Modular notebook computer having a planar array of module bays

• US 5,278,730 A
• Filed: 07/26/1993
• Issued: 01/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PDACO LIMITED
• Original Assignee: Cordata, Inc.
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/097,946
• Time in Patent Office: 169 Days
• Field of Search: 439/928, 340/700, 340/711, 364/708, 364/708.1, 312/223.2, 361/679-687, 361/724-727, 361/752, 361/755, 361/796, 361/826, 361/827
• US Class Current: 361/679.32
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03541 Mouse/trackball convertible devices, in which the same ball is used to track the 2D relative movement
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 : Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 : the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 : By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 : Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 : Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 : Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0428 : Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 : Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 : Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 : Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 : Signaling in general, in-band signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 : having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0291 : for multiple cards

Abstract

A modular notebook computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition.

Claims

1. A modular computer comprising:

a flat, rectangular case;

a planar array of slot-like module bays opening to one or more edges of the case, the module bays for receiving and docking functional modules;

a first multi-path electrical connector at the inboard end of each slot-like module bay, for engaging a mating second electrical connector on one of the functional modules when docked;

bus communication means connecting to each multi-path electrical connector in each module bay in a parallel fashion, for providing address, data, control, and power communication between the module bays;

a display for displaying output to a user; and

substantially planar input means for accepting user input, the input means mounted to the upper surface of and substantially coplanar with the flat, rectangular case, and substantially overlying the planar array of module bays;

each of the module bays comprising guide means for guiding one of the functional modules in docking and de-docking, retaining means for holding the functional module when docked, and user-operable expulsion means for disengaging a docked functional module.

2. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the display is a flat-panel display pivotally attached to the case of the modular computer, positionable substantially in the plane of the case for storage and transport, and at an angle to the case for viewing in operation.

3. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the input means is a physical keyboard with separately operable keys.

4. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the bus communication means is a compressed bus for multiplexing data and addresses on a common set of parallel conductors.

5. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the input means is a keyboard, the display is a flat panel display pivotally attached to the case, and the display is closable over the keyboard for storage and transport.

6. A modular computer as in claim 1 additionally comprising a power-conversion means for accepting electrical power from one or more of functional modules and a power plug, altering the voltage level of the accepted electrical power, and providing the altered voltage to the bus for distribution to the multi-path electrical connectors at the module bays.

7. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the module bays open to two opposite edges of the case, and the bus is implemented in a central spine between the inboard ends of opposite module bays.

8. A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising a CPU functional module configured to dock in one of the module bays, the CPU functional module having a CPU microprocessor and a state translator means for managing communication between the CPU microprocessor and the bus communication means.

9. A modular computer as in claim 1 comprising a power module configured to dock in one of the module bays, the power module having an electrical power storage unit connected to a mating electrical connector configured to mate with the multi-path first electrical connector in the module bays.

10. A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising an I/O function module for performing an I/O function for the modular computer.

11. A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a floppy disk drive module.

12. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a hard disk drive module.

13. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a RAM memory module.

14. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a LAN module for providing communication between the modular computer and other digital systems on a local area network.

15. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a modem module for providing serial communication between the modular computer and other digital systems.

16. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a facsimile module for providing facsimile communication over a telephone line.

17. A modular computer as in claim 11 wherein the I/O function module is a specialty module for data acquisition from an instrument, the function module configured to transfer commands to the instrument over a communication link and to receive data from the instrument.