Method and structure for data transfer between a standard port of a host computer and a custom port of a palmtop computer using a docking station
First Claim
1. An information storage and transfer device, for effectuating data exchange between a palmtop computer and one or more host computers, said palmtop computer having a customized port, said one or more host computers each having a standardized port and running a standardized operating system, said customized port using signal levels different from signal levels in said standardized port, said device comprising:
- a housing;
means, installed inside said housing, for transferring data bidirectionally between said information storage and transfer device and a removable storage medium, said removable storage medium storing data in a data format compatible with said standardized operating system of said host computers;
a customized connector mounted on said housing for connecting to said customized port of said palmtop computer, said customized connector using signal levels compatible with signal levels of said customized port of said palmtop computer;
a plurality of standardized ports mounted on said housing for interfacing with peripheral devices and said host computers; and
means, installed inside said housing, coupled to said customized connector, said means for transferring data, and each of said plurality of standardized ports, for controlling said information storage and transfer device, said means for controlling being programmed to communicate with said palmtop computer using a customized protocol and being programmed to communicate with said host computers using industry standard protocols, wherein said means for controlling effectuates, upon receiving command from any one of said host computers and said palmtop computer, bidirectional data transfer between (a) said palmtop computer, via said customized connector using said customized protocol, and (b) alternatively (i) said removable storage medium, and (ii) one of said peripheral devices and said host computers, via a corresponding one of said plurality of standardized ports using said standardized protocols.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable information storage and transfer device for use with IC memory card-based portable computers obviates many operations traditionally requiring a desktop computer. The floppy disk drive in the information storage and transfer device allows large amount of data and software programs to be made available to the IC memory card-based computer on floppy disks. The contents of such floppy disk can then be transferred for use in the portable computer on a blank IC memory card or the portable computer'"'"'s system memory. Information entered into and stored in the system memory or an IC memory card of the portable computer can also be transferred through the information storage and transfer device to floppy disks, to a printer, to various peripheral devices or to a host computer. A built-in modem for accessing facsimile machines, other modems and the telephone system is also provided. Many types of software programs required to enable these functions of information storage, transfer, printout and communication can all be stored locally rather than on relatively expensive IC memory cards, and read into the information storage and transfer device on demand.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An information storage and transfer device, for effectuating data exchange between a palmtop computer and one or more host computers, said palmtop computer having a customized port, said one or more host computers each having a standardized port and running a standardized operating system, said customized port using signal levels different from signal levels in said standardized port, said device comprising:
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a housing; means, installed inside said housing, for transferring data bidirectionally between said information storage and transfer device and a removable storage medium, said removable storage medium storing data in a data format compatible with said standardized operating system of said host computers; a customized connector mounted on said housing for connecting to said customized port of said palmtop computer, said customized connector using signal levels compatible with signal levels of said customized port of said palmtop computer; a plurality of standardized ports mounted on said housing for interfacing with peripheral devices and said host computers; and means, installed inside said housing, coupled to said customized connector, said means for transferring data, and each of said plurality of standardized ports, for controlling said information storage and transfer device, said means for controlling being programmed to communicate with said palmtop computer using a customized protocol and being programmed to communicate with said host computers using industry standard protocols, wherein said means for controlling effectuates, upon receiving command from any one of said host computers and said palmtop computer, bidirectional data transfer between (a) said palmtop computer, via said customized connector using said customized protocol, and (b) alternatively (i) said removable storage medium, and (ii) one of said peripheral devices and said host computers, via a corresponding one of said plurality of standardized ports using said standardized protocols. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing an information storage and transfer device, for effectuating data exchange between a palmtop computer and one or more host computers, said host computers each having a standardized port and running a standardized operating system, said customized port using signal levels different from signal levels in said standardized port, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing; providing means, installed inside said housing, for transferring data bidirectionally between said information storage and transfer device and a removable storage medium, said removable storage medium storing data in a data format compatible with said operating system of said host computers; providing a customized connector mounted on said housing for connecting to said customized port of said palmtop computer, said customized connector using signal levels compatible with said signal levels of said customized port of said palmtop computer; providing a plurality of standardized ports mounted on said housing for interfacing with peripheral devices and said host computers; and providing a controller, programmed to communicate with said palmtop computer using a customized protocol, and programmed to communicate with said host computers using industry standard protocols, for controlling said information storage and transfer device to effectuate, upon receiving a command from one of said host computers and said palmtop computer, bidirectional data transfer between (a) said palmtop computer, via said customized connector, using said customized protocol, and (b) alternatively (i) said removable storage medium, and (ii) one of said peripheral devices and host computers, via a corresponding one of said plurality of standardized ports using said industry standard protocols. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification