The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 04, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1998
Michele Bovio, Boston, MA (US);
Allan Scott Baucom, Townsend, MA (US);
Digital Equip Corp, Maynard, MA (US);
Abstract
A portable computer docking unit comprises a computer docking bay for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit. The docking unit also has a charging cradle that charges a battery of the portable computer. As a result, even if the battery installed in the portable computer can be charged while the computer is connected to the docking unit, an additional battery can be simultaneously brought to a full state of charge in the charging cradle, thereby providing the user with a backup battery to effectively double the time over which the portable computer can be operated without access to an alternating current power source. Preferably, the charging cradle is located under the computer docking bay. Installation of the portable computer, thus, prevents physical access to the battery in the charging cradle. A latching system is provided for securing the portable computer to the docking bay. This combination of features has the effect of providing security for any battery in the charging cradle. Preferably, since the portable computer can only be disconnected from the docking bay through software input of a password and the docking unit is secured to the desk, theft of either the portable computer or the battery in the charging cradle is prevented.