Personal computer module system and method of using

• US 5,436,857 A
• Filed: 11/22/1993
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Richard, Liebenow, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOISE, EMMANUEL LIONEL
• Application Number:
  US08/157,247
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 364/705.06, 364/708.1, 364/709.01, 364/709.02, 364/709.07-709.11
• US Class Current: 708/140
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A computer system includes a processor/memory/disk module which is selectively mated with any one of a number of associated computer base units, such as a portable PC base unit and a desktop PC base unit. The processor/memory/disk module incorporates essential elements, including a processor, a disk and a memory, of the components required for operation of a computer. The processor/memory/disk module is readily removable from a base unit so as selectively to be coupled to any desired base unit for operation of that base unit, or to be removed and put away for security purposes.

Claims

1. A data processing system, comprising:

a first data processing base unit included in a first computer designed for portable use and having a receptacle for receiving a data processing module;

a second data processing base unit included in a second computer designed for stationary use and having a receptacle for receiving said data processing module; and

a data processing module which can be placed in the receptacle of either the first or the second computer and operatively engaged with the base unit of that computer to provide an operable data processing device.

2. The system of claim 1, in which the base unit of each computer includes a keyboard controller, a floppy disk controller, an interface for connection to the data processing module and a bus coupling said keyboard controller, said floppy disk controller and said interface.

3. The system of claim 2, in which said base unit of each computer also includes an I/O controller and an LCD/CRT controller coupled to said bus.

4. The system of claim 1, in which said data processing module includes a processor and a memory.

5. The system of claim 1, in which said data processing module includes a processor, a memory, a controller, a hard disk unit, an interface for connection to a base unit and a bus coupling said processor, said memory, said controller, said hard disk unit and said interface.

6. The system of claim 1, in which the first computer comprises a portable PC.

7. The system of claim 1, in which the second computer comprises a desktop PC.

8. A method for supplying data processing capability selectively to different types of data processing devices using a common module, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a first type of data processor base unit having some, but not all, of the functions necessary to perform data processing operations;

(b) providing a second type of data processor base unit having some, but not all, of the functions necessary to perform data processing operations;

(c) providing a detachable data processing module having the remaining functions necessary to enable either the first or second type of data processor base unit to perform data processing operations; and

(d) selectively coupling the detachable data processing module to either the first or the second type of data processor base unit.

9. The method of claim 8, in which the first type of data processor is a portable PC.

10. The method of claim 8, in which the first type of data processor is a desktop PC.

11. The method of claim 8, in which the first type of data processor is a portable PC and the second type of data processor is a desktop PC.

12. The method of claim 8, in which at least one of the first and second types of data processing base units comprises a keyboard controller, a floppy disk controller, an I/O controller, an LCD/CRT controller, an interface and a bus coupling these elements, in which the detachable data processing module comprises a processor, a memory, a controller, a hard disk unit, an interface and a bus coupling these elements, and in which the step of selective coupling comprises coupling the two interfaces to provide a data processing system which comprises a coupled keyboard controller, floppy disk controller, processor, memory, controller and hard disk unit.