Extensible robust modular electronic device without direct electrical connections for inter-module communication or control
First Claim
1. :
- A modular electronic device comprising;
A first electronic module including a first communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals;
A second electronic module including a second communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals with the first electronic module without direct electrical contact of data communication signals;
A third electronic module including a third communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals between the modules without direct electrical contact of data communication signals. An alignment attachment mechanism constructed to align and retain the modules relative together to one another;
Wherein the alignment attachment mechanism comprising one first protrusion and a corresponding recession one each of the first, second and third electronic modules; and
Wherein the protrusions physically engaging the recessions; and
Wherein the data communication input/output signals transmit and receive data communication signals between modules without electrical contact of data communication signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular electronic device where (predominantly) sealed modules are aligned and attached/connected in pre-determined sequences, forming a robust block-like structure with extendable function: Control and/or inter-module communication are implemented without direct electrical interconnect, by non-contact means such as (magnetic, inductive, light, infrared, radio frequency, sound, ultrasound, or other non-contact means). This device'"'"'s inter-module power transfer may be with or without direct electrical contact, or devices may be internally powered. Power transfer through inductive/transformer action where one or more alignment pins are used as transformer core is one potential implementation. Modules may be liquid filled to facilitate cooling and/or crush resistance to high-pressure environments.
29 Citations
18 Claims
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1. :
- A modular electronic device comprising;
A first electronic module including a first communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals;
A second electronic module including a second communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals with the first electronic module without direct electrical contact of data communication signals;
A third electronic module including a third communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals between the modules without direct electrical contact of data communication signals. An alignment attachment mechanism constructed to align and retain the modules relative together to one another;
Wherein the alignment attachment mechanism comprising one first protrusion and a corresponding recession one each of the first, second and third electronic modules; and
Wherein the protrusions physically engaging the recessions; and
Wherein the data communication input/output signals transmit and receive data communication signals between modules without electrical contact of data communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 18)
- A modular electronic device comprising;
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7. :
- A modular electronic device comprising;
A first electronic module including a first communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals;
A second electronic module including a second communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals with the first electronic module without direct electrical contact of data communication signals;
A third electronic module including a third communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals between the modules without direct electrical contact of data communication signals;
An alignment attachment mechanism constructed to align and retain the modules relative together to one another;
Wherein the alignment attachment mechanism comprising a plurality of first protrusions and corresponding recessions one each of the first, second and third electronic modules; and
Wherein the protrusions physically engaging the recessions; and
Wherein the data communication input/output signals transmit and receive data communication signals between modules without electrical contact of data communication signals, without transmitting or receiving the data communication signals through an alignment mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
- A modular electronic device comprising;
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13. :
- A modular electronic device comprising;
A first electronic module including a first communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals;
A second electronic module including a second communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals with the first electronic module without direct electrical contact of data communication signals;
A third electronic module including a third communication mechanism configured to facilitate transmission and reception of data communication input/output signals between the modules without direct electrical contact of data communication signals. A magnetic alignment attachment mechanism constructed to align and retain the modules relative together to one another without alignment protrusions;
Wherein the alignment attachment mechanism comprising at least one magnet in each module coupled to a magnetic material in an adjacent module; and
Wherein the data communication input/output signals transmit and receive data communication signals between modules without electrical contact of data communication signals;
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
- A modular electronic device comprising;
Specification