Switched hot docking interface

A method for hot docking a portable computer system to a docking station, the method comprising:

• physically coupling the portable computer to a docking station, wherein the portable computer includes:
• a bus bridge;
• a bus coupled to the bus bridge;
• one or more devices coupled to the bus;
• and
• a docking interface coupled to the bus, wherein the docking interface includes a bus switch for coupling the bus to a peripheral interface in a docking station;
• asserting a dock detect signal, wherein the dock detect signal is received by the docking interface;
• and
• electrically coupling the bus to the peripheral interface in the docking station, wherein said coupling comprises closing the bus switch, and wherein operations on the bus are not suspended during said docking.

A docking interface chip configured for use in a portable computer, the portable computer configured for docking to a docking station, the docking interface chip comprising:

• a bus switch, wherein the bus switch is configured to, when closed couple a bus in a portable computer system to a switched bus in a docking station;
• and
• a switch control circuit coupled to the bus switch;
• wherein the switch control circuit is configured to close the switch responsive to a docking of the portable computer to the docking station, and wherein the switch control circuit is configured without suspending operations on the bus.

A system comprising:

• a portable computer, wherein the portable computer includes:
• a bus bridge;
• a bus coupled to the bus bridge;
• one or more devices coupled to the bus;
• a docking interface coupled to the bus, wherein the docking interface includes a bus switch;
• and
• a docking connector electrically coupled to the docking interface;
• a docking station, wherein the docking station includes:
• a complementary connector, wherein the complementary connector is configured to be coupled to the docking connector;
• a peripheral interface chip, wherein the peripheral interface chip is configured to be coupled to the bus through the complementary connector, the docking connector, and the bus switch;
• wherein the portable computer is configured to be coupled to the docking station by coupling the docking connector to the complementary connector, wherein the bus switch is configured to close and electrically couple the bus to the peripheral interface responsive to coupling the portable computer to the docking station, wherein the switch is closed without suspending operations on the bus.