Wired and wireless docking station

A system, comprising:

• a portable computer having a first wireless transceiver and a first wired connector;
• a docking station having a second wireless transceiver and a second wired connector;
• wherein the docking station comprises an embedded processor coupled to detect a first wired signal sent from the first wired connector and a first wireless signal sent from the first wireless transceiver;
• and
• wherein the portable computer comprises:
• a comparator coupled for receiving a second wireless signal sent from the docking station and comparing a strength of the second wireless signal to a predetermined value to determine whether the strength of the second wireless signal is adequate to support a wireless docking session before data is transmitted across a wireless medium;
• and
• a processor having program instructions operable thereon for controlling data transmission between the portable computer and the docking station, wherein upon execution of the program instructions, the processor is configured for:
• (i) transferring data across a wired medium between the portable computer and at least one peripheral device coupled to the docking station via the first and second wired connectors if the first and second wired connectors are engaged;
• and
• (ii) transferring data across the wireless medium between the portable computer and said at least one peripheral device via the first and second wireless transceivers only if:
• (a) the first and second wired connectors are not engaged, and (b) the strength of the second wireless signal exceeds the predetermined value.

A method for sending data signals across a wireless transmission medium between a portable computer and a docking station, comprising:

• moving the portable computer toward the docking station;
• transmitting a ping signal across the wireless transmission medium and receiving an acknowledge signal across the wireless transmission medium in response to the ping signal;
• comparing a signal strength of the acknowledge signal to a predetermined value to determine whether the signal strength is adequate to support a wireless docking session before data signals are transmitted across the wireless transmission medium;
• transmitting data signals across the wireless transmission medium only if the acknowledge signal exceeds the predetermined value and a wired connector on the portable computer is disengaged from a wired connector on the docking station;
• and
• terminating the transmission of data signals across the wireless transmission medium if a signal strength of the data signals sent across the wireless transmission medium drops below the predetermined value.