US 6,426,872 B1 · Portable pen-based computer with vehicular docking station

Abstract

A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer. The computer utilizes a main or primary housing for the major components of the computer, and a separate, independent, auxiliary expansion unit having its own housing for mounting a replaceable radio module that is connected to the main computer via a multi-pin connector, whereby the replacement or exchange of the radio module for a different one is easily and readily achieved, and where auxiliary or expansion devices may be connected to the main computer thereby, and where the auxiliary device itself serves as a handle for holding the main computer. Also provided is a vehicular docking station for the combined main computer and auxiliary unit, which vehicular docking station is provided with a multi-pin connector for receiving thereby a multi-pin connector of the auxiliary unit when the computer is connected to the auxiliary unit.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An auxiliary unit for coupling peripheral equipment to a portable computer, which computer comprises a central processor and first connector means for coupling the auxiliary unit thereto, comprising:

an independent, self-contained main housing having second connector means for coupling to said first connector means of said computer for coupling said central processor to peripheral equipment whereby said computer may be connected directly to peripheral equipment;
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 auxiliary unit further comprising a removable, interchangeable, radio-module means for providing wireless communication to said computer, said removable, radio-module means being connected to said central processor of said computer via said first and second connectors.

A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;
said main housing also comprising a rear section secured to said front section, with the interior volume between said front and rear sections housing operational parts;
means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;
connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station;
and
actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing, said actuating means being mounted in said interior volume;
said securing means comprising a slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;
said actuating means moving said slidable plate means in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;
said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing;
said at least one protruding securing arm comprising a first leg section and a second leg section of shorter length than, and at an angle to, said first leg section;
said slidable plate means having first cooperating means for removably mounting said at least one protruding securing arm thereto;
each of said first and second leg sections having second cooperating means for cooperating with said first cooperating means so that either of said first and second leg sections may be mounted to said first cooperating means, whereby either of said first and second leg sections of said at least one protruding securing arm may protrude beyond said front surface in order to accommodate a portable computer without attached auxiliary unit and a portable computer with attached auxiliary unit.

9 more elements

A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;
said main housing also comprising a rear section secured to said front section, with the interior volume between said front and rear sections housing operational parts;
means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;
connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station;
and
actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing, said actuating means being mounted in said interior volume;
said securing means comprising a first slidable plate, said actuating means moving said first slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;
said first slidable plate mounting said connector means thereto;
said front surface of main housing having a cutout through which protrudes said connector means, whereby, when said first slidable plate is slid in said first direction by said actuating means, said connector means is moved toward a mating connector means on a portable computer juxtapositioned against said front surface for securing the connector means together;
said securing means further comprising a second slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;
said actuating means also moving said second slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;
said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing, whereby, when said second slidable plate is slid in said second direction by said actuating means, said at least one protruding securing arm is forced against a portion of a portable computer positioned against said front surface for locking the portable computer in place;
said actuation means comprising a pivotal lever arm, and coupling means coupling said lever arm to said first and second slidable plate means;
said coupling means comprising a first link having a first end connected to said lever arm and a second end connected to said first slidable plate, and a second link having a first end connected to said lever arm and a second end connected to said second slidable plate;
said lever arm comprising a base portion having a through hole and a lever portion projecting from said base portion;
and pivot mounting means passing through said hole of said base portion for pivotally mounting said lever arm to said main housing;
said first end of said first link being connected to said lever arm on one lateral side of said hole of said base portion, and said first end of said second link being connected to said lever arm on the other lateral side of said hole of said base portion, whereby, when said lever arm is moved in a one direction, said first slidable plate is moved in said first direction and said second slidable plate is moved in said second direction opposite to said first direction.

14 more elements

A docking station for receiving and securing a portable computer, comprising:

a main housing having a front section against which a portable computer is received, said front section comprising a front surface;
means for securing a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;
connector means projecting from said front section of said main housing for mating with a connector on a portable computer in order to establish electrical connection between the central processor of the portable computer and said docking station;
and
actuating means for actuating said securing means for locking a portable computer to said front section of said main housing;
said securing means comprising a slidable plate, said actuating means moving said slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;
said slidable plate mounting said connector means thereto;
said front surface of main housing having a cutout through protrudes said connector means, whereby, when said slidable plate is slid in said first direction by said actuating means, said connector means is moved toward a mating connector means on a portable computer juxtapositioned against said front surface for securing the connector means together;
said securing means further comprising another slidable plate having at least one protruding securing arm projecting therefrom;
said actuating means also moving said another slidable plate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to said first direction;
said at least one protruding securing arm protruding beyond said front surface of said front section of said main housing, whereby, when said another slidable plate is slid in said second direction by said actuating means, said at least one protruding securing arm is forced against an upper portion of a portable computer positioned against said front surface for locking the portable computer in place;
said actuation means comprising a pivotal lever arm movable in one of two directions, and coupling means coupling said lever arm to both said slidable plates;
said coupling means coupling said another plate for movement in the same direction as said lever arm and coupling said slidable plate for movement said in the opposite direction as said lever arm.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable pen-based computer with vehicular docking station

Life of this patent

Portable pen-based computer with vehicular docking station

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17