Distributed PDA processing and method for computational operating continuity

• US 20040217937A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Moskalik, Ray, Bradley, Chris
• Application Number:
  US10/427,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20040217937A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/026 Video wall, i.e. juxtaposition of a plurality of screens to create a display screen of bigger dimensions

Abstract

A method maintaining computational operating continuity irrespective of a user'"'"'s location that allows a change in processing power to meet changing computational needs, comprising the steps of (a) providing a core operations system in a personal digital assistant, (b) manipulating the core operations system using the personal digital assistant when the user desires to perform computational tasks in physical locations where the use of a desktop computer is cumbersome, (c) alternatively coupling the personal digital assistant to a tablet display device augmenting processing power of the personal digital assistant for manipulating the core operations system when mobility is desired by the user and processing or display requirements exceed the capability of the personal digital assistant, and (d) alternatively coupling the personal digital assistant to a desktop display device to augment the processing power of the personal digital assistant for operation when mobility is unnecessary and processing or display requirements exceed the processing capability of the personal digital assistant. Display, tablet and desktop systems for implementing the method are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining computational operating continuity irrespective of a user'"'"'s location that allows a change in processing power to meet changing computational needs, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a core operations system in a personal digital assistant;

b) manipulating the core operations system using the personal digital assistant when the user desires to perform computational tasks in physical locations where the use of a desktop computer is cumbersome;

c) alternatively coupling the personal digital assistant to a tablet display device augmenting processing power of the personal digital assistant for manipulating the core operations system when mobility is desired by the user and processing or display requirements exceed the capability of the personal digital assistant; and

d) alternatively coupling the personal digital assistant to a desktop display device to augment the processing power of the personal digital assistant for operation when mobility is unnecessary and processing or display requirements exceed the processing capability of the personal digital assistant.

2. A display device to increase processing power of a personal digital assistant, comprising:

a) a video display;

b) a connector coupled to the video display and configured for electronically coupling to the personal digital assistant;

c) a processor within the video display configured for receiving output from the personal digital assistant and for augmenting the output with greater processing capability for delivery to the video display.

3. A display device as in claim 2, wherein the processor is a graphics processing unit.

4. A display device as in claim 2, wherein the processor is a central processing unit.

5. A display device as in claim 2, wherein the video display further comprises random access memory coupled to the processor.

6. A display device as in claim 2, further comprising a keyboard removably coupled to the processor to allow a user to interact with the display device.

7. A display device as in claim 2, further comprising a hard disk drive coupled to the processor for increasing the storage capacity of the personal digital assistant.

8. A display device as in claim 2, wherein the connector is an interconnect module that is removably coupled to the video display.

9. A tablet system for maintaining computational operating continuity for a user irrespective of the user'"'"'s location that allows a change in processing power to meet changing computational needs, said tablet system comprising:

a) a personal digital assistant configured with processing power and memory capacity for autonomous use as a core operations system, as well as in coupled combination with a tablet display device and alternatively, with a desktop display device; and

b) a tablet display device for augmenting the processing power of the personal digital assistant including means for attachment to the personal digital assistant.

10. A tablet system as in claim 9, wherein the means for attachment to the personal digital assistant is an interconnect module configured to removably interconnect with the tablet display device and configured to removably interconnect with the personal digital assistant, such that the personal digital assistant is electronically coupled to the tablet display device.

11. A tablet system as in claim 9, wherein the tablet display device accepts input by means of a touch screen.

12. A tablet system as in claim 9, further comprising a keyboard removably coupled to the tablet display device to allow a user to interact with the tablet system.

13. A tablet system as in claim 9, further comprising a mouse removably coupled to the tablet display device to allow a user to interact with the tablet system.

14. A tablet system as in claim 9, wherein the personal digital assistant is a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone or cellular phone/PDA combination device.

15. A desktop system for maintaining computational operating continuity for a user irrespective of the user'"'"'s location that allows a change in processing power to meet changing computational needs, said desktop system comprising:

a) a personal digital assistant configured with processing power and memory capacity for autonomous use as a core operations system, as well as in coupled combination with a tablet display device and alternatively, with a desktop display device; and

b) a desktop display device for augmenting the processing power of the personal digital assistant including means for attachment to the personal digital assistant.

16. A desktop system as in claim 15, wherein the means for attachment to the personal digital assistant is an interconnect module configured to removably interconnect with the desktop display device and configured to removably interconnect with the personal digital assistant, such that the personal digital assistant is electronically coupled to the desktop display device.

17. A desktop system as in claim 15, further comprising a keyboard removably coupled to the desktop display device to allow a user to interact with the desktop system.

18. A desktop system as in claim 15, further comprising a mouse removably coupled to the desktop display device to allow a user to interact with the desktop system.

19. A desktop system as in claim 15, further comprising at least one speaker coupled to the desktop display device to allow a user to receive audio signals from the desktop system.

20. A desktop system as in claim 15, further comprising a hard disk drive coupled to the desktop display device for increasing the storage capacity of the personal digital assistant.

21. A desktop system as in claim 15, further comprising a disk drive coupled to the desktop display device.

22. A desktop system as in claim 15, wherein the personal digital assistant is a personal digital assistant and cellular phone combination device.