Robert C Hurbanis

US Patent:

20030227744, Dec 11, 2003

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/167138

Inventors:

Ronald DeLuga - Spring TX, US
Earl Moore - Cypress TX, US
Robert Hurbanis - Tomball TX, US

International Classification:

G06F001/16

US Classification:

361/686000, 248/552000, 312/223100, 070/057000

Abstract:

The present technique provides a multistage security system and method for physically securing a portable computing device and an attachable expansion device together or separately to an external fixture, such as a desk. A security structure, such as an internal lock structure, is disposed in one of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device. An external device-to-fixture fastener is interlockable with the security structure in one of a plurality interlock stages, which facilitate separate or joint security of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device using the one security structure. For example, the security structure may have first and second lock slots to lock the attachable expansion device to the external fixture, while the second lock slot also has an internal trigger mechanism to interlock the portable computing device to the attachable expansion device. One such trigger mechanism is a lockdown structure operably coupled to the docking mechanism of the attachable expansion device.

US Patent:

20060069837, Mar 30, 2006

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/955600

Inventors:

Tim Zhang - Shanghai, CN
Robert Hurbanis - Tomball TX, US
Dan Forlenza - Cypress TX, US
Jeffrey Jeansonne - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 13/00

US Classification:

710303000

Abstract:

A docking station for an electronic device senses the position of the electronic device and provides an electronically-generated feedback signal to a user indicating whether the device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking. The sensing may optionally be accomplished by electrical contacts or may optionally be accomplished by sensing a magnetic field using a Hall effect sensor. The feedback signal may be visible or may be audible. The feedback signal may provide instructions to the user indicating which direction one of the components should be moved to achieve proper alignment. A simple backstop arrangement may provide proper alignment in one axis, while the feedback signal provides information about the alignment in a second axis, preferably generally orthogonal to the first. The electronic device may be a laptop portable computer.

US Patent:

20030145148, Jul 31, 2003

Filed:

Jan 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060727

Inventors:

Tim Zhang - Spring TX, US
Robert Hurbanis - Tomball TX, US
Richard Lin - Houston TX, US
Jeff Jeansonne - Houston TX, US
John Chow - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F013/14

US Classification:

710/305000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for allowing a plurality of network connectors to utilize a single network controller within a docking station or portable device. A switching device connects the plurality of network connectors with the network controller. By connecting the network connectors into the switching device, the docking station and the portable device require a single network controller to handle the network communication. The switching device enables the network controller to continue to operate without disrupting the portable device when the network connection is changed from the docking station to the portable device or vice versa. The method and apparatus are useful in reducing the complexity of the total system while increasing functionality.