Information processing system using portable terminal unit and data communication adapter therefor

• US 5,983,290 A
• Filed: 05/23/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Frontech Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Shinji, Murata, Akio, Sato, Makoto, Kobayashi, Toshiyuki, Okano, Masahiko, Obata, Takao, Tsurumaru, Shinichiro, Kumagai, Mitsuaki, Miyata, Maki, Iura, Akihiko, Miyanaga, Takao, Akasawa, Nobuaki, Okawado, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, HAROLD J
• Application Number:
  US08/862,700
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472, 364/709.04, 364/200, 364/708.1, 364/424.01, 378/98, 455/67.4, 395/200.51, 710/38, 710/14, 710/12, 710/18
• US Class Current: 710/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• 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 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/14 Handling requests for interconnection or transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/08 Feeding or discharging cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/006 the housing being a portable casing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

In an information processing system having a portable terminal unit, such as a hand-held computer, driven by a rechargeable battery and a data communication adaptor for enabling communication between the portable terminal unit and a host computer of the system, the terminal unit and the data communication adaptor are designed to minimize the size thereof in the following five ways. First, a memory card holding mechanism for connecting the memory card of the portable terminal unit is provided between a swinging back lid and a recess of the back casing. Second, a normal interface and a high-speed interface are both provided in the portable terminal unit and the data communication adaptor respectively. Third, an auxiliary connector for an optional device to extend a function of the portable terminal unit is provided in the opening of the casing of the portable terminal unit movable in three dimensions mounted on a printed circuit board. Fourth, a moisture resistant seal made of rubber or resin is molded integrally onto one of the joining edges of an upper casing and a lower casing. Fifth, an electric power source portion of the data communication adaptor is used not only for charging the battery of the portable terminal unit but also supplying a power adequate for enabling a data transmission operation thereof.

Claims

1. A portable terminal unit comprising:

a processor;

a normal interface portion connected to said processor;

a high-speed interface portion connected to said processor;

a selector connected to said normal interface portion and said high-speed interface portion for selecting said normal interface portion and said high-speed interface portion; and

a connector connected to said selector and a communication adaptor used for communication with the host computer, and is commonly used for said normal interface portion and for said high-speed interface portion.

2. A communication adaptor to which a terminal unit is set and connected to a host computer, being used for communication between said terminal unit and said host computer, said communication adaptor comprising:

a first connector connected to a second connector provided in said terminal unit;

a normal interface portion;

a high-speed interface portion;

a selector provided between said normal interface portion and said high-speed interface portion, and said first connector, said selector for selecting data transmission between said first connector and said normal interface portion, and said first connector and said high-speed interface portion;

a third connector connected to said normal interface portion; and

a fourth connector connected to said high-speed interface portion.

3. A communication adaptor as recited in claim 2, wherein said third and fourth connectors are configured to connect the communication adaptor to the host computer.