inside surface  438  of the rigid finger  430  adjacent to its distal tip  440 . The jaw  420  is thus positioned in a pinching relationship to the anvil  418  such as to capture the display unit  9  between the arcuate support surface  426  and the projected nub  436  on the tip  440  of the rigid finger  430 . Thus, the display unit  9  is compressed against the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  by the hard nub  436  on the tip  440  of the rigid finger  430 , as illustrated herein. 
   The display unit clamping mechanism  414  also includes the variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism  442  that resiliently biases the jaw  420  toward the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  to form the pinching relationship described herein. By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism  442  automatically varies the spacing distance  434  to accommodate a varying cross-sectional thickness of the display unit  9  as it is rotated about its hinge axis h relative to the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2  into different upright positions at the back of the keyboard  7 . 
   By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism  442  is constructed along the longitudinal drive axis  444  that is oriented generally crosswise of both the longitudinal axis  422  of the support arm  388  and the center of rotation  488  of the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418 . By example and without limitation, the biasing mechanism  442  includes a compression spring  490  recessed inside a tubular spring cavity  492  that is counter-bored in a barrel-shaped spring casing  494  of the heal portion  432  at the support end portion  416  of the rigid support arm  388 . The tubular spring cavity  492  is substantially aligned along the longitudinal drive axis  444  of the biasing mechanism  442 . The tubular spring cavity  492  has a full size input opening  496  at it outer end, and terminates in a floor portion  498  at its inner end. A smaller guide pin portion  500  of the heal portion  432  extends from the barrel-shaped cavity  494  along the longitudinal drive axis  444 . The guide pin portion  500  of the heal portion  432  is formed therethrough with a tubular clearance bore  502  that communicates between the floor  498  of the tubular spring cavity  492  and an opening  504  at the clearance bore&#39;s outer tip  506 . The tubular clearance bore  502  through the guide pin portion  500  is sized to complement a pivot axle  508  such as a screw or bolt. 
   The barrel-shaped knuckle portion  428  of the separate jaw  420  is projected inward of the inward facing surface  438  of the rigid finger  430  along the longitudinal drive axis  444  of the biasing mechanism  442 . The barrel-shaped knuckle portion  428  is formed with a complementary tubular counter-bore  510  that is sized to slidingly receive the guide pin portion  500  of the support arm&#39;s heal portion  432  through an opening  512  in the end of the knuckle portion  428  distal from the rigid finger  430 . The pivot axle  508  is projected substantially central of the tubular counter-bore  510  from a floor  514  thereof and along the longitudinal drive axis  444  of the biasing mechanism  442 . By example and without limitation, an aperture or passage  516  is formed in the floor  514  of the tubular counter-bore  510  and communicates with an outward facing surface  518  of the rigid finger  430  opposite from the inward facing surface  438 . When the pivot axle  508  is provided as a screw or bolt, the passage  516  is sized to receive a shaft portion  520  of the screw-type pivot axle  508 , while the aperture  516  is sized to constrain a head portion  522  from passing. 
   When the tubular counter-bore  510  in the knuckle portion  428  of the jaw  420  is slidingly fit over the guide pin portion  500  projected from the support arm&#39;s heal portion  432 , the passage  516  in the floor of the tubular counter-bore  510  is substantially aligned with the tubular clearance bore  502  in the guide pin  500 . The shaft  520  of the pivot axle  508  is slidingly received through the passage  516 , along the tubular clearance bore  502  in the guide pin portion  500  of the spring casing  494 , and into the tubular spring cavity  492 . The compression spring  490  is received over the pivot axle&#39;s shaft  520  and compressed in the tubular spring cavity  492  between the floor portion  498  at its inner end and a second end  524  of the pivot axle  508  opposite from its head  522 . For example, a nut  526  and optional washer  528  are installed onto the threaded end of the pivot axle shaft  520 . 
   Additionally, means are provided for securing the jaw  420  relative to the anvil  418  with the finger portion  430  positioned over the display screen surface  9   a  of the display unit  9  opposite from the arcuate support surface  426 . By example and without limitation, a detent mechanism  530  is provided between the guide pin portion  500  of the anvil  418  and the knuckle portion  428  of the jaw  420 . The detent mechanism  530  may be formed by example and without limitation by one or more teeth  532  sized to slide into one or more slots  534  formed between the guide pin  500  and the knuckle portion  428  of the jaw  420 . 
   As described, the variable pressure resilient biasing mechanism  442  of the display unit clamping mechanism  414  resiliently biases the jaw  420  toward the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  in the pinching relationship described herein. As will be generally well-understood, the cross-sectional thickness t of the display unit  9  increases and decreases as it is rotated into different orientations relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 , the cross-sectional thickness t varying between a minimum when the display unit  9  is in the substantially vertical upright position illustrated in  FIG. 47 , and a maximum when the display unit  9  is in the extreme over-center position illustrated in  FIG. 49 . 
   Accordingly, the biasing mechanism  442  floats the rigid finger  430  along the longitudinal drive axis  444  over the barrel-shaped portion  494  of the anvil  418 . The biasing mechanism  442  thus permits the clamping mechanism  414  to accommodate the varying cross-sectional thickness t of the display unit  9  as it is rotated into different orientations relative to the keyboard  7  on the top face  2   b  of the computer casing  2 . As the display unit  9  rotates from the substantially vertical upright position illustrated in  FIG. 47 , the cross-sectional thickness t increases, and the display unit  9  exerts pressure on the biasing mechanism  442 , which spreads the jaw portion  420  of the clamping mechanism  414  resiliently away from the anvil portion  418 . However, the spring  490  exerts an opposite compression pressure that squeezes the rigid finger  430  of the jaw  420  against the display screen surface  9   a  so that the display unit  9  is pressed against the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418 . Similarly, when the display unit  9  is rotated from any non-vertical position, such as the extreme over-center position illustrated in  FIG. 49 , the spring  490  continues to exert the compression pressure that squeezes the rigid finger  430  of the jaw  420  against the display screen surface  9   a  so that the display unit  9  is pressed against the arcuate support surface  426  of the anvil  418  even while the cross-sectional thickness t decreases. 
   Furthermore, as illustrated here, the second end  440  of the rigid finger  430  extends sufficiently from the jaw  420  that the button  436  on the inward facing surface  438  thereof is extended over the hard shell lip portion  9   c  of the display unit  9  onto the display screen  9   d . As discussed elsewhere herein, the rigid finger  430  thus wraps around the hard shell lip portion  9   c  of the display unit  9 . The biasing mechanism  442  operating along the longitudinal drive axis  444  forces the button  436  below the lip portion  9   c  and against the display screen  9   d . Accordingly, the biasing mechanism  442  operates the button  436  to constrain the novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  from slipping laterally off of the lip portion  9   c  and inadvertently releasing the display unit  9 . 
     FIG. 55  illustrates by example and without limitation the novel display unit clamping mechanism  414  of the display unit support  142  in a passive configuration wherein the hard shell backing portion  9   b  of the display unit  9  is supported by the anvil  418  portion of the support arm  388  with the opposing jaw portion  420  in an open position relative to the display screen surface  9   a . Accordingly, the jaw  420  including the finger portion  430  is rotated away from the active position over the display screen surface  9   a . For example, the knuckle  428  is pulled away from the anvil  418  along the longitudinal drive axis  444  until the detent  530  disengages, i.e., until the teeth  532  slide free of the slots  534 . The jaw portion  420  is rotated until the finger  430  clears the display unit  9 . With the finger  430  in this passive configuration, the jaw  420  is freed and the compression spring  490  draws the knuckle  428  toward the anvil  418  along the longitudinal drive axis  444 . The teeth  532  and slots  534  may be additionally configured to form the detent  530  between the between the guide pin portion  500  and the knuckle portion  428  for securing the jaw  420  in the passive configuration vis-á-vis the anvil  418 . 
   Alternative embodiments of the display unit clamping mechanism  414  and biasing mechanism  442  may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Additional Novel Features 
     FIG. 56  illustrates the docking station  100  having the two-piece body  102  split along the line  103  of mutual contact into the upper body portion  102   a  and lower body portion  102   b . The docking station  100  includes one or more circuit cards  600  substantially enclosed within the body  102  between the upper and lower body portions  102   a  and  102   b . A wiring harness  602  electrically couples the circuit card or cards  600  to the electrical expansion connector  108  on the connector presentation surface  106  for connection to the computer&#39;s I/O connector  4 . Another wiring harness  604  electrically couples the circuit card or cards  600  to others of the plurality of peripheral device connectors  136   a - 136   n  on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b . For example, the wiring harness  604  may electrically couple the electrical expansion connector  108  through the circuit card or cards  600  to one or more of the external USB connections  136   d  on the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138 . Another wiring harness  606  may electrically couple the electrical expansion connector  108  substantially directly to any of the video display output  13   a , mouse connection  136   b , keyboard connection  136   c , external USB connection  136   d , external power supply connection  136   e , audio output  136   f , microphone input  136   g , modem  136   h , serial connections  136   j  and  136   k , or parallel connection  136   m . By example and without limitation, one or more of the wiring harnesses  602 , 604  and  606  are provided as conventional flat electrical cables formed of thin, flexible wire that permit easy routing within the confines of the body  102 . 
   The wiring harness  606  may also, for example, a cable portion that couples the electrical expansion connector  108  substantially directly to a conventional socket connector  608  structured for connection of a conventional Ethernet cable. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,332, “Adaptable Communications Connectors” issued to Glad on Jun. 30, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference, the most popular Ethernet cable connector  608  is known in the art as the RJ-xx series of connectors. Of the RJ-xx series of socket connectors, the RJ-11, RJ-12, and RJ-45 socket connectors are widely used. The standard female RJ-45 socket connector is an eight conductor receptacle which connects directly to a conventional telephone communications line and provides the interfacing functions needed to directly attach to the telephone communications line for data transmission. Furthermore, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,724, “Combined Connector For Ethernet And Modem Cables” issued to Leung on Mar. 27, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference, a conventional male RJ-11 telephone communications line socket connector can be fit in the recess of the standard female RJ-45 socket connector  608 , and establish up to six electrical pathways. It is therefore possible to use the standard female RJ-45 socket connector  608  for alternatively connecting both telephone and data signal devices which provides a dual functionality of accessing both telephone and data signals. Alternatively, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,332, which is incorporated herein by reference, the standard female RJ-45 electrical socket connector is optionally provided as a standard PCMCIA-type connector. 
     FIG. 57  illustrates one example of the circuit board  600  that may be used in the docking station  100 . Here, the circuit board  600  is illustrated as being electrically coupled through the wiring harness  602  to the electrical expansion connector  108 . The wiring harness  604  is illustrated by example and without limitation as electrically coupling the circuit card or cards  600  a plurality of the external USB connections  136   d . Electrical traces  610  on the circuit card  600  electrically couple the electrical expansion connector  108  substantially directly to one or more of the plurality of the external USB connections  136   d . Additional electrical traces  612  electrically couple the electrical expansion connector  108  substantially directly to one or more additional USB electrical socket connections  614  located internally of the docking station&#39;s body  102 . By example and without limitation, the additional internal USB electrical socket connections  614  are optionally any conventional USB socket connection generally of the type described herein for the external USB socket connection  136   d , including but not limited to the USB socket connections disclosed in any of U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,156; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,281; U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,395; U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,733; U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,375; U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,984; U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,168; U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,287; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,646, or another suitable USB socket connector may optionally be substituted for the additional internal USB electrical socket connections  614  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By example and without limitation, the additional internal USB electrical socket connections  614  are mounted on the circuit card  600 . However, other mounting locations for the internal USB electrical socket connections  614  internal of the docking station&#39;s body  102  are also contemplated and may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 58  schematically illustrates the internal circuit board  600  being electrically coupled through the wiring harness  602  to the electrical expansion connector  108 . This electrical schematic also illustrates the circuit card or cards  600  being electrically coupled to a plurality of the external USB connections  136   d  by the wiring harness  604 . This electrical schematic also illustrates the wiring harness  606  for electrically coupling the electrical expansion connector  108  substantially directly to any of the video display output  13   a , mouse connection  136   b , keyboard connection  136   c , external USB socket connection  136   d , external power supply connection  136   e , audio output  136   f , microphone input  136   g , modem  136   h , serial connections  136   j  and  136   k , or parallel connection  136   m . By example and without limitation, the wiring harness  606  includes a telephone communications line for connecting both telephone and data signal devices to the standard female RJ-45 socket connector  608  for accessing both telephone and data signals, whereby the docking station  100  is Ethernet enabled by connection to a local area network (LAN) adapter. Provision of the standard female RJ-45 socket connector  608  also permits connection to other communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, or modem. 
   An internal power supply  616  is provided for adapting a 12V, 24V or other power source to the voltage appropriate to most laptop or notebook-type portable computers  1 . The internal power supply  616  is electrically coupled to a female receptacle  618  of a type structured for receiving a standard male plug  620  of a power cord  622 . The power supply  616  provides power to the electrical expansion connector  108  and to a other internal components of the docking station  100  by means of a power strip  624 , for example, located on the circuit card  600 . Therefore, the power source  622  is coupled through the mated coupler pair  618  and  620  to main power supply unit  616  to provide power for the computer  1  while the remote device receives power through the power strip  624  from main power supply unit  616  or another remote power supply unit coupled to a second power source. The docking station  100  optionally contains two types of logic: logic which can be powered down and logic which must be continually powered. Both types of logic are coupled to the main power supply unit  616  so that they draw power from the power source  622  when it is connected. 
   The circuit card  600  may optionally also include a USB “hub”  626  that provides attachment points for other USB devices, such as USB-compliant peripherals (commonly called “functions”) or additional hubs. Such USB hubs are disclosed, by example and without limitation, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,196, “Method And Apparatus Of Providing Power Management Using A Self-Powered Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device” issued to Flannery on Aug. 25, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses that a consortium of computer vendors provided a new type of bus structure to replace the serial peripheral bus. The Universal Serial Bus (USB) open-architecture standard specifies the USB “hub” devices that provide attachment points for other USB devices, such as USB-compliant peripherals (called “functions”) or additional hubs. Self-powered hubs and functions contain independent power supplies to power themselves, and self-powered hubs can also power any other devices attached to them. A “root” hub embedded in the computer routes data between the USB peripherals and the appropriate processing logic in the computer. The standard also defines USB software that works with current power management software to enable the suspending and resuming of devices attached to the Universal Serial Bus in response to the state of the computer. The combination of the computer, the standard operating system, the root hub, and the USB software is called a USB “host.” 
   Here, the USB hub device  626  is a remote device located external to the computer  1  but able to be coupled thereto through the wiring cable  602  and the electrical expansion connector  108 . As disclosed, by example and without limitation, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,434, “Disk Assembly Incorporating Therein USB Connector And Computer Case Having Therein Same” issued to Tsai on Oct. 15, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference, USB hub device  626  can be operated only when it is energized by an external power source. U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,434 also teaches that the power supply in a computer case has limited power-supplying wires so that if the USB hub is to be additionally power-supplied, the system might be power-limited if the user adds additional peripheral devices or functions, such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive and/or a CD-Recorder. Therefore, the USB hub  626  is coupled to receive power through the power strip  624  from main power supply unit  616  or another remote power supply unit coupled to a second power source. Accordingly, external and internal peripheral devices coupled to the one or more external USB connections  136   d  and the one or more additional internal USB connections  614 , respectively, are coupled to the main power supply unit  616  so that they draw power from the power source  622  when it is connected. 
   The USB hub  626  optionally includes the one or more external USB connections  136   d  as a USB port  628  placed at the outer periphery of the body  102 , by example and without limitation, in an interface panel exposed from the back of the peripheral device connector presentation surface  138  of the lower body portion  102   b  in easy reach of the computer user. Furthermore, an electrical connector  630  for the USB port  628  is also typically provided at the outer periphery of the body  102  and a peripheral device can connect through the docking station  100  to personal computer  1  by connecting a suitable connector with the connector  630 . Here, a peripheral component  631  is illustrated being external to the docking station&#39;s body  102  and connected to the USB hub  626  through one of the one or more external USB connections  136   d  by connection into the electrical connector  630  of a standard USB cable  660  generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238, “Folding USB Flash Memory Device For Providing Memory Storage Capacity” issued to Hong on Oct. 17, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   The USB hub  626  optionally includes the one or more additional internal USB connections  614  as one or more USB ports  628  mounted on the circuit card  600 , each having a suitable electrical connector  630 . 
   USB hub device  626  includes a USB hub control circuit or “controller”  632  for controlling and managing USB transmissions. The USB hub control circuit  632  determines the intended destination of a USB signal received through the electrical expansion connector  108  an sends the signal to the intended downstream circuit. Any USB function, such as a keyboard or mouse, which is also coupled to the USB through the remote hub  626 , provides input data to the computer  1 . The USB hub control circuit  632  intercepts such input data signals and determines their intended destination. The USB hub control circuit  632  receives such input USB data signals received through the one or more external USB connections  136   d  and/or the one or more additional internal USB connections  614  and directs them to the computer  1  through electrical expansion connector  108  if so intended. 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  is Bluetooth enabled. Bluetooth wireless technology is now a well-known short-range communications technology intended to replace the cables connecting portable and/or fixed devices while maintaining high levels of security. The key features of Bluetooth technology are robustness, low power, and low cost. A Bluetooth specification adopted by industry defines a uniform structure for a wide range of devices to connect and communicate with each other. To date Bluetooth technology has achieved global acceptance such that any Bluetooth enabled device, almost everywhere in the world, can connect to other Bluetooth enabled devices in proximity. Bluetooth enabled electronic devices connect and communicate wirelessly through short-range, ad hoc networks known as piconets. Each device can simultaneously communicate with up to seven other devices within a single piconet. Each device can also belong to several piconets simultaneously. Piconets are established dynamically and automatically as Bluetooth enabled devices enter and leave radio proximity. Bluetooth wireless technology is the simple choice for convenient, wire-free, short-range communication between devices. It is a globally available standard that wirelessly connects mobile phones, portable computers, cars, stereo headsets, MP3 players, and more. 
   A fundamental Bluetooth wireless technology strength is the ability to simultaneously handle both data and voice transmissions. This enables users to enjoy variety of innovative solutions such as a hands-free headset for voice calls, printing and fax capabilities, and synchronizing PDA, laptop, and mobile phone applications to name a few. 
   Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications system intended to replace the cables connecting portable and/or fixed electronic devices. The key features of Bluetooth wireless technology are robustness, low power, and low cost. Many features of the core specification are optional, allowing product differentiation. The Bluetooth core system consists of an RF transceiver, baseband, and protocol stack. Bluetooth technology operates in the unlicensed industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band at 2.4 to 2.485 GHz, using a spread spectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex signal at a nominal rate of 1600 hops/sec. During typical operation, a physical radio channel is shared by a group of devices that are synchronized to a common clock and frequency hopping pattern. One device provides the synchronization reference and is known as the master. All other devices are known as slaves. A group of devices synchronized in this fashion form a piconet. This is the fundamental form of communication for Bluetooth wireless technology. 
   The Bluetooth RF system employs a frequency hop transceiver to combat interference and fading, and provides many FHSS carriers. RF operation uses a shaped, binary frequency modulation to minimize transceiver complexity. Bluetooth technology includes an adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) capability designed to reduce interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum. AFH works within the spectrum to take advantage of the available frequency. This is done by detecting other devices in the spectrum and avoiding the frequencies they are using. This adaptive hopping allows for more efficient transmission within the spectrum, providing users with greater performance even if using other technologies along with Bluetooth technology. The signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHz intervals to give a high degree of interference immunity. 
   As disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,549, “Hub Having A Bluetooth System” issued to Chiao on Nov. 18, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, a Bluetooth system module has a wireless signal transmission capability that is capable of performing a signal communication with any electronic device having a Bluetooth system module within a predetermined range, thereby reducing the number of cables disposed on a desk. By utilizing the Bluetooth system module, it is possible of overcoming drawback of prior art cable connected systems such as many cables of peripherals coupled to the computer and randomly disposed on a desk. 
   Here, as illustrated in  FIG. 57 , the docking station  100  includes a Bluetooth wireless technology short-range communications system module  634  disposed, by example and without limitation, on the circuit card  600 . By example and without limitation, the Bluetooth system module  634  includes a wireless signal transceiver  636  coupled to an antenna  638  and a CODEC (coder/decoder)  640 . 
   By example and without limitation, the Bluetooth system module  634  is provided on another circuit board  642  which has a connection section  644  which is coupled to the circuit card  600  through another connection section  646 . When the Bluetooth system module  634  is malfunctioned, a user can remove the malfunctioned Bluetooth system module  634  prior to mounting a new Bluetooth system  634  on the circuit board  600 . Hence, a maintenance is made easy and convenient. 
   The Bluetooth system module  634  is connectable through the circuit board  600  and the wiring harness  602  to the electrical expansion connector  108 , which is in turn connectable to the I/O connector or port  4  of the portable computer  1 . The Bluetooth system module  634  is capable of performing a wireless signal communication with at least one peripheral electronic device  648  having a Bluetooth system module  650  and positioned within a predetermined range. As a result, wireless and cable based mini networks are formed within a predetermined range by the Bluetooth system module  634  at the same time. Further, the portable computer  1  is connectable to the peripheral electronic device  648  due to the provision of the Bluetooth system module  634  on the circuit card  600 . This can reduce the number of cables required to communicate with multiple peripheral devices  648 . 
   As disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,549, which is incorporated herein by reference, a number of well known processing steps are performed regarding a USB signal received at the Bluetooth system module  634  by a Bluetooth system control circuit  652 . Thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. 
   The process of sending data from the computer  1  to the peripheral electronic device  648  by the Bluetooth system module  634  in between includes sending the received USB signal sent by the from the computer  1  to the USB hub device  626 ; and determining by the USB hub control circuit  632  whether the USB signal is intended for sending to the peripheral electronic device  648 . If yes, sending the received USB signal to the hub control circuit  652  of the Bluetooth system module  634 ; in the hub control circuit  652  determining whether the received USB signal is intended for sending to the peripheral Bluetooth system module  650  matched with the Bluetooth system module  634 , passing the USB signal to the CODEC  640  which converts the USB signal into a Bluetooth system signal, and the Bluetooth signal is transmitted from the wireless signal transceiver  636  prior to ending the process. Otherwise, the USB signal is treated by the USB hub control circuit  632  in accordance with a normal procedure regarding the USB signal. 
   The process of sending data from the peripheral electronic device  648  to the docked computer  1  includes the wireless signal transceiver  636  of the Bluetooth system module  634  receiving the Bluetooth system signal from the Bluetooth system module  650  of the peripheral electronic device  648 ; the CODEC  640  converting the Bluetooth system signal into a USB signal; processing the USB signal in the hub control circuit  652 ; and sending the processed USB signal to the USB hub device  626  where the USB hub control circuit  632  processes the received USB signal in accordance with a normal procedure regarding received USB signals and sends the USB signal to an appropriate destination, for example the docked computer  1 , for further processing. 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  includes an internal hard drive  654  electrically coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . While adding memory in a desktop computer is relatively inexpensive, adding memory in the portable computer  1  is currently very expensive. Many different kinds of memories are available. In particular, a portable external hard drive is available to the market to work with the hard drive built in the computer  1 , which dramatically increases the memory storage space available to the user. As disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,639,791, “Portable External Hard Drive” issued to Su on Oct. 28, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, a conventional portable external hard drive has a memory with large storage space in a casing with a USB (universal series bus) transmission interface and a USB connector extended out from one end of the casing. With such an arrangement, the user is able to read and write information to and from a connected computer by means of the USB transmission interface. A cap is provided to connect to the casing to cover the extended USB connector for safely transporting the hard drive. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,639,791 discloses a portable external hard drive having a memory module that is detachably connected to a circuit board contained within the body of the hard drive so that the user is able to replace the memory module when necessary. The USB connector permits the internal hard drive  654  to be coupled through one of the internal USB connections  614  to the USB hub device  626  where the USB hub control circuit  632  can process the USB signal in accordance with a normal procedure. The internal hard drive device  654  is thereby effectively coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . 
   Alternatively, the internal hard drive  654  is a high speed compact disk read only memory (ROM) drive. By example and without limitation, the internal hard drive  654  is optionally generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,461, “High Speed Optical Disk Drive Caching Executable And Non-Executable Data” issued to Stephens on Jul. 28, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a high speed compact disk read only memory drive in which a local storage device containing an optical disk drive, a fast local storage device and RAM are all coupled to controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is coupled to interface circuitry which may be coupled to the bus of an ordinary computer system, such as docked portable computer  1 . The data storage device behaves and responds similar to an ordinary CD-ROM, DVD or hard disk drive to the coupled computer system  1 . The RAM of the data storage device is configured to store directory information and the local storage device is configured to store executable files from the optical disk drive and cache non-executable data. Non-executable data is replaced in the local storage device in accordance with a least recently used algorithm. Information requests from the coupled computer system  1  are read directly from the RAM or the local storage device as requested. 
   Many types of computer memory are generally available. Conventional data storage devices generally fall into two categories. The first category is electronic, solid-state memory devices such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). These memory devices are generally fixed within a computer. They are not intended to be removable or portable so that they may be used on different computers to permit the transfer of data from one computer to another computer. 
   The second category is surface-based data storage devices in which data is stored, typically, on the surface of a disk or tape. Examples of surface storage devices are magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB disks coupled externally to the computer through a mechanical drive mechanism to be installed in, or coupled to, the computer. Accordingly, the magnetic disks or CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs are removable and portable. 
   The USB disk includes a flash memory device therein to store real-time data, voice, and audio and video data. An example of the USB disk is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,354, “Architecture For A Universal Serial Bus-Based PC Flash Disk” issued to Ban, et al. on Nov. 14, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference, which shows a computer host system having a USB flash memory device. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,354, a memory storage unit made of flash array and a USB controller, is implemented to be compatible with then USB specification. The memory storage unit includes flash memory modules which can accept write commands and read commands and are erasable and non-volatile. The USB/flash controller is configured to provide USB functionality and compatibility alone with common flash operations such as programming reading and erasing the device components. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a flash memory system having a host platform for operating a non-volatile USB flash memory storage device. The host platform is connected to a USB flash memory device through a USB cable and is connected to the USB cable through a USB host connector. The USB flash memory device is connected to the USB cable through a USB flash device connector. The host platform includes a USB host controller for controlling and managing USB transmission on a USB bus. The USB flash memory device includes a USB flash memory device controller for controlling the USB flash memory device and for managing the interface with the USB flash memory device and USB bus, the USB flash memory device connector, and at least one flash memory module. The flash memory module includes a flash memory module array in which data is stored. When the USB flash memory device is coupled to the host platform, a standard USB process is established. During the USB process, the host platform configures the arrangement of the USB flash memory device and the data transfer mode with the USB flash memory device. During the course of the configuration, the host platform determines the overall storage capacity of the USB flash memory device and determines the remaining, unused, capacity. In this manner, information related to the storage capacity of the USB flash memory device is determined by directly connecting the USB flash memory device to the USB host connector of the host platform. 
   As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,984, “Slim USB Connector With Spring-Engaging Depressions, Stabilizing Dividers And Wider End Rails For Flash-Memory Drive” issued to Lee, et al. on Feb. 15, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses enable small, portable flash memory cards with vast capacities as electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) chips storing 128 M-Bytes or more that have been designed that have a connector that can plug into a specialized reader, such as for compact-flash, secure-digital, memory stick, or other standardized formats. More recently, flash memory cards contain a USB connector so as to not require a specialized reader but capable of be plugged into a USB connector on a personal computer (PC). These USB-flash memory cards can be used in place of floppy disks and can have a capacity of more than ten floppy disks in an area not much larger than a large postage stamp. Known flash-memory cards include memory chip that may be a 128 Mega-byte non-volatile chip or may have some other capacity, a flash-memory controller chip generates signals to access memory locations within flash memory chip and also contains a USB interface controller that serially transfers data to and from flash memory chip over a USB connection. A USB connector may be mounted on a small circuit board with the flash memory chip and controller chip mounted thereon, and a plastic case can surround the small circuit board. The USB connector contains a small connector substrate having four or more metal contacts that carry the USB signals generated or received by controller chip, the USB signals include power, ground, and serial differential data D+, D−. The USB connector contains a metal case that wraps around connector substrate. The USB connector of a USB disk flash memory device is a male connector, such as a type-A USB connector, and is structured to mate with a female USB connector, which can be an integral part of a PC, or can be connected by standard USB cable  660  generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   Here, one or more USB disk flash memory device  656  is optionally mounted internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100 . By example and without limitation the USB disk flash memory device  656  is optionally a USB flash memory device generally of the type disclosed in any of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,354; U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238; U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,984, which are incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable USB flash memory device. For example, the USB disk flash memory device  656  is optionally mounted on the circuit card  600  and coupled through a plug connector  657  into one of the internal USB socket connections  614  to the USB hub device  626  where the USB hub control circuit  632  can process the USB signal in accordance with a normal procedure. Optionally, the USB disk flash memory device  656  is mounted internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100  remotely from the circuit card  600  and coupled to one of the internal USB connections  614  through a standard USB cable  660 , as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238, which is incorporated herein by reference. The USB disk flash memory device  656  is thereby effectively coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  includes one or more additional internal memory storage devices mounted internally of the body  102  in addition to or in place of the USB disk flash memory device  656 . By example and without limitation, the docking station  100  includes one or more internal optical disc drive memory storage devices  658  coupled through electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . By example and without limitation, the internal optical disc drive  658  is a compact disc (CD) ROM drive generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,338, “Compact Disc Drive” issued to Leung on Dec. 16, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable compact disc drive. By example and without limitation, when the internal optical disc drive  658  is a CD-ROM optical disc drive, the optical disc drive  658  is formed of a casing having a front slot, a tray for supporting a compact disc, the tray being slidable in and out through the slot, and an internal playing mechanism for reading data recorded on a compact disc supported by the tray. The internal compact optical disc drive  658  may use a spring to resiliently urge the tray out, and a spring-loaded latch may be provided for holding the tray closed against the action of the spring, automatically, when the tray is pushed closed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,338. Other compact disc drive mechanisms are also known and may be substituted as the internal compact disc drive  658  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   An internal (digital versatile disk) DVD-ROM drive device may be included internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100  in addition to or in place of the CD-ROM drive for the internal optical disc drive  658  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By example and without limitation, when internal optical disc drive  658  is a DVD-ROM drive, the internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,253, “Disk DVD-ROM Drive Unit With A Playback Speed Control And Disk Drive Method” issued to Hosono on Oct. 31, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable compact DVD-ROM disk drive. By example and without limitation, when the internal optical disc drive  658  is a DVD-ROM disk drive, the optical disc drive  658  is formed of a disk drive unit for reproducing information recorded on a digital versatile disk (DVD). The DVD-ROM disk drive unit optionally includes a copyright management information reading unit for reading copyright management information from a predetermined location on a DVD loaded into the disk drive unit, a unit for determining whether or not protection exists for contents of the loaded DVD using the copyright management information read from the loaded DVD by the copyright management information reading unit, and a unit for controlling a playback speed of the loaded DVD when it is determined that the contents of the loaded DVD are protected. 
   Other DVD-ROM disc drive mechanisms are also known and may be substituted as the internal optical DVD-ROM disc drive  658  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By example and without limitation, the internal DVD-ROM disc drive  658  is a DVD-Audio playback device generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,164, “DVD-Audio Playback Method And Playback Device” issued to Akita on Jun. 1, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable optical DVD-ROM disk drive. By example and without limitation, when the internal disc drive  658  is a DVD-ROM disk drive, the optical disc drive  658  is a DVD-Audio player having an automatic data selection setting unit which specifies the type of data to be output by an output data selection unit. The specified type of data is fed to a signal separation unit to be separated into audio data and video data. The separated audio data is output via an audio output unit to a speaker, and the separated video data is output via a video output unit to a monitor. Independent audio data is selected for output when the monitor is not connected, when the monitor is powered off, and when the monitor is being used for navigation or for receiving other inputs. Otherwise, audio data with video data is selected for output. 
   The internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally any of a CD-ROM optical disc drive, a DVD-ROM optical disc drive, a CD-RW optical disc drive, or an optical disc drive assembly built with a DVD-ROM disc drive and a CD-RW disc drive, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By example and without limitation, internal disc drive  658  is optionally a combination DVD-ROM and CD-RW optical disc drive. Alternatively, the internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally a combination CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanism. By example and without limitation, the internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanism generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,506, “Space Saving CD-ROM/DVD Drive Mechanism Used With Electronic Devices” issued to Pao on Mar. 27, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanism. By example and without limitation, when the internal disc drive  658  is a CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanism, the disc drive  658  includes an optical head and a spindle motor. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,506, most conventional CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanisms have a media tray for a user to place a media disc thereon, an optical head for reading the media disc and a spindle motor for turning the media disc. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,506 discloses that, by eliminating the media tray, a space saving CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drive mechanism is created without the media tray, and thereby allows the electronic devices, such as handheld devices, mini notebook computers, etc., to be equipped with CD-ROM/DVD optical disc drives without increasing the size of the electronic devices. 
   An other combination DVD-ROM and CD-RW disc optical drive mechanism can be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By example and without limitation, internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally a optionally an optical disc drive using either one of a DVD disc and a CD disc generally of the type disclosed, by example and without limitation, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,129, “Optical Disc Drive” issued to Maruyama, et al. on Nov. 5, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another suitable optical disc drive. By example and without limitation, when the internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally an optical disc drive of a type capable of using either one of a DVD optical disc and a CD optical disc, the internal optical disc drive  658  is optionally an optical disc drive of a type having a first laser diode that emits a shorter wavelength beam, a second laser diode that emits a longer wavelength beam, an objective lens, and a driving unit that holds and rotates the optical disc, as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,129. The optical axis of the objective lens is inclined relative to a normal to the optical disc. The first laser diode is located at a first position so that the coma, which is caused when the first laser beam is converged on a data recording surface of the DVD optical disc, is minimized, and the second laser diode is located at a second position so that the coma, which is caused when the second laser beam is converged on a data recording surface of a CD or a CD-R optical disc, is minimized. When data is recorded on the DVD or CD-R, the intensity of the laser beam emitted by the laser diode is modulated in accordance with the data to be recorded. When the data recorded on the optical disc is reproduced, the intensity of the laser beam emitted by the first laser diode or the second laser diode is maintained at a predetermined constant level, and the data is reproduced as an output signal to electrical expansion connector  108 . 
   The internal optical disc drive  658  is mounted entirely internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100  remotely from the circuit card  600  and coupled to one of the internal USB connections  614  through a standard USB cable  660 , as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,238, which is incorporated herein by reference. The internal disc drive  658  is thereby effectively coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . 
   Alternatively, the internal optical disc drive  658  is mounted internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100  with a front slot  662  contiguous with one of the respective upper and lower side faces  152  and  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b , or one of the respective upper and lower front faces  172  (shown by example and without limitation) and  174 . The internal optical disc drive  658  optionally includes a tray  664  for supporting a DVD or CD optical disc, the tray  664  being slidable in and out through the slot  662 . 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  includes one or more additional internal memory storage devices mounted internally of the body  102  in addition to or in place of the USB disk flash memory device  656  and internal optical disc drive  658 . By example and without limitation, the docking station  100  includes an internal magnetic floppy disc drive device  666  coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . By example and without limitation, the internal magnetic floppy disc drive  666  is optionally generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,961, “Floppy Disc Drive Apparatus” issued to Fujishima, et al. on Mar. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a floppy disc drive apparatus having a spindle motor, a magnetic head, a drive mechanism, a mechanism controller, a floppy disc controller, and a universal serial bus interface. The spindle motor rotatably drives a floppy disc at a rotational speed of 600 rpm or more. The magnetic head reads and records data on the floppy disc. The drive mechanism has an actuator that scans the magnetic head in a radial direction of the floppy disc. The mechanism controller controls the drive mechanism to thereby reproduce and record specified data on the floppy disc. The floppy disc controller transfers and receives data to and from the mechanism controller at a transfer rate of 1 Mbit/s or greater. The USB interface allows the floppy disc controller to transfer and receive data to and from an external apparatus at a transfer rate of 1 Mbit/s or greater. 
   As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,961, a floppy disc drive apparatus for driving a 3.5 inch floppy disc requires a spindle motor that rotatably drives the floppy disc, a magnetic head that reproduces and records data on the magnetic floppy disc, a drive mechanism having an actuator that scans the magnetic head in a radial direction of the floppy disc, a mechanism controller that controls the drive mechanism to thereby reproduce and record specified data on the floppy disc, and a floppy disc controller that transfers and receives data to and from the mechanism controller. 
   A floppy disc controller is installed inside a main control apparatus such as a computer that controls an independent floppy disc drive apparatus. A drive mechanism that drives a floppy disc and a floppy disc mechanism controller (referred to as “mechanism controller) that controls the drive mechanism are mounted on the floppy disc drive. Therefore, data that is to be recorded on or read from the floppy disc by the magnetic head is transferred between the mechanism controller that is installed in the floppy disc drive apparatus and the floppy disc controller that is installed in the computer through a general purpose interface at, a transfer rate of 500 kbit/s. The computer and the floppy disc drive apparatus are also connected by the general purpose interface with pins or pins to transfer various signals for controlling the mechanism, in addition to data that is to be recorded on or reproduced from the floppy disc. 
   In recent years, magnetic floppy disc drive apparatuses have been connected to controller apparatuses through USB connectors. A typical USB type floppy disc drive apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a mechanism controller and a floppy disc controller that are mounted inside the floppy disc drive apparatus. The USB type floppy disc drive apparatus can transfer and receive data to and from an external apparatus, a computer, through a USB interface at a relatively high data transfer rate. 
   Accordingly, the internal magnetic floppy disc drive device  666  is a conventional general-use type magnetic floppy disc drive apparatus that is connectable to bus types other than a USB bus can be modified in order to make the conventional general-use type floppy disc drive apparatus connectable to a USB bus. For example, a floppy disc controller and a USB interface can be added in the floppy disc drive apparatus to form the internal magnetic floppy disc drive  666  as a USB connectable floppy disc drive apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,961. Accordingly, the internal magnetic floppy disc drive  666  is constructed in a manner that floppy discs are interchangeable between the floppy disc drive apparatus and the conventional general-use type floppy disc drive apparatus. In other words, while the USB connectable magnetic floppy disc drive apparatus  666  is connectable to a USB, data is transferred between the mechanism controller and the floppy disc controller at a data transfer rate of 500 kbit/s in order to maintain the interchangeability. As a result, the conventional USB connectable magnetic floppy disc drive apparatus  666  transfers and receives data to and from an external apparatus, such as, a computer apparatus through a USB interface at a data transfer rate of 500 kbit/s. 
   One option for the internal magnetic floppy disc drive device  666  is optionally generally of the modular floppy disk drive type that is designed to stand alone as an external drive, as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,491, “Modular Floppy Disk Drive For Internal And External Use” issued to Flannery, et al. on Sep. 24, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a modular floppy disk drive designed to stand alone as an external drive or to be combined with a carrier to fit into a computer peripheral option bay configured for removable CD-ROM drives. The internal magnetic floppy disc drive  666  is, for example, a standard slimline 3.5″ unit, similar to model MD2661 from Canon Electronics, Inc., which is encased in a hard plastic shell to protect it from contaminants and damage when transported or used as an external drive. U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,491 discloses that, when used as an external floppy disk drive, the modular unit is connected to the personal computer through an adaptor connector and cable assembly  668 . The carrier adapts the modular drive to the size and mechanical requirements of the peripheral option bay so that the modular unit can be inserted into the computer and used as internal magnetic floppy disk drive  666 . 
   Alternatively, the internal magnetic floppy disc drive device  666  is mounted internally of the body  102  of the docking station  100  with a front slot  670  contiguous with one of the respective upper and lower side faces  152  and  154  of the upper and lower body portions  102   a ,  102   b , or one of the respective upper and lower front faces  172  (shown by example and without limitation) and  174 . The internal magnetic floppy disc drive  666  optionally includes a tray  672  for supporting a floppy disc, the tray  672  being slidable in and out through the slot  670 . 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  includes an internal digital computer  674  coupled to receive power through the power strip  624  from main power supply unit  616  or another remote power supply unit coupled to a second power source. 
   It is generally well-known to provide a computer docking system having means for connecting a portable computer thereto, and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to underlying software in the central processing unit (CPU) of the portable computer, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,974, “Computer Docking System With Means For Allowing A Microprocessor In A Docking Station To Talk To A Central Processing Unit In A Docked Portable Computer” issued to Watts, Jr., et al. on May 6, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a microprocessor in the docking station and means for allowing the microprocessor to set up and dose Windows applications, close DOS applications, and close files operated on the CPU of the portable computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,974 discloses a desktop docking station having a slot for receiving a portable computer. The docking station system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,974 includes a full size monitor, a mouse, a full size keyboard, and further may include, for example a LAN connection. A portable computer is powered down and loaded into docking station where plastic posts or pins on a tray of docking station are fully insert into holes in the bottom of the docked portable computer. A user of the docking station disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,974 depresses load/eject switch or button and the portable computer is driven by the docking station into its enabling position such that the portable computer is hooked up to the full size monitor, which is a CRT display, the full-size keyboard, a power supply, a LAN network, as well as any mouse connection, through its connections to docking station. The user may then depress standby/on power key and indicator to turn power on to the docking station system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,974. 
   Here, by example and without limitation, a block diagram is illustrated of a simplified personal computer suitable for use as the internal digital computer  674 . By example and without limitation, the internal digital computer  674  includes a microprocessor  676  for executing software instructions. The microprocessor  676  is connected to a system bus  678 . Also connected to the system bus  678  is a memory bus  680  having both a random access memory (RAM)  682  and a read only memory (ROM)  684  connected thereto. The memory bus  680  is used by the microprocessor  676  to access the RAM  682  and the ROM  684 . The RAM  682  is used by the microprocessor  676  as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data. The ROM  684  can be used to store instructions or program code followed by the microprocessor  676  as well as other data. A USB host controller  686  is also connected to the system bus  678 . The USB host controller  686  operates to control and manage the operation of a USB bus. A USB host controller  686  is coupled to a USB I/O port  688  of the personal computer  674 . The USB I/O port  688  couples to the USB host controller  686  through a USB bus link  690 . The USB bus link  690  represents the portion of the USB bus that is internal to the personal computer  674 . A connector  692  for the USB I/O port  688  is provided at the outer periphery of the housing for the digital computer system  674 . A short interface cable  694  with a suitable connector at one end is used to connect to the USB I/O port  688  of digital computer  674  through the connector  692 . 
   The digital computer system  674  can be implemented using various different computer systems. The computer systems are normally general purpose machines, but could also be specialized machines. The microprocessor  676  is a general purpose digital processor which controls the operation of the internal digital computer system  674 . The microprocessor  676  can be a single-chip processor or can be implemented with multiple components. Using instructions retrieved from memory, the microprocessor  676  controls the reception and manipulation of input data and the output and display of data on output devices. According to the novel docking station a particular function of microprocessor  676  provides management and control the USB host controller  686  and the USB bus link  690  coupled thereto. The USB host controller  686  can be implemented in a combination of hardware, firmware or software. 
   Here, the USB hub device  626  operates as a peripheral bus to access the input, output, and storage devices used by the internal digital computer  674 , including the internal hard disk drive  654 , internal flash memory device  656 , internal optical disc drive device  658  and/or internal magnetic floppy disk drive device  666 . By connecting the USB hub device  626  to the USB bus port  688 , the one or more USB devices (peripheral devices or USB hubs) are able to connect to the digital computer  674  by connecting to the USB bus link  690 . Similarly, other devices such the network interface connection are able to be connected to the USB bus link  690  to send and receive data over a network connected to other computer systems. 
   The USB bus link  690  is also used to receive input from keyboard  7  of docked computer  1  and send decoded symbols for each pressed key to microprocessor  676 . The microprocessor  676  outputs a video signal from the computer system  674  over USB bus link  690  for displaying images on the display screen surface  9   a  of the docked computer&#39;s display unit  9 . 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  is enabled for high-speed wireless data communication between computers using an infrared signal or a high frequency signal, for example, for example with other computers in a LAN (local area network) or over the World Wide Web or Internet when a wireless service provider is available. By example and without limitation, the docking station  100  is enabled for high-speed wireless data communication by means of a wireless LAN card  696  internally mounted within the two-piece body  102  and effectively coupled through the electrical expansion connector  108  for access by the docked computer  1 . By example and without limitation, the wireless LAN card  696  is optionally generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,299, “Wireless Communications Apparatus, Methods And Computer Program Products Using Broadcast Control Channel Messaging” issued to Diachina, et al. on Feb. 13, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. By example and without limitation, the wireless LAN card  696  includes an antenna  698  structured for receiving and transmitting a RF signal and coupled to a wireless signal transceiver  700 , and a controller  702  coupled to the transceiver  700 , which causes the wireless LAN card  696  to operate in response to signals received either through the antenna  698  or the docked computer  1  through the electrical expansion connector  108 . 
   By example and without limitation, the wireless LAN card  696  is mounted on the circuit card  600  and coupled to the electrical expansion connector  108  through the USB hub device  626 . By example and without limitation, the wireless LAN card  696  is includes a radio transceiver fully integrated on a single semiconductor chip and capable of data connections with an Internet-connected base station using the IEEE-802.11a Specification which is an industry networking standard that defines protocols for two types of networks, ad-hoc and client/server networks. An ad-hoc network is a simple network where communications are established between multiple stations in a given coverage area without the use of an access point or server. Thus, the wireless LAN card  696  is optionally generally of the type disclose by example and without limitation in any of U.S. Pat. No. 7,164,651, “Wireless Computer Network Including A Mobile Appliance Containing A Single Chip Transceiver” issued to Weste, et al. on Jan. 16, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,855, “wireless computer network including a mobile appliance containing a single chip transceiver” issued to Weste, et al. on Jun. 13, 2006, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,944,121, “Wireless Computer Network Including A Mobile Appliance Containing A Single Chip Transceiver” issued to Weste, et al. on Sep. 13, 2005, which are all incorporated herein by reference. 
   By example and without limitation, the internal wireless LAN card  696  is optionally a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) LAN card generally of the type disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,354, “Portable Computer Mounted With Wireless LAN Card” issued to Yang, et al. on Jan. 10, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses both a standard PCI LAN card and a mini PCI wireless LAN card mounted in a PCI slot part provided in the main board of a portable computer. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,354, when the wireless LAN card  696  is a standard PCI wireless LAN card  696 , the RF antenna is mounted on the wireless LAN card  696 . Alternatively, as also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,354, when the wireless LAN card  696  is a mini PCI wireless LAN card, the antenna is mounted on the PCI slot part into which the wireless LAN card  696  is installed. Accordingly, the PCI wireless LAN card  696  is optionally either a standard PCI LAN card or a mini PCI wireless LAN card without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Alternatively, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the wireless LAN card  696  is optionally provided with a USB connector for connecting to the USB hub device  626 , and includes a USB interface electrically connected between the USB connector and the wireless LAN card  696  as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,975, “Wireless Universal Serial Bus Link For A Computer System,” issued to Hamdi, et al. on Jan. 23, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the USB wireless LAN card  696  is connected to the USB hub device  626 . 
   Optionally, the docking station  100  also includes an internal Global Positioning System (GPS) engine  704  coupled to receive power through the power strip  624  from main power supply unit  616  or another remote power supply unit coupled to a second power source. GPS is a well-known position location technology provided by a constellation of low earth orbiting satellites that transmit signals in accordance with a highly accurate onboard clock. Signals received from four satellites by a receiver located on or near the surface of the earth are triangulated to provide a fix on location of the receiver, as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,711, “GPS Equipped Mobile Phone With Single Shared Antenna” issued to Standke, et al. on Nov. 9, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a system sharing an antenna between is a cellular telephone communications circuit and a Global Positioning System circuit, wherein an antenna matching circuit incorporates a shunt SPST switch to shift the matching frequency between the cellular (or PCS) and GPS bands. 
   Here, by example and without limitation, the GPS engine  704  includes a conventional GPS function circuit  706  coupled through a receiver  708  to an antenna  710  designed to perform within specification at GPS operating frequencies. Optionally, the GPS engine  704  is coupled with a cellular telephone communications circuit  712 , and the antenna  710  is designed to perform within specification at both GPS and cellular or PCS (Personal Communication System) frequencies and is shared by both the GPS function circuit  706  and cellular telephone communications circuit  712 , as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,711. 
   Optionally, when both the GPS function circuit  706  and cellular telephone communications circuit  712  are combined in the GPS engine  704 , the GPS engine  704  provides a function that permits the cellular phone circuit  712  to be used for emergency reports that performs GPS positioning from the GPS function circuit  706  by means of remote control from an emergency report center, and to transmit positional information to the emergency report center, as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,229, “Emergency Report Cellular Phone, Cellular Connection Switching Method And GPS Positioning Method” issued to Baba, et al. on Oct. 24, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses an emergency report cellular phone that, when an emergency report switch thereof is depressed, a call request is made to the emergency report center. The emergency report center transmits a response signal with the result that a call link is formed between the emergency report cellular phone and the emergency report center. Following completion of the telephone call, the emergency report center transmits a position recalculation command message, by means of a DTMF signal. The emergency report cellular phone, which has received this command message, performs GPS positioning and then converts latitudinal and longitudinal information to a DTMF signal before transmitting same to the emergency report center. As a result, even in a case where, in a time of emergency, a reporting party is unable to perform GPS positioning manually as a result of a poor physical condition, for example, since GPS positioning is possible by means of remote control, it is possible to rescue the reporting party in a rapid and reliable manner. Thus, when carried in a vehicle, such as an automobile, boat or airplane, the GPS engine  704  permits the user or good Samaritan passerby to alert the emergency report center in event of an accident or other emergency. 
   Alternatively, the antenna  710  is dedicated to the GPS function circuit  706  and is, by example and without limitation, specifically designed to perform within specification at GPS operating frequencies, as disclosed by example and without limitation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,602, “GPS receiving antenna for cellular phone” issued to Deng on Oct. 4, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, which discloses an antenna designed so as to achieve the best capturing effect of the radio wave radiated from the GPS satellite. 
   While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the novel docking station have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following claims.