Abstract: Prior art quiet docking and undocking methods used an interface that was located within the notebook computer, thus adding to the cost, complexity, weight, and power consumption of the notebook computer. The present invention provides for an apparatus for quiet docking of a notebook computer to a docking station, including interface circuitry located within the docking station. The interface detects when the notebook computer has been inserted within the docking station, and correspondingly enables a switch such that a common system bus is coupled between the notebook computer and the docking station. The interface also generates events to allow a software routine to configure the notebook computer and docking station without prior user intervention. The interface also includes circuitry to detect an undock request, and correspondingly undock the computer such that a transaction occurring on the system bus is not affected.

Abstract: A system having a portable computer, a docking station and an interface coupled between the portable computer and the docking station that is responsive to unpreconditioned insertion or removal of the portable computer into or from the docking station respectively. When the portable computer is being inserted into or removed from the docking station, the interface generates events to allow software to configure (e.g., precondition) the portable computer and the docking station without prior user intervention.