US6046571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Port replicator with secure integral battery charging cradle
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-08-21
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2018-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer docking unit comprises a computer docking bay for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit. The docking unit also has a charging cradle that charges a battery of the portable computer. As a result, even if the battery installed in the portable computer can be charged while the computer is connected to the docking unit, an additional battery can be simultaneously brought to a full state of charge in the charging cradle, thereby providing the user with a backup battery to effectively double the time over which the portable computer can be operated without access to an alternating current power source. Preferably, the charging cradle is located under the computer docking bay. Installation of the portable computer, thus, prevents physical access to the battery in the charging cradle. A latching system is provided for securing the portable computer to the docking bay. This combination of features has the effect of providing security for any battery in the charging cradle. Preferably, since the portable computer can only be disconnected from the docking bay through software input of a password and the docking unit is secured to the desk, theft of either the portable computer or the battery in the charging cradle is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Michele Bovio
- 👤 Allan Scott Baucom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:54
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; H02J7/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A portable computer docking unit, comprising a computer docking bay for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit; a charging cradle that charges a battery for the portable computer; wherein installation of a portable computer in the docking bay prevents physical access to a battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A portable computer docking unit, comprising a computer docking bay for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit; a charging cradle that charges a battery for the portable computer; wherein installation of a portable computer in the docking bay prevents physical access to a battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises replicated port connectors which replicate communications ports of the portable computer enabling the portable computer to be disconnected from peripheral devices connected to replicated port connectors of the docking unit by disconnecting the portable computer from the docking unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, further comprising: replicated port connectors which function as replicated ports of communications ports of a portable computer installed on the docking unit; and a combination connector, the replicated port connectors interfacing with the communications ports of the portable via the combination connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, wherein the charging cradle is under the computer docking bay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, wherein a portable computer connected at the docking bay covers the charging cradle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, further comprising a battery charger, in the docking unit, for supplying a charging current to a battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A docking unit as described in claim 1, further comprising a latching system for securing the portable computer to the docking bay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable computer docking unit, comprising a computer docking bay area on a top side of the docking unit for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit; a latching system for securing the portable computer in the computer docking bay area; and a charging cradle, formed below the docking bay area and open to the docking bay area, for receiving and charging a battery for the portable computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable computer docking unit, comprising a computer docking bay area on a top side of the docking unit for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit; a latching system for securing the portable computer in the computer docking bay area; and a charging cradle, formed below the docking bay area and open to the docking bay area, for receiving and charging a battery for the portable computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A docking unit as described in claim 8, wherein the docking unit comprises replicated port connectors which replicate communications ports of the portable computer enabling the portable computer to be disconnected from peripheral devices connected to replicated port connectors of the docking unit by disconnecting the portable computer from the docking unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A docking unit as described in claim 8, wherein installation of a portable computer in the docking bay area prevents physical access to a battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A docking unit as described in claim 8, wherein a portable computer connected at the docking bay area covers the charging cradle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A docking unit as described in claim 8 wherein the latching system prevents theft of the portable from the docking unit and thereby also prevents theft of any battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for protecting charging portable computer batteries, the method comprising inserting a battery to be charged into a charging cradle in a docking unit that is below a docking bay area; and docking a portable computer to the docking bay area to prevent access to the charging battery.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for protecting charging portable computer batteries, the method comprising inserting a battery to be charged into a charging cradle in a docking unit that is below a docking bay area; and docking a portable computer to the docking bay area to prevent access to the charging battery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as described in claim 13, further comprising latching the portable computer to the docking bay area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as described in claim 14, further comprising preventing de-latching of the portable computer by unauthorized persons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as described in claim 13, wherein the docking unit comprises replicated port connectors which replicate communications ports of the portable computer enabling the portable computer to be disconnected from peripheral devices connected to replicated port connectors of the docking unit by disconnecting the portable computer from the docking unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 13, wherein the docking unit comprises a battery charger for supplying a charging current to a battery in the charging cradle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as described in claim 13, further comprising forming the charging cradle as a depressed region under the docking bay area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5627450A
Cited
US5854736A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |