US6493783B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Undocking method for multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking plurality of expansion units to a portable PC
Assignee: Lenovo PC International Ltd
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Filing: 2000-04-11
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Granted: 2002-12-10
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Expires: 2020-04-11
Abstract
Abstract Described is an improved method for undocking a structure having an optional number of tiers from a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units respectively having an intrinsic resource to a portable PC. To undock only a portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC, the first expansion unit is made to generate an undock event. The IDE device of the first expansion unit and the PCI device of the second expansion unit are separated from the control by an operating system by taking the undock event as an opportunity and the interfaces of the devices and are electrically separated. The operability is improved because it is possible to unitedly obtain an object to be undocked through both vision and operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Hidenori Kinoshita
- 👤 Yasuhiro Kobayashi
- 👤 Takayuki Katoh
- 👤 Shinobu Miyachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for undocking a structure having an optional number of tiers from a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, the expansion units having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the multilayer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for undocking a structure having an optional number of tiers from a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, the expansion units having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the multilayer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for undocking only a portable PC or a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC, the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for undocking only a portable PC or a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC, the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for undocking only a portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate both the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating both the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the first expansion unit and the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for undocking only a portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, comprising the steps of: allowing the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate both the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating both the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the first expansion unit and the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The undocking method according to claim 3 , wherein the undock event generated by the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure is generated by operating an undock event switch provided for the first expansion unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The undocking method according to claim 3 , wherein the undock event generated by the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure is generated by turning off a power controller for the resource of the first expansion unit.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for undocking a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to a portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC, the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, the method comprising the steps of: allowing the second expansion unit to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for undocking a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to a portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit to the portable PC, the first expansion unit and the second expansion unit having an intrinsic resource respectively, the method comprising the steps of: allowing the second expansion unit to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The undocking method according to claim 6 , wherein the undock event generated by the second expansion unit is generated by operating an undock event switch provided for the second expansion unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The undocking method according to claim 6 , wherein the undock event generated by the second expansion unit is generated by turning off the power controller of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
175 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking a structure having an optional number of tiers structure from a multilayer structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units respectively having an intrinsic resource to a portable PC; comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the multilayer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
175 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking a structure having an optional number of tiers structure from a multilayer structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units respectively having an intrinsic resource to a portable PC; comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the multilayer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
189 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking only the portable PC or a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
189 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking only the portable PC or a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing a target expansion unit located immediately below a structure to be undocked and serving as an expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller, provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event, to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate resources of the target expansion unit and a lower-order expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resources from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate interfaces of the resources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking only the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the first expansion unit and the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer-readable recording medium storing an undocking program for a multilayer-dock structure constituted by docking a plurality of expansion units to a portable PC, which stores a program for undocking only the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the first expansion unit and the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the first expansion unit and the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 11 , wherein the undock event generated by the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure is generated by operating an undock event switch provided for the first expansion unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 11 , wherein the undock event generated by the first expansion unit in the triple-layer-dock structure is generated by turning off a power controller for the resource of the first expansion unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-readable recording medium, which stores a program for undocking a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing the second expansion unit to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-readable recording medium, which stores a program for undocking a double-layer-dock structure constituted by docking a first expansion unit to the portable PC from a triple-layer-dock structure constituted by docking the first expansion unit and a second expansion unit respectively having an intrinsic resource to the portable PC, comprising the steps of: allowing the second expansion unit to generate an undock event; allowing a controller provided for a portable PC and receiving the undock event to issue a system management interrupt; allowing the service program of a system receiving the system management interrupt to request an operating system to separate the resource of the second expansion unit from the control by the operating system; allowing the operating system to perform the operation for separating the resource of the second expansion unit from its control; and allowing the service program to electrically separate the interface of the resource of the second expansion unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 14 , wherein the undock event generated by the second expansion unit is generated by operating an undock event switch provided for the second expansion unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 14 , wherein the undock event generated by the second expansion unit is generated by turning off the power controller of the resource of the second expansion unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-09 | 2006-06-10 | 2006-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | 2010-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-09 | 2014-06-10 | 2014-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |