TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a computer interface and more particularly, to an interface used in conjunction with a portable computer. BACKGROUND ART

Personal computers can be divided into two categories. Firstly, there are those which are intended to be used in a fixed location. This category is typified by so-called desk-top computers which are often used in office environments. Although desk-top computers are capable of being moved by hand, they are not considered to be portable. The second category contains those designed to be readily used in a variety of locations and includes so- called laptop computers and notebook computers. Throughout this specification, the expression portable computer is to be understood to be a computer falling in the second category.

Although portable computers have enabled users to readily access and/or input information at a variety of locations, it has been recognised that inherent performance limitations result from the size of and isolation of portable computers. That is to say that the functionality of a portable computer is limited as compared with an equivalent desk-top computer that forms part of an office network. For example, a portable computer does not generally provide access to a printer, a full size keyboard, an external monitor, a mouse and the memory of a computer network, although portable computers are capable of being coupled to such accessories when used in a fixed location.

To enable ready coupling of portable computers to accessories, it has previously been proposed to couple a portable computer to a range of accessories through an interfacing unit. The interfacing unit is designed to remain permanently or semi-permanently coupled to accessories in a fixed location such as an office. When the portable computer user requires the use of one or more

of the accessories, he/she need make only a single coupling between the portable computer and the interface unit rather than separate couplings to each of the accessories. Decoupling of the portable computer from the accessories prior to use at a different location is similarly simplified by use of an interface unit.

Toshiba (Australia) Pty Limited has sold an interface unit, under the product name Desk Station IV, which is compatible with a variety of its portable computers . The Desk Station IV is coupled to the rear of a portable computer by a single expansion bus with the portable computer sliding horizontally into a slot in the front of the Desk Station IV. The Desk Station IV provides the portable computer with access to enhanced performance via two full sized 16 bit industry standard expansion slots, one parallel port, one serial port, one PS/2 (trade mark of International Business Machines Corporation) mouse port, one VGA monitor port, one 101 key keyboard port, and one floppy disk drive port. With the portable computer coupled to the Desk Station IV, the user has the option of using the portable computer's in-built keyboard and screen or an external keyboard and monitor. The use of an external keyboard provides the user with greater comfort as the portable computer's keyboard is elevated above the desk upon which the Desk Station IV is located and is hence somewhat awkward to use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a computer interface for coupling a portable computer with an accessory/accessories, the interface comprising mounting means for releasably attaching the portable computer to the interface, first coupling means for electrically coupling the portable computer to the interface, second coupling means for electrically coupling the interface to the accessory/accessories and relocation means for moving the portable computer relative to the interface whilst the portable computer is attached to the interface.

Preferably, the relocation means for moving the

portable computer relative to the interface comprises means for pivotally mounting the mounting means on the interface. Preferably, the interface is arranged to be attached and electrically coupled to a portable computer in a single action by simultaneous operation of the mounting means and the first coupling means.

Preferably, the interface is arranged such that a portable computer attached to the interface by the mounting means can be moved from a first position in which the portable computer is operable by its keyboard and screen to a second position in which the portable computer is incapable of being operated by its keyboard and screen but can be operated by an external keyboard and screen. In the second position, the portable computer is positioned such that its keyboard can not be utilised with the desk area occupied by the portable computer being lessened. Such lessening of a computer's "footprint" is generally desirable in situations in which a user does not wish to use the portable computer's keyboard. Advantageously, the interface is arranged such that in the first position, the portable computer is horizontal or near horizontal enabling the portable computer's keyboard to be utilised. To enable comfortable use of the portable computer's keyboard, it is further preferred that at least a portion of the portable computer and the interface rest on the same surface when configured in the first position. For added comfort of a user, it is further preferred that in the first position the portable computer's keyboard is inclined towards the user with the edge of the portable computer's keyboard remote from the interface yet resting on the same surface as the interface.

Preferably, the relocation means is arrange, to facilitate rotation of the portable computer between che first and second positions and it is further preferred that the first and second positions are separated by an angle in excess of 90° .

The second position includes positions in which the computer is positioned vertically and at both acute and

obtuse angles to the horizontal. The portable computer's footprint is minimised when the portable computer is positioned at an obtuse angle to the horizontal; however, advantage also arises from positioning the portable computer vertically or at an acute angle to the horizontal as ease of electrical coupling of the portable computer to the interface is facilitated.

Preferably, the mounting means includes guide means for guiding the electrical coupling of a portable computer to the first coupling means. Vertical coupling or coupling at an acute angle to the horizontal enables portable computers of varying thicknesses to be coupled to a single interface. For vertical coupling, the guide means preferably comprise means for centring the portable computer above the first coupling means. The means for centring may take the form of a pair of guides which are separated by a distance just sufficient to allow passage of a portable computer therebetween and which are located to appropriately position the portable computer with respect to the first coupling means. The pair of guides may project away from the first coupling means and be resiliently biased toward one another to guide a portable computer into connection with the first coupling means. Preferably, the distance between the pair of guides can be varied to accommodate portable computers of varying thicknesses. For acute angle coupling, the base of the portable computer preferably rests on a ledge which projects from the interface, preferably below the first coupling means, and guides the portable computer into connection with the first coupling means. Portable computers of varying thicknesses can thereby be coupled at an acute angle to a single interface provided that the distance from the base of each portable computer to any outlet port arranged to be connected to the first coupling means is the same. Acute angle coupling is preferred to vertical coupling as it enables an interface of simpler design. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the relocation means for moving the portable computer relative to the interface

is arranged to be releasably locked for acute angle coupling and to be moved to a horizontal operating position, to an obtuse angle footprint minimisation position, and to a decoupled position in which the portable computer has been decoupled from the interface and access to the first coupling means is restricted by the ledge. Although acute angle coupling is preferred, it is further preferred that the portable computer and interface can be coupled and decoupled in any position. Such an arrangement allows for decoupling from a horizontal operating position without the necessity of returning the portable computer to the acute angle position.

The interface is preferably arranged to support an external monitor with the portable computer in a horizontal operating position. That is to say that it is preferred that the interface has a substantially planar top of sufficient surface area to support a monitor. To increase the surface area upon which a monitor can rest, the interface may include a bridge which is arranged to be detached from the remainder of the interface. Preferably, the bridge is arranged to project forwardly of the interface over a horizontally positioned portable computer. Use of an external monitor will generally be accompanied by use of an external keyboard or mouse and hence will not necessitate access to the portable computer's keyboard.

Preferably, the second coupling means comprises one or more of an expansion slot, a parallel port, a serial port, a mouse port, a monitor port, a keyboard port and a disk drive port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a computer interface following attachment and coupling of a laptop computer,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the computer and interface of Figure 1 in which the computer has been moved to substantially horizontal position,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the computer and interface of Figure 2 in which the computer has been opened to expose its keyboard and screen,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the computer and interface of Figure 3 in which the computer has been closed and moved to a position beyond vertical in which its footprint is minimised,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the interface following decoupling of the computer, and Figure 6 is a side elevation of the computer and interface in which the computer has been moved to a substantially horizontal position with an external monitor resting atop the interface. BEST MODE OF PERFORMING INVENTION The interface 10 comprises a body 11 generally separating its front 12 and its rear 13. The front 12 houses a single expansion bus (not shown) which can be pivoted about pivot point 14 and which facilitates coupling of laptop computer 15. The body 11 of the interface 10 has two full sized 16 bit industry standard expansion slots

(not shown) , one parallel port (not shown) , one serial port

(not shown) , one PS/2 (trade mark of International Business

Machines Corporation) mouse port (not shown) , one VGA monitor port (not shown) , one 101 key keyboard port (not shown) , and one floppy disk drive port (not shown) to provide the computer 15 with access to enhanced performance.

The front 12 can be rotated about pivot point 14 through in excess of 90° from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to the position illustrated in Figure 5. The front 12 can be locked at either of these two extremities and can additionally be locked at two intermediate positions, namely those illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

The computer 15 can be coupled with the interface 10 at any of the positions between the substantially horizontal position illustrated in Figure 3 and the just beyond vertical position illustrated in Figure 4 but coupling and decoupling is best accomplished in the

position illustrated in Figure 1. The front 12 includes a ledge 16 which serves the purposes of both guiding coupling and decoupling of the computer 15 (see Figure 1) and limiting rotation of the front 12 in both counter-clockwise and clockwise directions (see Figures 3 and 5 respectively) . In the position illustrated in Figure 3, the ledge 16 meets the desktop 17 upon which the interface 10 rests. In the position illustrated in Figure 5, the computer 15 has been decoupled, and the ledge 16 meets the body 11 of the interface 10 and covers the expansion bus (not shown) to prevent entry of dust and foreign objects.

Having coupled the computer 15 to the interface unit 10 in the position illustrated in Figure 1, the computer 15 and front 12 can be rotated counter-clockwise until footing 18 of the computer 15 rests upon the desktop 17. When so positioned (Figure 2) , the computer 15 can be opened to expose the screen 19 and keyboard 20 (Figure 3) . In the position illustrated in Figure 3, the keyboard 20 is presented for comfortable use by a user. The front of the computer 15 sits upon the desktop 17 with the rear of the computer slightly elevated with respect to the front.

When the computer 15 is not in use but it is desirous to keep it coupled to the interface 10 for recharging of batteries or the like, the computer is closed and rotated to the position illustrated in Figure 4. In the position illustrated in Figure 4, the computer forms an oblique angle to the desktop 17 thereby not projecting forward of the guide 16 to minimise its footprint .

Figure 6 illustrates a configuration in which the computer 15 is coupled to the interface 10 for reasonably prolonged use with an external monitor 21 and an external keyboard (not shown) . The upper surface of the interface 10 is extended forwardly by a bridge 22 which snap connects onto the interface 10. The tops of the interface 10 and bridge 22 support the external monitor 21 and the computer 15 can be readily connected to and disconnected from the interface 10 in the position illustrated in Figure 6.