Enhanced active port replicator having expansion and upgrade capabilities

摘要

An active port replicator, adapted to be connected to a portable personal computer, enables the portable personal computer to be relatively quickly and easily connected to a plurality of external I/O devices, such as a printers, a full size video monitor and the like in a desktop application and readily disconnected from the external I/O devices for portable applications. The active port replicator replicates all of the ports on a typical portable personal computer and may provide additional ports, such as an additional type PS/2 port, for added convenience and flexibility. Once the desired external I/O devices are connected to the active port replicator, the active port replicator may quickly and easily docked to a portable personal computer for desktop application and disconnected for portable application. In order to provide additional capability and flexibility of the portable personal computer in a desktop application, the active port replicator is user upgradeable with a network interface and a PCMCIA interface.