TWI564721B - Smart dock with cpu&ram hot-pluggable support for mobile devices - Google Patents

Description

Smart base for CPU and RAM hot plug support for mobile devices

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a docking station and, in particular, to a smart docking station for enhancing the computing power of a mobile device.

A docking station, sometimes referred to as a "port replicator," provides a simplified way to plug a mobile computer, such as a laptop, into a shared peripheral. Modern laptop systems have incorporated many features that were previously only available on desktop computers. By using a docking station connected to a mobile computer system, the user is allowed to access a variety of services and devices that are typically only available on desktop systems. Therefore, when the laptop is connected to or mounted on a docking station, the resulting system resembles a desktop computer.

Mobile computer systems are typically connected to the docking station by using a socket connection. In other words, the mobile computer system is inserted into the docking station and, when inserted, is connected to the docking station through the use of a mating connector. The docking station is in turn connected to the various devices currently available on the mobile computer.

Recently, low-performance mobile devices such as Netbooks, Ultra-thin Laptops, Smart phones, and mobile Internet devices (MIDs) have become commonplace for end users. Super mobile. However, such devices may not be computational to certain users, particularly in a corporate environment. To perform tasks with high client computing requirements, such as compiling/constructing software, business reporting Health, graphic depiction, and games require high-performance devices.

In another scenario, high performance devices are not always fully utilized for simple tasks such as editing files, browsing web pages, and the like. Therefore, power and computing functions may be wasted.

The hot plug expansion base can include one or more central processing units (CPUs) and internal memory and other support circuitry within the base. When docked for low performance devices, it can take advantage of this extra computing power and any other peripherals connected to the base, thereby enhancing the computing power of this low performance device. In addition, this smart docking station can be connected via a network or connected to other such smart bases. Each of these smart bases serves as a node in a distributed computing network, and their computing power can be taken from this network. Use and share.

The word "one embodiment" or "an example" as used throughout the specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic relating to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the words "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Referring now to Figure 1, an embodiment of a smart docking station is shown. The docking station 100 can include a receptacle 102 for mating with a receptacle (not shown) on the mobile electronic device 103. The docking station 100 can, in turn, be connected to various devices and services. For example, the docking station can be connected to one or more Display 104, printer 106, mouse 108, keyboard 110, power supply 112, and network connection 114. The network connection 114 can include an internet or an office internal network, and thus can be connected to other such smart bases 130 and 132, each acting as a node in a distributed computing network, and their computing power can be Network access and sharing. This list is by way of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive. When the mobile electronic device 103 is connected to the base 100, all of the aforementioned devices are available for use by the electronic device 103. In addition, the base 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, may include one or more of its own central processing unit (CPU) 120 and support circuitry and apparatus that may also be utilized by the mobile electronic device 103.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention. As shown, the smart docking station 200 can be configured to interface with the mobile electronic device 202. The mobile electronic device can include any such device that is commonly accessed, including but not limited to personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), tablets, smart phones, and the like. All of these devices typically have less computing power than standard desktop or laptop computers and can therefore benefit from the additional computing circuitry 204 built into the smart chassis 200.

As shown, the smart chassis 200 can have an arithmetic circuit 204, such as one or more CPUs 206 and 208, each with associated RAM memory 210 and 212. In addition, docking station 200 can include its own mass storage device 214, such as a hard disk (HD) or a newer solid state hard disk (SSD). A set of chips 216 can be included to interface the CPUs 206 and 208 and the plurality of storage devices 214 with various interfaces, such as a docking interface 218 (interfacing with the mobile device 202) and such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, Firewire, Interface 220 for video graphics adapter (VGA), high-resolution multimedia interface (HDMI), Ethernet connection, etc. The smart base 200 can of course also include its own power supply 222 and power adapter interface 224. This operational circuit can be implemented in a conventional motherboard configuration within the smart chassis 200 or can be implemented on a single chip system (SoC). Although there are two CPUs 206 and 208 as shown, there may be more or fewer CPUs depending on the additional computing power required.

By way of example, in one application, the base 200 can support up to four processors and 8 GB of RAM. The OEM/ODM/user can add/remove the processor in the base 200 based on actual needs. When the low performance device 202 is mounted on the base 200, the operating system (OS) of the device 202 can detect additional processors, graphics cards, RAM, and other peripheral devices integrated into the base 200 and automatically control them. This detection and control is transparent to the application programmer executing on the OS.

In the second usage scenario, when the base 200 is detached from the low performance device 202, its computing power can be shared via the corporate network. Thus, base 200 can be a node in the basic architecture of IT's decentralized computing network. The SoC in the base can provide computing services. Thousands of pedestals provide powerful computing resources to partially meet business needs and dramatically increase the return on investment (ROI) of information technology (IT).

The embodiment of the smart base increases the computing power of a light-weight notebook, a MID, an ultra-thin laptop, a smart phone, and the like. The enterprise use of such devices is made more feasible when inserted into the base. The base is already a very popular device due to its support for embedded multiprocessor RAM and other useful hardware. , it can become more popular. An embodiment of a hot-swappable base containing multiple processors and RAMs internally, when low-performance mobile devices are installed in a base in an office or home, will provide extreme computing performance to low-performance mobile devices, but when such devices are self-supporting Separation for use in travel does not affect the mobility of these devices and long battery life.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention, including the invention, are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. While the invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize various equivalent modifications within the scope of the invention.

The present invention can be modified in accordance with the above detailed description. The use of proper nouns in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. Rather, the scope of the present invention is generally determined by the scope of the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with the principles of the interpretation of the scope of the claimed invention.

100‧‧‧Expansion base

102‧‧‧ socket

103‧‧‧Mobile electronic devices

104‧‧‧ display

106‧‧‧Printer

108‧‧‧ Mouse

110‧‧‧ keyboard

112‧‧‧Power supply

114‧‧‧Internet connection

120‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

130‧‧‧Smart base

132‧‧‧Smart base

200‧‧‧Smart base

202‧‧‧Mobile electronic devices

204‧‧‧Operating circuit

206‧‧‧CPU

208‧‧‧CPU

210‧‧‧RAM memory

212‧‧‧RAM memory

214‧‧‧Many storage devices

216‧‧‧ chipsets

218‧‧‧Base interface

220‧‧‧ interface

222‧‧‧Power supply

224‧‧‧Power Adapter Interface

The foregoing and preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the While the foregoing and the following written description of the embodiments of the present invention are intended to .

1 is a diagram for reinforcing a connection base according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram of a smart docking station with computing power; and FIG. 2 is a block diagram detailing the internal components of a smart docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Expansion base

102‧‧‧ socket

103‧‧‧Mobile electronic devices

104‧‧‧ display

106‧‧‧Printer

108‧‧‧ Mouse

110‧‧‧ keyboard

112‧‧‧Power supply

114‧‧‧Internet connection

120‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

130‧‧‧Smart base

132‧‧‧Smart base

Claims (17)

An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, comprising: an expansion base docked with a mobile electronic computing device; and an arithmetic circuit in the docking station, comprising at least one central processing unit, the central processing unit can be visually required Being added to or removed from the docking station, wherein the mobile electronic computing device can automatically detect and control the increased through the operating system when the central processing unit is added to the docking station as needed a central processing unit; wherein, when the mobile electronic computing device is docked with the docking station, the mobile electronic computing device uses the computing circuit to enhance its own computing capability; and wherein the docking station is moved from the mobile electronic computing device In addition, the operational circuitry within the docking station can be shared via the network, and the docking station is configured as a node in a distributed computing network. An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit in the docking station further comprises random access memory associated with the at least one central processing unit. An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit further comprises a plurality of storage devices. For example, the third paragraph of the patent application is for enhancing the mobile electronic computing device. A computing device, wherein the mass storage device comprises a hard disk. An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 3, wherein the mass storage device comprises a solid state hard disk. An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 1, wherein the docking station is connected to other such docking stations via a network, and other devices on the network can use the computing operation. Circuit. An apparatus for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit is disposed on a single chip system (SoC). A method for enhancing the computing power of a row electronic computing device, comprising: setting an expansion base; and providing an arithmetic circuit in the expansion base, the operation circuit comprising at least one central processing unit, the central processing unit being added to the visual requirement The docking station is removed from or removed from the docking station; and an interface is provided to allow the mobile electronic computing device to be docked to the docking station, wherein the mobile electronic computing device can pass through the docking station when the central processing unit is added to the docking station as needed The operating system automatically detects and controls the added central processing unit; wherein when the mobile electronic computing device is docked with the docking station, the mobile electronic computing device uses the computing circuit to enhance its own Computing capability; and wherein, when the docking station is removed from the mobile electronic computing device, the computing circuit in the docking station can be shared via a network, and the docking station is configured in a distributed computing network node. The method for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, as in claim 8, further comprising setting a random access memory associated with the at least one central processing unit. The method for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, as in claim 8, further comprising providing a plurality of storage devices in the docking station. A method for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, as in claim 8, wherein the operational circuit is disposed on a single chip system (SoC). The method for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, as in claim 8, further comprising: connecting to the other such docking stations via a network, and the computing circuitry is usable by other devices on the network. A system for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, comprising: an expansion base docked with a mobile electronic computing device; an arithmetic circuit in the docking station, the computing circuit comprising at least one central processing unit, the central processing unit being visible The demand is added to or removed from the docking station; and the network connection connects the docking station to a similar docking station, each The docking station acts as a node on the network, and other devices on the network can use the computing circuit in the docking station, wherein the mobile electronic operation is performed when the central processing unit is added to the docking station as needed. The device can automatically detect and control the added central processing unit through its operating system; wherein when the mobile electronic computing device interfaces with the docking station, the mobile electronic computing device uses the computing circuit to enhance its own computing power And wherein, when the docking station is removed from the mobile electronic computing device, the computing circuit in the docking station can be shared via a network, and the docking station is configured as a node in a distributed computing network. A system for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 13 wherein the computing circuit in the docking station further comprises random access memory associated with the at least one central processing unit. A system for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device, as in claim 13, wherein the operational circuit further comprises a plurality of storage devices. A system for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 15 wherein the mass storage device comprises a hard disk. A system for enhancing the computing power of a mobile electronic computing device according to claim 15 wherein the mass storage device comprises a solid state hard disk.