Docking station with serially accessed memory that is powered by a portable computer for identifying the docking station
US5826043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1632
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A docking station for connection with a notebook computer includes a non-volatile memory chip which stores a serial number, an identification number, and configuration information pertaining to the docking station. When a notebook computer engages with the docking station, an electrical connection is provided between a microprocessor within the notebook computer and the non-volatile memory within the docking station so that the microprocessor within the computer 110 can interrogate the memory within the docking station. Based upon the information contained within the non-volatile memory, the software operating system of the notebook computer determines whether or not the notebook computer is compatible with the docking station. Furthermore, if selected configuration information is stored within the non-volatile memory within the docking station, this configuration information can be utilized by the software system of the notebook computer to allocate system resources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.