Apple Inc.

Mary B Johnson

Robert L Bailey

Dennis Joseph Boyle

Brian D Howard

James J Halicho

Krishna Viswanadham

Mark H Seibert

David Blakely

Lesley A Bird

An input/output interface apparatus that allows a computer system to have less ports and greater safety with the connection of peripheral devices to the ports is disclosed. The input/output interface apparatus enables the computer system to supply multiple bus standards to a single flexible port of the computer system. The input/output interface apparatus permits safe connection of a peripheral device to a port of the computer system when the computer system is powered-on (so called hot-plugging or hot-docking).

Method and apparatus for ensuring safe peripheral connection

An apparatus and method for protecting the state of a state machine from an unstable clock signal. The apparatus of one embodiment includes a state register having an input and a first output which provides an output signal corresponding to the state of the state machine and a set or reset input coupled, through a logic circuit, to the first output. The logic circuit is coupled to receive a signal indicating the unstable state of the clock signal. The logic circuit is coupled to receive a signal indicating the unstable state of the clock signal. The logic circuit feeds back the output from the first output to the set or reset input to maintain the state in the state register while the clock signal is unstable. An embodiment of the method comprises storing a state in a state register, receiving a first signal indicating an unstable state of the clock signal and feeding back the output from the state register to the set or reset input while the first signal indicates the unstable clock exits. In an alternative embodiment, the output from the state register is fed back to its input while the first signal indicates the unstable clock exits.

Method and apparatus for maintaining a state of a state machine during

A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fully functional portable computer with central processing unit, hard disk drive data storage, and liquid crystal display and a docking station having at least a floppy disk drive, video random access memory and video controller. A motorized docking/undocking mechanism automatically docks and undocks the portable computer and docking station after the user has inserted the portable computer into the docking station or after the user has requested that the units be undocked. Numerous mechanical and electrical safeguards prevent the docking or undocking of the units if such docking or undocking is likely to lead to the loss of data or damage to the components of either unit. The internal mechanical construction of the docking station allows the user to place a large cathode ray tube display monitor directly atop the docking station without hindering the docking or undocking of the portable computer.

Portable computer and docking station having an electromechanical

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Mary B Johnson