Multifunctional electronic palmtop computer

• US 20010003071A1
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Published: 06/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 4P SRL
• Original Assignee: 4P SRL
• Inventors: Cardin, Roberto, Mansutti, Silvano
• Granted Patent: US 7,023,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer

Abstract

A multifunctional electronic palmtop computer comprising, in a single box-like body, a keyboard (14), a display (15), a CPU, working storage and mass storage, a printer and a PCMCIA card interface (23), further comprising a protective cover (25) for the interface (23) which is provided with locking means adapted to prevent direct accessibility to the interface.

Claims

1. A multifunctional electronic palmtop computer of the type which comprises, in a single box-like body, a keyboard, a display, a CPU, working storage and mass storage, a printer and a PCMCIA card interface, characterized in that it further comprises a protective cover for said interface which is provided with locking means adapted to prevent direct accessibility to said interface, said cover requiring the intervention of a tool to release said means so as to allow access to said interface.

2. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that said locking means are actuated, on mutually opposite sides, by buttons, each button comprising a first component and a second component which are operatively coupled and are respectively arranged externally and internally with respect to a wall of said cover, said second component having a hook which abuts elastically against a retainer which protrudes rigidly from said body, said hook being disengageable from said retainer in contrast with an elastic means by virtue of a pressure applied by a user on said first component and transmitted to said second component.

3. The computer according to

claim 2

, characterized in that once one of the sides of said cover is rested against an edge of its seat, said cover can slide until it couples by snap action to the portion of the profile of said seat that constitutes said retainer and lies below it.

4. The computer according to

claim 3

, characterized in that a grub is inserted in said first component, on the outward-looking face;

a seat for a pin is formed diametrically in said grub and an opening is formed in said wall of said cover which is interposed between said first and second components of the button, said opening forming cutouts for at least partially accommodating the ends of said pin, said pin being adapted to rotate rigidly with said grub in order to reach a specific position in which, by at least partially inserting its ends in said cutouts by virtue of a pressure applied to said first component, said pressure can be transmitted to said second component in contrast with said elastic means so as to disengage said hook from said retainer.

5. The computer according to

claim 4

, characterized in that said grub has, on the face that remains on the outside, a slot in which it is possible to insert the point of said tool so as to turn it in order to orientate said pin.

6. The computer according to the

claim 5

, characterized in that said elastic means is a fork-shaped flat spring which is interposed between a partition that lies inside said cover and said second component.

7. The computer according to

claim 6

, characterized in that a longitudinal hollow is formed in said second component on the side directed toward said internal partition, said hollow partially accommodating said flat spring.

8. The computer according to

claim 7

, characterized in that a tab protrudes from the inward face of said first component and is adapted to be inserted in a complementarily shaped seat formed in said second component on the opposite side with respect to said longitudinal hollow, said opening formed in the wall of the cover that is interposed between said first component and said second component being provided with said cutouts for the ends of said pin and being crossed by said tab.

9. The computer according to

claim 8

, characterized in that a cantilevered tooth protrudes from one end of said first component and has two parallel protrusions which constitute retention elements which can be inserted in a complementarily shaped seat formed in a corresponding end of said second component.

10. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that said cover comprises means for preventing said PCMCIA cards from accidentally sliding out of the interface.

11. The computer according to

claim 10

, characterized in that said means for preventing accidental sliding comprise at least one raised portion which protrudes inside said cover and is adapted to ensure mechanical abutment against said PCMCIA cards.

12. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that an opening is formed in said cover and a connector for connection to said PCMCIA card interface can be inserted through it.

13. The computer according to

claim 12

, characterized in that said opening is protected by a rubber plug.

14. The computer according to

claim 13

, characterized in that said plug is provided with a protrusion which is rigidly fixed to said cover.

15. The computer according to

claim 14

, characterized in that said plug is externally provided with a raised grip portion.

16. The computer according to

claim 1

, comprising a read/write device for microchip cards, which is arranged on the lower face of the body and can be accessed through a slot which has a flexible flap which can be folded only during the insertion of one of said microchip cards.

17. The computer according to

claim 16

, characterized in that it comprises a further read/write device for microchip cards of the type known as SIM format, said device being arranged in the part below the power supply battery pack, being protected by a cover and having a connector which is shaped complementarily for the insertion of said SIM-format card.

18. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that it comprises a seat which is adapted to contain a stylus to be used for said display, said seat being formed in the cover of said printer.

19. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that it comprises a paper containment compartment and a printer, said compartment alternatively containing a roll of paper supported by a roll holder or a pack of continuous paper.

20. The computer according to

claim 19

, characterized in that said roll holder has a U-shaped structure which comprises a pivot provided, at its ends, with a fixed arm and with an arm which can fold by means of a film hinge.

21. The computer according to

claim 20

, characterized in that said arms of the roll holder are flat.

22. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that it comprises a cellular telephone.

23. The computer according to

claim 22

, characterized in that said cellular telephone is of the type known as GSM and comprises an electronic board which is arranged laterally to said paper containment compartment at the lower part of said body, said board being arranged vertically.

24. The computer according to

claim 23

, characterized in that said cellular telephone comprises an antenna which is connected to said electronic board and is arranged laterally with respect to said paper containment compartment, in a forward position with respect to said board.

25. The computer according to

claim 1

, characterized in that it comprises a satellite positioning system.

26. The computer according to

claim 25

, characterized in that said satellite positioning system comprises an electronic board which is arranged laterally with respect to said paper containment compartment at the lower part of said body, said board being arranged vertically.

27. The computer according to

claim 26

, characterized in that said satellite positioning system comprises a receiving antenna which is connected to said electronic board and is arranged in the front part of said body below said paper containment compartment.