IP Library Granted Patent US 7,471,511
Granted Patent B2
US 7,471,511 · App. 11/334,162 · Granted Dec 30, 2008

Method and apparatus for docking a mobile information handling system

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,471,511
App. No.
11/334,162
Filed
Jan 18, 2006
Granted
Dec 30, 2008
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2835
USPC
361/686
Abstract

A mobile information handling system (IHS) docking apparatus includes a base having a display device. An IHS docking connector is located on the base. A mobile IHS may be secured to the base and connected to the IHS docking connector in order to utilize the mobile IHS as a conventional desktop IHS while reducing the space and cables required by conventional mobile IHS docking stations.

Claims (52)

1. A mobile information handling system (IHS) docking apparatus, comprising:

a base defining an IHS channel that is dimensioned to accept a mobile IHS comprising a first display device;

a second display device located on the base; and

an IHS docking connector located on the base and operable to couple to the mobile IHS when the mobile IHS is positioned in the IHS channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second display device is located on a first surface of the base that faces a first direction and the IHS channel is located on a second surface of the base that is located opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface faces a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the IHS docking connector extends from the base and into the IHS channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a stand extends from the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one securing member located on the base and extending into the IHS channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one aligning member located on the base and extending into the IHS channel.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one peripheral device coupler located on the base and coupled to the IHS docking connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mobile IHS located in the IHS channel, secured to the base, and coupled to the IHS docking connector.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the IHS channel comprises dimensions such that a media bay on the mobile information handling system is accessible.

10. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a chassis comprising a first display device;

a processor housed in the chassis and coupled to the first display device;

a first docking connector located on the chassis and coupled to the processor; and

a docking apparatus comprising a second display device and a second docking connector located on the docking apparatus, wherein the chassis is connected to the docking apparatus and the first docking connector is coupled to the second docking connector such that the processor is coupled to the second display device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second display device is located on a first surface of the docking apparatus that faces a first direction and the second docking connector is located on a second surface of the docking apparatus that is opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface faces a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second docking connector extends from the docking apparatus and matingly engages the first docking connector.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the docking apparatus defines an IHS channel comprising dimensions sufficient to house the chassis, wherein the chassis is located in the IHS channel.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the IHS channel comprises dimensions such that a media bay on the mobile IHS is accessible.

15. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one securing member located on the docking apparatus and engaging the chassis to secure the chassis to the docking apparatus.

16. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one aligning member located on the docking apparatus and engaging the chassis.

17. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one peripheral device coupler located on the docking apparatus and coupled to the processor through the first docking connector and the second docking connector.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein a stand extends from the docking apparatus.

19. A method for docking a mobile information handling system (IHS), comprising:

providing a docking apparatus comprising a first display device and a first docking connector located on the docking apparatus;

positioning a mobile IHS comprising a second display device and a second docking connector adjacent the docking apparatus; and

docking the mobile IHS by connecting the mobile IHS to the docking apparatus and coupling the first docking connector to the second docking connector.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

displaying data from the mobile IHS on the first display device.

21. A docking apparatus comprising:

a display device supported in an upright position by a stand;

a first side of the display device facing a first direction and including a first display;

a second side of the display device, opposite the first side and facing a second direction that is opposite the first direction, including a channel recessed into the second side and dimensioned to accept a mobile information handling system (IHS) comprising a second display; and

a docking connector mounted in the channel and operable to couple to the mobile IHS when the mobile IHS is positioned in the channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a plurality of securing members mounted in the channel.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a plurality of aligning members mounted in the channel.

24. A method of docking a mobile information handling system (IHS) comprising:

supporting a display device in an upright position by a stand, the display device comprising

a first display on a first side of the display device, a channel on a second side of the display device, the first side and the second side facing in substantially opposite directions, and a first docking connector located in the channel;

inserting a mobile IHS comprising a second display in the channel; and

connecting a second docking connector of the mobile IHS to the first docking connector.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2006
From: MONTAG, BRUCE C.; DUMBECK, RAYMOND FARRELL; NGUYEN, HUY PHUONG
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 017500/0605 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070168593A1 · Jul 19, 2007