Hot docking drive wedge and port replicator

Details Hot docking drive wedge and port replicator Hot docking drive wedge and port replicator

2006-01-24

2006-01-24

Auve, Glenn A. (Department: 2111)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Intrasystem connection

Bus expansion or extension

C710S304000, C710S072000, C710S010000, C710S300000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06990546

ABSTRACT:
A portable computer can be “hot” docked to one or more expansion devices, such as a drive wedge and a port replicator. As such, the expansion devices can be connected to and disconnected from the portable computer while portable computer is powered on and fully operational. The portable computer includes control logic that detects when an expansion device is connected to or disconnected from the portable computer and asserts an SMI or equivalent interrupt signal to the computer's CPU to initiate a sequence of events by which the computer determines whether an expansion device has been connected or disconnected. If the CPU determines that the expansion device has been connected to the computer, the CPU appropriately reconfigures itself to communicate with the expansion device. If the expansion device is disconnected, the CPU also appropriately reconfigures itself to preclude communications with the disconnected device.

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