Implementing a second computer system as an interface for first computer system

• US 20040145606A1
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Jeffrey Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,266,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/743
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation

Abstract

A method, system, and program for using a second computer system as an input interface for a first computer system are provided. A second independent computer system is docked into a first computer system. Then, the first computer system uses at least one of an input interface and an output interface of the second independent computer system as a peripheral device for interfacing with the first computer system. While the second independent computer system is undocked from the first computer system at least one of the input interface and the output interface of the second independent computer system are peripheral devices for interfacing solely with the second independent computer system.

Claims

1. A first computer system, comprising:

means for docking a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

means for receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system; and

means for synchronizing data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

2. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein when said second independent computer system is undocked, said input received at said second independent computer system is utilized to control said second computer system.

3. The first computer system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for sending an output signal from said first computer system to said second independent computer system as an output signal to an output interface of said second independent computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

4. The first computer system of claim 1, said means for receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first system, further comprising:

means for translating said input to said second independent computer system into an input format recognizable by said first computer system.

5. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said first computer system is not operable unless said second independent computer system is docked.

6. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein a selection of software and data on said first computer system are only accessible when said second independent computer system is docked.

7. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said first computer system is not operable unless a user passes the security requirements of said second independent computer system.

8. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said first computer system is a laptop computer and said second independent computer system is a portable electronic device.

9. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said first computer system is a first portable electronic device and said second independent computer system is a second portable electronic device.

10. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said means for docking a second independent computer system comprises a space within said first computer system.

11. The first computer system of claim 1, wherein said means for docking a second independent computer system comprises a docking interface external to said first computer system.

12. The first computer system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for recharging said second independent computer system from a power supply to said first computer system while said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

13. A method for controlling a first computer system, comprising:

docking a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system; and

synchronizing data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

14. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

responsive to detecting said second independent computer system undocked from said first computer system, utilizing said input received at said second independent computer system to control said second independent computer system.

15. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

sending an output signal from said first computer system to said second independent computer system as an output signal to an output interface of said second independent computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

16. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, wherein receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first system further comprises:

translating said input to said second independent computer system into an input format recognizable by said first computer system.

17. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

only allowing operation of said first computer system if said second independent computer system is docked.

18. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

only allowing access to a selection of software and data on said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked.

19. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

only allowing operation of said first computer system if a user passes the security requirements for use of said second independent computer system.

20. The method for controlling a first computer system of claim 13, further comprising:

recharging said second independent computer system from a power supply to said first computer system while said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

21. A computer program product for controlling a first computer system, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for docking a second independent computer system in a first computer system;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for synchronizing data between said first computer system and said second computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

22. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for utilizing said input received at said second independent computer system to control said second independent computer system, in response to detecting said second independent computer system undocked from said first computer system.

23. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for sending an output signal from said first computer system to said second independent computer system as an output signal to an output interface of said second independent computer system when said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

24. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, wherein receiving an input to said second independent computer system as an input for controlling said first system further comprises:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for translating said input to said second independent computer system into an input format recognizable by said first computer system.

25. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for only allowing operation of said first computer system if said second independent computer system is docked.

26. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for only allowing access to a selection of software and data on said first computer system when said second independent computer system is docked.

27. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for only allowing operation of said first computer system if a user passes the security requirements for use of said second independent computer system.

28. The computer program product for controlling a first computer system of claim 21, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for recharging said second independent computer system from a power supply to said first computer system while said second independent computer system is docked in said first computer system.

29. A method of controlling a first computer system, comprising:

docking a second independent computer system into said first computer system, wherein the only allowable input device for said first computer system is said second independent computer system; and

utilizing at least one input interface of said second independent computer system as an input device for interfacing with said first computer system, wherein while said second independent computer system is undocked from said first computer system said at least one of said input interface and said output interface of said second independent computer system are peripheral devices for interfacing with said second independent computer system.

30. A first computer system secured by a second independent computer system, comprising:

a first computer system comprising a docking port for a second independent computer system, wherein said second independent computer system comprises an input interface that controls inputs to said second independent computer system;

means for only allowing inputs to said first computer system from inputs made to second independent computer system while said second independent computer system is docked in said docking port.

31. A computer program product for controlling a first computer system, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for docking a second independent computer system into said first computer system, wherein the only allowable input device for said first computer system is said second independent computer system; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for utilizing at least one input interface of said second independent computer system as an input device for interfacing with said first computer system, wherein while said second independent computer system is undocked from said first computer system said at least one of said input interface and said output interface of said second independent computer system are peripheral devices for interfacing with said second independent computer system.

32. A portable computer system, comprising:

means for docking said portable computer system into a first computer system;

means for operating said portable computer system in a first mode where inputs to said portable computer system control said portable computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system; and

means for operating said portable computer system in a second mode where inputs to said portable computer system are implemented as inputs to said first computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system.

33. The portable computer system of claim 32, wherein said means for operating in a second mode further comprises:

means for receiving an output signal at said portable computer system from said first computer system; and

means for controlling output of said output signal via an output interface of said portable computer system.

34. The portable computer system of claim 32, wherein said first computer system is a laptop computer and said portable computer system is a portable electronic device.

35. The portable computer system of claim 32, wherein said first computer system is a first portable electronic device and said portable computer system is a portable electronic device.

36. A method for controlling a portable computer system, comprising:

docking said portable computer system into a first computer system;

operating said portable computer system in a first mode where inputs to said portable computer system control said portable computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system; and

operating said portable computer system in a second mode where inputs to said portable computer system are implemented as inputs to said first computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system.

37. The method for controlling a portable computer system of claim 36, wherein operating in a second mode further comprises:

receiving an output signal at said portable computer system from said first computer system; and

controlling output of said output signal via an output interface of said portable computer system.

38. A computer program product for controlling a portable computer system, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting docking of said portable computer system into a first computer system;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for operating said portable computer system in a first mode where inputs to said portable computer system control said portable computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for operating said portable computer system in a second mode where inputs to said portable computer system are implemented as inputs to said first computer system while said portable computer system is docked into said first computer system.

39. The computer program product for controlling a portable computer system of claim 38, wherein operating in a second mode further comprises:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for receiving an output signal at said portable computer system from said first computer system; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for controlling output of said output signal via an output interface of said portable computer system.