摘要:
Docking of a notebook computer having an underside docking connector is facilitated by a depressible ramp at a docking station. The computer is slid onto the ramp and guided into a prescribed position. The user then actuates a lever which lowers the ramp and computer. As the computer and ramp move downward, the computer's docking connector mates to a docking connector in the docking station. The computer includes guide tracks and an alignment member along the undersurface of the computer housing. The docking station includes rails and an alignment member corresponding to the guide tracks and alignment member of the computer. Alternative to moving a ramp, is a rotatable docking connector moved by a lever.
摘要:
Docking of a notebook computer having an underside docking connector is facilitated by a depressible ramp at a docking station. The computer is slid onto the ramp and guided into a prescribed position. The user then actuates a lever which lowers the ramp and computer. As the computer and ramp move downward, the computer's docking connector mates to a docking connector in the docking station. The computer includes guide tracks and an alignment member along the undersurface of the computer housing. The docking station includes rails and an alignment member corresponding to the guide tracks and alignment member of the computer. Alternative to moving a ramp, is a rotatable docking connector moved by a lever.
摘要:
A battery charger utilizes detachable mechanical adapters, so that the battery charger can operate as a single battery charger or a dual battery charger. The detachable mechanical adapters are battery holders to connect a battery to the battery charger for recharging. Preferably, the battery charger is designed to charge one or two depleted notebook batteries. In the preferred embodiment, the battery charger also operates as an AC/DC converter to provide operating DC from AC, which is derived from AC received from an external source, to a notebook computer that is coupled to the battery charger. The battery charger includes an AC/DC adapter and a charging unit. The charging unit of the battery charger includes a central module and two detachable mechanical adapters. The central module of the charging unit contains battery-charging circuitry that provides the charging current from the received DC to the detachable mechanical adapters. The charging current is used to recharge any notebook batteries that are held by the detachable mechanical adapters. The central module includes two fold-out connectors that can be utilized to physically attach one or both mechanical adapters to the central module. In a first embodiment, the battery compartments of the mechanical adapters are designed to hold a particular type of notebook batteries having a fixed thickness. In a second embodiment, the battery compartments of the mechanical adapters are designed to hold one of two types of notebook batteries having different thicknesses.
摘要:
A display adapter adapts a display, such as a laptop display, to a projector display panel for use with an overhead projector. The laptop display is detached from a laptop CPU and physically and electronically connected to the adapter. The display adapter has a parallel conductor and electronic interfacing circuitry to interface the display with the computer CPU via the parallel port of the laptop. The adapter has an enclosure with a central body and two extendible sleeves slidably mounted to the body to move between an expanded position and a collapsed position. In the expanded position, the sleeves project outward from the body in opposing directions. In the collapsed position, the sleeves are slid inward relative to the body toward each other to an abutting relationship. The enclosure also has two support arms movably mounted to the first and second sleeves, respectively, to move between an opened position and a closed position. When the adapter is arranged with the sleeves in their expanded position and the arms in their opened position, the display mounts to the adapter and is supported horizontally by the support arms a safe distance from the projector light surface to prevent overheating. The extended sleeves cover one entire side area of the projector light surface adjacent to the display to block all peripheral bright spots left uncovered by the display. The adapter body has a recess sized to hold a remote control handset, such as an IR device. When the sleeves are extended to the expanded position, the recess is exposed to permit removal and replacement of the IR device. An IR port is formed in the body and exposed when the sleeves are extended to receive IR signals from the IR device.
摘要:
A fingerprint reading system includes a guide mechanism that defines the path of a finger across an interrogation region defined by an imaging device and includes a locking mechanism that selectively restricts the guide mechanism. In one embodiment, the guide mechanism is a finger guide that is restricted from following its established slide path, unless there is an applied force in the direction generally perpendicular to the slide path. The finger guide includes a finger-supporting region with an opening configured to expose the finger to the imaging device. Following a fingerprint reading operation, the finger guide is returned to a rest position by at least one spring mechanism. Preferably, the locking mechanism is configured to require pressure on opposite sides of the finger guide, with the opposite sides being aligned with the slide path. This alignment is intended to provide proper finger placement, since it requires finger contact at both the forward and rearward sides of the finger-supporting region. In another embodiment, the guide mechanism is a pair of rollers that are restricted from rotation by at least one locking mechanism having a release member. The rollers are on the forward and rearward sides of an imaging window, while the release members are on the lateral sides, but are sufficiently close to the rollers that a single finger is in contact with the rollers and the release members during a fingerprint reading operation. The release members are depressable actuators that restrict roller rotation when the release members are in a relaxed condition.
摘要:
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 advantageous to manufacturers because it reduces the number and variety of docking station products required for use with the manufacturer's portable computers.
摘要:
A computer docking station for a portable computer has an enclosure to mate physically and electrically with the portable computer. The enclosure has a docking tray upon which the portable computer rests when docked. One or more slideable engagement members are mounted to slide on the docking tray to engage the portable computer when the computer is being docked. The engagement members slide as the computer is moved to the docked position to securely hold the portable computer in the docking station. A link mechanism internal of the enclosure is connected to move the engagement members between the undocked and docked positions. A lever is provided to allow a user to actuate the link mechanism. The lever is movable between an exposed position in which the lever is accessible to the user for actuating the mechanism and an unexposed position in which the lever is inaccessible to the user. In the unexposed position, the lever is retracted into the enclosure. A lever release mechanism is provided to transition the lever from the unexposed position to the exposed position. Upon actuation, the docking station informs the portable computer of an impending undocking action to give the portable computer adequate time to prepare for undocking. The lever release mechanism delays movement of the lever until receiving a message from the portable computer indicating readiness for undocking. Once the portable computer is ready, the lever release mechanism moves the lever to the exposed position for accessibility by the user.
摘要:
A fingerprint reading system includes a guide mechanism that defines the path of a finger across an interrogation region defined by an imaging device and includes a locking mechanism that selectively restricts the guide mechanism. In one embodiment, the guide mechanism is a finger guide that is restricted from following its established slide path, unless there is an applied force in the direction generally perpendicular to the slide path. The finger guide includes a finger-supporting region with an opening configured to expose the finger to the imaging device. Following a fingerprint reading operation, the finger guide is returned to a rest position by at least one spring mechanism. Preferably, the locking mechanism is configured to require pressure on opposite sides of the finger guide, with the opposite sides being aligned with the slide path. This alignment is intended to provide proper finger placement, since it requires finger contact at both the forward and rearward sides of the finger-supporting region. In another embodiment, the guide mechanism is a pair of rollers that are restricted from rotation by at least one locking mechanism having a release member. The rollers are on the forward and rearward sides of an imaging window, while the release members are on the lateral sides, but are sufficiently close to the rollers that a single finger is in contact with the rollers and the release members during a fingerprint reading operation. The release members are depressable actuators that restrict roller rotation when the release members are in a relaxed condition.
摘要:
A computer docking station has an anti-theft locking mechanism that prevents theft of PC cards and other removable components (removable drives, batteries, etc.) mounted in the docking station and a portable computer docked therein. The locking mechanism is mechanically moveable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the locking mechanism at least partially covers the removable components to prevent their removal. In the unlocked position, the locking mechanism is withdrawn to allow removal of the components. The locking mechanism is preferably configured for use with an existing tether lock (e.g., a Kensington lock) used to secure the docking station and/or computer. The lock secures the locking mechanism in the locked position to protect the components.
摘要:
A high-speed infrared ("IR") port and a low-speed IR port are co-located at a notebook computer display panel housing. Both IR ports are directional with a different sensing direction. The high-speed IR port is located along an upper side edge of the display panel housing. The low-speed IR port is located above the display panel along the viewing face of the display panel housing adjacent to the high-speed IR port. The low-speed IR port is disabled while the notebook computer display panel is in the closed position, and is enabled when out of the closed position. Conversely, the high-speed IR port is enabled while the notebook computer display panel is in the closed position and is disabled when out of the closed position. Collocating the ports allows convenient access to each port. The ports share a common electrical interface thereby reducing circuitry.