Portable computer and docking station having an electromechanical docking/undocking mechanism and a plurality of cooperatively interacting failsafe mechanisms

Abstract

A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fully functional portable computer with central processing unit, hard disk drive data storage, and liquid crystal display and a docking station having at least a floppy disk drive, video random access memory and video controller. A motorized docking/undocking mechanism automatically docks and undocks the portable computer and docking station after the user has inserted the portable computer into the docking station or after the user has requested that the units be undocked. Numerous mechanical and electrical safeguards prevent the docking or undocking of the units if such docking or undocking is likely to lead to the loss of data or damage to the components of either unit. The internal mechanical construction of the docking station allows the user to place a large cathode ray tube display monitor directly atop the docking station without hindering the docking or undocking of the portable computer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computing system comprising: a portable computer comprising at least a central processing unit, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a system address/data bus coupled to the central processing unit.[., random access memory coupled to the system bus, hard disk data storage coupled to the system bus, a liquid crystal display coupled to the system bus, a power controller coupled to the system bus, and a battery coupled to the power controller.].; and   a docking station detachably coupled .[.via electrical connector means.]. to the portable computer .[.to provide increased video display capability and increased data storage.]., the docking station comprising at least an electromechanical docking/undocking means including an electric motor assembly for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from the docking station.[., floppy disk data storage means coupled through the electrical connector means to the system address/data bus for providing additional data storage when the portable computer is docked to the docking station, the electrical connector means coupled to the system address/data bus for displaying data from the portable computer on a cathode ray tube display when said portable computer is docked to the docking station,.]. and .[.a plurality of failsafe mechanisms.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.disposed within the portable computer and the docking station and cooperatively interacting for protecting the portable computer and docking station from damage as docking and undocking occurs.   
     
     
       2. The computing system of claim 1 .Iadd.wherein the docking station is detachably coupled to the portable computer via electrical connector means, and .Iaddend.wherein the electrical connector means comprises a docking connector allowing access to the portable computer's system address/data bus and a docking connector cover having a first position covering the docking connector and a second position uncovering the docking connector, the docking station further comprising a door block for detecting whether the docking connector cover is in the first position, said door block not permitting the portable computer to be docked to the docking station if the docking connector cover is in the first position, the door block permitting docking if the docking connector cover is in the second position. 
     
     
       3. The computing system of claim 2 wherein the docking station further comprises a lock means having an unlocked and locked position, the lock means preventing the portable computer from being removed from the docking station if it is docked to the station and the lock is in its locked position and the lock means preventing the portable computer from being docked to the docking station if lock is in locked position by turning off the electromechanical docking/undocking means. 
     
     
       4. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the .[.failsafe mechanisms include.]. .Iadd.means includes .Iaddend.a first switch disposed internal to the portable computer and a latch disposed in a top cover assembly hingedly coupled to the portable computer, wherein when said top cover assembly is rotated to bear against said portable computer, said latch engages said first switch to signal a power management controller coupled to a main system controller further coupled to said system address/data bus that said central processor must enter a sleep state, thereby preventing transient voltages and currents on said system address/data bus when said portable computer is inserted into said docking station. 
     
     
       5. The computing system of claim 4, wherein the .[.failsafe mechanisms.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.further .[.comprise.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.at least one elongated contact pin disposed within the docking connector of the portable computer for contacting at least one corresponding elongated socket disposed within the electromechanical docking/undocking means of the docking station, wherein said elongated contact pins contact the corresponding elongated sockets before a plurality of shorter contact pins contact a plurality of short sockets. 
     
     
       6. The computing system of claim 5, wherein the elongated contact pins comprise a first sense pin, a power pin, and a ground pin; if said portable computer is "on" when said first sense pin contacts the corresponding elongated socket, said sense pin causing the main system controller to turn off power to the central processing unit to prevent transient voltages and currents to exist within said portable computer. 
     
     
       7. The computing system of claim 4, wherein the .[.failsafe mechanisms.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.further .[.comprise.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a second sense contact pin to provide a confirming signal that the portable computer is firmly docked within the docking station, said second sense pin being shorter that said first sense pin, whereafter said power management controller applies power to said main system controller and said central processing unit. 
     
     
       8. The computing system of claim 1 further comprising electronic docking/undocking initiation and reset means and electronic braking means coupled to the electric motor assembly within the electromechanical docking/undocking means for accurately positioning the portable computer within the docking station when the portable computer is docked and undocked. 
     
     
       9. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the electronic docking/undocking initiation and reset means comprises a photodetector unit mounted within a receiving opening interior to said docking station and electrically coupled to said electric motor assembly; when said portable computer is inserted beyond a first, begin-docking position in the receiving opening, the photocell unit signaling the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer to a second, finish-docking position. 
     
     
       10. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the electronic braking means comprises first, second, and third transistors and a diode coupled to the electric motor assembly to rapidly stop a rotating shaft within the electric motor assembly thereby stopping the portable computer substantially at the second, finish-docking position. 
     
     
       11. The computing system of claim 10, wherein first and second transistors comprise metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) coupled source to gate and said third transistor comprises a bipolar transistor having its emitter coupled to the drain of said second MOSFET and its collector coupled to a ground reference, there being further a motor drive voltage applied to the source of said second MOSFET and a diode coupled between said drain of second MOSFET and the ground reference, wherein applying a stop-motor voltage to the gate of said first MOSFET turns off the second MOSFET thereby electrically decoupling the electric motor assembly from the motor drive voltage, whereafter residual motor drive voltage present in said motor assembly causes said bipolar transistor to discharge said residual voltage to ground and substantially stopping the rotating shaft. 
     
     
       12. The computing system of claim 8, wherein when said portable computer is ejected the docking/undocking initiation and reset means signals the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer from said second, finish-docking position to a third, finish-ejecting position substantially coincident with said first begin-docking position. 
     
     
       13. The computing system of claim 12, wherein when the portable computer reaches the third, finish-ejecting position, the photocell unit sends a motor-reset signal that causes the electric motor assembly to reset to a ready state. 
     
     
       14. A computing system comprising: a portable computer comprising at least a central processing unit, a system address/data bus coupled to the central processing unit, random access memory coupled to the system bus, hard disk data storage coupled to the system bus, a liquid crystal display coupled to the system bus, a power controller coupled to the system bus, and a battery coupled to the power controller; and   a docking station detachably coupled via electrical connector means to the portable computer to provide increased video display capability and increased data storage; the electrical connector means comprising: a docking connector allowing access to the portable computer's system address/data bus and a docking connector cover having a first position covering the docking connector and a second position uncovering the docking connector, the docking station further comprising a door block for detecting whether the docking connector cover is in the first position, said door block not permitting the portable computer to be docked to the docking station if the docking connector cover is in the first position, the door block permitting docking if the docking connector cover is in the second position;     the docking station comprising: at least an electromechanical docking/undocking means including an electric motor assembly for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from the docking station,   floppy disk data storage means coupled through the electrical connector means to the system address/data bus for providing additional data storage when the portable computer is docked to the docking station,   the electrical connector means coupled to the system address/data bus for displaying data from the portable computer on a cathode ray tube display when said portable computer is docked to the docking station,   .[.a plurality of failsafe mechanisms.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.disposed within the portable computer and the docking station and cooperatively interacting for protecting the portable computer and docking station from damage as docking and undocking occurs, and   lock means disposed within said docking station for cooperatively securing insertion and removal of said portable computer from said docking station, said lock means having an unlocked position and a locked position, the lock means preventing the portable computer from being removed from the docking station if the portable computer is docked to the station and the lock means is in the locked position, said lock means further preventing the portable computer from being docked on the docking station when the portable computer is not docked to the station and said lock means is in the locked position by turning off the electromechanical docking/undocking means.       
     
     
       15. A portable computer and docking station wherein the portable computer is usable without being docked to the docking station and when docked to the docking station has increased data storage capabilities and increased video display capabilities, the portable computer comprising a central processing unit;   a system bus for transmitting data and instructions coupled to the central processing unit;   random access memory coupled to the system bus;   liquid crystal display coupled to the system bus;   main system controller coupled to the system bus;   power controller coupled to the main system controller for controlling power usage in the portable computer and for controlling battery charging;   keyboard coupled to the power controller;   read only memory for storing system instructions coupled to the system bus; and   first docking connector coupled to the system bus and power controller; and the docking station comprising:   second docking connector for connecting to the first docking connector and allowing access to the portable computer's system bus;   electromechanical docking/undocking means including an electric motor assembly for electrically and mechanically coupling the first and second docking connectors together once the portable computer has been placed into the docking station;   docking station address and data bus coupled to the second docking connector;   video display system coupled to the docking station bus for display data processed in the portable computer on a cathode ray tube display;   on input/output (I/O) bus subsystem and protocol controller coupled to the docking station bus for allowing installation and use of I/O bus subsystem extension cards in the docking station;   floppy disk drive coupled to the docking station bus for allowing access to data stored on floppy disks by the portable computer when the portable computer is docked to the docking station; and   a plurality of electromechanical docking/undocking safety interlocks disposed within the portable computer and the docking station and cooperatively interacting for preventing the docking and undocking of the portable computer to and from the docking station if such docking and undocking would damage components in the docking station and the portable computer and cause the loss of data stored in the portable computer and the docking station.   
     
     
       16. The portable computer and docking station of claim 15 wherein the portable computer further comprises a docking connector door which has a first position covering the first docking connector and a second position uncovering the first docking connector and the docking station further comprises a door block that prevents docking of the portable computer when the door is in its first position and permits docking when the door is in its second position. 
     
     
       17. The portable computer and docking station of claim 16 wherein the docking station further comprises a locking means having a locked and unlocked position, the locking means preventing the portable computer from being docked to the docking station if the locking means is in its locked position by preventing the electromechanical docking/undocking means from turning on to dock the portable computer and the locking means preventing the portable computer from being removed from the docking station ashen the locking means is in its locked position. 
     
     
       18. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the safety interlocks include a first switch disposed internal to the portable computer and a latch disposed in a top cover assembly hingedly coupled to the portable computer, wherein when said top cover assembly is rotated to bear against said portable computer, said latch engages said first switch to signal the power controller coupled to said system address/data bus that said central processor must enter a sleep state, thereby preventing transient voltages and currents on said system address/data bus when said portable computer is inserted into said docking station. 
     
     
       19. The computing system of claim 18, wherein the safety interlocks further comprise at least one elongated contact pin disposed within the docking connector of the portable computer for contacting at least one corresponding elongated socket disposed within the electromechanical docking/undocking means of the docking station, wherein said elongated contact pins contact the corresponding elongated sockets before a plurality of shorter contact pins contact a plurality of short sockets. 
     
     
       20. The computing system of claim 19, wherein the elongated contact pins comprise a first sense pin, a power pin, and a ground pin; when said first sense pin contacts the corresponding elongated socket said sense pin informing the main system controller terminating power to the central processing unit to prevent transient voltages and currents to exist within said portable computer. 
     
     
       21. The computing system of claim 19, wherein the safety interlocks further comprise a second sense contact pin to provide to the power management controller a confirming signal that the portable computer is firmly docked within the docking station, said second sense pin being shorter that said first sense pin, whereafter said power management controller applies power to said main system controller and said central processing unit. 
     
     
       22. The computing system of claim 15 further comprising electronic docking/undocking initiation and reset means and electronic braking means coupled to the electric motor assembly within the electromechanical docking/undocking means for accurately positioning the portable computer within the docking station when the portable computer is docked and undocked. 
     
     
       23. The computing system of claim 22, wherein the electronic docking/undocking initiation and reset means comprises a photodetector unit mounted within a receiving opening interior to said docking station and electrically coupled to said electric motor assembly; when said portable computer is inserted beyond a first, begin-docking position in the receiving opening, the photocell unit signaling the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer to a second, finish-docking position. 
     
     
       24. The computing system of claim 22, wherein the electronic braking means comprises first, second, and third transistors and a diode coupled to the electric motor assembly to rapidly stop a rotating shaft within the electric motor assembly thereby stopping the portable computer substantially at the second, finish-docking position. 
     
     
       25. The computing system of claim 24, wherein first and second transistors comprise metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) coupled source to gate and said third transistor comprises a bipolar transistor having its emitter coupled to the drain of said second MOSFET and Its collector coupled to a ground reference, there being further a motor drive voltage applied to the source of said second MOSFET and a diode coupled between said drain of second MOSFET and the ground reference, wherein applying a stop-motor voltage to the gate of said first MOSFET turns the second MOSFET off thereby electrically decoupling the electric motor assembly from the motor drive voltage, whereafter residual motor drive voltage present in said motor assembly causes said bipolar transistor to discharge said residual voltage to ground and stopping the rotating shaft. 
     
     
       26. The computing system of claim 22, wherein when said portable computer is ejected the docking/undocking initiation and reset means signals the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer from said second, finish-docking position to a third, finish-ejecting position substantially coincident with said first begin-docking position. 
     
     
       27. The computing system of claim 26, wherein when the portable computer reaches the third, finish-ejecting position, the photocell unit sends a motor-reset signal that causes the electric motor assembly to reset to a ready state. 
     
     
       28. A portable computer and docking station wherein the portable computer is usable without being docked to the docking station and when docked to the docking station has increased data storage capabilities and increased video display capabilities; the portable computer comprising: a central processing unit;   a system bus for transmitting data and instructions coupled to the central processing unit;   a random access memory coupled to the system bus;   a liquid crystal display coupled to the system bus;   a main system controller coupled to the system bus;   a power controller coupled to the main system controller for controlling power usage in the portable computer and for controlling battery charging;   a keyboard coupled to the power controller;   a read only memory for storing system instructions coupled to the system bus;   a first docking connector coupled to the system bus and power controller;   a docking connector door having a first position covering the first docking connector and a second position uncovering the first docking connector;     the docking station comprising: a second docking connector for connecting to the first docking connector and allowing access to the portable computer's system bus;   a docking connector door block disposed on said docking station for preventing docking of the portable computer when the docking connector door is in the first position, said docking connector door block further permitting docking of the portable computer when the docking connector door is in the second position;   electromechanical docking/undocking means including an electric motor assembly for electrically and mechanically coupling the first and second docking connectors together after the portable computer has been placed into the docking station:   a docking station address and data bus coupled to the second docking connector;   video display system coupled to the docking station bus for display data processed in the portable computer on a cathode ray tube display;   an input/output (I/O) bus subsystem and protocol controller coupled to the docking station address and data bus for allowing installation and use of I/O bus subsystem expansion cards in the docking station;   a floppy disk drive coupled to the docking station address and data bus for allowing access to data stored on floppy disks by the portable computer when the portable computer is docked to the docking station;   a plurality of electromechanical docking/undocking safety interlocks disposed within the portable computer and the docking station and cooperatively interacting for preventing the docking and undocking of the portable computer to and from the docking station if such docking and undocking would damage components in the docking station and the portable computer and cause loss of data stored in the portable computer and the docking station, and   locking means for cooperatively securing insertion and removal of said portable computer from said docking station, the locking means preventing the portable computer from being docked to the docking station if the locking means is in the locked position by preventing the electromechanical docking/undocking means from turning on to dock the portable computer, said locking means further preventing the portable computer from being removed from the docking station when the portable computer is docked to the station and said lock means is in the locked position. .Iadd.     
     
     
       29.  A computer system comprising: a portable computer comprising at least a central processing unit, and a system address/data bus coupled to the central processing unit;   a docking station detachably coupled via at least one electrical connector to the portable computer, the docking station comprising at least an electromechanical docking/undocking means including an electric motor assembly for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from the docking station; and   cooperative means disposed in the docking station cooperatively interacting with the portable computer for protecting the portable computer and the docking station from electrical damage as docking and undocking occurs. .Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       30.  The computer system of claim 29 wherein the cooperative means includes a first sense contact adapted for correspondingly mating with a second sense contact disposed in the portable computer for providing a confirming signal that the portable computer is firmly docked to the docking station. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the cooperative means further includes a third sense contact adapted for correspondingly mating with a fourth sense contact disposed in the portable computer for providing an electrical connection between the portable computer and the docking station; as docking occurs, this electrical connection is made earlier than the electrical connection made between the first and the second sense contacts. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the first sense contact includes at least one electrical socket for matingly receiving the second sense contact, wherein the second sense contact includes at least one contact pin. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. The computer system of claim 32 wherein the third sense contact includes at least one electrical socket for matingly receiving the fourth sense contact, wherein the fourth sense contact includes at least one contact pin longer in length than that of the at least one contact pin of the second sense contact. .Iaddend..Iadd.34. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the third sense contact makes the electrical connection with the fourth sense contact as the portable computer docks with the docking station; if the portable computer is "on" when the electrical connection is made, the electrical connection causing power to at least a portion of the portable 
     
     
        computer be turned off to prevent electrical damage. .Iaddend..Iadd.35.  A docking station comprising: a computer receiving area capable of receiving a personal computer;   electromechanical docking/undocking means for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from the computer receiving area of the docking station; and   cooperative means disposed in the docking station cooperatively interacting with the portable computer for protecting the portable computer and the docking station from electrical damage as docking and undocking occurs. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. The docking station of claim 35 wherein the electromechanical docking/undocking means includes an electric motor assembly. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. The docking station of claim 36 wherein the electromechanical docking/undocking means comprises a sensor assembly being electrically coupled to the electric motor assembly; when the portable computer is moved into the computer receiving area of the docking station beyond a begin-docking position, the sensor assembly signaling the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer to a finish-docking position for operative engagement with the docking station.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.38.  The docking station of claim 37 wherein the electromechanical docking/undocking means in response of a eject signal causes the electric motor assembly to start and move the portable computer from the finish-docking position to a finish-ejecting position substantially coincident with the begin-docking position. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. The docking station of claim 38 further comprising electronic braking means coupled to the electric motor assembly to rapidly stop a rotating shaft within the electric motor assembly whereby stopping the portable computer substantially at the begin-docking position. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.40.  The docking station of claim 38 wherein the sensor assembly sends a motor-reset signal that causes the electric motor assembly to operate to return the portable computer to the begin-docking position after the portable computer is ejected from the docking station and has reached the finish-ejecting position. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. The docking station of claim 35 being coupleable via electrical connector means to the portable computer, wherein the electrical connector means comprising a docking connector allowing electrical access to the potable computer and a docking connector cover having a first position covering the docking connector and a second position uncovering the docking connector the docking station further comprising a door position, sensor for detecting whether the docking connector cover is in the first position, the door position sensor not permitting the portable computer to be docked to the docking station if the docking connector cover is in the first position, the door position sensor permitting docking if the docking connector cover is in the second position. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. The docking station of claim 35 further comprising lock means having an unlocked and locked position, the lock means preventing the portable computer from being removed from the docking station if the portable computer is docked to the docking station and the lock means is in its locked position and the lock means preventing the portable computer from being docked to the docking station if the lock means is in the locked position. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. The docking station of claim 42 wherein the lock means causes the electromechanical docking/undocking means to be turned off when the portable computer is attempting to dock the docking station while the lock means is in the locked position. .Iaddend..Iadd.44. The docking station of claim 35 being adapted for removably coupling the portable computer to peripheral devices external to the portable computer, the docking station further comprising data I/O controller means for interacting and cooperating with the portable computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.45. The docking station of claim 44 wherein the data I/O controller means includes video display controller means operating cooperatively with the portable computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.46. The docking station of claim 45 wherein the video display controller means supports at least one display device for displaying data received from the portable computer while the portable computer is docked to the docking station. .Iaddend..Iadd.47. The docking station of claim 44 wherein the data I/O controller means includes data storage controller means operating cooperatively with the portable 
     
     
        computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.48.  The docking station of claim 47 wherein the data storage controller means supports at least one data storage unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The docking station of claim 48 wherein the at least one data storage unit operates on a magnetic medium. .Iaddend..Iadd.50. The docking station of claim 49 wherein the at least one data storage unit includes a floppy disk drive internal to the docking station, the floppy disk drive being coupled to the portable computer for providing additional data storage for the portable computer while the portable computer is docked to the docking station. .Iaddend..Iadd.51. The docking station of claim 44 wherein the data I/O controller means includes data communications controller means operating cooperatively with the portable computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. The docking station of claim 51 wherein the data communications controller means supports at least a communications protocol used for data transmission and data reception while the portable 
     
     
        computer is docked to the docking station. .Iaddend..Iadd.53.  A method for operatively coupling a portable computer to a peripheral device external to the portable computer, the method comprising: providing a docking station including the peripheral device and at least one electromechanical docking/undocking means having an electric motor assembly for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from the docking station, and a receiving area structure adapted for receiving the portable computer for docking;   manually positioning the portable computer beyond a begin-docking position in the receiving area structure;   operating the electromechanical docking/undocking means to drive the manually positioned portable computer for operative engagement with the peripheral device in the docking station, said operating including sensing whether the portable computer is "on" as docking occurs, and controlling the portable computer to ensure no electrical damage occurring as the portable computer docks with the docking station. .Iaddend..Iadd.54. The method of claim 53 wherein the controlling includes turning off the power to at least a portion of the portable computer if the portable computer is "on" when docking occurs. .Iaddend..Iadd.55. The method of claim 54 wherein the at least a portion of the portable computer includes a central processing unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.56. A method for operatively coupling a portable computer to a peripheral device external to the portable computer, the method comprising:   providing a docking station including the peripheral device and at least one electromechanical docking/undocking means having an electric motor assembly for mechanically and electrically docking and undocking the portable computer to and from to the docking station, and a receiving area structure adapted for receiving the portable computer for docking;   manually positioning the portable computer beyond a begin-docking position in the receiving area structure; and   operating the electromechanical docking/undocking means to drive the manually positioned portable computer for operative engagement with the peripheral device in the docking station, said operating including sensing whether the portable computer is firmly docked to the docking station, and turning on the power to the portable computer when the portable computer is firmly docked to the docking station. .Iaddend.