Portable work slate computer with multiple docking positions for interchangeably receiving removable modules

• US 5,579,487 A
• Filed: 06/30/1994
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Teletransactions, Inc.
• Inventors: Wall, Daniel G., Wang, Ynjiun P., Chang, Yung-Fu, Meyerson, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Travis, John
• Application Number:
  US08/269,190
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 395/282, 395/280, 395/700, 395/800
• US Class Current: 710/100
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31181 Controller and device have several formats and protocols, select common one
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33118 Identify bus, interface select automatic adaption for bus, interface
• 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 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A configurable electronic work slate unit includes a customizable array of data devices and input/output devices which are selectively integrated in a compact and highly ergonomic structure. Increased operator productivity is accomplished by use of several possible user interface media including a multi-function display and input/output unit including a digitizer, position sensitive screen, and video display panel. Selectively integratable user interface components include a bar code scanner, RF modulator for radio frequency communication, modem, audio input/output, as well as the multi-purpose display. All components are integrated by use of a handle unit or module docking assembly which can house a battery as well as removable modules in a manner so as to minimize operator fatigue and discomfort, as well as enhance productivity. Configuration, reconfiguration and updating of work slate units by choice and selection of removable modules, from a variety of different types of modules, is enhanced by utilization of standardized interfaces which are intercoupled to a common signal bus. The bus configuration in combination with a bus controller functions as an intelligent bus capable of identifying types of removable modules and configuring communication protocols for operation with different types of removable modules.

Claims

1. A portable configurable electronic unit, operable with a changeable complement of removable modules, the complement of removable modules including a plurality of module types, each different module type providing different operational capabilities, the unit comprising:

a) a housing supporting electronic circuitry including a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, the housing further including a hand gripping portion for supporting the unit with a hand of a user and including a plurality of docking positions each configured to releasably support a selected removable module;

b) each of the plurality of docking positions including a standardized docking interface having electrical connectors which engage corresponding electrical connectors of a standardized module interface of a module removably attached to the docking position to enable coupling of electrical signals between the docking interface and the module;

c) a bus configuration including a bus controller, the bus configuration electrically coupled to the processor and a docking interface of each of the plurality of docking positions to electrically couple the processor and the docking interfaces;

d) the bus controller configured to send an identification signal to the processor identifying a module type of a module upon attachment of the module to a selected one of the plurality of docking positions;

e) programming stored in the memory and executed by the processor to enable the processor to control an operation of each module attached to a selected different one of the plurality of docking positions, the programming stored in the memory prior to attachment of any of the modules to any of the docking positions; and

f) the programming including at least one program uniquely associated with each of the plurality of module types, the processor, upon receiving a model type identification signal from the bus controller, executing the at least one program associated with the identified module type of the module to control operation of the module.

2. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1 wherein each module includes a coded identifier, the coded identifier being different for each of the plurality of module types, the bus controller including circuitry for decoding the coded identifier of a module upon attachment of the module to a selected one of the plurality of docking positions and sending an identification signal corresponding to a module type of the module to the processor.

3. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein the processor controls an operation of a module attached to a selected one of the plurality of docking positions to enable the electronic circuitry of the unit to perform at least one of the following functions:

providing data to the module, receiving data from the module, and receiving electrical power from the module.

4. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of removable module types include:

a bar code reader module, a radio communication module, a disc drive module, a printer module, a magnetic stripe reader module, an infrared communication module, a memory module, a power module, a display module, and a co-processor module.

5. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein said processor is supported within a removable module positioned in a selected one of the plurality of docking positions.

6. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein said bus controller is a portion of said processor.

7. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein the hand grip portion is rotatable with respect to the housing and includes an interior region in which a source of electrical power is disposed.

8. A configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein the housing includes an opening to an interior region and at least one of the plurality of docking positions is supported within the housing region and comprises a frame configured to support a selected one of a plurality of thin, rectangular shaped modules, the docking position frame including a docking interface and being accessible through the opening, the selected module being slid along a surface of the frame until connectors of a module interface of the module engage corresponding connectors of the docking position docking interface.

9. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein said bus controller is a removable module which is positioned in a selected one of the plurality of docking positions.

10. A portable configurable electronic unit as in claim 1, wherein said configurable electronic unit includes a portable, battery powered, computerized display unit.

11. A portable work slate computer comprising:

a) a housing including an interior region supporting work slate electronic circuitry including a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, the housing further including a hand grip portion for supporting the computer with a hand of a user;

b) a set of modules including a plurality of module types wherein each module type performs a different function when operatively attached to a selected one of plurality of docking stations supported by the housing;

c) each of the docking stations including a docking interface adapted to engage a module interface of a module to electrically couples a bus configuration supported in the work slate housing to the module;

d) the bus configuration electrically coupling the processor to each of the docking station docking interfaces, the bus configuration including a bus controller configured to send an identification signal to the processor identifying a module type of a module upon attachment of the module to a selected one of the plurality of docking stations;

e) programming stored in the memory and executed by the processor to enable the processor to control an operation of each module attached to a selected different one of the plurality of docking stations, the programming stored in the memory prior to attachment of any of the modules to any of the docking stations; and

f) the programming including at least one program uniquely associated with each of the plurality of module types, the processor, upon receiving a model type identification signal from the bus controller, executing the at least one program associated with the module type of the module to control operation of the module.

12. The portable work slate computer of claim 11 wherein the hand grip portion is rotatable with respect to the housing and includes an interior region in which a source of electrical power is disposed.