Patent US5627974A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5627974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer docking system with means for allowing a microprocessor in a docking station to talk to a central processing unit in a docked portable computer
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-08
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Granted: 1997-05-06
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Expires: 2014-11-08
Abstract
Abstract The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking system having connection means for connecting a portable computer to a docking station, and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to underlying software in the central processing unit (CPU) of the portable computer. In a preferred embodiment, the means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to underlying software in the central processing unit (CPU) of the portable computer sets up and doses Windows applications, closes DOS applications, and closes files.
Inventors
- 👤 LaVaughn F. Watts, Jr.
- 👤 Robert E. Tonsing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; G06F1/184; G06F1/186; G06F1/187; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/62905; H01R13/64; H01R13/641; H01R13/73; H01R13/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer docking system of claim 1, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer docking system of claim 1, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer docking system, comprising: it portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes disk operating system applications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer docking system, comprising: it portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes disk operating system applications.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes files.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes files.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications and closes files.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications and closes files.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Tile computer docking system of claim 6, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer docking system of claim 6, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means will not allow the system to shut down and disconnect the portable computer until all preprocessing is done.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means will not allow the system to shut down and disconnect the portable computer until all preprocessing is done.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer docking system of claim 9, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer docking system of claim 9, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting, said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means allows the disabling of an eject switch to prevent accidental ejection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting, said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means allows the disabling of an eject switch to prevent accidental ejection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets a time for automatic shut down of the system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets a time for automatic shut down of the system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer docking system of claim 13, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means wakes up the system and facilitates manual or automatic resume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer docking system, comprising: a portable computer; a docking station having connection means for connecting said portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means wakes up the system and facilitates manual or automatic resume.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer docking system of claim 15, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The docking station of claim 17, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The docking station of claim 17, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes disk operating system applications.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes disk operating system applications.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes files.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means closes files.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications and closes files.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets up and closes operating system applications and closes files.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
The docking station of claim 22, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The docking station of claim 22, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer docking station, comprising; connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means will not allow the system to shut down and disconnect the portable computer until all preprocessing is done.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer docking station, comprising; connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means will not allow the system to shut down and disconnect the portable computer until all preprocessing is done.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
The docking stahon of claim 25, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The docking station of claim 25, in which said microprocessor in the docking station examines key lock status and will not allow ejection until the key lock is in an "unlocked" position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means allows the disabling of an eject switch to prevent accidental ejection.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means allows the disabling of an eject switch to prevent accidental ejection.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
51 words
The docking station of claim 28, in which said means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer allows the system to be locked through a communications port which the CPU uses to send instructions to the docking station.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets a time for automatic shut down of the system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means sets a time for automatic shut down of the system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means wakes up the system and facilitates manual or automatic resume.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer docking station, comprising: connection means for connecting a portable computer to said docking station; and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to a central processing unit (CPU) in the portable computer, wherein said means wakes up the system and facilitates manual or automatic resume.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-11-04 | 2001-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-05 | 2004-11-04 | 2005-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-05 | 2008-11-04 | 2009-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |