Computer system capable of switching operating system

• US 20020157001A1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Mark, Huang, Alec
• Application Number:
  US10/095,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157001A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/441 Multiboot arrangements, i.e. selecting an operating system to be loaded

Abstract

A computer system, having a portable computer and an expanding apparatus. The portable computer has a display, a first storage apparatus to store a first operating system and an operating system load program, a processing circuit to execute the first operating system for controlling operation of the computer system, and a connector. The expanding apparatus has a second storage apparatus to store a second operating system. When the connector of the portable computer is disconnected with the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit executes the first operating system to allow the portable computer operating independently. When the connector is coupled to the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit uses the operating system load program to load and execute the second operating system, while the first operating system is terminated. In addition, a docking station may also be installed in the expanding apparatus to dispose the portable computer thereon.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a portable computer, further comprising;

a display;

a first storage apparatus, to store a first operating system and an operating system load program;

a processing circuit, to execute the first operating system to control operation of the computer system; and

a connector; and

an expanding apparatus, further comprising;

a second storage apparatus, to store a second operating system;

wherein when the connector of the portable computer is disconnected with the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit of the portable computer executes the first operating system to allow the portable computer operating independently, and when the connector of the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit uses the operating system load program to load and execute the second operating system stored in the second storage apparatus of the expanding apparatus to replace the first operating system.

2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the portable computer includes a personal data assistant (PDA).

3. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein expanding apparatus includes a docking station to allow the portable computer disposed thereon.

4. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus, a user can drive the operating system load program to load and execute the second operating system stored in the second storage apparatus of the expanding apparatus.

5. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein when the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit detects the expanding apparatus via the connector and automatically executes the operating system load program to load and execute the second operating system and stop the first operating system.

6. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein when a connection between the portable computer and the expanding apparatus is cut off, the processing circuit executes the operating system load program to execute the first operating system, and terminate the second operating system.

7. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second storage apparatus further comprises an application program, and when the processing circuit is executing the second operating system, the portable computer executes the application program via the second operating system and displays an operation of the application program on the display.

8. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second storage apparatus further comprises a third operating system, and when the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus, the processing circuit displays a selection frame on the display to allow a user to decide which operating system to be executed, and the processing circuit executes a selected operating system load program decided by the user to load and execute the corresponding operating system.

9. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second operating system comprises a system file reading function to read a file stored in the first storage apparatus under the first operating system.

10. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the portable computer further comprises a charger, and the expanding apparatus further comprises another charger, and when the portable computer is disconnected with the expanding apparatus, the charger of the portable computer supply power thereto, while when the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus, the charger of the expanding apparatus supplies power to the portable computer and charges the charger of the portable computer.

11. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit comprises a processor to process operation of the computer system.

12. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the portable computer further comprises a wireless communication apparatus, by which the portable computer transmits and receives data.

13. The computer system according to claim 12, wherein the wireless communication apparatus meets the code division multiple access (CDMA) system specification.

14. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the expanding apparatus further comprises a keyboard, by which a user controls the computer system when the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus.

15. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch panel, and a user controls the computer system by touching the touch panel.

16. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the expanding apparatus further comprises a network apparatus, via which data is transmitted between the portable computer and a network when the portable computer is connected to the expanding apparatus.

17. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the first storage apparatus comprises a read only memory.

18. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the first storage apparatus comprises a flash memory.

19. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second storage apparatus comprises a hard disc.

20. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second storage apparatus comprises a CD ROM.