Scalable docking architecture for portable computers

A computer system for connection to a dock comprising:

• a CPU;
• at least one first communications bus;
• a first logic interface electrically connected to the at least one first communications bus;
• and
• a first docking connector electrically connected to the first logic interface for electrical connection to a second docking connector of the dock;
• wherein when the computer system is connected to the dock via the first and second docking connectors, the first logic interface determines a carrier bandwidth of at least one second communications bus of the dock;
• wherein upon determining respective carrier bandwidths of the at least one first and second communications buses, the first logic interface determines a maximum carrier bandwidth supported by both the dock and the computer system for use in communications between the dock and the computer system;
• and
• wherein the first logic interface encodes signals to be transmitted to and decodes signals received from the dock via the first and second docking connectors.

A dock for connecting to a portable computer, the dock comprising:

• a first docking connector for mating with a second docking connector of the portable computer;
• a first logic interface electrically connected to the first docking connector;
• and
• at least one first communications bus electrically connected to the first logic interface;
• wherein when the portable computer is connected to the dock via the first and second docking connectors, the first logic interface determines a carrier bandwidth of at least one second communications bus of the portable computer;
• wherein upon determining the respective carrier bandwidths of the at least one first and second communications buses, the first logic interface determines a maximum carrier bandwidth supported by both the dock and the portable computer for use in communications between the dock and the portable computer;
• and
• wherein the first logic interface encodes signals to be transmitted to and decodes signals received from the portable computer via the first and second docking connectors.

A method of implementing a scalable docking architecture for portable computers, the method comprising:

• including in a portable computer a first logic interface, wherein the first logic interface is electrically connected between a first communications bus of the portable computer and a first docking connector;
• including in a dock electrically connectable to the portable computer via a second docking connector designed for mating with the first docking connector a second logic interface, wherein the second logic interface is electrically connected between a second communications bus of the dock and the second docking connector;
• the first logic interface determining capabilities of the dock, including a carrier bandwidth of the second communications bus;
• the second logic interface determining capabilities of the portable computer, including a carrier bandwidth of the first communications bus;
• the first and second logic interfaces determining a greatest common carrier bandwidth supported by both the portable computer and the dock;
• the first logic interface encoding signals to be sent to and decoding signals received from the dock;
• and
• the second logic interface encoding signals to be sent to and decoding signals received from the portable computer.