The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 07, 1997
LaVaughn F Watts, Jr, Temple, TX (US);
Gary Verdun, Belton, TX (US);
Kevin Davis, Belton, TX (US);
Thomas R Grimm, Temple, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station having connection means for connecting a portable computer to the docking station, the docking station having an internal microprocessor. In preferred embodiments, the microprocessor of the docking station: performs processing to the portable computer and applications across a communications bus between the microprocessor and said portable computer; controls the means by which the portable computer is mechanically connected to the docking station; controls the means by which the portable computer is electrically connected to said docking station; controls the means by which the portable computer is mechanically and electrically connected to said docking station; controls the power to the portable computer, connects the portable computer to the docking station from a software point of view; ejects the portable computer to from the docking station from a software point of view; controls processing across the bus; controls the function of free form switches on the docking station; and controls itself under a first mode of operation and is under at least partial from a central processing unit in said portable computer under a second mode of operation.