Portable computer having a port connector for communicating with a variety of optional extension modules
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising:
- a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; and
means provided in the portable computer, for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal with the control signal being received through a different pin in the port connector for each of the optional extension modules.
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Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus capable of supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising a port connector for connecting any of the optional extension modules; and a selector for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module. With the module supporting apparatus, a variety of optional extension modules can be connected to the computer by using the port connector. Besides basic functions, the portable computer can perform a variety of functions, such as a multi-media function, etc.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising:
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a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; and means provided in the portable computer, for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal with the control signal being received through a different pin in the port connector for each of the optional extension modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus of supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising:
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a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; means responsive to one of three or more voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module through the port connector, for generating a control signal; and means provided in the portable computer, for enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling an extension module supporting apparatus for a portable computer, comprising the steps of:
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determining whether any of optional extension modules is connected to a port connection provided in the portable computer; disabling the computer to communicate with the optional extension modules when no module is connected to the port connector; determining voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module when any one of the extension modules is connected to the port connector; and enabling the computer to communicate with the connected module in accordance with one of three or more voltage levels determined thus.
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14. An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising:
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a port connector provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving on a specific terminal a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers selectively accommodating communication between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in conformance with said recognition signal; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said unique characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising:
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a port connector having a plurality of functionally distinct terminals provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving via one terminal of a specific set of said plurality of functionally distinct terminals a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; and a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers each, when selectively enabled in response to a corresponding said recognition signal, accommodating communication by transmission of data signals between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in response to said recognition signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 20)
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19. The apparatus of clam 17, further comprised of:
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said unique characteristic comprised of said recognition signal having a voltage varying in magnitude; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said magnitude.
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Specification