KR20100037498A - Portable computer and docking station - Google Patents

Portable computer and docking station Download PDF

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Publication number
KR20100037498A
KR20100037498A KR1020080096843A KR20080096843A KR20100037498A KR 20100037498 A KR20100037498 A KR 20100037498A KR 1020080096843 A KR1020080096843 A KR 1020080096843A KR 20080096843 A KR20080096843 A KR 20080096843A KR 20100037498 A KR20100037498 A KR 20100037498A
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KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
portable computer
docking station
unit
signal
interface
Prior art date
Application number
KR1020080096843A
Other languages
Korean (ko)
Inventor
김태욱
Original Assignee
주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스
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Priority to KR1020080096843A priority Critical patent/KR20100037498A/en
Publication of KR20100037498A publication Critical patent/KR20100037498A/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Power Sources (AREA)

Abstract

The docking station of the present embodiment functions as a frame of the docking station detachably accommodating the portable computer, a device to be performed by the portable computer, a hardware switch identifying the docking station to the portable computer, and a device identified through the hardware switch. And a control unit for converting data and control signals into compatible signals to communicate with each other so as to enable communication between the portable computer and the docking station, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the portable computer and the docking station. According to the docking station and the portable computer according to the present embodiment, the portable computer functions as various devices, and the user can increase the utilization of the portable computer by providing a more convenient interface environment.

Description

Portable computer and docking station

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to portable computers and docking stations of portable computers, and more particularly, to docking stations that enable portable computers to be used in various devices and portable computers that function in various devices in combination with the docking stations.

Personal computers can be largely divided into desktop computers and portable computers (portable laptops or laptops). Among them, the portable computer is light and easy to carry, and unlike the desktop type computer, the portable computer is excellent.

In order to expand portable computers such as notebook PCs having excellent portability and mobility to functions comparable to desktop computers, separate devices such as docking stations are used. By the way, the conventional docking station mainly focuses on the aspect of making a portable computer function as a substitute for a desktop computer, such as having a separate power terminal for power supply or an interface for connecting an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. It was provided on a custom basis.

By the way, portable computers generally have higher performance (e.g., faster processing speeds and larger memory, etc.) than home appliances such as media player devices, network devices, media rendering devices, and the like.

Therefore, if a portable computer is not simply a substitute for a desktop computer but can be used as a home appliance beyond its original function, it may be more useful and utilize the performance of the portable computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a docking station of a portable computer and a portable computer which can be used in various devices in combination with the docking station.

The docking station of the portable computer functions as a frame of the docking station that detachably accommodates the portable computer, a device to be performed by the portable computer, a hardware switch identifying the docking station to the portable computer, and a device identified through the hardware switch. And a control unit for converting data and control signals into compatible signals to communicate with each other so as to enable communication between the portable computer and the docking station, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the portable computer and the docking station.

The power supply unit of the docking station may further include a charger for charging the portable computer.

The docking station may further include a user interface that receives information from a user and inputs the information to the controller.

The user interface unit may further include an IR communication unit for receiving a signal wirelessly received through the remote control.

The docking station may further include a network interface unit connecting an external network and the control unit and converting a signal compatible with the external network and the control unit.

The portable computer may include an extended interface providing an interface between the docking station and the portable computer, a detector for detecting a hardware switch of the docking station for identifying a type of device to be executed by the portable computer, and a signal detected by the detector to receive the signal of the device. It may include a multi-function controller that activates and controls only resources necessary to perform a function.

The multifunction controller may operate only when a signal detected by the detector exists, and may not operate when there is no signal detected.

The device on which the portable computer performs a function may be any one of a multimedia player, a network device, and a media renderer.

The portable computer and the docking station of the portable computer according to the present embodiment have the effect of increasing the utilization of the portable computer by allowing the portable computer to function as various devices and providing a more convenient interface environment to the user.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the docking station includes a frame 101, a hardware switch 102, a computer interface 103, a network interface 104, a user interface 105, an indoor interface 106, a control unit 107, and a docking station. The power supply unit 108 is provided.

2 illustrates a frame 101 of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the frame 101 has a space 201 in which a portable computer can be accommodated, and a shape in which the portable computer can be detached. A clasp 202 may be installed between the portable computer and the outer frame 101 to secure the coupling between the portable computer and the outer frame 101 to prevent the portable computer from being randomly detached after being coupled to the outer frame 101.

The outer frame 101 may be a fixed type that is attached to a wall or furniture according to the use of the docking station 100, or may be configured to be movable. In addition, the outer frame 101 may further include a known configuration capable of height, angle adjustment, rotation of the outer frame.

The hardware switch 102 serves to recognize a portable computer coupled to the docking station 100 and the type of a specific device that the portable computer will perform and the docking station 100.

3 is a view showing the shape of a hardware switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hardware switch 102 may be, for example, in the form of a connector having 20 general purpose pins 301. The hardware switch 102 generates a signal at a predetermined pin when the docking station 100 is powered on. For example, if a signal is input to pins 1 and 2 of the 20 pins 301 of the hardware switch 102, a signal is input to a DVD player, and pins 3 and 4 are IP STB and pin 5. If a signal is input to pin 6 and 6, it can be determined to function as an IP TV.

In this manner, the portable computer can recognize a specific device to be performed by detecting a signal input to the hardware switch 102. The hardware switch 102 may be configured to be coupled to the inside of the frame 101.

The computer interface 103 enables the portable computer and the docking station 100 to exchange data and control signals with each other. The computer interface unit 103 is connected to an expansion interface of a portable computer which will be described later.

The network interface 104 provides an interface function so that the docking station 100 and an external communication network can be connected and operated. The network interface 104 may include an Ethernet, LAN line, or the like. In addition, the network interface 104 is provided to satisfy a communication protocol (for example, TCP / IP, etc.) of the communication network.

4 illustrates a user interface 105 of a docking station. Referring to FIG. 4, the user interface 105 is a portion for receiving a control signal from a user and includes means such as a button for inputting power, volume, and channel signals. In addition to the user interface 105, a track change button for changing tracks such as a DVD and a CD, a play stop button, and the like may be provided as necessary. In addition, the IR communication unit 401 may be provided to wirelessly input signals such as power, volume, channel, and track change.

When the user input control signal is input as a wireless signal through a remote controller, an IR communication unit capable of receiving the wireless signal should be provided in the user interface 401.

The user interface 105 provides an interface environment similar to that of a general home appliance to a user who is inexperienced in using a portable computer, thereby making it easier to use than a portable computer alone.

The indoor interface 106 provides an interface function so that the docking station 100 coupled with the portable computer and the home appliances in the home can interoperate with each other. At this time, the indoor interface 106 is a wired network such as HomePNA, IEEE 1394, RS-485 or a wireless network such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, and a mixture of the wired and wireless networks. It is provided to satisfy the communication protocol of the home network implemented as. These communication protocols can be variously modified and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the user interface 105, the network interface 104, and the home interface 106 are all included in the docking station 100, but the user interface 105 is not required to communicate with the external communication network. May be included only. This is a configuration that may optionally be included depending on what purpose the docking station 100 is used for.

The controller 107 converts data and control signals input through the user interface 105, the network interface 104, and the home interface 106 into signals suitable for communication with the portable computer. In addition, the signal processed by the portable computer is received through the computer interface 103 and converted into a signal satisfying the communication protocol required by the external communication network.

The power supply 108 supplies power to the portable computer and the docking station 100. The power supply unit 108 may further include a charger capable of charging a battery of the portable computer.

Hereinafter, a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable computer according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the portable computer 500 may include a main controller 501, an input unit 502, a display unit 503, a memory unit 504, a main power supply unit 505, an expansion interface 506, and a detection unit 507. ), A multifunction device control unit 508 is provided.

The portable computer 500 can recognize the expansion interface 506, which provides an interface with the docking station 100, and the hardware switch 102 of the docking station 100 to a portable computer, such as a commonly used notebook PC. The detector 507 may further include a multifunction controller 508 for receiving and receiving a detection signal from the detector 507 and activating and controlling only resources necessary to perform a function of a specific device.

Here, the main controller 501 is interlocked with the components 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506 to control the components, and is generally referred to as a central processing unit (CPU).

The input unit 502 is for inputting various data. The input unit 502 is provided with a keyboard or a mouse, and the display unit 503 is for displaying various screens or data under the control of the main control unit 501. Tube or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Here, the input unit 502 and the display unit 503 may be various embodiments.

The memory unit 504 stores programs and data necessary for operating the portable computer 500. The memory unit 504 is provided with a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like.

The memory unit 504 is further loaded with a multifunction device control program to be described later. The MFP control program is a program for controlling the MFP controller 508 and the main controller 501 to be described later. The MFP control program activates and controls resources necessary when the portable computer 500 performs a function of a specific device.

The main power supply 505 is for supplying rated power to each component 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 507, 508 of the portable computer 500. When the main power unit 505 is connected to the docking station 100, the main power unit 505 receives power from the power unit 108 of the docking station 100.

The expansion interface 506 allows for exchange of data and control signals with each other between the portable computer 500 and the docking station 100. The expansion interface 506 must satisfy the computer interface 103 of the docking station 100 and the specification, and is connected to the computer interface 103.

The detection unit 507 receives a signal from the hardware switch 102 of the docking station 100 when the portable computer 500 is coupled to the docking station 100. The hardware switch 102 of the docking station 100 is provided. It is provided to be combined with.

The all-in-one controller 508 receives a signal from the detector 507 and recognizes a combination of the portable computer 500 and the docking station 100. The multifunction controller 508 also recognizes from the signal of the detector 507 which device the portable computer 500 operates.

The MFP controller 508 is activated only when a signal is input from the detector 507. In addition, the multifunction controller 508 is linked with the main controller 501 to activate and control only resources used for the corresponding device to be executed by the portable computer 500. The multifunction controller 508 monitors the signal of the detector 507 and stops operation when no signal is input from the detector 507.

Hereinafter, a process in which a portable computer and a docking station of the portable computer are combined to operate as a specific device. In this case, the specific device may be a multimedia player, a network device, a media renderer, or the like. In the present embodiment, a multimedia player will be described as an example.

Here, the multimedia player refers to a device that does not use the display and the speaker function of the portable computer and receives and processes the multimedia content and provides the same to an external display or speaker. Examples of such multimedia players are DVD players, CD players, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a case in which the portable computer 500 is coupled to the docking station 100, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the portable computer 500 is coupled to the docking station 100 from the outside. 8 is a flowchart according to an operating state when the portable computer 500 is coupled to the docking station 100.

6 to 8, after inserting a multimedia medium such as a DVD or a CD into a disk drive of the portable computer 500, the portable computer 500 is coupled to the docking station 100. Then, the portable computer 500 and the docking station 100 are turned on. Then, the multifunction controller 508 of the portable computer 500 determines whether a signal is input to the detector 507 connected to the pin 301 of the hardware switch 102 (S81).

If no signal is input to the detection unit 507, the multifunction controller control unit 508 transfers the control authority of the portable computer 500 to the main control unit 501 of the portable computer 500, and stops the operation. In this case, the portable computer 500 is a device independent of the docking station 100 and used as an original function of the portable computer (S82).

On the other hand, when a signal is input to the detection unit 507, the multifunction control unit 508 loads the multifunction control program in the memory unit 504. The all-in-one control program should be stored in advance in the memory unit 504 of the portable computer 500. The all-in-one control unit 508 and the main control unit 501 operate in association with the loaded multi-function control program.

At this time, the multifunction controller 508 allows the main controller 501 to execute only functions and processes used in the multimedia player, and not to execute functions and processes not used in the multimedia player so that the portable computer resources can be efficiently used. do.

When the docking station 100 combined with the portable computer 500 is used as a multimedia player, for example, the display unit 503, the speaker (not shown), and the input unit 502 of the portable computer 500 are not used. . Accordingly, the multifunction controller 508 requests the main controller 501 to forcibly terminate the processes associated with the display unit 503, the speaker (not shown), and the input unit 502, thereby saving resources allocated to the process. It will be (S83).

Thereafter, the portable computer 500 is controlled by the multifunction apparatus control unit 508 and the main control unit 501 to perform the function as a multimedia player (S84).

Hereinafter, the process of performing a function with the multimedia player (S84) will be described in more detail.

When the user presses the play button through the remote control, a play signal is input to the IR communication unit 401 of the user interface unit 105. The play signal is transmitted to the controller 107, and the controller 107 converts the play signal into a format that can be recognized by the portable computer 500.

The converted signal is provided to the MFP controller 508 via the computer interface 103 and the expansion interface 506. The multifunction controller 508 provides the converted signal to the main controller 501 to reproduce data stored in a multimedia medium such as a DVD or a CD. The multifunction controller 508 is more efficient because the data reproduction process proceeds while the process or function not related to the data reproduction process is terminated.

The reproduced data signal is transmitted by the multifunction controller 508 back to the control unit 107 of the docking station 100 via the expansion interface 506 and the computer interface 103. Then, the controller 107 converts the reproduced data signal to communicate with a display device or a speaker connected through the indoor interface 106 and transmits the converted data signal.

In this manner, the portable computer and the docking station are combined with each other to function as a multimedia player.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 illustrates a frame of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view showing the shape of a hardware switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 illustrates a user interface of a docking station.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable computer according to the present invention.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a case where a portable computer is coupled to a docking station.

7 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the portable computer is coupled to the docking station from the outside.

8 is a flowchart according to the operating state when the portable computer is coupled to the docking station.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: docking station

500: Portable Computer

107: control unit

508: multifunction controller

Claims (8)

A frame of a docking station for detachably receiving a portable computer; A hardware switch for identifying the type of device to be performed and the docking station to the portable computer; A control unit for converting data and control signals into signals compatible with each other so as to enable communication between the portable computer and the docking station which function as the device identified through the hardware switch; And And a power supply unit for supplying power to the portable computer and the docking station. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit further comprises a charger for charging the portable computer. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station is The docking station, characterized in that it further comprises a user interface for receiving information from the user and input to the control unit. The method of claim 3, wherein the user interface unit Docking station further comprises an IR communication unit for receiving a signal received wirelessly through a remote control. The method of claim 1, wherein the docking station, And a network interface unit connecting the external network and the control unit and converting a signal compatible with the external network and the control unit. An expansion interface providing an interface of the docking station and the portable computer; A detector for detecting a hardware switch of the docking station for identifying a type of device to be executed by the portable computer; And And a multi-function controller which receives and receives the signal detected by the detection unit to activate and control only resources necessary to perform the function of the device. The portable computer according to claim 6, wherein the multifunction controller control unit operates only when a signal detected by the detection unit exists, and does not operate when no signal is detected. 7. The portable computer of claim 6, wherein the device is any one of a multimedia player, a network device, and a media renderer.
KR1020080096843A 2008-10-01 2008-10-01 Portable computer and docking station KR20100037498A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101368858B1 (en) * 2012-09-25 2014-02-27 주식회사 이분투 Docking station apparatus
WO2014109789A1 (en) * 2013-01-08 2014-07-17 Intel Corporation Detachable computing system having dual batteries

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101368858B1 (en) * 2012-09-25 2014-02-27 주식회사 이분투 Docking station apparatus
WO2014109789A1 (en) * 2013-01-08 2014-07-17 Intel Corporation Detachable computing system having dual batteries
US10203736B2 (en) 2013-01-08 2019-02-12 Intel Corporation Detachable computing system having bi-directional power flow

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