Modular Computer Units

• US 20150138703A1
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3290255 Nova Scotia Limited
• Original Assignee: 3290255 Nova Scotia Limited
• Inventors: Gillis, John Archie
• Granted Patent: US 9,348,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.04
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 2200/1635 Stackable modules

Abstract

The present invention describes a modular computerized system that includes the ability to magnetically attach to another similar or identical unit, integrates both male and female ports into each unit so that when two or more units are attached side by side the ports become functional and do not require external cables. Other elements of the invention include; the integration of one or more data splitters into the computerized unit and the integration of one or more power splitters into the computerized unit. The present invention also provides the ability to charge more than one computerized unit with only one cable attachment and the ability to share data quickly and easily between more than one computerized unit without the use of cables unless desired.

Claims

1. A computer unit comprising a method for magnetically attaching one or more sides of said computer unit to one or more sides of one or more additional computer units.

2. The computer unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is a mobile tablet.

3. The computer unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is a mobile phone.

4. The computer unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is a laptop computer.

5. The computer unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is a desktop computer.

6. The computer unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is a musical instrument effects unit.

7. A computer unit comprising integrated ports, circuits, apparatus, and methods of transferring power and data with means capable of transferring said power and data directly from one device to another device without the necessity of a cable when the devices are brought together and coupled.

8. The computer unit of claim 7 wherein the connector system is a magnetic system comprising:

a first connector integrated into a computer unit having a first plurality of electrical and power contacts and a plurality of magnets; and

a second connector integrated into a computer unit having a second plurality of electrical and power contacts and a magnetic element, the second plurality of electrical and power contacts being adapted to mate with the first plurality of electrical and power contacts when the first connector couples to the second connector, wherein the plurality of magnets of the first connector integrated into a computer unit are proximally located and are arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector integrated into a mobile computer unit is brought in close proximity to the second connector integrated into a computer unit, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector.

9. The computer unit of claim 7 wherein the computer unit comprises circuits, apparatus, and methods capable of receiving power and data, and an integrated means of providing power and data output to one or more other computer units without the requirements for external cables and a means for each computer unit to be fixedly held to together.

10. The computer unit of claim 7 wherein the computer unit comprises the integration of one or more data splitters into the computerized unit.

11. The computer unit of claim 7 wherein the computer unit comprises the integration of one or more power splitters into the computerized unit.

12. A computerized unit with integrated magnetic connector systems comprising:

a first integrated connector comprising;

a first plurality of electrical contacts, the first plurality of electrical contacts to mate with a second plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to a second computerized unit with integrated connectors, wherein when the first integrated connector couples to the second integrated connector, the first and second plurality of electrical contacts define a corresponding plurality of electrical paths, wherein the plurality of electrical paths comprises at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path to convey a signal; and

a magnetic element, the magnetic element to mate with a plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector that are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first integrated connector is brought in close proximity to the second integrated connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the first integrated connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector.