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Method and apparatus for resolving resource conflicts after a portable computer has docked to an expansion base unit

  • US 5,596,728 A
  • Filed: 04/16/1996
  • Issued: 01/21/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A docking computer system, comprising:

  • a portable computer system, including;

    an expansion bus;

    an expansion connector coupled to said expansion bus; and

    a device being coupled to said expansion bus and having resource requirements; and

    an expansion base system for docking or undocking said portable computer system, wherein said expansion base system includes;

    an expansion bus;

    a docking connector coupled to said expansion base system expansion bus for connection to said expansion connector when said portable computer system is docked to said expansion base system;

    an expansion slot coupled to said expansion base system expansion bus for connection to an expansion device having resource requirements; and

    a slot disabler coupled to said expansion slot for disabling said expansion slot,wherein said portable computer system fisher includes;

    a conflict decoder coupled to said portable computer system expansion bus for determining if said resource requirements of said portable computer system device and said expansion device conflict after said portable computer system has docked to said expansion base system; and

    a command decoder coupled to said conflict decoder and said portable computer system expansion bus for activating said slot disabler to disable said expansion slot if said resource conflict is present and is non-fatal and otherwise insulating said portable computer system said expansion base system.

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