Mobile computing device and associated base stations

• US 6,636,918 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gupta, Sanjay, Stafford, James Michael, Aguilar, Maximino, Kim, Roy Moonseuk
• Primary Examiner(s): AUVE, GLENN ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/606,638
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 710/303, 710/304, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A mobile computing device and associated base stations are disclosed. The mobile computing device includes a system-on-chip (SOC) device that includes a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units. The mobile computing device further includes a system memory and a base unit interface. The base unit interface is suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit that includes a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display. The SOC is connected to and enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit. The base unit interface may comprise a PCI interface that connects the SOC device to the base unit via a PCI bus. The plurality of peripheral units may include an audio adapter, a flash device, a wireless suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless information, and a liquid crystal display suitable for displaying text messages. The mobile device preferably further includes a battery suitable for powering the mobile computing device. The base unit suitably includes an interface configured to connect to the base unit interface of the mobile computing device and a display adapter enabled to control a display. The display adapter is connected to the interface unit via a peripheral bus that is connected to the SOC when the mobile computing device and the base unit are connected. The base unit may comprise a desktop base unit that includes a hard disk adapter, a CD ROM drive, a floppy diskette drive, a network device base unit that includes a network adapter, controlled by the SOC, that enables the base unit to communicate with a network server, or an internet appliance base unit that includes a modem controlled by the SOC and configured to enable the system to connect to the internet.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a system-on-chip (SOC) device comprising a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units;

a system memory;

a base unit interface suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit that includes a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display, wherein the SOC is enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit; and

a power source to power the mobile computer device for standalone operation.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the base unit interface comprises a PCI interface that connects the SOC device to the base unit via a PCI bus.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the SOC processor core comprises an x86 compatible processor core.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of peripheral unit cells includes an audio adapter cell.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless unit connected to the processor and suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless information.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 5, further comprising a flash device containing mobile device system software to enable the device to perform standalone tasks including email and Internet browsing.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising a liquid crystal display suitable for displaying text messages.

8. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

9. A data processing system comprising:

a mobile computing device comprising a system-on-chip (SOC) device including a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units, a system memory, a base unit interface suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit, and a power source to power the mobile device for standalone operation, and

a base unit including a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display and an interface unit suitable for connecting to the base interface unit of the mobile computing device, wherein the SOC is enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the base unit is characterized as a desktop base unit including a hard disk adapter and a CD ROM drive.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the interface unit is a PCI compatible interface and the mobile computing device SOC is connected to the base unit interface via a PCI bus.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the base unit is characterized as a network device base unit including a network adapter controlled by the mobile computing device SOC and enabling the base unit to communicate with a network server.

13. The system of claim 12, where the base unit further includes a flash device containing network operating system software.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the base unit is further characterized as an internet appliance base unit including means controlled by the mobile computing device SOC to enable the system to connect to the internet.