Docking station with serially accessed memory that is powered by a portable computer for identifying the docking station
First Claim
1. A docking station for connection to a portable computer, said docking station comprising:
- an internal bus;
a plurality of expansion slots connected to said internal bus;
a connector which establishes communication between said internal bus and said portable computer; and
a memory internal to said docking station and in electrical a communication with said portable computer, said memory operating independently of said internal bus of said docking station and communicating with said portable computer without using said internal bus, said memory internal to said docking station receiving power from said portable computer when said portable computer is connected to said docking station irrespective of whether sower is applied to said docking station.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station for connection with a notebook computer includes a non-volatile memory chip which stores a serial number, an identification number, and configuration information pertaining to the docking station. When a notebook computer engages with the docking station, an electrical connection is provided between a microprocessor within the notebook computer and the non-volatile memory within the docking station so that the microprocessor within the computer 110 can interrogate the memory within the docking station. Based upon the information contained within the non-volatile memory, the software operating system of the notebook computer determines whether or not the notebook computer is compatible with the docking station. Furthermore, if selected configuration information is stored within the non-volatile memory within the docking station, this configuration information can be utilized by the software system of the notebook computer to allocate system resources.
106 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A docking station for connection to a portable computer, said docking station comprising:
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an internal bus; a plurality of expansion slots connected to said internal bus; a connector which establishes communication between said internal bus and said portable computer; and a memory internal to said docking station and in electrical a communication with said portable computer, said memory operating independently of said internal bus of said docking station and communicating with said portable computer without using said internal bus, said memory internal to said docking station receiving power from said portable computer when said portable computer is connected to said docking station irrespective of whether sower is applied to said docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification