Method and system for coupling a laptop or other portable or hand-held device to a docking system using an Ethernet interface

• US 7,746,629 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Assouad, Simon, Lakhani, Vinod
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US11/669,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 710303-304
• US Class Current: 361/679.31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

Methods and systems for coupling a laptop or other portable or hand-held device to a docking system using an Ethernet Interface are disclosed and may comprise interfacing a portable computing device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface. Power may be applied from the docking station to the portable computing device via the Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol. Audio, video, multimedia, control and/or data signals may be communicated between the docking station and the portable computing device via the Ethernet interface. Data exchanged between the portable computing device and the docking station may be encapsulated in Ethernet frames and tagged appropriately. The interface may be accomplished by directly coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device, or by utilizing an Ethernet cable. The docking station may be an active or passive docking station.

Claims

1. A method for docking a computer, the method comprising:

interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

supplying power from said docking station to said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising powering said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interfacing comprises directly coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interfacing comprises coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

12. The method according to claim 1, comprising charging said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

13. The method according to claim 1, comprising encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

14. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

15. A system for docking a computer, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

said one or more circuits for supplying power from said docking station to said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits powers said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

21. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

22. The system according to claim 15, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples directly an to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

23. The system according to claim 15, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples to said Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

24. The system according to claim 15, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

25. The system according to claim 15, wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

26. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits charges said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

27. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits encapsulates and tags data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

28. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

29. A method for docking a computer, the method comprising:

interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

powering said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

30. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

31. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

32. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

33. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

34. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

35. The method according to claim 29, wherein said interfacing comprises directly coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

36. The method according to claim 29, wherein said interfacing comprises coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

37. The method according to claim 29, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

38. The method according to claim 29, wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

39. The method according to claim 29, comprising charging said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

40. The method according to claim 29, comprising encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

41. The method according to claim 29, comprising communicating data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

42. A system for docking a computer, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

said one or more circuits for powering said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

44. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

45. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

46. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

47. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

48. The system according to claim 42, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples directly an to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

49. The system according to claim 42, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples to said Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

50. The system according to claim 42, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

51. The system according to claim 42, wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

52. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits charges said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

53. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits encapsulates and tags data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

54. The system according to claim 42, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

55. A method for docking a computer, the method comprising:

interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

56. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

57. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

58. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

59. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

60. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

61. The method according to claim 55, wherein said interfacing comprises directly coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

62. The method according to claim 55, wherein said interfacing comprises coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

63. The method according to claim 55, comprising charging said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

64. The method according to claim 55, comprising encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

65. The method according to claim 55, comprising communicating data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

66. A system for docking a computer, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

wherein said docking station is a passive docking station.

67. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

68. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

69. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

70. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

71. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

72. The system according to claim 66, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples directly an to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

73. The system according to claim 66, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples to said Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

74. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits charges said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

75. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits encapsulates and tags data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

76. The system according to claim 66, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

77. A method for docking a computer, the method comprising:

interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

charging said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

78. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

79. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

80. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

81. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

82. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

83. The method according to claim 77, wherein said interfacing comprises directly coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

84. The method according to claim 77, wherein said interfacing comprises coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

85. The method according to claim 77, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

86. The method according to claim 77, comprising encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

87. The method according to claim 77, comprising communicating data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

88. A system for docking a computer, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station;

said one or more circuits for charging said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface using power over Ethernet (POE) protocol.

89. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

90. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

91. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

92. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

93. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

94. The system according to claim 88, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples directly an to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

95. The system according to claim 88, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples to said Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

96. The system according to claim 88, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

97. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits encapsulates and tags data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

98. The system according to claim 88, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

99. A method for docking a computer, the method comprising:

interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

100. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

101. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

102. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

103. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

104. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

105. The method according to claim 99, wherein said interfacing comprises directly coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

106. The method according to claim 99, wherein said interfacing comprises coupling said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

107. The method according to claim 99, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

108. The method according to claim 99, comprising communicating data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

109. A system for docking a computer, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for interfacing a laptop computer or handheld communication device to a docking station using an Ethernet interface, wherein said Ethernet interface comprises an RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device and a corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said docking station; and

said one or more circuits for encapsulating and tagging data exchanged between said laptop computer or handheld communication device and said docking station.

110. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates audio signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

111. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates video signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

112. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates multimedia signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

113. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates control signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

114. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data signals between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.

115. The system according to claim 109, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples directly an to said RJ-45 Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device.

116. The system according to claim 109, wherein said corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet connector of said docking station couples to said Ethernet connector on said laptop computer or handheld communication device via an Ethernet cable.

117. The system according to claim 109, wherein said docking station is an active docking station.

118. The system according to claim 109, wherein said one or more circuits communicates data generated from human interface devices between said docking station and said laptop computer or handheld communication device via said Ethernet interface.