US 6,151,646 AGrant

System for Resources Under Control of Docking Station When Stand Alone and Resources Under Control of Central Processing Unit of Portable Computer When Docked

Issue Date:2000-11-21

•12 Claims

•328 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station (12, 32, 58, 68, 76, 84, 90, 92, 94, 96) that can have its functionality reconfigured by a docked portable personal computer (10, 38, 62, 66, 74, 82). In at least one embodiment of the invention, the computer docking station is configured as a stand alone computer prior to docking with a portable computer, may have its functionality reconfigured when docked to the portable computer, and reconfigures itself to be a stand alone computer when undocked from the portable computer. In one embodiment of the invention, docking station resources are placed under the control of a docked portable computer. In another embodiment of the invention, docked portable computer resources are placed under the control of the docking station. The invention contemplates docking via direct connection, radio requency "RF" communications, infrared "IR" communications, 1394 high performance serial bus communications, or card bus communications, and/or combinations of one or more of these communications techniques.

Metadata

Assignee

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Inventors

LaVaughn F. Watts
John C. Linn

Application Information

Application Number:US 3049353

Filing Date:1999-05-04

Priority Date:1996-05-02

Art Unit:272

Classifications

IPC:

G06F 900

Field of Search:

710714364369;72;38;825400.01;708.1;280.2892

Patent Drawings (328 sheets)

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of computer docking stations and more particularly to a computer docking station that can have its functionality reconfigured when docked with a portable computer. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the computer docking station is configured as a stand alone computer prior to docking with a portable computer, may have its functionality reconfigured when docked to the portable computer, and reconfigures itself to be a stand alone computer when undocked from the portable computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The growth in the use of Personal Computers marks the present age. Personal computers typically fall into one of two categories. Desktop (by far the most widely used) and Portable (also referred to as portable notebook or laptop). Individuals requiring mobility and maximum functionality commonly use both types of computers. The use of the two computers, one for desktop use and one for portable use, has created a problem that when a user returns to the office the information stored in the desktop and portable computers may now have inconsistent information. As an example, the portable computer may contain additional files created by the user while away from the office while the desktop computer, on the other hand, may contain new E-mail or other information forwarded to the desktop computer while the user is away from the office. Many a user of such two computers is frustrated by the continuous effort required to keep both systems updated with each other.

Another problem associated with the effort to maintain two computer systems is that complex systems of lap-link type cables and software haven't developed to speed up the exchange of information from the portable computer to the desktop or base computer. One attempt at solving the problems associated with using both desktop and portable computers is to simply have only a portable computer and use it as a base station or desktop in combination with a means referred to as a "docking station" in which the portable computer is mounted to the docking station which itself connects up to a real size keyboard and monitor and to a modem and LAN or local area network. Typical docking stations typically include optional devices such as CD ROM, stereo audio system, additional I/O connectors and perhaps additional RAM memory. Yet, while the development of the docking station has been impressive over the last few years and has resulted in improved functionality when combined with a portable computer, the docking station concept has yet to reach its full potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station that can have its functionality reconfigured by a docked portable personal computer. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the computer docking station is configured as a stand alone computer prior to docking with a portable computer, may have its functionality reconfigured when docked to the portable computer, and reconfigures itself to be a stand alone computer when undocked from the portable computer. In one embodiment of the invention, docking station resources are placed under the control of a docked portable computer. In another embodiment of the invention, docked portable computer resources are placed under the control of the docking station. The invention contemplates docking via direct connection, radio requency "RF" communications, infrared "IR" communications, 1394 high performance serial bus communication, or card bus communications, and/or combinations of one or more of these communications techniques.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other features and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the detailed description which follows, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of some of the reasons for a notebook computer user to acquire and use a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block one example of a notebook computer 10 that may couple or "dock" with a hard dock docking embodiment of the multi-configurable docking station of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which notebook computer 10 of FIG. 2 may dock, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of notebook computer 10 hard docked to docking station 12, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5-133 illustrate block diagrams of system cards that may be used with embodiments of docking stations of the present invention.

FIG. 134 illustrates an alternative embodiment of docking station 12 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 135 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer hard docked to the docking station 12 illustrated in FIG. 134.

FIGS. 136-263 illustrate system cards 28 (having a mux on each card) that may be used in docking station 12 illustrated in FIG. 134. System cards 28 illustrated in FIGS. 136-263 are the system cards illustrated in FIGS. 5-133, respectively, with the addition of a mux on each card.

FIG. 264 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 3. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 265 illustrates a notebook computer hard docked to the docking station of FIG. 254.

FIGS. 266-316 illustrate block diagrams of various embodiments of cards 30 that can be used in combination with the docking station illustrated in FIG. 264. The card slot connector on each card 30 couples to a respective mating connector in a card slot in the docking station. More specifically:

FIG. 266 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a monitor controller coupling a monitor connector to a card slot connector.

FIG. 267 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a VGA controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector to a card slot connector.

FIG. 268 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a keyboard scanner coupling a keyboard connector to a PCI/XD bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 269 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a keyboard scanner coupling a key/mouse connector to a PCI/XD bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 270 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a keyboard scanner coupling a keyboard connector and a key/mouse connector to a PCI/XD bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 271 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a parallel port coupling a printer connector to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 272 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a printer port to a card slot connector.

FIG. 273 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 274 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a floppy disk drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 275 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a hard disk IDE interface coupling a hard disk drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 276 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a hard disk drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 277 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a hard disk ide interface coupling a compact disk drive and a hard disk drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 278 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a compact disk drive and a hard disk drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 279 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an SCSI device coupling a compact disk drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 280 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a compact disk drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 281 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a hard disk ide interface coupling a DVD drive (digital video disk/device) and a hard disk drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 282 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a DVD drive and a hard disk drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 283 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an SCSI device coupling a DVD drive to a PCI/ISA bridge which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 284 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a DVD drive to a card slot connector.

FIG. 285 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI/ISA bridge coupling an IR interface to a card slot connector.

FIG. 286 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling an IR interface to a card slot connector.

FIG. 287 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 288 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a memory controller coupling a memory array to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 289 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a IDO controller coupling an MO drive to a PCI bus controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 290 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an SCSI device coupling an MO drive to a PCI/SCSI interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 291 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI interface coupling a video controller to a card slot connector and an R.F. front end coupling a satellite TV antenna connector to a decoder.

FIG. 292 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a video controller coupling a DMD (digital micromirror device) projection system connector to a PCI bus controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 293 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a 1394 controller coupling a 1394 compatible connector to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 294 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling a video controller to a card slot connector and a decoder coupling a camera connector to the video controller.

FIG. 295 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling a video controller to a card slot connector and a decoder coupling a VCR connector to the video controller.

FIG. 296 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a 1394 controller coupling a VCR connector to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 297 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an SCSI device coupling a scanner connector to a PCI/SCSI controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 298 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a scanner controller coupling a scanner connector to a PCI bus controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 299 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling a card reader connector to a card slot connector.

FIG. 300 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a communications port coupling a cellular telephone connector to a PCI/ISA controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 301 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a communications port coupling a fax machine connector to a PCI/ISA controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 302 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an ISDN modem coupling an ISDN connector to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 303 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a communications port coupling an ISDN connector to a PCI/ISA controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 304 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a serial port coupling a GSM to a PCI/ISM controller which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 305 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a home security system (HSS) to interface controller coupling a home security system (HSS) to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 306 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having an SCSI device coupling a tape drive connector to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 307 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a tape drive controller with PCI bus interface coupling a tape drive connector to a card slot connector.

FIG. 308 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI interface coupling a peripheral device control system to a card slot connector.

FIG. 309 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling a set top box interface to a card slot connector.

FIG. 310 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling an R.F. transmitter to a card slot connector.

FIG. 311 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling an IRDA receiver to a card slot connector.

FIG. 312 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI bus interface coupling an R.F. transmitter and an IRDA receiver to a card slot connector.

FIG. 313 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a USB (universal serial bus) controller coupling a USB to a card slot connector.

FIG. 314 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI/ISA bridge coupling a digital audio system to a card slot connector.

FIG. 315 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a PCI Super I/O coupling a digital audio system to a card slot connector.

FIG. 316 illustrates a block diagram of a card 30 having a LAN (local area network) controller coupling a LAN to a PCI bus interface which is coupled to a card slot connector.

FIG. 318 illustrates a notebook computer hard docked to the docking station of FIG. 317.

FIG. 319 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which a notebook computer may dock via infrared communications, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 320 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer infrared docked to a docking station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 321 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an infrared interface that may be used in the docking station and notebook computers of FIG. 320.

FIG. 322 illustrates a block diagram of another embodiment of an infrared interface that may be used in the docking station and notebook computers of FIG. 320.

FIG. 323 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer that may be used in combination with docking station 32 and that incorporates the infrared interface of FIGS. 321 and 322.

FIG. 324 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer that may be used in combination with docking station 32 and that incorporates couples the infrared interface of FIGS. 321 and 322 to its internal PCI bus.

FIG. 325 illustrates an alternative embodiment of docking station 32 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 326 illustrates a block diagram of the notebook computer illustrated in FIG. 325 infrared docked to a docking station, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 327 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 319. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 328 illustrates a notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 327.

FIG. 329 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 325. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 330 illustrates a notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 329.

FIG. 331 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which a notebook computer may dock via radio frequency "RF" communications, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 332 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer radio frequency "RF" docked to a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 333 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a radio frequency "RF" interface that may be used in the docking station and notebook computers of FIG. 331 and 332.

FIG. 334 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer incorporated a radio frequency "RF" interface.

FIG. 335 illustrates an alternative embodiment of docking station 58 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 336 illustrates a block diagram of the notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 335.

FIG. 337 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 331. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 338 illustrates a notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 337.

FIG. 339 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 335. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 340 illustrates a notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 339.

FIG. 341 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which a notebook computer may dock via a 1394 interface via radio frequency communications, according to still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 342 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer 1394 interface/radio frequency docked to a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 343 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer incorporating a 1394 interface that utilizes RF communications.

FIG. 344 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 68 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 345 illustrates a block diagram of the notebook computer infrared docked to the docking station of FIG. 344.

FIG. 346 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 341. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 347 illustrates a notebook computer 1394/radio frequency docked to the docking station of FIG. 346.

FIG. 348 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 344. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 349 illustrates a notebook computer 1394/radio frequency docked to the docking station of FIG. 348.

FIG. 350 illustrates a notebook computer 1394/radio frequency docked to the docking station of FIG. 349.

FIG. 351 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer 1394 cable docked to a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 352 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer incorporating a 1394 interface that is cable connected.

FIG. 353 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 76 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 354 illustrates a block diagram of the notebook computer 1394/cable docked to the docking station of FIG. 353.

FIG. 355 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 350. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 356 illustrates a notebook computer 1394/cable docked to the docking station of FIG. 355.

FIG. 357 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 353. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 358 illustrates a notebook computer 1394/cable docked to the docking station of FIG. 357.

FIG. 359 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which a notebook computer may dock via a card bus interface, according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 360 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer card bus docked to a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 361 illustrates a block diagram of a notebook computer incorporating a card bus interface.

FIG. 362 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 84 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 363 illustrates a block diagram of the notebook computer card bus docked to the docking station of FIG. 362.

FIG. 364 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 359. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 365 illustrates a notebook computer card bus docked to the docking station of FIG. 364.

FIG. 366 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 362. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 367 illustrates a notebook computer card bus docked to the docking station of FIG. 366.

FIG. 368 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 90 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface or an infrared "IR", according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 369 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 90 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 370 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 368. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 371 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 369. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 372 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 90 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface or a radio frequency "RF", according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 373 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 90 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 374 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 372. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 375 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 373. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 376 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 90 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface or 1394 interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 377 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 90 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 378 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 376. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 379 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 377. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 380 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 90 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface or a card bus interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 381 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 90 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 382 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 380. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 383 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 381. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 384 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" or a radio frequency "RF" interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 385 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 386 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 384. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 387 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 385. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 388 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface or a 1394 interface, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 389 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 390 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 388. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 391 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 389. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 392 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" or a card bus interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 393 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 394 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 392. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 395 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 393. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 396 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface, or a 1394 interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 397 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 398 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 396. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 399 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 397. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 400 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, a radio frequency "RF" interface or a card bus interface, according to still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 401 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 402 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 400. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 403 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 401. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 404 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 92 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, 1394 interface or a card bus interface, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 405 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 92 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 406 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 404. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 407 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 405. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 408 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 94 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface, a radio frequency "RF" interface, or a 1394 interface, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 409 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 94 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 410 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 408. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 411 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 409. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 412 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 94 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface, a radio frequency "RF" interface, or a card bus interface, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 413 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 94 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 414 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 412. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 415 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 413. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 416 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 94 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface, a 1394 interface, or a card bus interface, according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 417 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 94 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 418 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 416. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 419 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 417. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 420 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 94 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, a radio frequency "RF" interface, a 1394 interface or a card bus interface, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 421 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 94 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 422 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 420. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 423 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 421. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 424 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station 96 to which a notebook computer may dock via a hard dock interface, an infrared "IR" interface, a radio frequency "RF" interface, a 1394 interface, a card bus interface and possible other interfaces, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 425 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a docking station 96 in which a MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in the docking station.

FIG. 426 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 424. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

FIG. 427 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) is added to the docking station of FIG. 425. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses a computer docking station that can have its functionality reconfigured when docked with a portable personal computer. The following "Terms and Definitions" provides a definition for the new and/or less familiar terms used in the description of the present invention.

Terms and Definitions

FIG. 1 illustrates some of the reasons for a notebook computer user to acquire and use a docking station:

Power: A docking station provides a convenient means for supplying power to a notebook computer.

Conversion of AC power from a wall outlet into the DC power required to operate the notebook computer over extended periods of time.

DC power required to recharge the notebook computer's batteries.

DC power required to recharge accessory batteries at the same time as the notebook computer's internal batteries.

Power conditioning of input power, spike filtering of all computer connections, and uninterruptable power for the notebook computer.

Additional battery power for a portable dock.

Communications: A docking station provides access to communications facilities that may be more convenient or easier to hook up than to a notebook computer.

Internet and/or Ethernet connections, including thick Ethernet.

Modems and direct access to digital telephony, such as ISDN or voice.

Non-Portable Peripherals: A docking station provides access to peripherals that cannot be conveniently attached to the notebook, either because they are not portable and are unavailable, or because it is inconvenient to provide all the discrete connections to the notebook within the connector size and weight constraints.

Examples of such peripherals are:

Additional disk drives.

Printers.

Full size keyboard.

High resolution display.

CD ROM.

Bernoulli box or other removable disks.

Full size mouse or data tablet.

Video and video conferencing equipment.

Etc.

Additional Portable Function: The user would like to have additional peripherals and functions that can be carried with the notebook. These are sometimes needed, and sometimes not needed, so they need to be detachable to minimize bulk and weight when not needed.

Expansion Capability: If the docking station contains a CPU then it can provide server (and maybe client) functions. Examples of these functions are:

Unattended receipt of e-mail, voice mail, fax, and appropriate filtering prior to access by the notebook.

Unattended access and update of a user calendar or other groupware by other people while the notebook is unconnected.

Automatic compression, decompression, and "smart" transmission of data during exchange with the notebook.

Status: A docking station provides a degree of status for the user above and beyond what might be reasonably expected from a notebook computer alone. The docking station remains on the desk while the user is gone with the notebook, providing status even when the user is away.

Elimination of Desktop Clutter: A docking station can effectively package and/or remove many wires and other obstructions from the desktop creating a more ergonomic work area.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a notebook computer 10 that may couple or "dock" with the multi-configurable docking station of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a Texas Instruments Travel Mate 5000 color portable notebook computer based upon the Intel Pentium microprocessor. Operating speed of the Pentium is 75 Mhz internal to the processor but with a 50 Mhz external bus speed. A 50 Mhz oscillator is supplied to the ACC Microelectronics 2056 core logic chip which in turn uses this to supply the microprocessor. This 50 Mhz CPU clock is multiplied by a phase locked loop internal to the processor to achieve the 75 Mhz CPU speed. The management features of the present invention may cause the CPU clock to stop periodically to conserve power consumption which reduces CPU temperature. The processor contains 16 KB of internal cache and 256 KB of external cache on the logic board.

The 50 Mhz bus of the CPU is connected to a VL to PCI bridge chip from ACC microelectronics to generate the PCI bus. The bridge chip takes a 33.333 Mhz oscillator to make the PCI bus clock. The Cirrus Logic GD7542 video controller is driven from this bus and this bus has an external connector for future docking options.

The GD542 video controller has a 14.318 Mhz oscillator input which it uses internally to synthesize the higher video frequencies necessary to drive an internal 10.411 TFT panel or external CRT monitors. When running in VGA resolution modes the TFT panel may be operated at the same time as the external analog monitor. For Super VGA resolutions only the external CRT may be used.

Operation input to the notebook computer is made through the keyboard. An internal pointing device is imbedded in the keyboard. External connections are provided for a parallel device, a serial device, a PS/2 mouse or keyboard, a VGA monitor, and the expansion bus. Internal connections are made for a Hard Disk Drive, a Floppy Disk Drive, and additional memory. The computer contains 8 Megabytes of standard memory which may be increased by the user up to 32 Megabytes by installing optional expansion memory boards. The first memory expansion board can be obtained with either 8 or 16 Megabytes of memory. With the first expansion board installed another 8 Megabytes of memory may be attaches to this board to make the maximum amount.

A second serial port is connected to a Serial Infrared device. This SIR device has an interface chip which uses a 3.6864 Mhz oscillator. The SIR port can be used to transmit serial data to other computers so equipped.

The two batteries in the notebook computer are Lithium Ion and have internal controllers which monitor the capacity of the battery. These controllers use a 4.19 Mhz crystal internal to the battery.

The notebook computer also has two slots for PCMCIA cards. These slots may be used with third party boards to provide various expansion options. The notebook computer further includes an internal sound chip set which can be used to generate or record music and/or sound effects and built in internal speaker and microphone. In addition, three audio jacks are provide for external microphones, audio input, and audio output.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-configurable docking station to which notebook computer 10 may dock, according to one embodiment of the invention. Multi-configurable docking station 12 comprises a high speed PCI bus 14, a docking station interface bus 16 that couples a bridge 18 to PCI bus 14 and data/signal lines or bus 20 that couples an interface 22 to bridge 18. Mux 24 couples PCI bus 14 to card slot 26. A connector on card slot 26 couples to a mating connector on system card 28. PCI bus 14 is preferably a high speed PCI bus (at least 32 bit wide), but may be any bus that provides performance characteristics similar to a high speed PCI bus. As with PCI bus 14, interface bus 16 is also preferably a high speed PCI bus (at least 32 bit wide), but may be any bus that provides performance characteristics similar to a high speed PCI bus. Data/signal lines or bus 20 (also preferably a high speed PCI bus) couple interface module 22 to bridge 18.

In docking applications where a notebook computer is to be hard docked to docking station 12, interface 22 is an electrical connector that facilitates a physical and electrical connection between multi-configurable docking station 12 and notebook computer 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, interface 22 is a mating connector to the expansion connector on notebook computer 10 (currently a 160-pin connector on the Texas Instruments TM-5000 computer, but could have more more or less pins depending on the computer used, the functionality required, and whether or not multiplexing is used to reduce the number of pins). Mux 24 is a switch with data lines. Mux devices are well known in the art, are commercially available, and will be subsequently described in more detail as needed. Card slot 26 is preferably a dedicated card slot for coupling with system card 28, but could just as easily be a circuit board, part of a circuit board, back plane or apparatus capable of coupling with a circuit card (such as system card 28), circuit board device, apparatus or combination thereof.

A block diagram of a system card 28 is illustrated in FIG. 5. System card 28 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card illustrated in FIG. 5 contains its own processing unit (while a 75 Mhz Pentium processor is shown, other processors may be used depending on the desired power and functionality of the cpu and the anticipated need for controlling the setup and configuration in such a way as to make it more cost effective or easier to do the docking--at a minimum, the cpu should be able to accommodate a complex operating system), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, and 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

When docking station 12 is powered up and not docked, it has the ability to perform functions such as accepting e-mail, be on a LAN, be a server, updating its hard drive, maintaining communications, controlling docking station resources, and whatever else system card 28 provides and facilitates. When notebook computer 10 docks (hard dock in the present embodiment--which is a physical/electrical connection) to docking station 12, there is a "dock" request when docking and an "undock" request when the physical connection between the notebook computer and docking station is broken. In side the notebook there is a video controller hanging off of the PCI bus, maybe a card bus controller, all kinds of things hanging off the PCI bus and a CPU. When the CPU gets the "dock" request, an interrupt comes in (basically an system management interrupt SMI) and says that we have a dock request, do something about it. Plug-n-play bios goes out to bridge 18 and asks "what do you have". The bridge goes out to mux 24 and asks "what are you?". Mux 24 realizes that this is a configuration cycle and asks system card 28, "what do you have?" System card 28 replies to mux 24--"display, keyboard, LAN, PCMCIA card slots, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, cd rom drive, etc.". Thus, mux 24 has been signaled that the display, keyboard, LAN. PCMCIA card slots, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, and cd rom drive of docking station 12 now belong to the master (notebook computer 10) that just docked. This occurs because there was a PCI configuration cycle that said "I'm taking over". So now, the reporting chain comes back to the plug-n-play BIOS and reports that we have a display, keyboard, LAN. PCMCIA card slots, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, cd rom drive out there that may be controlled by notebook 10. Notebook 10 may selectively control docking station resource made available to it. Notebook 10 may also disable one or more internal duplicates of the offered resources. And therefore, now, when notebook 10 docks wit docking station 12, the resources of system card 28 display, keyboard. LAN, PCMCIA card slots, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, cd rom drive, these features are now controlled by notebook 10. The cpu in system card 28 in the docking station can also relinquish control over part of its own circuitry either directly or indirectly to a docked notebook. Directly means the notebook controls the circuitry. Indirectly means that the cpu on the system card controls the circuitry on behalf of the cpu in the notebook. It could also refuse to give over control over part or all of its circuitry to a cpu on a docking notebook.

When notebook 10 undocks, there is an interrupt signal (signal going from high to low in one embodiment), which is transferred to mux 24 and indicates "undocked situation". This interrupt is transferred to system card 28 where it tells the cpu on system card 28 that there in no other dock or master. The cpu on system card 28 take overs the control of the display, keyboard, LAN PCMCIA card slots, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, cd rom drive so that docking station 12 becomes a stand alone computer again which may be used as a stand alone computer by a user, assuming it has a display and a keyboard or can be collecting a user's E-mail, can be on the LAN, can be the server can manage the hard drive or what ever is on system card 28 or the rest of the docking system.

An operating system in the docking station facilitates this ability. For a simple operating system, the docking station can get by with a rom coupled to the microprocessor, that contains all the functionality that you need. The rom can be as big as needed, and as long as the system can handle the performance that the rom provides in providing code, an operating system for the docking station completely on rom is acceptable. Microsoft makes DOS on rom. It is also possible to have an operating system for the docking station that does not require rom. In such a case the first time a notebook docks to docking station 12, the notebook downloads that code into the docking station and as long as the docking station has power, it can remember it. Alternatively, a notebook or LAN can down load a boot to the docking station. But even in these system, the docking station should have at least some rom code, maybe 10 to 20 instructions that are smart enough to bring the code from wherever else it is and it can bring across as much code as it needs. They use to call these five or sic car loaders. It is microcode that when it sees power, the first thing it needs to do is to look for an IPL function. Thus, there is a fairly short piece of program that can bring code across from the LAN or from any of the other devices that are connected to it and generate enough code to do what it needs to do. With system card 28 ad illustrated in FIG. 5, docking station 12 has the ability to boot its software, which means it has to get it from somewhere e.g., from a disc drive on the docking station, or rom in the docking station, or memory in the notebook or come from the internet or from a LAN (sti, atm, sonnet, cable/modem, 10.times.T, 100.times.T, 10baseC). or from point to point communications used to create a LAN net and most of these are telephone based.

In a simple case, Windows 95 could be used as the operating system on the notebook computer while a Microsoft "MS" operating system is used in the docking station. Other operating systems that can be used on the notebook are Windows NT and IBM's OS2. An alternative operating system for the docking station might be a 32 bit operating system, from Integrated Systems, that runs set top boxed (had java interpreters). and still allows the notebook to come in and run applications. Docking station 12 also contains a power supply (not shown) that is couple to an ac power source (such as 110 v wall outlet) via an electrical cable and/or internal batteries. Peripheral devices that might be connected to docking station 12, via system care 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, include an external monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone and/or speaker, PCMCIA cards, a telephone cable coupling the RS-232 connector to a wall mounted telephone receptacle, a printer, etc..

Regarding hardware bridge 18 may be a DEC bridge or an IBM bridge or an INTEL bridge. Other bridges may be used so long as they know how to route the data. The whole point of the bridge is 1) to control what devices are being allocated and 2) make sure that there is a continuation of the signals on the bus strong enough to support the other devices. The interface itself can be very dumb and only take the default position of what the bridge will pass on, or the interface can be very intelligent and filter what the bridge gets and what the notebook gets on the other side. The reverse is also possible.

MUX 24 is fairly straight forward. It is really a switch with date lines that signal whether or not there is a docked notebook computer to take control over some of the docking station resources. One method pulls a pin high to provide this function. When notebook 10 hard docks to docking station 12, it will pull the in high on the mux which indicates a docked situation. System card 28 on the other side of mux 24 reads the I/O device and signals that it is being docked. The system pulls mux 24 and lets the cpu in notebook 10 have control over the released resources in docking station 12. One way of accomplishing this is to write simple code to the cpu in system card 28 that says "if there is an input (interrupt) from the mux (which you could hook to external interrupt 1 or 2 off of the SMI interrupt on the CPU), the codes see this and says, "read the status--docked or undocked". If docked, you turn over the devices, the CPU quits running on the PCI bus (it doesn't issue any PCI cycles) and throws the mux so that the PCI bus is being driven by the external master and not the CPU in the card. When the mux goes back, then the CPU starts driving the internal PCI bus. Thus, in a docked situation with a notebook, notebook may be given partial or full control over the resources of system card 28.

Regarding software, as mentioned previously, an operating system in the docking station is preferred by not mandatory. In the X86 architecture, with the exception of running in T the things that would normally be a BIOS function could just as easily be a HAL (hardware abstraction or architectural layer). It is really cpu or system independent. The concept is that there is a plug-n-play function in all the notebooks or portable devices that get docked and in the docking station. There has to be some intelligence in the docking station. You need software that will boot the system, that understands BIOS (basic input/output systems) and can initialize the systems both in the notebook and in the docking station. Also need plug-n-play BIOS, conforming to the industry standards, that understands docking, undocking, reconfiguration, reenumeration functions, and that has the ability to go out and look at the hardware and report back what hardware is there or not there. Also required is some software on top of the plug-n-play BIOS both in front and in back of it that is called filtering. Filtering controls what devices the plug-n-play BIOS sees and what devices the plug-n-play is allowed to pass on. The filtering can occur in the interface, in the notebook, in the docking station or in all three. In other words, an interface might have a microprocessor that is intelligent about what devices it is passing back and forth to the plug-n-play. Software facilitates this function.

An operating system and third party applications to run are also required. A system designer and a user have to make some decisions as to what kind of software is to be included in the applications--for instance, what is the use of docking to a user if the user is not going to do anything with it? a user may want to take advantage of the hard drive, the net, e-mail, all the general third party features that you find in a desktop environment or in a mobile environment--the software is available and needs to be there. Power management software would be nice, but not required. Software that is intelligent about user configurations and that lets the user have some choice in how his system is configured would be nice. From a setup point of view or a dynamic real time point of view, the user should be able to change the way that he wants to do business--in other words, the speed at which he wants the cpu to run, selecting the unit he wants to be the host or master and the slave. Security software would be a nice addition to the system. One form of security software recognizes security in terms of serial numbers. Who am I? Are we going to let everybody dock to each docking station? Probably not. A user probably wants some kind of security system that says "this is who I am and this is who is allowed to have access to the docking station". Security does not have to be through serial numbers and I.D., however. Security can also be hardware wise, RF, or even voice activated through voice recognition capability. There are many ways to implement security --an unfortunate necessity today in today's business environment.

DOCKING SYSTEM SOFTWARE OVERVIEW

The docking system is designed to accommodate combinations of at lest the following software:

Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups Add-On, Version 3.11 (for user with Windows 3.10 or OS2. The selected operating system should include features particularly useful for the docking environment, such as networking for both desktop and portable operation. Other desirable features include RAS/PPP server and access to remove printer and files.

BatteryPro and Productivity Software--a collection of TI Utilities including:

BatteryPro Power Saving Utility

SETDOCK--A menu-driven program that allows you to configure a desktop environment. Run this utility for setting up a basic system or prior to running one of the other configuration programs like EX.sub.-- SCSI or PCM Plus.

Super Shutdown--a utility that automatically saves all open files, closes all open applications and undocks the notebook.

Collection of other utilities (ALARM, CURSON, GETSTAT, etc.)

TI VGA Utilities--Video installation program with various video device drivers supported by enhanced VGA display modes.

Intel Plug-N-Play Configuration Manager--software that provides for easy configuration of ISA Option Cards. PCMCIA PhoenixCard Manager Plus--the supporting software required to install PCMCIA option cards on the docking system.

Adaptec EX-SCSI for DOS/Windows--the supporting software required to install SCSI devices onto the docking system.

File Synchronization--examples include MS Briefcase or PC anywhere--for keeping portable files in synchronization, updating mail, address book and calendar over the phone.

Encryption and compression software--an example is PC anywhere--for transferring private data over the phone.

Network modem--examples include Stomper, PC Anywhere, Modem Assist Plus, WINport, SAPS--for accessing a phone from the notebook while docked, accessing a phone from the notebook via RF, Internet, or Ethernet link and for sharing a phone line with several users.

Remote control application--examples include PC Anywhere, and Reachout--for accessing dock applications via phone or network.

Voicemail--an example includes Office F/X--to provide an answering machine and/or simple voice response.

E-mail--examples include MS Exchange, Eudora--for sending and receiving e-mail.

Fax--an example includes MS FAX--to send and receive FAXs.

Script Agent--an example includes MS Agent--for automating tasks like dial-up to various services, providing unattended operation like call up AOL and download mail, encapsulate voicemail into e-mail system foe easier access, automatically synchronize file with notebook when attached locally.

E-mail postoffice--examples include POP3 server, and MS Postoffice--to serve mail to office work group, both local and remote.

PIM/Calendar--an example includes MS Schedule+--to keep track of contacts, phone numbers, meetings, to-do lists.

Telephone applications--an example includes MS Sounder?--to auto dial, conference call, forward incoming calls, music on hold, call logging, caller ID display, etc., integrated with notebook and PIM displays.

TCP/IP Router--to provide access to network from docked notebooks.

Loading and operating information for some of the previously listed software is provided in the following reference manuals:

Windows 95, Windows NT and OS2--following instruction in User's Manuals.

Windows for Workgroups User's Manual, P/N 9791790-0001

PCMCIA PhoenixCARD manager Plus User's Manual, P/N 9791792-001

Adaptec EX-SCSI for DOS/Windows User's Manual P/N 978866-001

TravelMate--Series Notebook Computer User's Reference Manual, Part No. 9805810-0001 contains information regarding the VGA utilities.

Inter Plug-N-Play user's manual, TI Part No. 9791791-001

Consult User's Manuals for MS Briefcase, PC anywhere, Stomper, Modem Assist Plus, WINport, SAPS, Reachout, Office F/X, MS Exchange, Eudora, MS FAX, MS Agent, POP3 server, MS Postoffice, MS Schedule+, MS Sounder, etc., and other commercially available programs.

TI Utilities (current version)--following instructions received from Texan Instruments.

Current versions of DOCK, SUPER SHUTDOWN, SETDOCK, TI SYSTEM and BATTERY PRO and their loading and operating instructions are available from Texas Instruments. The code loading instructions and some use instructions (as of Nov. 8, 1994), are also in U.S. patent application 08/336,032, herein incorporated by reference. Dock--pages 115-138. DOCK is the DOS version of the docking station control functions. SUPER SHUTDOWN--pages 139-194. SUPER SHUTDOWN is an automatic shutdown configuration (also available on TI's BatteryPro and Productivity Software diskette). This utility allows the docking system to exit Windows faster than the standard Windows exit procedure. The utility provides a selection of user-specified shutdown features that customizes the way a computer shuts down and reboots. SETDOCK--pages 195-268. SETDOCK sets up the I/O ports on the docking station which customizes the docking system hardware configuration for maximum performance. TISYSTEM--pages 269-316. TISYSTEM provides a library of functions. BATTERY PRO--pages 317-396. BATTERY PRO power saving utility provides control of energy usage within the portable computer and better handshaking between the portable computer and the docking station.

SOFTWARE REQUIRED FOR MINIMUM SYSTEM

For a minimum system comprising a docking station, a portable computer (preferably having one or more of an external mouse, a keyboard, an external monitor, and having minimal functionality), there has to be some intelligence in the docking station. A minimal system required an operating system (at least for the notebook and for the docking station unless the docking station incorporates a BIOS function in HAL (hardware abstraction on architectural layer) and third party applications to run. Software is required that will boot the system, that understands BIOS (basic input/output systems) and can initialize the systems both in the notebook and in the docking station. Also need plug-n-play BIOS, conforming to the industry standards, that understands docking, undocking, reconfiguration, reenumeration functions, and that has the ability to go out and look at the hardware and report back what hardware is there or not there. Also required is some software on top of the plug-n-play BIOS both in front and in back of it for filtering. Filtering controls what devices the plug-n-play BIOS sees and what devices the plug-n-play is allowed to pass on. The filtering can occur in either the interface, in the notebook or in the docking station or in all three. In other words, an interface might have a microprocessor that is intelligent about what devices it is passing back and forth to the plug-n-play. Software is required that facilitates this function.

The power of the present docking system concept is expressed in a docking situation between a notebook computer (usually the master) and a docking station (usually the slave), wherein a signal is sent out to the system card in the docking station, which throws the mux, which now makes resources on the system card into PCI devices of the notebook computer. As a result, the docking station moves from being a stand alone computer having resources to a slave or docked device that turns over docking station resources to the control of a cpu in a docked notebook computer. When the notebook leaves, then the docking station goes back to being a stand alone computer running the things that it needs to do. The system can also be reversed so that the notebook becomes a PCI device to the docking station when it docks. This means that when a dock request to the intelligent docking station comes out and does a plug-n-play request to the notebook, the notebook reports "I've got the following processes, such as wireless com.disc drive, etc". Now, it is the docking station that sucks the information of the notebook rather than the converse. In this situation the notebook might say to the docking station "I don't have a keyboard and I don't have a monitor", which means that the used can still use the notebook keyboard but the hard drive and some other thing might end up under the control of the docking station. But in reality, the notebook will end looking like a big disk and make a disk request across the PCI device. The disk request being in the form of a new PCI notation or identifier and then suck what ever e-mail or files that are off the notebook into the docking station, manipulate the information and then decide whether or not to ship it back Who the master is strictly system independent.

And while docking station 12 has been described utilizing the system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 5, other system cards may be used in lieu of the system card illustrated in FIG. 5. FIGS. 6-133 are block diagrams of alternative system cards 28 that can be used in docking station 12.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 6 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus; an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, a SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 7 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu ion this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive an a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communication sport coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 8 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, and ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 9 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus). a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 2 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 10 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an ED bus coupling the keyboard scanner system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 11 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus; a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling hard disk drive and a CD rom drive coupled to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 12 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory an additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 13 similarly provides a robust range of PC )personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling hard disk drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 14 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains it sown processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 15 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), A VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RD-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26 while system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 16 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, and a second communication sport coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 17 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 18 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains it sown processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an EX bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 19 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an EX bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus). a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 20 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) a VL capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 21 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hare disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 22 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL Bus, an 8 memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 23 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, and ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a card bus controller coupling card bus slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RD-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 24 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a card bus controller coupling card bus slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector in system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 25 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL Bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a card bus controller coupling card bus slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 26 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment, a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a card bus controller coupling card bus slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 27 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a card bus controller coupling card bus slots to the PCI bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 28 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment, a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus, The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 29 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 30 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 31 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, and SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 32 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 33 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, and SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 34 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 35 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 2 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 36 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) a VL capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 37 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a ISA bus, sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 38 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 33 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the PCI bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the PCI bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 40 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the PCI bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 41 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the PCI bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 42 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 43 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to an ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, an ISA bus, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the PCI bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom device to the PCI bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 44 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to a second ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 45 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to a second ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/or card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 46 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 2 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 47 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks coupled to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots coupled to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 48 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 49 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks coupled to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots coupled to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 50 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the first ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 51 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to the PCI bus, an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a first ISA bus (SD bus), a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks coupled to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots coupled to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the first ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 52 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the second ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the second ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 53 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the second ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the second ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 54 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card sots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 55 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the second ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 56 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 57 also provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the second ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 58 similarly provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the firs ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive and a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 59 provides a robust range of PC (personal computer) capability. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a local area network (LAN) coupled to a first ISA bus (SD bus), an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic, a sound blaster coupling microphone and speaker jacks to the first ISA bus, a PCMCIA controller coupling PCMCIA card slots to the first ISA bus, a serial port coupling an RS-232 connector to the first ISA bus, a parallel port coupling a printer connector to the first ISA bus, a floppy controller coupling a floppy disk drive to the first ISA bus, a hard disk interface coupling a hard disk drive to the second ISA bus, an SCSI device coupling a CD rom drive to the second ISA bus, a VL to ISA bridge coupling the VL bus to the second ISA bus, and a second communications port coupling an infrared (IR) port to the first ISA bus. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 60 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 61 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 62 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 63 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 64 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 65 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 66 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 67 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system 28 illustrated in FIG. 68 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/or card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 69 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system 7 VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 70 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer. The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 71 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 72 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 73 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 74 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 75 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 8 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 76 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 77 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 78 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 79 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 80 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 81 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 82 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 83 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 84 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard scanner coupled to the card slot connector and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 85 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard scanner coupled to the card slot connector and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 86 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, a keyboard scanner coupled to the card slot connector and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 87 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard scanner coupled to the card slot connector and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 88 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 89 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 90 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an LCD monitor/controller coupling a analog VGA monitor connector, a PC video function and a VGA LCD to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 91 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 92 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system 7 VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 93 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 94 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 95 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 96 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 97 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus. a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 98 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 99 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 100 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 101 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 102 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 103 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 104 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 105 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, a keyboard coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 106 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 107 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a controller coupling an analog VGA monitor connector and a PC video function to the PCI bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 108 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 109 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 110 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 111 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 112 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 113 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 114 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 115 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 116 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 117 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 118 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 119 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, and an XD bus coupling the system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 120 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system care contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a VL to PCI bridge coupling a PCI bus to the VL bus, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. The card slot connector on system card 28 couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 121 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 122 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 123 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, and an XD bus couples system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 124 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory and additional 8 MB memory to the core logic, a keyboard and a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 125 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 126 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic, and an XD bus couples system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 127 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupling a 16 MB Expansion Memory to the core logic and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 128 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 129 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic, and an XD bus couples system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 110 provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, an 8 MB memory coupled to the core logic and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 131 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, a key/mouse connector coupled to a keyboard scanner and an XD bus coupling the keyboard scanner, system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system card 28 illustrated in FIG. 132 similarly provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, and an XD bus couples system & VGA bios flash and real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

System card 28 illustrated in FIG. 133 also provides some of the functionality of a PC (personal computer). The system card contains its own processing unit (75 Mhz Pentium cpu in this embodiment), a VL bus coupling the cpu to core logic, and an XD bus coupling the real time clock to core logic. A PCI to ISA bridge couples the card slot connector to the core logic. The card slot connector couples system card 28 to a corresponding mating connector in/on card slot 26. While system card 28 is preferably an interchangeable circuit card, it may also be a stationary motherboard, a stationary circuit board not quite a full motherboard, device, apparatus or combination thereof.

The system cards illustrated in FIGS. 5-133 vary considerably in cost, complexity and functionality. Modifications to the system cards illustrated in FIGS. 5-133 and alternative embodiments of system cards are possible, encouraged, and expected as technology advances. As an example, the 75 Mhz pentium processor could be replaced by a non-pentium processor, and the substitute processor could also have a higher or lower speed. The pentium core logic could also be an embedded controller, which means that the cpu and the usual north bridge pentium type controller plus cache could be together in a module. In such a system, the system sees only a PCI bus coming out of the module, probably directly from the core logic. An advantage of this module would be an elimination of the VL bus and related hardware in the docking station. Different types of processor could also be used in the docking station with a user unaware of what type of processor is being used. The ability of a user of docking station 12 to change the functionality of the docking station by changing the system card is a major advantage of the present invention. Thus, a user could purchase a docking station with a modest system card to begin with and later exchange the system card with a more comprehensive system card at a later date.

An alternative embodiment of docking station 12 is illustrated in FIG. 134. In this embodiment of the invention, the MUX is located on the system card 28, not located separately in docking station 263 illustrate system cards 28 that may be used in docking station 12 as illustrated in FIG. 134. System cards 28 illustrated in FIGS. 136-263 are the system cards illustrated in FIGS. 5-133, respectively, with the addition of a mux on each card. The docking station and docking system illustrated in FIGS. 134 and 135 operate in substantially the same fashion as the docking station and docking system illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In another embodiment of the invention, hardware (tri-state), logic or PCI bus master cycles programmed in the notebook, docking station, or both, can be use in lieu of the mux. It is possible to drive the AT bus of the PCI bus with a cpu with a bus master cycle. The mux itself is a function. As an example, the software on the notebook could give a bus master cycle in and the docking station could give a bus master cycle out--it all depends on which one is driving the PCI bus. In this embodiment, the docking station 12 illustrated in FIG. 134 (not having a mux separate from system card 28), could utilize the system cards 28 illustrated in FIGS. 5-133 (not having a mux). There were not be a mux in the docking station in this embodiment. Thus, while a mux is preferred, tri-state logic or a software stand PCI interface can also be used.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 264, at least one additional card slot (three actually shown) ise added to the docking station of FIG. 3. Each additional card slot 26 is coupled to mux 24. Each additional card slot is coupleable to a card 30. Each card 30 contains at least one resource that is an addition to the resources available on system card 28. Being that cards 30 couple to mux 24, the cpu in the docking station (on system card 28 in this embodiment), controls the resources of cards 30 when the docking station is "undocked". When notebook 10 docks to docking station 12, as illustrated in FIG. 265, it will pull the pin high on the mux which indicated a docked situation. System card 28 on the other side of mux 24 reads the I/O device and signals that it is being docked. The system pulls mux 24 and lets the cpu in notebook 10 have control over the released resources in docking station 12, be they resources on system card 28 and/or cards(s) 30. As discussed previously, one way of accomplishing this is to write simple code to the cpu in system card 28 that says "if there is an input (interrupt) from the mux (which you could hook to external interrupt 1 or 2 off of the SMI interrupt on the CPU), the codes see this and says, "read the status--docked or undocked". If docked, the docking station turns over the resources, the CPU quits running on the PCI bus 14 (it doesn't issue any PCI cycles) and throws the mux so that the PCI bus is being driven by the external master and not the CPU in the system card 28. When the mux goes back, then the CPU in system card 28 starts driving the internal PCI bus 14. Thus, in a docked situation with a notebook, notebook may be given partial or full control over the resources of system card 28 and additional cards 30.

Additional cards 30 also provide additional resources and combinations of resources to the docking station. Each card 30 provides another possible configuration. We need to define a new type of PCI device for each configuration. For instance, if a card 30 contained a serial port with a parallel port, the card in a dock situation might simply identify itself as a multifunction PCI device for communications or an SIO (definition previously defined by the PCI committee). The microprocessor in the docking station recognizes a dock request, and releases these resources (in this case the serial port with a parallel port) to whoever is docking and then, if they undock, the microprocessor takes back the resources. In this case, the microprocessor only released the resources of the SIO device. This means that the microprocessor's memory is still under its control, it could be talking on the LAN and collecting data on the LAN and only have released the SIO devices. It could have also identified itself as a multifunction PCI device, such as a "TI thunderlan" and "SIO", in which case the cpu would release the thunderlan and SIO devices to the device that docked to the bridge on the interface. As things are released, the cpu has to identify by type what they are so that the plug-n-play BIOS can say "I know what I am". It is this releasing process that also is part of the bridge and interface, the interface identifies the type of devices that he needs. As an example, if the interface is an RF, a dock request is sent to the bridge, but, for example, "I don't want the monitor because I'm remote"--therefore, don't report that monitor to the plug-n-play device. Leave the monitor configured to the main system. So, that's part of the intelligence at the device level and the hand shake going back and forth is what devices do you want and what devices are available. Depending on the type of dock, and how many people are docking, depends on what device get released.

There may also be other configurations. One configuration (configuration #1) might be a display, a keyboard, a CPU, memory, whereas another configuration (configuration#2) might have just a hard drive. Yet another configuration (configuration#3) might have a hard drive and a CD ROM. So, by recognizing the configuration type, you can now decide what drivers get invoked in the docking station because you have made the connection. What drivers still work and hardware still works in either the notebook computer (remote master or fixed master) while docked to the docking station. The result is a complete plug-n-play cycle happening. The idea is that you have the bridges--RF bridge, special bridge in the PCI, and the bridge in the notebook knows how to take the PCI information, turn it into a signal that sends a command to the interface module which turns around and puts it back into the PCI configuration which sends the information to the bridge at which time now it starts configuring the bridge. This architecture is bus independent. The bus has to have protocols across the bus to recognize devices.

FIGS. 266-316 illustrate block diagrams of various embodiments of cards 30 that can be used in combination with docking station 12 illustrated in FIG. 264. The card slot connector on each card 30 couples to a mating connector in card slot 26 in docking station 12.