Docking Station Dynamic Lane Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling system docking stations increase design and fabrication costs and limit flexibility due to specialized ports and direct motherboard connections, while standardized ports like USB can lead to bandwidth limitations and latency issues.
Innovation Solution
A docking system with dynamic management of wired and wireless resources, using a temporary management bus to configure and reassign data lanes based on communication and power tasks, allowing for multiplexing and efficient use of bandwidth without direct motherboard connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized ports and direct motherboard connections are used in docking stations, then connection reliability and data transfer stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized USB Type-C port that can handle multiple functions including power delivery, video transmission, and data communication. This single universal interface replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized ports and direct motherboard connections, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through the robust USB Type-C connection protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a docking station as a mediator between the portable information handling system and external peripherals. The docking station manages the complex connections and data routing, allowing the main system to use a simple standardized port while still achieving reliable connections to multiple devices through the docking station's coordination.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized ports like USB are used in docking stations, then ease of manufacture and device flexibility are improved, but data transfer bandwidth and communication speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the system to dynamically adjust the data lane configuration based on the docking station's current needs. The management bus allows the system to temporarily reconfigure data lanes for power transfer when high bandwidth is not required, then switch back to high-speed data communication when needed, optimizing performance over time rather than being fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by establishing a management bus connection first to configure and reserve data lanes before actual high-speed data transfer begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when data transmission starts, the optimal data lanes are already allocated and ready, preventing bandwidth limitations during critical data transfer operations.
3Productivity
If data lanes are permanently allocated for communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but power transfer capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making data lane allocation flexible and time-varying. The system can dynamically switch data lanes between communication and power transfer functions based on real-time needs. When communication is active, data lanes are allocated for high-speed data transfer; when power transfer is needed, the same lanes are reassigned to deliver power, ensuring both functions can operate effectively without permanent commitment to one function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by temporarily discarding the data lane configuration for power transfer operations, then recovering and reconfiguring the same lanes for communication after power delivery is complete. This cyclic process of discarding old configurations and recovering with updated ones allows the system to optimize for the current operation while maintaining the ability to switch functions when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station connects through a docking port and docking cable with an information handling system to support communication between the information handling system and docking station peripherals. On initial interface, one data lane of the docking port establishes a temporary management interface, such as an I2C management bus, to configure the docking station. After configuration, a docking manager, virtual wireless access point and power block cooperate to assign data lanes of the docking port and wireless communication resources to information transfer and power transfer functions based upon processing and communication tasks performed at the information handling system.