Method and apparatus for sensing and changing the state of a computer before connecting the computer to or disconnecting the computer from an expansion unit
US5721836A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4081
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for sensing the state of a computer system and changing the state, if necessary, before connecting the computer system to a computer expansion unit. The computer system has an electrical sense pad on which it sets a state signal. This state signal can indicate one of several states of the computer system. When the computer system is placed in the computer expansion unit, the expansion unit detects the state signal from the electrical sense pad and determines the state of the computer therefrom. If the determined state is an acceptable state, then the expansion unit will complete the connection of the computer to itself. If the determined state is an unacceptable state, then the expansion unit will delay completion of the connection and will send a signal back to the computer system telling the computer system to change its state. When the computer system receives this signal, it will change its state to an acceptable state and then reset the state signal on the electrical sense pad to indicate the new state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.