초록 ▼

A portable computer adapted for electrical connection to a docking station having multiple power modes of operation is described. The portable computer has one or more CPU chips which have at least two power modes of operation, a low power mode and a high power mode. When the portable computer is op

A portable computer adapted for electrical connection to a docking station having multiple power modes of operation is described. The portable computer has one or more CPU chips which have at least two power modes of operation, a low power mode and a high power mode. When the portable computer is operated as a stand-alone computer, it operates in the low power mode. When the portable computer is operated while electrically connected to the docking station, it operates in a high power mode. The docking station has greater cooling capacity than the portable computer alone to provide enhanced cooling of the high power mode of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of operation of a system by a user comprising: a functioning portable computer; a functioning docking station; said portable computer comprises a low performance mode of operation and a high performance mode of operation; sensing through a sensor for if said po

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of operation of a system by a user comprising: a functioning portable computer; a functioning docking station; said portable computer comprises a low performance mode of operation and a high performance mode of operation; sensing through a sensor for if said portable computer is engaged in said docking station or if said portable computer is not engaged in said docking station; said user using both said high and said low performance modes of operation; switching said computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation by a signal generator in response to providing an input to said system; said providing said input being selected from the group consisting of providing an output of said sensor indicating that said portable computer is engaged with said docking station and for switching said portable computer into said high performance mode of operation, providing an output of said sensor indicating that said portable computer is disengaged from said docking station and for switching said portable computer into said low performance mode of operation and an output of a temperature sensor which monitors the operating temperature of said computer switching said portable computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation; cooling said portable computer with a portable computer cooling system when said portable computer is not engaged with said docking station and operating in said low performance mode of operation; cooling the combination of said engaged said portable computer and said docking station with the combination of said portable computer cooling station system and a docking station cooling system providing enhanced cooling of said portable computer when engaged with said docking station and operating in said high performance mode of operation and for reduced cooling of said portable computer when disengaged from said docking station and operating in said low performance mode of operation; and said engaged cooling system comprises a first air blower in said portable computer blowing air through a first air port in said portable computer and over a heat sink in said portable computer, opening and closing a releasable clamp for providing physical and thermal engagement between said portable computer and said docking station, providing physical and thermal coupling by said releasable clamp to a heat pipe providing thermal contact between said heat sink and said heat pipe, said releasable clamp permitting engagement and disengagement of said heat pipe and said heat sink, said heat pipe thermally coupled to a heat sink in said docking station, said heat sink in said docking station is thermally coupled to a second air blower in said docking station for causing airflow over said heat sink in said docking station, said releasable clamp permits said second engaged cooling system to provide higher heat dissipation capacity to said portable computer when operating in said high performance mode of operation from said high performance CPU than the maximum heat dissipation capacity provided by said first air blower to said portable computer when operating in said low performance mode of operation from said low performance CPU.