Systems, devices, and methods for transferring data between an intelligent docking station and a handheld personal computer

In a personal digital assistant, a method of transferring a data element between an intelligent docking station and a handheld computer, the method comprising:

• detecting a docking event when a personal digital assistant (PDA) docks with an intelligent docking station (IDS);
• sending information between the PDA and the IDS over a single connection by serial transmission through a link in a format different from that of the PDA and the IDS;
• and
• allowing the PDA to individually address a device in communication with the IDS, wherein the PDA uses substantially the same type of addressing as is used to access a device directly using only the IDS.

In an intelligent docking station, a method of transferring a data element between an intelligent docking station and a handheld computer having a PCMCIA bus, the method comprising:

• detecting a docking event when a personal digital assistant (PDA) docks with an intelligent docking station (IDS);
• detecting data;
• and
• interfacing the IDS to the PDA having data on a bus via a PCMCIA bus, by:
• a) providing data to be written to the PDA on the PCMCIA bus without waiting for the end of any current transactions;
• and
• b) writing the data to the PDA via the PCMCIA bus.

In an intelligent docking station, a method of transferring a data element between the intelligent docking station and a handheld computer, the method comprising:

• detecting a docking event when a personal digital assistant (PDA) docks with an intelligent docking station (IDS);
• sending information between the IDS and the PDA over a single connection by serial transmission through a link in a format different from that of the PDA and the IDS;
• and
• allowing a peripheral device to individually address the PDA in communication with the IDS, wherein the peripheral device uses substantially the same type of addressing as is used to access the IDS.

A method of transferring a data element between an intelligent docking station and a handheld computer, the method comprising:

• receiving a device-enabled data element at a handheld computer bus;
• performing a driver conversion to convert the device-enabled data element into a bus-enabled data element;
• interfacing the IDS to the PDA having data on a bus via a PCMCIA bus, by:
• a) providing data to be written to the handheld computer on the PCMCIA bus without waiting for the end of any current transactions;
• and
• b) placing the bus-enabled data element on a handheld compatible bus.

A method of transferring a data element between a handheld computer and an intelligent docking station, the method comprising:

• converting a handheld-enabled data element into a bus-enabled data element;
• placing the bus-enabled data element on a handheld compatible bus;
• interfacing the IDS to the handheld device having data on a bus via a PCMCIA bus, by:
• a) providing data to be written to the intelligent docking station on the PCMCIA bus without waiting for the end of any current transactions;
• and
• b) receiving the bus-enabled data element at an intelligent docking station enabled co-processor;
• and
• performing a driver conversion to convert the bus-enabled data element into a device-enabled data element.

A method of transferring a data element between a handheld computer and an intelligent docking station, the method comprising:

• converting a handheld-enabled data element into a bus-enabled data element;
• placing the bus-enabled data element on a handheld compatible bus;
• and
• sending information between the handheld computer and the IDS over a single connection by serial transmission through a link in a format different from that of the handheld computer and the IDS.