Multiprocessor notebook computer with a tablet PC conversion capability

• US 20030112585A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Silvester, Kelan Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/020,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112585A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use

Abstract

An apparatus for a multiprocessor notebook computer with a tablet personal computer (PC) conversion capability. The apparatus of one embodiment comprises a first computer comprising a first processor housed in a first case, the first processor to execute a first set of instructions. A second computer comprises a second processor housed in a second case, the second processor to execute a second set of instructions. A docking connector is coupled to the first case and the second case. The docking connector to mate the first computer and the second computer together. The docking connector to propagate electrical signals between the first processor and the second processor when the first case is physically docked to the second case. The first computer and the second computer operate together as a multiprocessor computer system when the first computer and the second computer are mated. The first computer and the second computer operate as separate computers when the first computer and the second computer are not mated.

Claims

1. A apparatus comprising:

a first computer comprising a first processor housed in a first case, said first processor to execute a first set of instructions;

a second computer comprising a second processor housed in a second case, said second processor to execute a second set of instructions;

a docking connector coupled to said first case and said second case, said docking connector to mate said first computer and said second computer together, said docking connector to propagate electrical signals between said first processor and said second processor when said first case is physically docked to said second case, and

wherein said first computer and said second computer operate together as a multiprocessor computer system when said first computer and said second computer are mated, and wherein said first computer and said second computer operate as separate computers when said first computer and said second computer are not mated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first computer further comprises a first wireless transceiver to send and receive wireless communications.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second computer further comprises a second wireless transceiver to send and receive wireless communications.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first computer and said second computer communicate together wirelessly when said first computer and said second computer are not mated together.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first computer further comprises a keyboard mounted within said first case, said keyboard to receive user input.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first computer is a base computer, said base computer to serve as a bottom half of a notebook computer system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second computer further comprises a display screen mounted within said second case, said display screen to output information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second computer is a tablet computer, said tablet computer to serve as a top half of said notebook computer system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first processor is a primary processor for said multiprocessor system when said first computer and said second computer are mated together, and wherein said keyboard and said display screen are controlled by said first processor, said keyboard to send any input received to said first processor and said display screen to display data from said first processor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first computer is coupled to a network, said first computer to operate as a server when said first computer and said second computer are not mated together, and resources of said first computer are available.

11. A mobile computer system comprising:

a tablet personal computer (PC) comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a first processor, and a first wireless transceiver;

a base computer module comprising a keyboard, a second processor, and a second wireless transceiver; and

a mating connector to couple together said tablet PC and said base computer module, wherein said tablet PC and said base computer operate together as a multiprocessor computer system while said tablet PC and said base computer module are physically mated, and wherein said tablet PC and said base computer module operate separately as stand-alone computers while said tablet PC and said base computer module are not mated together.

12. The mobile computer system of claim 11 wherein said LCD screen further comprises a touch-sensitive panel covering said LCD screen, said touch-sensitive panel to receive user input.

13. The mobile computer system of claim 12 wherein said tablet PC and said base computer module mate together into a notebook computer form factor, said tablet PC as an upper half of a notebook case and said base computer module as a bottom half of said notebook case.

14. The mobile computer system of claim 13 wherein said first processor and said second processor operate together during a multiprocessor mode to execute instructions and process data.

15. The mobile computer system of claim 14 wherein said tablet PC and said base computer module communicate with each other wirelessly to share data.

16. The mobile computer system of claim 15 wherein said base computer module is coupled to a network, said base computer module to operate as a server machine on said network, and said base computer to further provide network access to said tablet PC.

17. A multiprocessor computing system comprising:

a first computing unit comprising a first processor and a second computing unit comprising a second processor;

said first and second computing units designed to mate together to form a singular combined computing unit, wherein said first and second computing units are physically coupled together during a mated mode, and wherein said first and second computing units are not physically coupled together during a detached mode; and

wherein said first and second computing units operate together as a single computer during said mated mode, and said first and second computing units each operate as an individual computer during said detached mode.

18. The multiprocessor computing system of claim 17 wherein said first computing unit is a master and takes primary control of system resources during said mated mode.

19. The multiprocessor computing system of claim 18 wherein said first computing unit further comprises a first wireless transceiver and said second computing unit further comprises a second wireless transceiver, said first and second computing units to communicate via said first and second wireless transceivers to transfer and share data.

20. The multiprocessor computing system of claim 19 wherein said first computing unit is coupled to a network, said first computing unit to provide network access to said second computing unit during said detached mode via wireless communications.