Patent ID: 7788436
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of operation of an apparatus by a user comprising a functioning portable computer; a functioning docking station; said portable computer comprises a low performance mode of operation and a high performance mode of operation; sensing through a sensor if said portable computer is engaged in said docking station or if said portable computer is not engaged in said docking station; said user using both said high and said low performance modes of operation; switching said computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation by a signal generator in response to providing an input to said system; said providing said input being selected from the group consisting of providing an output of said sensor indicating that said portable computer is engaged with said docking station and for switching said portable computer into said high performance mode of operation, providing an output of said sensor indicating that said portable computer is disengaged from said docking station and for switching said portable computer into said low performance mode of operation and an output of a temperature sensor which monitors the operating temperature of said computer switching said portable computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation; cooling said portable computer with a portable computer cooling system when said portable computer is not engaged with said docking station and operating in said low performance mode of operation; cooling the combination of said engaged said portable computer and said docking station with the combination of said portable computer cooling station system and a docking station cooling system providing enhanced cooling of said portable computer when engaged with said docking station and operating in said high performance mode of operation and for reduced cooling of said portable computer when disengaged from said docking station and operating in said low performance mode of operation; and said engaged cooling system comprises a first air blower in said portable computer coupled to a first air port in said portable computer and to a heat sink in said portable computer, a second air port in said docking station coupled to a second air blower in said docking station, said first air port is disposed adjacent to and in substantially airtight engagement with said second air port through an elastomeric seal between said engaged first and second air ports to substantially prevent air leakage from said substantially airtight engagement, a third air port on said docking station having a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of said second air port, said engaged cooling system has a higher air flow capacity through said portable computer when operating in said high performance mode of operation from said high performance CPU than the maximum air flow capacity provided by said first air blower to said portable computer when operating in said low performance mode of operation from said low performance CPU, said second air blower having a substantially higher air handling capacity than said first air blower by the combination of said second air port and said third air port, by the second cross sectional area being greater than said first cross sectional area and by said second air blower having a higher air handling capacity than said first air blower, said first air blower and said second air blower blowing air through the combination of said portable computer and said docking station.