(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0268005 A1
`Dickie
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`US 2004O268.005A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH
`INTEGRATED PDA I/O DOCKING CRADLE
`(76) Inventor: James P. Dickie, Corvallis, OR (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`HEWLETTPACKARD COMPANY
`Intellectual Property Administration
`P.O. BOX 272400
`Fort Collins, CO 80527-2400 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`10/887,756
`Jul. 9, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/906,180, filed on
`Jul. 16, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,798,647.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................. G06F 13/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 710/303; 361/681
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The disclosure relates to computer Systems. One example is
`a portable computer having a housing, a processor and
`memory mounted within the housing. The portable com
`puter also has a docking cradle integrated into the housing
`to dock a handheld computing device and to interface the
`handheld computing device with the processor, the docking
`cradle having a fixedly movable receiving Surface.
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`1 O2
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`204
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`104
`PORTABLE COMPUTER
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`110
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`400
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`404
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`414
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`41 O
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`KEYBOARDI
`MOUSE PAD
`114,116
`124
`STATUS LCD
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`412
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`1
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`TIKTOK 2001
`Triller v. TikTok
`IPR2022-00180
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 1 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 2 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2004/0268005 A1
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`310
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`z252
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`Yaaa
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`% Peripheral cavity &
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`204
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`PORTABLE COMPUTER
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`110
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`400
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`404
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`410
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`INPUT
`BUTTONS
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`MEMORY
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`114,116
`STATUS LCD
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2004/0268005 A1
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`500
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`502
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`DETECT DOCKING OF
`PDAN PORTABLE
`COMPUTER
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`504
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`SYNCHRONIZE DATA
`BETWEEN PDA AND
`PORTABLE COMPUTER
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`NO
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`PDA
`GENERATE
`EVENTP
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`TRANSFEREVENT TO
`PORTABLE COMPUTER
`VIACRADLE INTERFACE
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`DISPLAY EVENT ON
`STATUS LCD OF
`PORTABLE COMPUTER
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`MONITORDEDICATED
`BUTTONS FOR
`ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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`DETECT
`UNDOCKING OF
`PDA 2
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`5
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`US 2004/0268005 A1
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH INTEGRATED
`PIDA I/O DOCKING CRADLE
`
`RELATED CASES
`0001. This patent application is a continuation claiming
`priority from a patent application having Ser. No. 09/906,
`180 titled “Portable Computer with Integrated PDA I/O
`Docking Cradle' filed 7/16/2001, and issued as patent
`number
`
`BACKGROUND
`0002 With the increased mobility of people in today's
`Workforce, the demand for mobile computing and commu
`nication capabilities outside of the office has increased
`dramatically. Those inside the office, as well as those who
`typically work outside the office, often require the ability to
`communicate with others and other devices to access or
`transfer various data files. In response to this demand,
`handheld computing devices Such as personal digital assis
`tants (PDAs) have been developed.
`0.003 APDA is a compact device that can serve various
`functions including a cellular phone, facsimile transmitter,
`personal organizer, and the like. PDAS typically include a
`Stylus and/or a touch Screen for user input, and may include
`a keyboard or a limited number of input keys. PDAs can be
`used for Such things as Sending and retrieving e-mail, Web
`browsing, and data-Sharing applications over the Internet,
`intranet or corporate networks.
`0004.
`Because of the compact nature of PDAs, the ability
`to enter data is Somewhat limited. Touch Screens and min
`iature keypads typically provide a single character hunt-and
`click entry technique that is slow and not conducive to
`entering large amounts of data. PDAS have not replaced
`more traditional portable computers when it comes to Such
`tasks as data entry, word processing, spreadsheet analysis,
`and So on. As a result, today's computer users often opt to
`carry both devices, a PDA to hold Such things as appoint
`ments, tasks, and contact information, as well as a portable
`computer to accommodate more data intensive operations,
`Such as word processing, spreadsheet functionality, and So
`O.
`0005 Dual device users typically enter events into either
`the PDA or the portable computer and then synchronize the
`two devices So that both contain the same information.
`Today, a PDA is most commonly interfaced with a portable
`computer by connecting an external cradle or cable to the
`computer and then plugging the PDA into the cradle or
`cable. Another technique is to utilize a wireleSS connection
`(e.g., IR, RF, etc.) to interface the two computing devices.
`0006. This invention offers another technique for inter
`facing a PDA with a portable computer.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007. The same numbers are used throughout the draw
`ings to reference like features and components.
`0008 FIG. 1 illustrates a personal digital assistant (PDA)
`Separate from, but dockable within, a portable computer.
`0009 FIG. 2 illustrates the PDA docked within a cradle
`that is integrated into a palm rest of the portable computer.
`
`0010 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the PDA being
`alternately docked or undocked from the portable computer.
`0011 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of selected functional
`components of the PDA and portable computer.
`0012 FIG. 5 is a process for operating the PDA while
`docked in the portable computer.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0013 A computing system includes a handheld comput
`ing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular
`phone, etc.) and a portable computer with an integrated
`docking cradle to dock the handheld computing device. The
`docking cradle physically Stores the handheld computing
`device, facilitates data communication between the device
`and the portable computer, and Supplies power to the hand
`held computing device. When docked, the handheld com
`puting device can be safely Stored and ported with the
`portable computer and can Synchronize event data (e.g.,
`calendar, appointments, etc.), email, and other information
`with the portable computer.
`0014. The computing system is described in the context
`of a laptop computer with an integrated docking cradle
`adapted to dock a PDA. In particular, one type of PDA is
`illustrated for discussion purposes, although other types of
`PDAs may be used. PDAs are constructed in many different
`shapes and sizes, as well as with different functionality (e.g.,
`personal organizer, browser, cellular phone, facsimile trans
`mitter, etc.). Additionally, the computer may be configured
`to dock other types of portable handheld computing devices,
`Such as pagers and cellular phones.
`0015 FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing system
`100 composed of a personal digital assistant (PDA) 102 and
`a portable computer 104 (e.g., laptop, notebook, etc.). The
`portable computer 104 includes a display 110 mounted in a
`lid that is connected via a hinge to a body 112 to move
`between an open position (as shown) and a closed position
`where the display lid is folded onto the body 112. The body
`112 houses a keyboard 114 and a mouse/touch pad entry
`mechanism 116. The body 112 also defines a palm rest 118
`juxtaposed with the keyboard 114 and straddling the mouse/
`touch pad entry mechanism 116.
`0016 A PDA docking cradle 120 is integrated into the
`palm rest 118 to dock the PDA 102. The PDA docking cradle
`120 may be located on either side of the mouse/touch pad
`entry mechanism 116, although it is shown on the left-side
`palm rest for purposes of illustration. The PDA 102 can be
`selectively docked within, or undocked from, the PDA
`docking cradle 120 as represented by the dashed arrow 122.
`0017. A status display 124 is provided externally on the
`front side of the body 112. The status display 124 provides
`events and other notifications that are generated by the PDA
`when it is docked in the cradle 120. In this manner, the status
`display 124 can provide the user with relevant and timely
`information, even if the portable computer is in a Suspend
`mode and the display lid 110 is closed, thereby enclosing the
`PDA. One or more buttons 126 are positioned near the status
`display 124. These buttons 126 are used to acknowledge or
`modify events and information generated by the PDA 102
`and/or the portable computer 104 and presented on the status
`display 124.
`
`6
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`

`US 2004/0268005 A1
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`0018 FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the PDA 102
`when it is docked within the PDA docking cradle 120. The
`PDA 102 includes a housing 200 that defines a display area
`202 with a touchscreen 204. Various user-engagable buttons
`206 enable a user to interact with the PDA. The user can use
`either buttons 206 to make various menu selections that are
`displayed on the touch Screen 204, or physically contact the
`touch Screen directly with a finger or stylus (not shown).
`0019. A release latch 210 latches the PDA 102 into the
`docking cradle 120. The portable computer 104 physically
`stores and protects the PDA 102 when docked so that the
`user can easily carry both the portable computer 104 and
`PDA 102. The docking cradle is also in a memorable
`location that allows the user to readily locate the PDA when
`the user wishes to undock the PDA and carry it separately
`from the computer. When the PDA 102 is docked in the
`cradle 120, the PDA 102 is approximately flush with the
`palm rest 118, thereby providing a continuous Surface on
`which the user of the portable computer 104 can rest his/her
`palm when operating the keyboard 114 and/or mouse pad
`116.
`0020. In addition to physically mounting the PDA 102,
`the PDA docking cradle 120 provides an interface that
`Supports both data communication and power resources. In
`this manner, the integrated PDA docking cradle 120 offers
`the cradle functionality to interface the PDA 102 with the
`portable computer 104, thereby eliminating the need for
`external docking cradles. When docked, the PDA 102 is able
`to communicate with the portable computer 104, via either
`direct electrical coupling or other means (e.g., proximity
`coupling, IR coupling, RF coupling, etc.). The PDA 102 and
`portable computer 104 can exchange data to Synchronize
`various information, Such as appointments, email, contacts,
`and So on. Additionally, power may be Supplied to charge a
`battery resident at the PDA 102.
`0021. Both the PDA 102 and the computer 104 can be
`operational at the same time. Alternatively, one of the
`devices may be operational without the other. The PDA's
`input mechanism (e.g., buttons 206, touch screen 204, etc.)
`are exposed when docked to allow the user to enter data
`while the PDA 102 is mounted in the docking cradle 120.
`0022 FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary implementation
`of docking the PDA 102 into the docking cradle 120. Before
`the PDA 102 is docked in the portable computer 104, a
`movable platform 300 is positioned within an opening of the
`docking cradle 120 to form part of the palm rest. The
`platform 300 is pressed into this opening via springs 302 (or
`other biasing mechanisms) and Securely held in place by the
`release latch 210. The release latch 210 is movable between
`an open position “Open' and a latched position “Latch',
`with a Spring bias toward the latched position.
`0023. When the user wishes to dock the PDA 102, the
`user slides the latch 210 toward open position “Open”,
`which releases the platform 300. The user slides a first end
`304 of the PDA 102 under the housing lip 306 into the PDA
`docking cradle 120, displacing the platform 300 away from
`the opening. The PDA 102 is then rotated down into the
`docking cradle, with the release latch 210 being returned to
`the latched position “Latch' to hold a second end 308 of the
`PDA 102 in place. The PDA 102 is physically held in the
`docking cradle by the housing lip 306 and latch 210. In this
`state, the PDA 102 is safely stored and can be easily ported
`together with the portable computer 102.
`
`0024. When mounted within the docking cradle, the
`PDA's first end 304 physically engages, and/or electrically
`couples to, one or more electrical contacts 310. Electrical
`contacts exposed on the first end of the PDA (not shown)
`transfer data to the contacts 310 of the docking cradle. In
`other implementations, other non-contact couplings may be
`employed. For example, an IR transceiver may be installed
`at the PDA's first end 304 to communicate with an IR
`transceiver provided inside the computer housing. RF trans
`ceivers may also be used to interface the PDA and the
`computer.
`0025 FIG. 4 shows functional components of the PDA
`102 and portable computer 104. The PDA 102 includes a
`processor 400, memory 402 (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc.),
`an interface 404, the touch screen display 204,and the input
`buttons 206. The portable computer 104 includes a processor
`410, one or more storages 412 (e.g., RAM, ROM, hard disk,
`floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), an interface 414, the
`display 110, the keyboard 114, the mouse pad 116, and the
`status LCD 124.
`0026. When the PDA 102 is docked in the palm-rest
`docking cradle 120, the PDA communicates with the por
`table computer via a communication path 420 between the
`two interfaces 404 and 414. The interfaces 404 and 414
`Support both data communication and power transfer. In one
`implementation, the interfaces facilitate Serial communica
`tion, although the interfaces may be configured to Support
`parallel communication.
`0027. When both devices are powered on, the user can
`enter data into either device, and the devices automatically
`synchronize any relevant data between both devices. For
`instance, if the user enters new contact information into the
`PDA while it is docked, the PDA will share the new contact
`information with the contact management Software execut
`ing on the portable computer. In this way, both devices are
`kept current, alleviating the user from entering the informa
`tion twice.
`0028. Events, notifications, or other information gener
`ated by the PDA 102 may be passed to the portable computer
`104 via the communication path 420. The portable computer
`transfers the PDA-generated information to an embedded
`controller that displays the information on the status LCD
`124. Since very little energy is used, the information may be
`transferred and displayed while the main processor 410 is in
`Suspend mode. In this way, a user may be reminded or
`informed of upcoming events even if the portable computer
`is Suspended and the display lid is closed whereby the user
`cannot see the PDA.
`0029. As an example, suppose the PDA generates an
`event pertaining to an upcoming meeting. The PDA transfers
`this event to the portable computer via the communication
`interfaces 404 and 414. The event is then displayed on the
`status LCD 124 (e.g. “Mgmt Meeting 1:00 PM”) to inform
`the user. Since the status LCD 124 is exposed externally of
`the portable computer, it may be used to communicate
`events to the user when the portable computer is folded shut
`and being carried. If the user wants more information, he/she
`can then open the portable computer and request more
`information from the docked PDA. Additionally, the user
`can utilize buttons 126 to acknowledge or modify the
`information. These buttons 126 are particularly convenient
`
`7
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`US 2004/0268005 A1
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`when the portable computer is closed because the user can
`handle the event information without opening the portable
`computer.
`0030 FIG. 5 shows a process 500 for operating the PDA
`when docked in the portable computer. Some or all of the
`operations illustrated as blockS can be implemented in
`Software Stored in memory and executed on one or more
`processors. At block 502, once the PDA is physically
`mounted in the docking cradle, Software executing on the
`portable computer detects the presence of the PDA. Data is
`then exchanged between the two devices to Synchronize the
`information residing on each device (block 504). For
`instance, any new appointments, contacts, emails, etc., that
`have been received by either device since they were last
`Synchronized are exchanged between the two devices.
`0031. At this point, the PDA may remain docked for
`Some time and carried with the computer. The user may enter
`data into either the PDA or the computer. During this time,
`the PDA may generate an event, notification, or other
`information (block 506). When this occurs (i.e., the “yes”
`branch from block 506), the PDA passes the event to the
`portable computer (block 508). The portable computer dis
`plays the event on the status LCD 124 of the portable
`computer to inform the user (block 510). The status LCD
`124 is viewable even if the portable computer is closed and
`the user cannot otherwise see the docked PDA. The user may
`utilize status buttons 126 to acknowledge or modify the
`event depicted on the status LCD 124. The portable com
`puter monitors for depression or activation of the buttons
`126, and handles the response accordingly (block 512).
`0032. At block 514, the process detects whether the PDA
`has been removed from the cradle. If not (i.e., the “No”
`branch from block 514), the process continues to synchro
`nize any data, entered into one of the devices, with the other
`device. For instance, the user might enter an event into the
`PDA while it is docked, and this event is shared with the
`organization Software executing on the portable computer.
`Once the PDA is detected as being undocked (i.e., the “Yes”
`branch from block 514), the process ends.
`CONCLUSION
`0.033 Although the invention has been described in lan
`guage Specific to Structural features and/or methodological
`Steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the
`appended claims is not necessarily limited to the Specific
`features or StepS described. Rather, the Specific features and
`StepS are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the
`claimed invention.
`
`1. A computing System comprising:
`a personal digital assistant (PDA); and,
`a portable computer configured to receive the PDA and
`comprising a lid portion of a housing pivotably coupled
`to a body portion of the housing, the portable computer
`further comprising a first display and a Second display,
`the first display being mounted in the lid such that the
`first display is visible when the lid is in an open position
`and blocked when the lid is in a closed position against
`the body, wherein the Second display is mounted on the
`housing as to be visible at least when the lid is in the
`
`closed position, and wherein the Second display is
`configured to display information at least from the
`PDA.
`2. A computing System as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`portable computer is configured to receive the PDA in a PDA
`docking cradle and wherein the portable computer further
`comprises a keyboard mounted in the base portion and a
`palm rest adjacent to the keyboard, the PDA docking cradle
`being integrated into the palm rest.
`3. A computing System as recited in claim 2, wherein the
`PDA, when docked in the PDA docking cradle, forms part
`of the palm rest.
`4. A computing System as recited in claim 2, wherein the
`PDA comprises an input mechanism that is exposed when
`docked in the PDA docking cradle and the lid portion is in
`the open position.
`5. A computing System as recited in claim 2, wherein the
`PDA docking cradle comprises an electrical coupling to
`connect with the PDA when the PDA is docked, the elec
`trical coupling facilitating data communication and Supply
`ing power to the PDA.
`6. A computing System as recited in claim 2, wherein the
`portable computer comprises a movable platform movably
`mounted within the docking cradle to close the docking
`cradle when the PDA is not docked.
`7. A computing System as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`portable computer further comprises one or more buttons
`positioned proximally to the Second display, the buttons
`being used to respond to the information displayed on the
`Second display.
`8. A portable computer comprising:
`a keyboard and a palm rest adjacent the keyboard; and,
`a docking cradle formed in the palm rest and configured
`to physically receive a handheld computing device and
`to facilitate data communication between the handheld
`computing device and the portable computer, the dock
`ing cradle configured Such that the palm rest has an
`elevational profile that is substantially similar in both a
`presence and absence of the handheld computing
`device.
`9. A portable computer as recited in claim 8 further
`comprising a movable platform movably mounted within
`the docking cradle to close the docking cradle when the
`handheld computing device is undocked.
`10. A portable computer as recited in claim 8 further
`comprising a first display and a Second display Separate from
`the first display, the Second display being used to display
`information generated by at least one of the handheld
`computing device or the portable computer.
`11. A portable computer as recited in claim 10 further
`comprising a body and the first display is operably mounted
`on the body to move between an open position and a closed
`position, the Second display being mounted externally of the
`portable computer Such that the Second display is viewable
`when the first display is in the closed position.
`12. A portable computer as recited in claim 10 further
`comprising one or more buttons positioned proximally to the
`Second display, the buttons being used to respond to the
`information displayed on the Second display.
`
`8
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`

`

`US 2004/0268005 A1
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`13. A computer System, comprising:
`a handheld computing device comprising at least a first
`display and at least one input mechanism; and,
`a portable computer comprising a keyboard a Second
`display and a third display, the portable computer
`further comprising a docking Station for receiving the
`hand held computing device; the portable computer
`having a first open configuration where the first and
`Second displays, the keyboard and the input mechanism
`are accessible to a user; and a Second closed configu
`ration where information from at least the handheld
`computing device is visible to a user on the third
`display while the first and Second displays are not
`visible to the user.
`
`14. A portable computer, comprising:
`a housing:
`a processor and memory mounted within the housing,
`and,
`a docking cradle integrated into the housing to dock a
`handheld computing device and to interface the hand
`held computing device with the processor, the docking
`cradle having a fixedly movable receiving Surface.
`15. A portable computer as recited in claim 14, wherein
`the docking cradle is mounted in a palm rest of the housing
`and wherein the fixedly moving Surface moves along an axis
`which extends generally orthogonally the palm rest.
`
`k
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`k
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`k
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`k
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`k
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