First-level removable module having bar code I/O and second-level removable memory

• US 20020169912A1
• Filed: 01/07/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Socket Mobile, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Socket Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Mills, Kevin J., Gifford, Micheal L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,691,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/301
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0282 Adapters for connecting cards having a first standard in receptacles having a second standard

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for closed-case removable expansion cards having a removable memory enhance the utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs. In both a first and second embodiments the closed-case removable expansion cards preferably use a Type II CompactFlash form factor. In the first embodiment the removable memory is in combination with an external-I/O connector or attached external-I/O device, providing both I/O and memory functions in a single closed-case removable expansion card. This increases the expansion functional density for portable computer hosts, such as PDAs. That is, it increases the amount of functionality that can be accommodated within a given volume allocation for expansion devices. In the second embodiment the removable memory is a private memory for application specific circuitry within the closed-case-removable expansion card. This enhances the utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs, as universal chassises for application specific uses. The standard CompactFlash physical and electrical interface couples the application specific card to the host, which provides user interface functions for the application. The cards include a top located slot and an internal connector for accepting a MultiMediaCard as the private removable memory. In addition, the application specific card will generally have some manner of I/O to required external devices, such as scanning devices, sensors, or transducers. Otherwise, all functionality for the application specific function is self-contained within the application specific card.

Claims

1. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, a host-interconnect for coupling with the host, an I/O interconnect for coupling with an external I/O device, I/O adapter circuitry for the I/O device, a slot for a removable memory, and removable memory adapter circuitry for the removable memory.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is a CompactFlash card.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the removable memory slot is compatible with a MultiMediaCard, and the removable memory adapter circuitry is MultiMediaCard adapter circuitry.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the I/O adapter circuitry is a serial I/O adapter and the I/O-interconnect includes a cable having a standard serial connector.

5. The card of claim 1, wherein the I/O adapter circuitry is a local area network adapter and the I/O-interconnect includes a cable having a standard local area network connector.

6. The card of claim 1, wherein the I/O adapter circuitry is a parallel adapter and the I/O-interconnect includes a cable having a standard parallel connector.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the I/O-interconnect is a Honda-style 15-pin connector integral to the card.

8. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is designed to abut and fasten with at least part of the I/O device such that the I/O-interconnect for coupling with the I/O device is cableless.

9. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, the PCB having decoder and reconstruction circuitry for digitally encoded media, the decoder and reconstruction circuitry having a first low-level analog signal output, the card having a slot for a removable memory holding at least one digitally encoded instance of at least one media type, the card including removable memory adapter circuitry for interfacing with the removable memory, and the card having analog electronics for providing a media output.

10. The card of claim 9, wherein the card is a CompactFlash card.

11. The card of claim 9, wherein the removable memory slot is compatible with a MultiMediaCard and the removable memory adapter circuitry is a MultiMediaCard adapter circuitry.

12. The card of claim 9, wherein the digitally encoded media is encoded in accordance with the MP3 standard.

13. The card of claim 9, wherein the digitally encoded media is encoded in accordance with the Microsoft Digital Audio standard.

14. The card of claim 9, wherein the playback of the digitally encoded media is initiated automatically upon insertion of the removable memory.

15. The card of claim 9, wherein the card further includes:

a radio-frequency receiver providing a second low-level analog signal output, a low-level selector coupled to the first and second low-level analog signal outputs and providing an input to the analog electronics, and antenna coupling electronics associated with the media output for use with a headset designed to function as an antenna for the radio-frequency receiver.

16. The card of claim 9, wherein the card further includes a local area network adapter.

17. The card of claim 16, wherein the local area network adapter is an Ethernet adapter.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the I/O coupling includes a local area network connection and the external system includes an Internet web-site.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the digitally encoded media is encoded in accordance with the MP3 standard.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the digitally encoded media is encoded in accordance with the Microsoft Digital Audio standard.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the playback of the digitally encoded media is initiated automatically upon insertion of the removable memory.

27. The card of claim 26 wherein the map information includes information about city streets.

29. The card of claim 28, further including application-specific circuitry, and wherein the removable memory is a private memory for the application-specific circuitry, the management of the removable memory being an ancillary function to the primary function of the specific application.

30. The card of claim 29, wherein the I/O adapter is coupled to the application-specific circuitry and is not coupled to the PDA.

18. A method of digitally encoded media playback, comprising:

providing a PDA, providing an expansion card for the PDA having playback circuitry for the digitally encoded media, providing a slot in the expansion card for receiving a removable memory, providing the removable memory, providing I/O coupling from the PDA to an external system, transferring the digitally encoded media from the external system to the PDA, transferring the digitally encoded media from the PDA to the expansion card, storing the digitally encoded media from the expansion card to the removable memory, after storing later reading the digitally encoded media from the removable memory, decoding the digitally encoded media and producing a reconstructed media, coupling the reconstructed media to a media output of the expansion card, providing application software for the PDA to provide user interface functions using the display and input devices of the PDA for controlling the storing and playback of the digitally encoded media.

23. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, the card having serial I/O circuitry, the card having a serial I/O interconnect compatible with the serial I/O of a digital telephone, the card having a slot for a removable memory holding data including address book records, the serial I/O interconnect providing communication between the telephone and the card of the data associated with the removable memory, the card including removable memory adapter circuitry for interfacing with the removable memory.

24. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, the card having serial I/O circuitry, the card having a serial I/O interconnect compatible with the serial I/O of a digital telephone, the card having a slot for a removable memory for holding data including digitally encoded telephone communications, the serial I/O interconnect providing communication between the telephone and the card of the data associated with the removable memory, the card including removable memory adapter circuitry for interfacing with the removable memory.

25. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, the card having serial I/O circuitry, the card having a serial I/O interconnect compatible with the serial I/O of a digital telephone, the card having a slot for a removable memory holding data including address book records and digitally encoded telephone communications, the serial I/O interconnect providing communication between the telephone and the card of the data associated with the removable memory, the card including removable memory adapter circuitry for interfacing with the removable memory.

26. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, the card having serial I/O circuitry, the card having a serial I/O interconnect compatible with the serial I/O of a GPS receiver, the card having a slot for a removable memory holding data including map information, the serial I/O interconnect providing communication between the GPS receiver and the card of the data associated with the removable memory, the card including removable memory adapter circuitry for interfacing with the removable memory.

28. A removable expansion card for a portable host, comprising:

an expansion card frame and PCB, a host interface, interconnect for an external I/O device, and I/O adapter for the I/O device, an internal connector for a removable memory, a slot in the expansion card frame for the removable memory, controller logic for the removable memory.

31. A method of customizing a PDA for an application-specific function, the method comprising:

providing a PDA, providing an expansion card for the PDA having application-specific circuitry, providing a slot in the expansion card for receiving a removable memory, providing removable memory adapter circuitry within the expansion card for the removable memory, providing the removable memory to the expansion card, reading and writing the removable memory by the removable memory adapter circuitry in accordance with the application-specific function, providing application software for the PDA to provide user interface functions using the display and input devices of the PDA for controlling the application-specific function.

32. The method of claim 31, further including:

providing an I/O adapter within the card, providing I/O coupling from the I/O adapter to an external system, and transferring data between the external system and the I/O adapter.

33. The method of claim 32, further including transferring the data between the I/O adapter and the PDA.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the I/O adapter is a network adapter, and wherein the I/O coupling includes a network connection, and the external system includes a web-site.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of the PDA and the card have at least a first and a second power mode and a message received over the network by the card selectively results in a transition from the first power mode to the second power mode.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the I/O adapter is a communications receiver, and wherein the I/o coupling includes a communications link, and the external system includes a communications transmitter.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one of the PDA and the card have at least a first and a second power mode and a message received over the communications link by the card selectively results in a transition from the first power mode to the second power mode.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein at least part of the external system is abutted and fastened to the expansion card such that the I/O coupling is cableless.