GB2588420A

GB2588420A - Magnetic dock for portable computer

Info

Publication number: GB2588420A
Application number: GB1915323.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cebo Damian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-10-23
Filing date: 2019-10-23
Publication date: 2021-04-28
Also published as: GB201915323D0

Abstract

A docking station 1 for receiving a portable computer 8, the docking station having an internal and external face, the internal face housing a first magnetically attachable connector (12, figure 3) for power and/or data communication, and the external face housing at least one USB port (9, figure 2), where the first magnetically attachable connector and at least one USB port are in power and/or data communication. The device may additionally have a supporting structure for supporting a portable computer in a substantially vertical orientation. There is also disclosed a kit of parts containing the docking station and a magnetic adapter (13, figure 4), the magnetic adapter having a first and second end, the first end having a plug-in connector (15, figure 4) for connecting to a port on a portable computer, and the second end having a second magnetically attachable connector (14, figure 4) for power and data communication and for magnetically attaching to the first magnetically attachable connector to establish power and data communication.

Description

Magnetic dock for portable computer The present invention relates to a docking station for a portable computer, in particular a docking station which engages with a portable computer magnetically.

Background of the invention

Portable computers, such as laptop computers, notebook computers and MacBook° computers, provide a convenient means to carry a highly functional computing device from one location to another. They are a popular choice for students, freelancers and homeworkers around the world. Because of their popularity and convenience, they are often used in the home or office instead of a conventional desktop computer. While this has many benefits in terms of saving space and reducing the number of devices purchased, it also has a number of attendant disadvantages. Among these disadvantages, the smaller screen of a portable computer compared with that of a desktop computer is one of the most keenly felt by users. Another is the fixed close proximity between the screen and the keyboard of conventional portable computers, which makes it difficult to achieve a comfortable posture during long or regular periods of portable computer use.

Many partial solutions have been proposed in the past to some or all of these problems. Desktop stands have been designed for improved ergonomic use of portable computers, and ports have been provided in portable computers for wired or wireless connection to an additional, optionally larger screen. One popular solution is to provide a docking station for a portable computer, and connect additional screens, keyboards and mice to the docking station, effectively transforming a portable computer into the core of a desktop computer. Many such docking stations exist, and many ways of connecting a portable computer to a docking station have been proposed and used. Some connect to a standard port on the side of a portable computer, such as a USB port, which requires careful mating and sliding engagement. Others provide a more convenient connecting means such as a magnetic snap-fit, but these require special modifications to the portable computer and so can only be used with particular, specially designed portable computers.

It is desirable to provide a docking station for a portable computer which provides quick and easy docking without the need for careful alignment, while still being suitable for use with most conventional portable computers. The present invention seeks to provide such a solution.

Background art

The inventor is aware of other specific attempts to solve some or all of the problems detailed above.

US 9515420 discloses a magnetic adapter for use with an electronic device, such as a mobile phone. It briefly discusses the possibility of using the adapter to connect an electronic device to a charging dock. 'this may seem similar to the present invention at first glance, but rather than providing a docking station for a portable computer with ports to connect the portable computer to a range of peripheral devices such as screens or monitors and keyboards at the same time, it merely provides a convenient way of connecting a device to a single connection, for example for charging.

US 2014/0355200 discloses a phone case for a mobile phone which plugs into the normal charging socket of the mobile phone, and which has a power receiving area on the back through which it receives power, which is then passed onto the phone to charge the phone. 'the power receiving area is mounted on a power transmitting mount, and the two are held together magnetically. Again, this device uses a magnetic adapter and magnetic attachment, but it is a single port device for charging a mobile phone, rather than a docking station for a portable computer.

Similarly, WO 2009/142795 discloses a charging system for a mobile phone comprising a first element which plugs into the charging socket of the mobile phone and which has a power receiving plate at the other end. When placed on a charging dock, the charging plate receives charge from power elements on the charging dock. This does not teach towards a docking station for a portable computer with a magnetic adapter.

WO 2008/157062 discloses a system for exchanging power and data between two electronic devices, one of which is a laptop computer. A dongle adapter is inserted into the laptop, and this connects magnetically to a power cable, which connects magnetically at the other end to the other electronic device. Although this document makes use of a magnetic adapter to conveniently connect to a power cable, it neither discloses nor teaches towards providing a docking station for the connection of peripheral devices.

Statement of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking station for receiving a portable computer, comprising an element with an internal face and an external face, wherein a first magnetically attachable connector for power and/or data communication is housed on the internal face, and at least one USB port is housed on the external face, the first magnetically attachable connector and the at least one USB port being in power and/or data communication.

One USB port of the at least one USB ports may be a USB-C power delivery port. In addition to the at least one USB port, an audio/video interface port may be housed on the external face.

The docking station may further comprise a supporting structure for supporting a portable computer proximate the internal face of the element. The supporting structure may support a portable computer in a substantially vertical orientation.

The first magnetically attachable connector may be a 20-pin magnetic connector.

A second aspect of the present invention is a kit of parts comprising a docking station according to the first aspect, and a magnetic adapter with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a plug-in connector for connecting to a port on a portable computer, and the second end comprises a second magnetically attachable connector for power and data communication for magnetically attaching to the first magnetically attachable connector and establishing power and data communication with the first magnetically attachable connector.

The plug-in connector of the magnetic adapter may be a USB connector.

The second magnetically attachable connector may be a 20-pin magnetic connector.

An insert may be provided which, when placed on an interior base surface of the supporting structure, raises the height of at least part of the base of the supporting structure.

Brief description of drawings

The invention will be described by means of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 depicts a docking station according to the present in-\Tendon, holding a portable computer in a docked position; Figure 2 depicts an external view of a docking station according to the present invention, from the end which presents the ports for the connection of peripheral devices; Figure 3 depicts in internal view of a docking station according to the present invention, from above, depicting the internal magnetic connector for connecting to a portable computer; Figure 4 depicts a magnetic adapter for insertion into a standard port on a portable computer, for engaging with the magnetic connector of a docking station according to the present invention; and Figure 5 depicts a portable computer with a magnetic adapter inserted into one of its standard ports, ready for use with a magnetic docking station according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 depicts a docking station 1 according to the present invention. Broadly, the docking station provides a supporting structure for holding a portable computer in a substantially upright position, with an internal magnetic connector at a first end, to which a magnetic adapter inserted into a port of the portable computer connects when in close proximity, and various external ports by means of which peripheral devices may be connected to the portable computer.

To achieve this configuration, more specifically, the docking station 1 of the depicted embodiment comprises a first side wall 2 and a second, opposite side wall 3. The side walls 2, 3 define a channel into which the laptop can be inserted 'edgeways', such that it is held substantially upright. The channel defined by the side walls 2, 3 has a bottom, or floor, 4.

A first end of the channel is closed by an end wall 5. This end wall holds, on its internal face, a magnetic connector (12, Figure 3) to which a magnetic adapter (13, Figure 4) inserted into a portable computer 8 (Figure 5) connects when the portable computer 8 is inserted into the channel. The external face of the end wall 5 presents various other ports (9, 10, 11, Figure 2) to which peripheral devices may be attached. The interior of the end wall 5 houses the circuitry connecting the magnetic connector 12 to the external ports 9, 10, 11. This circuitry is conventional and will be well known to the person skilled in the art. Off-the-shelf adapters are readily available on the market providing multiple ports to a single (for example) USB connector. Depending on the position on the side of the portable computer 8 of the port (16, Figure 5) into which the magnetic adapter 13 is inserted, the portable computer 8 may be inserted length-ways or width-ways, that is, a portable computer which is substantially rectangular with two longer opposing sides and two shorter opposing sides, may be inserted into the channel with either one of the longer sides or one of the shorter sides proximate the end wall 5. The end wall 5 may not close the channel completely. For example, it may not extend from the bottom 4 to the top of the side walls 2, 3. It may be slidably inserted into interior grooves in the side walls, so that its height can be adjusted in order to cooperate with differently positioned ports 16 on different portable computers 8, or the height of the bottom of the device 4 may be adjusted to align the magnetic connector 12 with the magnetic adapter 13 inserted into computer's communication port. This adjustment can be executed by placing an interchangeable insert onto the bottom of the device 4. Said inserts can be made out of silicon or plastics and different inserts will have different dimensions, for example different thicknesses, such that when in use reduce to varying degrees the distance between the bottom of the device 4, and the magnetic connector 12. This solution enables use of the docking station with a range of laptop models.

Feet 6 are provided to hold the docking station 1 in a stable upright position. The skilled person will realise that many options exist for achieving this stability. For example, the side walls could be wedge shaped, becoming thicker towards the bottom and so providing a wider base to keep the docking station 1 in a stable upright position.

Opposite the first end of the channel is the second end 7. This end 7 is not closed, meaning there is no second end wall. This increases the versatility of the design, meaning portable computers of more varied sizes can fit within the channel.

The docking station may be made of any suitable material. For example, it may be made of wood, or plastics, or metal providing it is suitably coated to avoid damage to the portable computer 8.

Figure 2 depicts the end wall 5 in an end view of the docking station 1. One possible configuration of external ports is presented, with three USB Type-A ports 9, one I IDMI 4k/601 lz port 10 and one USB-C 100W PI) port 11. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, many other configurations of ports, and different kinds of ports, such as an SD card slot, or another port capable of transmitting images onto a screen, such as DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA or other audio/video interface port, could be used instead or as well, according to the needs of users and the development of technologies.

Figure 3 depicts the internal face of the end wall 5, from above the channel. A twenty-pin magnetic connector 12 is housed by the end wall, to magnetically attach to and establish an electrical and data connection with a corresponding twenty-pin magnetic adapter 13. The skilled person will realise that many other numbers of pins could be used. For example, any number of pins from two to sixty-four may be considered, or any other suitable number.

Figure 4 depicts just such a twenty-pin magnetic adapter 13, for connecting to a portable computer 8. The depicted adapter 13 comprises a magnetic interface 14 with twenty pins to establish an electrical and data connection with a corresponding connecter 12, and a USB-C or Apple Thunderbolt 3 0 connector 15 for connecting to a portable computer 8. Other suitable magnetic adapters could be used, as long as they are capable of connecting to a portable computer, and to a corresponding magnetic connector 12 to be housed in a docking station 1. The magnetic adapter 13 connects to the corresponding connector 12 solely by magnetic force, and does not require an interference fit. Such adapter/connector pairs are rotationally symmetrical such rotating one by 180 degrees with respect to the other does not interfere with the connection. This provides an advantage over conventional interference-fit connectors which must usually be inserted the 'right way up'.

Figure 5 depicts a portable computer 8, such as a MacBook al computer, with two USB or Thunderbolt 3 0 ports 16, 17 on a side edge. Into one of these ports 16 is inserted a magnetic adapter 13, making the computer 8 ready for use with a docking station 1 according to the present invention.

As will be clear to the skilled reader, the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. The docking station 1 provides quick and easy connection between a portable computer 8 and a docking station 1, and hence to peripherals such as screens, keyboards and other USB accessories. The docking station 1 effectively enables a user to turn a portable computer 8 into a desktop computer.

Many portable computers have very limited external ports. For example, some MacBooks 0 only have a single Thunderbolt 3 0 port The docking station 1 of the present invention provides portable computers with a much wider range and larger number of ports, for added user convenience. Users will be able to attach cameras, printers, and mobile phones to their portable computers 8 via the docking station 1.

Another advantage of the present invention is the substantially vertical storage of the portable computer. The docking station 1 holds the portable computer 8 in an aesthetically pleasing and space efficient way. The dock can be used simply to tidy the portable computer away after use, or for charging, even when peripheral devices are not required.

The docking station 1 can be used as a charging station for other USB powered devices, such as mobile phones or tablets, since the docking station 1 when connected to a power source will charge peripheral devices even in a the absence of a portable computer 8 attached to the internal connector 12.

The present invention has been described above by means of a particular embodiment or series of embodiments. The description and figures do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A docking station for receiving a portable computer, comprising an element with an internal face and an external face, wherein a first magnetically attachable connector for power and/or data communication is housed on the internal face, and at least one USB port is housed on the external face, the first magnetically attachable connector and the at least one USB port being in power and/or data communication.
2. A docking station according to claim 1, wherein one USB port of the at least one USB ports is a USB-C power delivery port.
3. A docking station according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in addition to the at least one USB port, an audio/video interface port is housed on the external face.
4. A docking station according to any preceding claim, wherein the docking station further comprises a supporting structure for supporting a portable computer proximate the internal face of the element.
5. A docking station according to claim 4, wherein the supporting structure supports a portable computer in a substantially vertical orientation.
6. A docking station according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the element is slidably connected to the supporting structure such that the relative position of the supporting structure and the element is variable.
7. A docking station according to any preceding claim, wherein the first magnetically attachable connector is a 20-pin magnetic connector.
8. A kit of parts comprising a docking station according to any preceding claim and a magnetic adapter with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a plug-in connector for connecting to a port on a portable computer, and the second end comprises a second magnetically attachable connector for power and data communication for magnetically attaching to the first magnetically attachable connector and establishing power and data communication with the first magnetically attachable connector.
9. A lrit of parts according to claim 8 wherein the plug-in connector of the magnetic adapter is a USB connector.
10. A kit of parts according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the second magnetically attachable connector is a 20-pin magpetic connector.
11. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 7 to 10 when dependent on any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising an insert which, when placed on an interior base surface of the supporting structure, raises the height of at least part of the base of the supporting structure.