Hand held computer

• US 5,133,076 A
• Filed: 06/12/1989
• Issued: 07/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Grid Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Daly, John J., Hawkins, Jeff C., Dulaney, Ken L., McNamara, James H., Cole, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Michael R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chun, Debra A.
• Application Number:
  US07/365,147
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 364/707, 364/708, 364/709.11, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/709.09, 364/709.13, 395/275, 395/800
• US Class Current: 708/141
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/463 Program control block organisation

Abstract

A hand held computer of a type used for such activities as taking inventory, recording signatures on delivery, keeping a route agenda, etc. has a large screen and preferably is without a built in keyboard. The tablet type computer is thin in profile, light in weight and is easily carried and used. Programming in the computer enables an operator to select from various forms available for display on the screen, enables character recognition for items printed on the screen using a conductive stylus, enables the recording in memory of signatures, graphics or any other material entered on the screen, and enables other convenient functions. Certain preferred features of the computer enable it easily to be converted into a full function desk top computer with a keyboard, expansion module and stand.

Claims

1. A computer assembly comprising:

a portable, hand held computer comprising means for receiving data from an external source;

means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

a display coupled to said processing means;

power means for supplying power to said data receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means; and

means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

expansion module means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, said expansion module means being devoid of a physical keyboard and comprising;

memory means;

means for receiving power from a source external to said module;

means for receiving data from an external source;

means for transmitting data to a receiver external to said module; and

means coupled to said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer;

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the expansion module means for communicating comprises a bus connector for connecting with a corresponding bus connector on the hand held computer.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the expansion module means for receiving data from an external source comprises a keyboard port.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hand held computer means for receiving data from an external source comprises a keyboard port.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the expansion module means for transmitting data to an external receiver comprises a printer port.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the expansion module means for transmitting data to an external receiver comprises a modem port.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hand held computer further comprises means for receiving power from an external source.

8. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) a housing including a bottom surface and a perimeter wall;

(ii) means for receiving data from an external source;

(iii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

(iv) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(v) a display coupled to said processing means;

(vi) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, the means for converting comprising an expansion module, the expansion module comprising;

(i) a housing having a top surface and a perimeter wall, the top surface of the expansion module housing substantially conforming to the bottom surface of the computer housing and the perimeter wall of the computer housing and the expansion module housing having substantially similar extend;

(ii) memory means;

(iii) means for receiving power from an external source;

(iv) means for receiving data from an external source;

(v) means for transmitting data to an external receiver; and

(vi) means coupled to said memory means, said data receiving means, said power receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer,

said memory means, said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means being located within said expansion module housing,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the top surface of the expansion module housing and the bottom surface of the computer housing have means for connecting a communication bus between the computer and the expansion module.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the outer perimeter surface of the computer housing has ports for accessing the interior of the computer.

11. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) a housing having an outer perimeter surface;

(ii) means for receiving data from an external source;

(iii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

(iv) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(v) a display coupled to said processing means;

(vi) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, the means for converting comprising an expansion module, the expansion module comprising;

(i) a housing having an outer perimeter surface substantially the same width and length dimensions as the outer perimeter surface of the computer housing;

(ii) memory means;

(iii) means for receiving power from an external source;

(iv) means for receiving data from an external source;

(v) means for transmitting data to an external receiver; and

(vi) means coupled to said data receiving means, said power receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer,

said memory means, said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means being located with said expansion module housing,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

12. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software and including a plurality of semiconductor chip components;

(iii) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means;

(vi) means for enabling the number of semiconductor chip components in the means for processing data to be reduced, the means for enabling comprising a semiconductor gate array; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, the means for converting comprising an expansion module, the expansion module comprising;

(i) memory means;

(ii) means for receiving power from an external source;

(iii) means for receiving data from an external source;

(iv) means for transmitting data to an external receiver; and

(v) means coupled to said data receiving means, said power receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer,

said memory means, said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means being located within said expansion module housing,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

13. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software, the means for processing data comprising a central processing unit having a plurality of system states during operation thereof;

(iii) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means, said memory storage means and said display means;

(vi) means coupled to said processing means and said memory storage means for saving power when the computer is temporarily not in use, the means for saving power comprising;

(1) means for interrupting the operation of the central processing unit;

(2) means for storing the system state in the memory storage means;

(3) means for retrieving the system state from the memory storage means; and

(4) means for resuming operation of the central processing unit at the state at which its operation was interrupted; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, the means for converting comprising an expansion module, the expansion module comprising;

(i) memory means;

(ii) means for receiving power from an external source;

(iii) means for receiving data from an external source;

(iv) means for transmitting data to an external receiver; and

(v) means coupled to said memory means, said data receiving means, said power receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer,

said memory means, said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means being located with said expansion module housing,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

14. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

(iii) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) means coupled to said processing means for rotating the presentation of information on the display from one orientation to another;

(vi) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means, said memory storage means and said display means; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer, the means for converting comprising an expansion module, the expansion module comprising;

(i) memory means;

(ii) means for receiving power from an external source;

(iii) means for receiving data from an external source;

(iv) means for transmitting data to an external receiver; and

(v) means coupled to said memory means, said data receiving means, said power receiving means and said data transmitting means for communicating data, power and ground to and from the hand held computer,

said memory means, said power receiving means, said data receiving means and said data transmitting means being located with said expansion module housing,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

15. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source without the use of a physical keyboard;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

(iii) memory storage means comprising random access memory cards in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) power means for supplying power to said data receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means;

(vi) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(vii) means associated with the random access memory cards for emulating the operation of a hard disk drive,

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

16. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source without the use of a physical keyboard;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software and including a plurality of semiconductor chip components;

(iii) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) power means for supplying power to said data receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means;

(vi) means for enabling the number of semiconductor chip components in the means for processing data to be reduced, the means for enabling comprising a semiconductor gate array; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver;

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

17. A computer assembly comprising:

(a) a portable, hand held computer comprising;

(i) means for receiving data from an external source without the use of a physical keyboard;

(ii) means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software, the means for processing data comprising a central processing unit having a plurality of system states during operation thereof;

(iii) memory storage means in communication with the means for processing data;

(iv) a display coupled to said processing means;

(v) power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means and said memory storage means;

(vi) means coupled to said processing means for saving power when the computer is temporarily not in use, the means for saving power comprising;

(1) means for interrupting the operation of the central processing unit;

(2) means for storing the system state in the memory storage means;

(3) means for retrieving the system state from the memory storage means; and

(4) means for resuming operation of the central processing unit at the state at which its operation was interrupted; and

(vii) means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

(b) means for converting the portable, hand held computer into a desktop computer,

wherein the hand held computer is operable as a stand alone data receiver, processor and transmitter without the means for converting.

18. A portable, hand held computer comprising:

means for receiving data from an external source;

means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

memory storage means comprising random access memory cards in communication with the means for processing data;

a display coupled to said processing means;

power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means, said memory storage means and said display;

means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

means associated with the random access memory cards for emulation the operation of a hard disk drive.

19. A portable, hand held computer comprising:

means for receiving data from an external source without the use of a physical keyboard;

means coupled to said receiving means for processing data, said processing means being compatible with standard personal computer software;

memory storage means comprising random access memory cards in communication with the means for processing data;

a display coupled to said processing means;

power means for supplying power to said receiving means, said processing means, said memory storage means and said display;

means coupled to said processing means for transmitting processed data to an external receiver; and

means associated with the random access memory cards for emulating the operation of a hard disk drive.