Modular portable computer

• US 5,539,616 A
• Filed: 11/29/1993
• Issued: 07/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PDACO LIMITED
• Original Assignee: Elonex Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/159,078
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 439/928, 345/169, 345/905, 312/223.2, 361/679-686, 361/724-727, 361/752, 361/796, 361/826, 361/827
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 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. In some embodiments function modules are provided for communicating with separate input means, such as voice, keyboards, and pen-pads. In one aspect the module bays and the function modules are configured according to dimensional and connective standards of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.

Claims

1. A modular computer comprising:

a case having contiguous walls, the case for supporting and enclosing elements of the modular computer;

a plurality of separate module bays in a common plane, each module bay comprising a walled cavity in the case having an open outboard end and an inboard end closed by an end wall, wherein the walls of each cavity, including the end wall, comprise an extension of the contiguous walls of the case;

a multi-pin electrical connector mounted through the inboard wall of each module bay;

an internal bus within the contiguous walls of the case connected to each of the electrical connectors mounted through the inboard walls of the module bays;

a display; and

an input apparatus attached to the case substantially coplanar with the plane of the module bays.

2. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein each module bay is sized to receive within the cavity and dock a functional module, and wherein each module bay has guides for engaging mating guides on a functional module.

3. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the input apparatus is a keyboard and the display is a flat-panel display pivoted to the case and closable over the keyboard for storage and transport.

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

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

6. A modular computer as in claim 5 comprising four module bays, two module bays opening to each of the opposite edges of the case.

7. A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the module bays open to adjacent edges of the case.

8. A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising a CPU function module having a CPU microprocessor, wherein, upon docking, the CPU microprocessor becomes the CPU of the modular computer.

9. A modular computer as in claim 8 further comprising a video controller and a random access memory connected to the CPU microprocessor.

10. A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising an input control function module configured for receiving input signals from a separate input apparatus.

11. A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the separate input apparatus is a keyboard, and the input function module is configured to receive keystroke signals from the keyboard and to communicate the keystroke signals to the internal bus.

12. A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the input function module is configured to receive input signals from a pen-pad separate input device, and to transmit the input signals to the internal bus.

13. A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the input function module comprises a microphone and a digital signal processor for receiving voice input, converting the voice input to computer-operable code, and transmitting the computer operable code to the internal bus.

14. A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising an input/output control function module, the input/output control function module configured as one of a serial telephone modem, a LAN modem, a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a FAX modem, and a data acquisition modem.