Patent ID: 7200702

Claim:
An expansion unit for providing expanded functionality to a mobile computer while bridging a connection from the mobile computer to a docking device, the expansion unit comprising: a first peripheral device providing expanded functionality to the mobile computer when electrically connected to the mobile computer; a first connector permitting the mobile computer to interface with the first peripheral device when the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the mobile computer; a second connector electrically connected to the first connector and permitting the mobile device to interface with the docking device via the first and second connectors when the second connector is electrically connected to the docking device; and wherein the expansion unit is a computing device operating independently of the mobile computer while in a stand-alone mode disconnected from the mobile computer and providing expanded functionality to the mobile computer when connected thereto, the expansion unit further comprising: a storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for operating the computing device in the stand-alone mode; an input device connector for interfacing with an input device; a video adaptor for providing display information to a monitor; and a processor in communication with the storage medium, the input device connector, and the video adaptor, the processor configured to perform steps comprising: receiving user input via the input device connector; executing instructions stored in the storage medium; and providing display instructions to the video adaptor.