Docking station having a plurality of adapter trays for a plurality of portable computers
US6301106A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1632
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a single docking station structure which is usable for a set of different pieces of equipment having essentially similar interfaces, such as a manufacturer's line of portable ("notebook" or "laptop") computer product models. A common first module supports interfaces with peripheral devices or the like. A model-specific second module, second from a set of second modules that correspond with various models from the line of portable computers, is coupled with the first module to support the portable computer. The second module supports the portable computer, so as to interface it directly with the interface on the first module. The second modules, preferably configured as trays for holding the portable computers, are very simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The trays can be stored next to the docking station (like magazines on a bookshelf). An identification system, which labels the different trays and cross-references them to the corresponding portable computers, allows for future changes in the manufacturer's product line, in which a new model of portable computer requires either a new tray or one of the previously existing trays. The invention is advantage…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.