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

• US 7,266,774 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Jeffrey Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu D.
• Application Number:
  US10/351,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20040145606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,685 Days
• Field of Search: 715/733, 715/744, 715/748, 709/253, 710/303
• US Class Current: 715/733
• 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 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 instead of as an input device for interfacing with said second independent computer system while said second independent computer system is docked into said first computer system, wherein while said second independent computer system is undocked from said first computer system said input interface of said second independent computer system is for interfacing with said second independent computer system.

2. 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;

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

3. A computer program product for controlling a first computer system, said computer program product including a plurality of computer executable instructions stored on a computer recording medium, wherein said instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of:

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 instead of as an input device for interfacing with said second independent computer system while said second independent computer system is docked into said first computer system, wherein while said second independent computer system is undocked from said first computer system said input interface of said second independent computer system is for interfacing with said second independent computer system.