Universal docking station
US5941965A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1632
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A universal docking station for coupling a portable computer to a plurality of peripheral devices via a PCMCIA interface is provided, wherein at least one of the peripheral devices is a user input device. The docking station comprises a PCMCIA interface adapted to be coupled to the portable computer, peripheral control units adapted to be coupled to the plurality of peripheral devices, and a docking station control unit coupled to the PCMCIA interface and the peripheral control units, wherein the docking station control unit selectively transfers data between the PCMCIA interface and one of the peripheral control units, and wherein the docking station control unit extends the period of time data written by the computer remains stable on the PCMCIA interface. A computer system including the universal docking station is also provided. A method for interfacing a standard peripheral device to a computer via a PCMCIA bus is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.