초록 ▼

In a computer system constituted by a portable computer and a deskstation used to expand the function of the portable computer, the portable computer has a communication connector used for communication with the deskstation, in addition to a connector for connecting a system bus in the portable comp

In a computer system constituted by a portable computer and a deskstation used to expand the function of the portable computer, the portable computer has a communication connector used for communication with the deskstation, in addition to a connector for connecting a system bus in the portable computer to the deskstation. Similarly, the deskstation also has a communication connector. When the portable computer is set at a predetermined position of the deskstation, these connectors are connected to each other before the system bus is connected to an expansion device of the deskstation. By using the communication connectors to perform communication between the portable computer and the deskstation, disconnection between the system bus and an expansion connector or forced suspend processing of the portable computer is executed before the portable computer in a power ON state is mounted in the deskstation. In addition, a lock mechanism is provided to lock the portable computer with the deskstation. The lock mechanism is operated/released by registering/deleting a password. Even when a power supply unit having a plurality of power supply outlets is externally provided to the deskstation, processing for sequentially enabling the power supply outlets is executed. Temperature control in the portable computer is also executed.

대표청구항 ▼

A computer system comprising: a computer main body; and an expansion unit removably attachable to said computer main body, wherein said computer main body comprises first and second connectors, a system bus, a communication bus connected to said first connector, a power supply for generating operati

A computer system comprising: a computer main body; and an expansion unit removably attachable to said computer main body, wherein said computer main body comprises first and second connectors, a system bus, a communication bus connected to said first connector, a power supply for generating operating voltages including a back up voltage when said computer main body is in power ON state and for generating the back up voltage when said computer main body is in power OFF state, a first controller connected to said communication bus and said power supply, for controlling said power supply, said first controller being driven based on the back up voltage, a gate array, provided between said system bus and said second connector, for switching between electrical connection and disconnection between said system bus and said second connector, and said gate array being set to electrically disconnect said second connector from said system bus in advance of removing said computer main body from said expansion unit, and a processing portion connected to said system bus, for controlling said gate array, wherein said expansion unit comprises a third connector connectable to said first connector and connected to said first connector when said computer main body is set at a mounting position of said expansion unit, a fourth connector connectable to said second connector and arranged to be free to move between a first position where said fourth connector is disconnected from said second connector and a second position where said fourth connector is connected to said second connector when said computer main body is set at the mounting position, at least one expansion device connected to said fourth connector for expanding functions of said computer main body, a loading mechanism for moving said fourth connector between the first position and the second position, and an expansion unit controller for outputting a dock request signal for connection between said second connector and said fourth connector to said computer through said third connector when said computer is set at the mounting position, controlling said loading mechanism to move said fourth connector from the first position to the second position in response to a dock start signal, and outputting a dock completion signal after completion of movement of said fourth connector to said second position, said first controller receiving the dock request signal output by said expansion unit controller through said first connector and said communication bus, outputting the dock start signal in response to the dock request signal when said computer main body is in a power OFF state, and outputting a first interrupt signal to said processing portion through said system bus when said computer main body is in a power ON state, said processing portion outputting a dock permission signal to said first controller in response to the first interrupt signal from said controller, said first controller outputting the dock start signal to said expansion unit controller in response to the dock permission signal from said processing portion, said first controller receiving the dock completion signal output by said expansion unit controller through said first connector and said communication bus, and outputting a second interrupt signal to said processing portion, and said processing portion, in response to the second interrupt signal, controlling said gate array to electrically connect said second connector and said system bus.