Apparatus for transferring data between a host device and portable computers of various sizes and for recharging the batteries of same
First Claim
1. Apparatus for transferring data from a plurality of pen based computers, each pen based computer including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display, which comprises:
- a housing;
a first support frame mounted in the housing;
a front panel, the front panel being mounted on the first support frame, the front panel having a front panel opening formed through the thickness thereof to receive the plurality of pen based computers;
a modular and interchangeable second support frame, the second support frame having a generally rectangular shape and defining an interior chamber and a frame opening communicating with the interior chamber, the second support frame being mounted on the first support frame such that the frame opening is in alignment with the front panel opening to allow the pen based computers to pass therethrough and into the interior chamber, the second support frame including means for supporting in parallel a plurality of pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means defining a plurality of parallel slots for receiving respective pen based computers, the second support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being situated in proximity to the plural computer supporting means;
a plurality of data input/output connectors, each data connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the data connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers;
a plurality of power connectors, each power connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the power connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers;
the data input/output connectors, power connectors and plural computer supporting means being specifically situated on the second support frame to conform to the connector placement, size and shape of the pen based computers;
the second support frame being removable from the first support frame for replacement by another second support frame so that the apparatus is adapted to accommodate pen based computers of different dimensions and electrical configurations; and
a discharge and recharge circuit, the discharge and recharge circuit being electrically coupled to the power connectors mounted on the first back panel, the discharge and recharge circuit including a primary circuit board and a plurality of interchangeable and replaceable secondary circuit boards, the primary circuit board generating electrical signals which control the discharge and recharge of the pen based computers, the secondary circuit boards being electrically coupled to the primary circuit board and generating electrical signals which control the electrical signals generated by the primary circuit board and therefore effect the discharging and recharging of the pen based computers, the secondary circuit boards being replaceable by corresponding other secondary circuit boards so as to allow the apparatus to be electrically compatible with pen based computers having different electrical configurations.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical system for transferring data concurrently between pen based computers and a host computer includes a multiple computer receptacle device for receiving a plurality of pen based computers. The multiple computer receptacle device includes a housing, and a support frame mounted in the housing for supporting the plurality of pen based computers. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, where adjacent divider panels define between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer. The support frame includes a back panel mounted on the divider panels, a plurality of data input/output connectors mounted on the back panel, and a plurality of power connectors also mounted on the back panel. The data input/output connectors and the power connectors are positioned between adjacent divider panels and are adapted to mate with corresponding data and power connectors mounted on the pen based computers.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for transferring data from a plurality of pen based computers, each pen based computer including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display, which comprises:
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a housing; a first support frame mounted in the housing; a front panel, the front panel being mounted on the first support frame, the front panel having a front panel opening formed through the thickness thereof to receive the plurality of pen based computers; a modular and interchangeable second support frame, the second support frame having a generally rectangular shape and defining an interior chamber and a frame opening communicating with the interior chamber, the second support frame being mounted on the first support frame such that the frame opening is in alignment with the front panel opening to allow the pen based computers to pass therethrough and into the interior chamber, the second support frame including means for supporting in parallel a plurality of pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means defining a plurality of parallel slots for receiving respective pen based computers, the second support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being situated in proximity to the plural computer supporting means; a plurality of data input/output connectors, each data connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the data connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers; a plurality of power connectors, each power connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the power connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers; the data input/output connectors, power connectors and plural computer supporting means being specifically situated on the second support frame to conform to the connector placement, size and shape of the pen based computers; the second support frame being removable from the first support frame for replacement by another second support frame so that the apparatus is adapted to accommodate pen based computers of different dimensions and electrical configurations; and a discharge and recharge circuit, the discharge and recharge circuit being electrically coupled to the power connectors mounted on the first back panel, the discharge and recharge circuit including a primary circuit board and a plurality of interchangeable and replaceable secondary circuit boards, the primary circuit board generating electrical signals which control the discharge and recharge of the pen based computers, the secondary circuit boards being electrically coupled to the primary circuit board and generating electrical signals which control the electrical signals generated by the primary circuit board and therefore effect the discharging and recharging of the pen based computers, the secondary circuit boards being replaceable by corresponding other secondary circuit boards so as to allow the apparatus to be electrically compatible with pen based computers having different electrical configurations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification