Patent ID: 7702837
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating an apparatus comprising: providing a portable computer; providing a docking station; said portable computer comprises a low performance mode of operation and a high performance mode of operation; providing a sensor for sensing if said portable computer is engaged in said docking station or if said portable computer is not engaged in said docking station; both said high and said low performance modes of operation are actively user usable modes of operation; providing a signal generator for switching said computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation in response to an input; said input being selected from the group consisting of 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 and an output of a temperature sensor which monitors the operating temperature of said computer to switch said computer between said high performance mode of operation and said low performance mode of operation; said portable computer with a low performance CPU comprising said low performance mode of operation and said docking station comprises a high performance CPU comprising said high performance mode of operation, wherein said low performance mode CPU is not the same CPU as said high performance CPU; said signal generator switches said computer between said high performance mode of operation using said high performance CPU, and said low performance mode of operation using said low performance CPU in response to said input; providing said portable computer with a portable computer cooling system; providing said docking station with a docking station cooling system for engagement and disengagement with said portable computer cooling system for enhanced cooling of said portable computer when engaged with said docking station and operating in said high performance mode of operation through said high performance CPU and for reduced cooling of said portable computer when disengaged from said docking station and operating in said low performance mode of operation through said low performance CPU; and providing 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 airports 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, the 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.