Patent ID: 7174407

Claim:
An extendable computer system comprising: a motherboard for maintaining the functionality of the computer system, the motherboard comprising: a system chipset for supporting a specification of a first interface; at least one first standard communication interface slot electrically connected to the system chipset for electrically connecting at least one peripheral device to the computer system; and a first extending port electrically connected to the system chipset for extending functionality of the motherboard, the first extending port comprising at least one first monitoring end electrically connected to the system chipset of the computer system for transmitting at least one Hot-Plug/Power Switch monitoring signal; and an extended board capable of electrically connecting to the motherboard for extending the functionality of the computer system, the extended board comprising: a second extending port capable of electrically connecting to the first extending port for electrically connecting the extended board to the system chipset of the motherboard, wherein at least one end of the second extending port is in accordance with the specification of the first interface; a second interface converter electrically connected to the at least one end of the second extending port for converting the first interface into a second interface; at least one second standard communication interface slot electrically connected to the second interface converter for electrically connecting at least one peripheral device to the computer system, wherein the at least one second standard communication interface slot is in accordance with the specification of the second interface; and at least one switching circuit, for performing Hot-Plug control and power management of the at least one second standard communication interface slot, electrically connected to: the second interface converter and the at least one second standard communication interface slot; and the at least one first monitoring end through at least one second monitoring end of the second extending port; wherein the second interface converter is capable of controlling the at least one switching circuit with a protocol of the second interface to switch on or switch off the protocol, data signals, and power of the at least one second standard communication interface slot.