EP0681244A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable computer system for resolving conflicts between the portable computer system and an expansion base unit
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A notebook computer system for docking to a motorized expansion base unit. Before the actual docking event occurs, the notebook computer system communicates with the expansion base unit via a sense signal, which is provided by the notebook computer to indicate the power state of the notebook computer. If the expansion base unit determines that the notebook computer is in a proper state for docking, it activates its motor to load the notebook computer. Once docked, the notebook computer runs a resource conflict check routine to determine if resource conflicts occur. A fatal conflict occurs when the resource requirements of bus devices connected to the expansion base unit conflict with the resource requirements of a video controller or hard disk drive connected to the notebook computer. When such a fatal conflict occurs, the notebook computer issues a software eject request to expansion base unit. In response, the expansion base unit undocks the notebook computer. A non-fatal conflict occurs when the resource requirements of the expansion base unit devices conflict with the resource requirements of PCMCIA cards inserted into the PCMCIA slots of the notebook computer. Unlike the case of a fatal conflict, the notebook computer responds to a non-fatal conflict by disabling the offending devices in the expansion base unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian V Belmont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A docking computer system, comprising: a portable computer system, including: an expansion bus; an expansion connector coupled to said expansion bus; a device being coupled to said expansion bus and having resource requirements; and portable computer system means for resolving resource conflicts; an expansion base system for docking or undocking said portable computer system, wherein said expansion base system includes: an expansion bus; a docking connector coupled to said expansion bus for connection to said expansion connector when said portable computer system is docked to said expansion base system; a device coupled to said expansion bus and having resource requirements; and expansion base system means for resolving resource conflicts cooperating with said portable computer system means for resolving conflicts, wherein said portable computer system further includes: means coupled to said portable computer system expansion bus for determining if said resource requirements of said portable computer system device and said expansion base system device conflict; and wherein said portable computer system and said expansion base means for resolving conflicts cooperate to resolve said determined conflicts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
The docking computer system of claim 1, wherein said expansion base system further includes a second device coupled to said expansion base system expansion bus, wherein said conflict determining means further determines if said resource requirements of said portable computer system device and said second expansion base system device conflict, and wherein said portable computer system and expansion base system means for resolving conflicts further cooperate to resolve said second device resource conflict if said resource conflict is present.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The docking computer system of claim 1, wherein said expansion base system means for resolving conflicts includes means coupled to said expansion base device for disabling said expansion base device, and wherein said portable computer system means for resolving conflicts includes command means coupled to said conflict determining means and said expansion base system means for resolving conflicts, said command means for activating said disabling means to disable said expansion slot if said resource conflict is present.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The docking computer system of claim 3, wherein said portable computer system further includes: means coupled to said portable computer system expansion bus for generating an address enable signal to select said expansion base system device, and wherein said expansion base system disabling means blocks said address enable signal to said expansion base system device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The docking computer system of claim 3, wherein said disabling means includes a buffer having an input receiving said address enable signal and an output providing an enable signal tracking said address enable signal to said expansion base device, and wherein said buffer does not provide said enable signal at said output when said disabling means is activated by said command means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The docking computer system of claim 1, wherein said expansion base system includes: controller means coupled to said expansion bus; and means responsive to said controller means for docking and undocking said portable computer system, and wherein said portable computer system means for resolving conflicts includes means, coupled to said conflict determining means and said expansion base system, for transmitting an eject request signal to said controller means when said conflict occurs, wherein said eject request signal causes said controller means to activate said means to undock said portable computer system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The docking computer system of claim 6, wherein said portable computer system further includes a second device coupled to said portable computer system bus, wherein said second device has unique resource requirements, wherein said conflict determining means determines if said resource requirements of said additional device and said expansion base system device conflict, and wherein said eject request means transmits said eject request signal to said controller means if said conflict occurs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
The docking computer system of claim 6, wherein said portable computer means further includes: means for generating a signal indicative of one of a plurality of states of said portable computer system, wherein said plurality of states include a standby state; and electrical contacting means connected to said indicating signal; wherein said expansion base system further includes: electrical contacting means coupled to said controller means for contacting said portable computer system electrical contacting means; and wherein said controller means responds to said eject request to activate said means to undock said portable computer system only if said indicating signal indicates said portable computer system is in said standby state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The docking computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein said expansion base system further includes: an expansion slot coupled to said expansion base system expansion bus for receiving an expansion device, wherein said expansion device expansion bus system device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The docking computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein said portable computer system device is a PCMCIA card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The docking computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein said portable computer system device is a video controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The docking computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein said portable computer system device is a hard disk drive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The docking computer system of claim 3, wherein said expansion base system means for docking and undocking is motorized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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