Portable pen-based computer and auxiliary unit for use with a vehicular docking station

In the combination of a computer and a docking station, said computer having a central processor and first connector means for coupling said computer to said docking station, said docking station having a second connector means for coupling with said first connector means of said computer, the improvement comprising:

• an auxiliary unit comprising third connector means for coupling to said first connector means of said computer, and fourth connector means for coupling to said second connector means of said docking station, whereby said computer may be connected to said docking station;
• said auxiliary unit further comprising device-coupling means for operatively coupling at least one peripheral device with said computer so that said computer may access said at least one device;
• said device-coupling means comprising at least one of a port and card cage;
• said device-coupling means further comprising printed-circuit board means for coupling said at least one of a port and card cage to said central processor of said computer via said first and third connector means;
• said auxiliary unit also comprising a removable, radio-module means for providing wireless communication to said computer, said removable, radio-module means being connected to said printed-circuit board means for coupling said removable, radio-module means with said central processor of said computer via said first and third connector means;
• said auxiliary unit having a housing for housing said printed circuit board means, said at least one of a port and card cage, said third and fourth connectors, and said radio-module means;
• said housing having at least one opening for accessing said at least one of a port and card cage;
• said housing comprising a front section and a rear section, said front and rear section mounting therebetween said printed circuit board means and said radio-module means;
• said front section having a first cutout for receiving said third connector means, and said rear section having a second cutout for receiving said fourth connector means.

In a combination of a docking station and a portable computer, the docking station having electronic coupling means for coupling to peripheral equipment and a first connector means for receiving the portable computer, the portable computer having a central processor and second connector means for coupling the computer to the docking station, the method comprising:

• (a) connecting the portable computer to the docking station;
• said step (a) comprising:
• (b) electrically coupling the central processor of the portable computer to the electronic coupling means of the docking station for coupling the central processor of the portable computer to at least one peripheral device by means of the first and second connector means;
• and
• before said step (a), attaching an auxiliary unit to the portable computer by means of a third connector means mating with the second connector means;
• said step (b) comprising coupling the auxiliary unit to the second connector means by means of a fourth connector means associated with the auxiliary unit, whereby the portable computer is indirectly coupled to the docking station.