Docking detection and suspend circuit for portable computer/expansion chassis docking system
US5526493A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1632
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A docking detection and suspend circuit for portable computer/expansion chassis docking system. A first circuit within the portable computer is capable of detecting an impending electrical coupling of the portable computer to a corresponding docking station and generating a signal indicating the impending coupling. A second circuit within the portable computer and coupled to the first circuit is capable of receiving the signal and placing the portable computer in a suspend mode at least until the portable computer fully electrically couples to the docking station. The present invention relieves a computer user of the task of manually placing the portable computer in the suspend mode prior to docking with the docking station. The present invention protects components within both the portable computer and the docking station from being damaged by docking the portable computer when in a normal operational mode and prevents the user's data from being corrupted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.