Patent US5864294A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5864294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for expanding computer function
Assignee: Wistron Corp
•
Filing: 1996-04-01
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2016-04-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a docking station, a docking station system, and a method of coupling a personal computer, typically a palm top, notepad, or ideally a notebook computer, with such a computer docking station. The computer is typically manually positioned and securely held in place within a computer receptacle of the docking station. Generally, the computer will include an LED (or other signal generator) which indicates the operating mode of the computer, typically indicating at least one of off, on, or suspense mode. The docking station thereby senses whether it is appropriate to engage a docking station connector to a computer connector based on the computer operating mode. Typically, the connection will be made if the computer is either off or in the suspense mode. When connection is appropriate, the docking station connector is automatically translated to engage the computer connector of the fixed notebook computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Shih-Chung Hsu
- 👤 Wei-Chia Chao
- 👤 Chien-An Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold the computer at a fixed position; a second connector movable relative to the fixed computer and to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position while the computer is disposed in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold the computer at a fixed position; a second connector movable relative to the fixed computer and to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position while the computer is disposed in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein a drive mechanism linearly translates the second connector between the first position and the second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle; a second connector movable relative to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle; and a connector drive mechanism which translates the second connector between the first position and the second position while the computer is restrained at a fixed position in the receptacle so as to couple and uncouple the docking station with the fixed computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle; a second connector movable relative to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle; and a connector drive mechanism which translates the second connector between the first position and the second position while the computer is restrained at a fixed position in the receptacle so as to couple and uncouple the docking station with the fixed computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a signal receiver on the housing, the signal receiver capable of sensing at least one of off, a normal operating mode, and a suspense operating mode of the computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal receiver senses a first operating mode and a second operating mode of the computer as indicated by an LED of the computer, at least one of the first mode and the second mode sensed as a light signal from the LED, and wherein the drive mechanism does not translate the second connector from the first position to the second position while the computer is in the normal operating mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for securely holding the computer when the computer is manually positioned in the computer receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one tab which restrainably biases the computer away from the immovable computer receptacle, the at least one tab being resiliently displaceable during manual positioning of the computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises at least one engagement mechanism coupled to the at least one tab so as to releasably restrain the computer once the computer is positioned in the computer receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism comprises two tabs and two engagement mechanisms coupled together through a sliding plate, a plurality of springs biasing the tabs against the computer during manual positioning, the engagement mechanisms being opposed to hold the computer therebetween once the tabs are fully displaced, and a latch which releasably restrains the plate in a locked position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a release mechanism mounted on the housing which effects disengagement of the locking mechanism from the computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a connector drive mechanism which translates the connector between the first position and the second position, and wherein the release mechanism comprises a release switch which energizes the drive mechanism to translate the second connector between the second position and the first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a gear case mounted to the housing, an electrical motor coupled to the gear case, and a cam coupled to the gear case and to the second connector so that the cam translates the second connector between the first position and the second position, and so that the cam translates the second connector between the second position and the first position and unlatches the locking mechanism when the release switch is actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 12, wherein the release mechanism further comprises springs which slide a plate of the locking mechanism from a locked position so that tabs expel the computer from the computer receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism linearly translates the second connector between the first position and the second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer docking station system comprising: a computer including: a first connector; and an operation mode signal generator which indicates at least one of off, a normal operating mode, and a suspense operating mode of the computer; and a docking station including: a housing having a computer receptacle which removably receives the computer at a fixed location; a locking mechanism which securely holds the computer in the computer receptacle at the fixed location; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle between a first position and a second position while the computer is held at the fixed location, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the computer receptacle; a signal receiver the housing of which is capable of sensing the at least one mode from the signal generator; and a drive mechanism coupled to the second connector which translates the second connector between the first position and the second position if the computer is in a mode other than the normal operating mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer docking station system comprising: a computer including: a first connector; and an operation mode signal generator which indicates at least one of off, a normal operating mode, and a suspense operating mode of the computer; and a docking station including: a housing having a computer receptacle which removably receives the computer at a fixed location; a locking mechanism which securely holds the computer in the computer receptacle at the fixed location; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle between a first position and a second position while the computer is held at the fixed location, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the computer receptacle; a signal receiver the housing of which is capable of sensing the at least one mode from the signal generator; and a drive mechanism coupled to the second connector which translates the second connector between the first position and the second position if the computer is in a mode other than the normal operating mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer docking station system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the signal generator indicates the normal operating mode and the suspense operating mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer docking station system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the signal generator comprises an LED, and wherein the signal receiver comprises a member of a group consisting of a photo-sensor and a photo-emitter sensor, at least one of the normal operating mode and the suspense mode being indicated by a light signal from the LED.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of the normal operating mode and the suspense mode is indicated by a high voltage light signal from the LED and the other is indicated by a low voltage light signal from the LED relative to the high voltage light signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 17, wherein one element selected from a group consisting of the normal operating mode and the suspense mode is indicated by a light signal from the LED and another element of the group is indicated by the absence of a light signal from the LED.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer docking station system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the receptacle includes a protrusion which engages a signal generator switch on the computer when the computer is in the receptacle.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for docking a computer comprising: loading a computer having a first connector into a computer receptacle of a docking station; and restraining the computer at a fixed position in the receptacle; translating a second connector of the docking station from a first position clear of the restrained computer to a second position at which the second connector engages the first connector of the restrained computer (without moving the computer).
Claim 25
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for docking a computer comprising: loading a computer having a first connector into a computer receptacle of a docking station; and restraining the computer at a fixed position in the receptacle; translating a second connector of the docking station from a first position clear of the restrained computer to a second position at which the second connector engages the first connector of the restrained computer (without moving the computer).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising sensing an operating mode of the loaded computer with a signal receiver of the docking station prior to translating the second connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the translating step occurs after the signal receiver senses that the computer is in a suspense mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the translating step occurs after the computer changes from a normal operating mode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 22, wherein an LED of the computer indicates the operating mode when a protrusion on the docking station engages an indicator switch of the computer, and wherein the sensing step comprises detecting light from the LED with a photo-sensor or a photo-emitter sensor on the docking station adjacent to the LED.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the loading step comprises manually positioning the computer in the receptacle and holding the positioned computer in the computer receptacle with a locking mechanism of the docking station, and wherein the translating step comprises energizing a drive mechanism.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the loading step further comprises displacing a tab from the computer receptacle with the computer, the locking mechanism being actuated by the tab.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer docking method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising releasing the computer from the computer receptacle by actuating the drive mechanism to translate the second connector from the second position to the first position at which the second connector is disengaged from the first connector, the drive mechanism also unlatching the locking mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle, the receptacle capable of holding the computer in a fixed position; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle and the housing between a first position and a second position while the computer is held in the fixed position by the receptacle, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is held in the fixed position by the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the fixed position by the computer receptacle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle, the receptacle capable of holding the computer in a fixed position; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle and the housing between a first position and a second position while the computer is held in the fixed position by the receptacle, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is held in the fixed position by the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the fixed position by the computer receptacle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
197 words
A computer docking station system comprising: a computer including: a first connector; and an operation mode signal generator which indicates at least one of off, a normal operating mode, and a suspense operating mode of the computer; and a docking station including: a housing having a computer receptacle which removably receives the computer; a locking mechanism which securely holds the computer in the computer receptacle; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle and the computer when the computer is held at a fixed position within the computer receptacle, the second connector movable between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the computer receptacle; a signal receiver supported by the housing which is capable of sensing the at least one mode from the signal generator; and a drive mechanism coupled to the second connector which translates the connector between the first position and the second position if the computer is in a mode other than the normal operating mode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
197 words
A computer docking station system comprising: a computer including: a first connector; and an operation mode signal generator which indicates at least one of off, a normal operating mode, and a suspense operating mode of the computer; and a docking station including: a housing having a computer receptacle which removably receives the computer; a locking mechanism which securely holds the computer in the computer receptacle; a second connector movable relative to the receptacle and the computer when the computer is held at a fixed position within the computer receptacle, the second connector movable between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector when the computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector when the computer is held in the computer receptacle; a signal receiver supported by the housing which is capable of sensing the at least one mode from the signal generator; and a drive mechanism coupled to the second connector which translates the connector between the first position and the second position if the computer is in a mode other than the normal operating mode.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for docking a computer comprising: loading a computer having a first connector into a computer receptacle of a docking station so that the computer is at a loaded position; and translating a second connector of the docking station from a first position to a second position after the computer is at the loaded position, the second connector being disengaged from the loaded computer at the first position, the second connector engaging the first connector of the computer at the second position.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for docking a computer comprising: loading a computer having a first connector into a computer receptacle of a docking station so that the computer is at a loaded position; and translating a second connector of the docking station from a first position to a second position after the computer is at the loaded position, the second connector being disengaged from the loaded computer at the first position, the second connector engaging the first connector of the computer at the second position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold a computer at a fixed position; a locking mechanism for securely holding a computer when a computer is positioned in the computer receptacle; a release mechanism having a release switch and mounted on the housing for effecting disengagement of the locking mechanism from a computer; a second connector movable relative to a fixed computer and to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from a first connector of a computer when a computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging a first connector of a computer when a computer is in the computer receptacle; and a connector drive mechanism coupled to the second connector for translating the second connector between the first position and the second position and including a gear case mounted to the housing, an electrical motor coupled to the gear case, and a cam coupled to the gear case and to the second connector.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer docking station for use with a computer having a first connector, the docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold a computer at a fixed position; a locking mechanism for securely holding a computer when a computer is positioned in the computer receptacle; a release mechanism having a release switch and mounted on the housing for effecting disengagement of the locking mechanism from a computer; a second connector movable relative to a fixed computer and to the computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from a first connector of a computer when a computer is in the computer receptacle, the second connector in the second position engaging a first connector of a computer when a computer is in the computer receptacle; and a connector drive mechanism coupled to the second connector for translating the second connector between the first position and the second position and including a gear case mounted to the housing, an electrical motor coupled to the gear case, and a cam coupled to the gear case and to the second connector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer docking station as claimed in claim 32, wherein said cam assists in translating the second connector between the first position and the second position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold a computer; and a connector assembly driven by a motor linearly between a first position for engaging a computer in the computer receptacle and a second position for disengaging a computer in the computer receptacle.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer docking station comprising: a housing having a computer receptacle to hold a computer; and a connector assembly driven by a motor linearly between a first position for engaging a computer in the computer receptacle and a second position for disengaging a computer in the computer receptacle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer docking station of claim 34 wherein said computer receptacle is immovable.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer docking assembly comprising: a housing having an immovable computer receptacle; a computer stationarily disposed in the immovable computer receptacle and including a first connector; and a second connector linearly movable relative to the stationary computer and to the immovable computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector of the computer in the immovable computer receptacle, and the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector of the computer in the computer receptacle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer docking assembly comprising: a housing having an immovable computer receptacle; a computer stationarily disposed in the immovable computer receptacle and including a first connector; and a second connector linearly movable relative to the stationary computer and to the immovable computer receptacle between a first position and a second position, the second connector in the first position being disengaged from the first connector of the computer in the immovable computer receptacle, and the second connector in the second position engaging the first connector of the computer in the computer receptacle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |