Modular PCMCIA card

• US 5,619,396 A
• Filed: 02/21/1995
• Issued: 04/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Gee, Homer T., Steere, Daniel C. Jr., Matthews, Walter S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/391,110
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680-686, 361/737, 361/736, 361/748, 361/730, 361/735, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.32
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0269 Card housings therefor, e.g. covers, frames, PCB

Abstract

A modular PCMCIA card comprises a base member conforming to the Type I or Type II physical dimensions and an add on section which mechanically and electrically connects with the base member and has dimensions such that when the base member and the add on section are joined, they conform to the dimensions of a PCMCIA Type III card. The add on section may contain one or more functional units of a stand alone computer system and may also contain a battery, a modem, pager and/or an infrared transceiver for communicating with printers, computers or controlling other devices.

Claims

1. A companion computer for a host computer where said host computer is adapted to receive and communicate electrically with PC cards no larger than a predetermined length, width and thickness, said companion computer comprising:

a base member having a thickness no larger than said predetermined thickness, having a first connector for communication with said host and containing flash memory and a microprocessor;

an add on section adapted to mate mechanically and electrically with said base section and in combination with said base member having a thickness greater than said predetermined thickness, said add on section including a battery and one or more peripheral components that when connected to said flash memory and microprocessor form a stand alone computer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a LCD display.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a qwerty keyboard.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a touch screen.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said add on section contains a battery.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a modem.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said add on section contains a pager unit.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes an infrared transceiver.

9. A companion computer for a host computer where said host computer is adapted to receive PC cards substantially rectangular in top view and having a thickness no larger than a predetermined first thickness and including a connector for electrically communication with said PC cards, said companion computer comprising:

a base member having two long sides and two short sides that form a substantially rectangular PC card, the area within said short sides and said long sides being divided into an edge area and a center area, said center area including a mechanical and electrical connector, said base member having a thickness no larger than said first predetermined thickness, said base member further having a first connector for communication with said host and containing at least flash memory;

an add on section having length and width dimensions substantially the same as said center area and containing a mechanical and electrical connector adapted to mate mechanically and electrically with said connector on said center area of said base section and in combination with said base member having a thickness greater than a second predetermined thickness, said add on section including a battery, a microprocessor and one or more peripheral components that when connected to said flash memory and microprocessor form a stand alone computer.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a LCD display.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a qwerty keyboard.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a touch screen.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said add on section contains a battery.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a modem.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said add on section contains a pager unit.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes an infrared transceiver.

17. A companion computer for a host computer where said host computer is adapted to receive PC cards substantially rectangular in top view and having a thickness no larger than 5 millimeters and including a connector for electrically communication with said PC cards, said companion computer comprising:

a base member having two long sides substantially 85.6 millimeters in length and two short sides substantially 54 millimeters in length that form a substantially rectangular PC card, the area within said short sides and said long sides being divided into an edge area of substantially 3.3 millimeters thickness and a center area of substantially 5 millimeters thickness, said center area including a mechanical and electrical connector, said base member having a thickness no larger than 5 millimeters, said base member further having a first connector for communication with said host and containing flash memory and a microprocessor;

an add on section having length and width dimensions substantially the same as said center area and containing a mechanical and electrical connector adapted to mate mechanically and electrically with said connector on said center area of said base section and in combination with said base member having a thickness greater than 10.5 millimeters, said add on section including a battery and one or more peripheral components that when connected to said flash memory and microprocessor form a stand alone computer.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a LCD display.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a qwerty keyboard.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a touch screen.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said add on section contains a battery.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes a modem.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein said add on section contains a pager unit.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said one or more peripheral components includes an infrared transceiver.