PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7684185-B2
Application Number: US-48115306-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Integrated monitor and docking station

Abstract:
A docking station is disclosed. The docking station includes a display and a housing configured to hold the display in a manner that exposes a viewing surface of the display to view. The housing defines a docking area configured to receive a portable computer. The docking area is at least partly obscured by the display when viewed from the viewing surface side of the display at an angle substantially orthogonal to the viewing surface.

Claims:
1. A docking station comprising:
 a display; 
 a housing configured to hold the display in a manner that exposes a viewing surface of the display to view, the housing defining a docking area configured to receive a portable computer; and 
 a wireless communication antenna that is integrated with or attached to the housing and that is configured to be connected used by a wireless networking card of the portable computer when docked to send and receive communications from and to the portable computer; 
 wherein the docking area is at least partly obscured by the display when viewed from the viewing surface side of the display at an angle substantially orthogonal to the viewing surface; and 
 wherein the housing defines an opening on one or both of a left or right side of the housing that allows the portable computer to be linearly inserted along a substantially horizontal direction through the opening and into the docking area. 
 
     
     
       2. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to display an image rendered by a portable computer at least when the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       3. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the docking area is substantially larger in a first dimension and a second dimension than in a third dimension, and the first and second dimensions define a plane that is substantially parallel to the viewing surface, and the third dimension is substantially orthogonal to the viewing surface. 
     
     
       4. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the docking area is configured such that when the portable computer is docked in the housing, a first plane parallel to the viewing surface is substantially parallel to a second plane parallel to at least one largest face of an imaginary rectangular polyhedron of the least possible volume that can contain the docked portable computer. 
     
     
       5. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the docking area is configured such that a plane parallel to at least one largest face of an imaginary rectangular polyhedron of the least possible volume that can contain the portable computer docked in the housing is more parallel than normal to the direction of gravity. 
     
     
       6. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein docking station is mountable on a vertical surface. 
     
     
       7. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when the portable computer is docked in the housing, the portable computer is at least partially obscured by the docking station. 
     
     
       8. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the docking area includes a heat conductive material. 
     
     
       9. A docking station as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the heat conductive material dissipates heat generated by the portable computer. 
     
     
       10. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein heat generated by the docking station or the portable computer docked in the docking station is dissipated using one or more of the following included in the housing: a vent, a fan, a heat sink, and a liquid cooling device. 
     
     
       11. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing holds one or more of the following: a camera, a speaker, a microphone, a storage device, a memory card reader, a telephonic handset, a battery charger, and a remote control signal receiver. 
     
     
       12. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a coupling interface allows communication of data between the docking station and the portable computer when docked in the housing. 
     
     
       13. A docking station as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the communication of data between the docking station and the portable computer includes one or more of the following: communication of the image rendered by the portable computer to the display, communication of docking configuration setting data, and communication of data associated with one or more devices integrated with or attached to the docking station. 
     
     
       14. A docking station as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the communication of data between the docking station and the portable computer includes communication of docking notification data that at least in part causes the docked portable computer to perform one or more of the following: power on, exit from a standby/hibernation mode, use the display of the docking station rather than an integrated display of the portable computer, and switch a power management profile. 
     
     
       15. A docking station as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the coupling interface physically secures the portable computer to the docking station. 
     
     
       16. A docking station as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the coupling interface provides power to the docked portable computer. 
     
     
       17. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of data communicated between the portable computer and the docking station, including any integrated or attached device of the docking station, is communicated using radio communication. 
     
     
       18. A docking station as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the radio communication is associated with one or more of the following: a short-range wireless data communication standard, BLUETOOTH, a wireless networking standard, IEEE 802.11 standard, and a proprietary wireless communication specification. 
     
     
       19. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a radio communication component of the portable computer uses an antenna integrated or attached on the docking station when the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       20. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the docking station includes one or more ports that enable a device attached to one or more of the ports to communicate with the portable computer when the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       21. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein power is provided to the docking station by a battery either included in the docking station or included in the portable computer when docked in the housing. 
     
     
       22. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein power is inductively provided from the docking station to the portable computer when docked in the housing without using a conductive electrical contact between the docking station and the docked portable computer. 
     
     
       23. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein power is provided to the docking station from the portable computer when the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       24. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at most one surface of an imaginary rectangular polyhedron substantially conforming to the portable computer is exposed when the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       25. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one media drive of the portable computer is exposed for use while the portable computer is docked in the housing. 
     
     
       26. A docking station as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the docking station further comprises a stand that has one or more of the following characteristics: is removable and includes a pass-through hole for organizing one or more cables attached to the docking station.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditionally a portable computer docking station requires a separate external monitor to be connected (e.g., by cable) to the docking station when a display other than the integrated display of the portable computer is desired to be used with the docking station. Often a significant amount of desk space is required for placement of this docking station and separate display. Attempts have been made to conserve the required amount of desk space by allowing the external display to be stacked on top of the docking station. However, the stacked combination still occupies a large amount of space and is cumbersome to move and transport. Therefore there exists a need for a docking station and display combination that is configured in a more efficient form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate an embodiment of a docking station. 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating a front view of the docking station. 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the docking station. 
         FIG. 1C  is a diagram illustrating a side view of the docking station without a docked portable computer. 
         FIG. 1D  is a diagram illustrating a side view of the docking station with a docked portable computer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process, an apparatus, a system, a composition of matter, a computer readable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network wherein program instructions are sent over optical or electronic communication links. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as techniques. A component such as a processor or a memory described as being configured to perform a task includes both a general component that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention. 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured. 
     A docking station is disclosed. In some embodiments, the docking station includes a display and a housing configured to hold the display in a manner that exposes a viewing surface of the display to view. The housing including a docking area configured to receive a portable computer. The docking area is at least partly obscured by the display when viewed from the viewing surface side of the display at an angle substantially orthogonal to the viewing surface. The display is configured to display an image rendered by the portable computer at least when the portable computer is docked in the housing. In some embodiments, when the portable computer is docked in the docking station, a first plane parallel to the viewing surface is substantially parallel to a second plane parallel to a primary plane of the docked portable computer (e.g., largest plane and/or plane parallel to a display integrated with the docked portable computer). In some embodiments, a plane parallel to at least one largest face of an imaginary rectangular polyhedron of the least possible volume that can contain the portable computer docked in the housing is more parallel than normal (i.e., perpendicular) to the direction of gravity. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate an embodiment of a docking station.  FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating a front view of the docking station. Docking station  102  includes display  104 , housing  106 , and stand  108 . Stand  108  supports docking station  102  on a horizontal surface (e.g. desk). Stand  108  is merely an example. In various embodiments, one or more other types of stands are used to support docking station  102 . In some embodiments, stand  108  is removable. In some embodiments, docking station  102  can be mounted on a vertical surface (e.g., wall) and stand  108  is omitted. In some embodiments housing  106  includes an integrated stand, or a base portion configured to rest on a horizontal surface without requiring a separate stand, and stand  108  is omitted. Dotted box  110  outlines a docking area configured to receive portable computer  112 . Portable computer  112  slides into docking area  110  for docking. In the example shown, docking area  110  is a cavity of docking station  102  at least partially located behind display  104 , such that display  104  is between a user viewing the viewing surface of display  104  and the docked portable computer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of portable computer  112  is obscured when docked. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the materials that define the docking area comprise a heat conductive material that can be used to dissipate heat from portable computer  112 . In various embodiments, heat generated by the docking station and/or the portable computer docked in the docking station is dissipated using one or more of the following included in the docking station: a vent, a fan, a heat sink, and a liquid cooling device. In various embodiments, one or more peripheral devices are integrated into docking station  102 . In the diagram shown, camera  114  is integrated with docking station  102 . Examples of other peripheral devices integrated with docking station  102  include one or more of the following: a speaker, a microphone, a storage device, a memory card reader, a telephonic handset, a battery charger, web cam, and a remote control signal receiver. 
     In some embodiments, a coupling interface couples docking station  102  and portable computer  112 . The coupling interface allows one or more the following: communication of data between docking station  102  and a docked portable computer  112 , physically securing portable computer  112  to docking station  102 , and providing power to portable computer  112 . Examples of data communicated between docking station  102  and portable computer  112  includes display data rendered by portable computer  112  to be displayed on display  104 , docking notification data, docking configuration setting data, and data associated with one or more devices integrated with and/or connected to docking station  102 . The docking notification data can be used by portable computer  112  to configure portable computer  112  for docked use. For example, in some embodiments the docking notification causes portable computer  112  to turn on and/or exit from standby/hibernation mode, use display  104  rather than an integrated display of portable computer  112  to display data rendered by portable computer  112 , and switch a power management profile of portable computer  112 . 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of data communicated between portable computer  112  and docking station  102  (including any device integrated with or attached to the docking station) is performed wirelessly (e.g., radio communication). For example, short-range wireless data communication standards such as BLUETOOTH, wireless networking standards such as IEEE 802.11, and/or any other standards based or proprietary wireless communication specification is used to communicate data between portable computer  112  and docking station  102 . In some embodiments, wireless communication between portable computer  112  and docking station  102  is performed directly between the devices. In some embodiments, wireless communication between portable computer  112  and docking station  102  is performed through at least one intermediary device such as a wireless access point. In some embodiments, a radio communication component of portable computer  112  uses an antenna of docking station  102 . For example, a wireless communication antenna integrated and/or attached on docking station  102  is used by a wireless networking card of the portable computer to send/and receive information when docked in the docked in the docking station. In some embodiments, at least a portion of data communicated between portable computer  112  and docking station  102  (including any device integrated with or attached to the docking station) is performed using infrared data communication. In some embodiments, wireless protocols such as BLUETOOTH are used to enable wireless input and/or other peripheral devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or other input device, to be used seamlessly to provide input to the portable computer whether in the docked or undocked state. 
       FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the docking station. Ports  115  include one or more connector ports. In some embodiments, ports  115  include one or more of the following ports: a USB port, a FIREWIRE port, an audio input port, an audio output port, a microphone port, an external display port, a networking port, a telephony port, and various other types of data communication ports. Devices connected to a corresponding one of ports  115  communicates with portable computer  112  via the port when portable computer  112  is docked in docking station  102 . One or more cables connected to docking station  102  can be threaded through hole  116  of stand  108  for cable organization. Power port  118  connects docking station  102  to a cable providing power to the docking station. In some embodiments, power is provided to docking station  102  using a corded wall outlet plug. In some embodiments, power is provided to docking station  102  by a battery either housed in docking station  102  and/or a battery housed in portable computer  112 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the power provided to docking station  102  is used to power portable computer  112  when docked in docking station  102 . Powering the portable computer  112  includes charging a battery associated with portable computer  112 . Power is provided to portable computer through an electrical contact made between docking station  102  and portable computer  112 . In some embodiments, power is provided to computer  112  using inductive power that does not require an electrical contact between docking station  102  and portable computer  112 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the power provided to docked portable computer  112  is used to power docking station  102 , e.g., to provide electrical power to display  104 . For example, portable computer  112  can be docked in docking station  102  while the portable computer is plugged into an electrical power outlet. 
       FIG. 1C  is a diagram illustrating a side view of the docking station without a docked portable computer. Docking area  110  in the example shown comprises a cavity of docking station  102 . The cavity in some embodiments is defined at least in part by one or more interior surfaces and a cutout region in a side wall  120  of housing  106 . In some embodiments one or more interior surfaces that define at least a portion of docking area  110  are configured to support portable computer  112  when docked. Portable computer  112  slides into docking area  110  for docking. In the example shown, connector  122  connects to one or more connecting ports on the docking connection side of portable computer  112 . In some embodiments, the one or more connection ports of portable computer  112  are a subset of ports on the docking connection side of portable computer  112 . The one or more connection ports of portable computer  112  may either be a proprietary port for coupling with the docking station or a port that can be used for other purposes besides coupling with a docking station (e.g., a standard external monitor port and a standard power port used to couple the portable computer with the docking station as well as used to connect other external devices). In some embodiments, connector  122  is associated with the coupling interface described previously. Connector  122  is lined up the one or more ports of portable computer  112  so that they automatically engage when portable computer  112  is docked. In some embodiments, connector  122  magnetically engages with the portable computer port(s). In some embodiments, connector  122  is optional (e.g., wireless coupling). 
       FIG. 1D  is a diagram illustrating a side view of the docking station with a docked portable computer. In the example shown, only one surface of portable computer  112  is exposed when docked in docking station  102 . The remaining surfaces are received fully into and obscured from view by the docking station  102 . In some alternative embodiments, only one surface of portable computer  112  is exposed fully when docked in docking station  102  and one or more other surfaces are exposed only partly. In some embodiments, portable computer  112  does not insert completely into docking area  110 , and instead an end portion extends beyond docking area  110 , e.g., to provide a way to grip and extract the portable computer  112  from the docking station  102 . In other embodiments, portable computer  112  inserts fully into docking area  110  and a button or other mechanism is provided and configured to eject the portable computer  112  when activated. Optical (or other) drive  111  of portable computer  112  is exposed for use while portable computer  112  is docked. In various embodiments, at least one media drive of the portable computer is exposed for use while portable computer  112  is docked. In the example shown ports  124  of portable computer  112  is exposed for use while the portable computer is docked. In various embodiments, one or more ports of portable computer  112  are exposed for use while the portable computer is docked. 
     Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060703
Publication Date: 20100323
Grant Date: 20100323
Priority Date: 20060703
Inventors: FARRUGIA AUGUSTIN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S248/918", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 38876377