Port replicating apparatus

Abstract

A docking assembly including a port replicating apparatus is disclosed. The docking assembly includes a port replicating apparatus including (i) a housing having a major dimension defined by a first terminal end and a second terminal end, (ii) at least one interface for connecting to a portable electronic device, and (iii) a plurality of connectors in the housing for connecting to a plurality of peripheral devices. A base is also included in the docking assembly. It is capable of mechanically coupling to at least the first terminal end of the housing of the port replicating apparatus, such that the major dimension of the housing is vertically oriented.

1 . A docking assembly comprising:
 a port replicating apparatus comprising (i) a housing having a major dimension defined by a first terminal end and a second terminal end, (ii) at least one interface in the housing for connecting to a portable electronic device, and (iii) a plurality of connectors in the housing for connecting to a plurality of peripheral devices; and   a base capable of mechanically coupling to at least the first terminal end of the housing of the port replicating apparatus, such that the major dimension of the housing is vertically oriented.   
     
     
         2 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first terminal end includes a female connector and the base includes a male connector. 
     
     
         3 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first terminal end includes a first physical connector for connecting to the base and wherein the port replicating apparatus comprises a second physical connector for connecting the port replicating apparatus to a platform, wherein the major dimension is horizontally oriented when the port replicating apparatus is attached to the platform. 
     
     
         4 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the port replicating apparatus comprises a removable foot, wherein the removable foot lies flat against a surface of the housing in a first position, and wherein the removable foot props a lateral end of the housing up so that an upper surface of the housing forms an angle with a surface upon which the port replicating apparatus is disposed. 
     
     
         5 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of connectors includes at least two connectors with different physical configurations. 
     
     
         6 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the port replicating apparatus comprises a video graphics chip. 
     
     
         7 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the port replicating apparatus comprises a PCI Express to PCI bridge coupling the interface and at least one of the connectors. 
     
     
         8 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of connectors includes at least one universal serial bus port. 
     
     
         9 . A method of using the docking assembly of  claim 1  comprising:
 obtaining the port replicating apparatus; and   placing the port replicating apparatus on the base such that the major dimension is vertically oriented.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 connecting the portable electronic device to the interface; and   connecting peripheral devices to the connectors.   
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 the port replicating apparatus of  claim 1 ;   a portable computer comprising a card slot;   a card disposed in the card slot; and   a cable connecting the interface in the port replicating apparatus and the card.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the card is a PCI Express card. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a mass storage device connected to the first connector. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein at least one of the connectors is a video connector, and wherein the system includes a video terminal connected to the video connector. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the port replicating apparatus further comprises a universal serial bus to Ethernet adapter coupled to the interface. 
     
     
         21 . A port replicating apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a major dimension defined by a first terminal end and a second terminal end;   at least one interface in the housing for connecting to a portable electronic device;   a plurality of connectors in the housing for connecting to a plurality of peripheral devices, wherein at least one of The peripheral devices comprises a display device; and   at least one input element on the housing of the port replicating apparatus, wherein the at least one input element controls the operation of the display device.   
     
     
         22 . The port replicating apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the at least one input element comprises at least one button. 
     
     
         23 . The port replicating apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the at least one input element causes the display device to operate in a clone mode, an extended mode, or an off mode. 
     
     
         24 . A system comprising:
 the port replicating apparatus of  claim 21 ;   the display device operatively connected to a connector in the plurality of connectors; and   the portable electronic device operatively connected to the at least one interface.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a laptop computer. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a computer readable medium comprising code for causing the at least one input element to control the operation of the display device. 
     
     
         27 . A method comprising:
 obtaining a port replicating apparatus comprising (i) a housing having a major dimension defined by a first terminal end and a second terminal end, (ii) at least one interface in the housing for connecting to a portable electronic device, (iii) a plurality of connectors in the housing for connecting to a plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the plurality of peripheral devices comprises a display device, and, (iv) at least one input element on the housing of the port replicating apparatus, wherein the at least one input element controls the operation of the display device;   attaching the portable electronic device to the port replicating apparatus;   attaching the display device to at least one connector in the port replicating apparatus; and   manipulating the at least one input element on the port replicating apparatus to control the operation of the display device.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the portable electronic device is a laptop computer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein manipulating the at least one input element on the port replicating apparatus to control the operation of the display device causes the display device to operate in a clone mode. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  manipulating the at least one input element on the port replicating apparatus to control the operation of the display device causes the display device to operate in an extended mode. 
     
     
         31 . The port replicating apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the at least one interface comprises a wireless interface.