Detachable I/O device with built-in RF/IR functionality to facilitate remote audio-visual presentation

• US 6,035,350 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Swamy, N. Deepak, McMahan, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): De Cady, Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, David
• Application Number:
  US08/787,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 384/14, 455/31.2, 455/66, 345/167, 345/179, 345/163, 345/520, 345/160, 345/169, 341/176, 710/73, 710/51, 382/313
• US Class Current: 710/73
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033

Abstract

A trackpad or other input/output device is detachable from a computer and adapted with a remote communication functionality using radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) technologies, thereby facilitating the performance of slide presentations and other graphic displays. A remote presentation capability allows a computer user to conveniently address a group from a position at a suitable location, such as a podium, that is removed from the computer system. A remote interface includes a trackpad or other input/output device and activation buttons. The input/output device is housed in a small removable enclosure which is adapted for docking into an aperture in the computer. The input/output device is rechargeable with a charger installed into the computer so that the input/output device is recharged during docking with the computer. A portable computer includes a removable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to the portable computer and functions as a remote control for controlling operations of the portable computer when the I/O device is removed from the portable computer. The removable I/O device includes one or more activation buttons for usage in controlling operations such as the display operations of an audio-visual presentation. When the I/O device is removed from the portable computer, the I/O device communicates with the portable computer using a remote communication technique such as radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) remote communication techniques. The removable I/O device include rechargeable batteries that power the I/O device while the device is used remotely. The rechargeable batteries are charged by the portable computer when the I/O device is returned to the portable computer and docked to the portable computer.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a computer housing enclosing a processor;

a docking station;

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that detachably docks to the docking station and functions (1) as a connected computer interface when docked to the docking station and (2) as a remote control for wirelessly communicating commands to the processor and controlling operations of the processor when detached from the docking station;

the docking station for the detachable I/O device adapted to receive wireless communication of commands from the detachable I/O device and transfer the received commands to the processor;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes a rechargeable battery, and is a detachable trackpad, trackball, or mouse I/O device;

wherein the computer system includes a charger for recharging the battery when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes;

a microphone for generating audio signals; and

a multiplexer for multiplexing the audio signals with the commands, the detachable I/O device communicating the multiplexed audio signals and commands to the docking station; and

the docking station includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the audio signals from the commands for performance of the audio signals.

2. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device including a plurality of activation buttons for generating commands for communication to the docking station and for controlling the processor.

3. A computer system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a serial interface coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor, the serial interface including;

direct serial connections coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station; and

a wireless interface for communicating between the processor and the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer housing.

4. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication technology.

5. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a infrared (IR) wireless communication technology.

6. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a detachable enclosure;

a plurality of activation buttons enclosed within the enclosure;

an I/O interface coupled to the activation buttons and enclosed within the enclosure, the I/O interface for generating command signals based on actuation of the activation buttons;

an encoder coupled to the I/O interface for encoding the command signals; and

a transmitter coupled to the encoder and enclosed within the enclosure for transmitting the command signals; and

the docking station includes;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signals;

a decoder for decoding the command signals; and

a serial interface coupled to the decoder and coupled to the processor for transferring the commands from the decoder to the processor.

7. A computer system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a serial interface coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor, the serial interface including;

direct serial connections coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station; and

a wireless interface for communicating between the processor and the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer housing, the wireless interface having sufficient transmission and reception power to communicate a remote distance.

8. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a detachable enclosure;

a plurality of activation buttons enclosed within the enclosure;

an I/O interface coupled to the activation buttons and enclosed within the enclosure, the I/O interface for generating command signals based on actuation of the activation buttons;

an encoder coupled to the I/O interface for encoding the command signals; and

a transmitter coupled to the encoder and enclosed within the enclosure for transmitting the command signals, the transmitter having sufficient power to transmit a remote distance; and

the docking station includes;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signals, the receiver having sufficient power to receive signals over a remote distance;

a decoder for decoding the command signals; and

a serial interface coupled to the decoder and coupled to the processor for transferring the commands from the decoder to the processor.

9. The computer system of claim 1, where the I/O device is a trackpad.

10. The computer system of claim 1, where the I/O device is a trackball.

11. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising:

a main circuit board;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes a first board-to-board connector;

wherein the docking station includes a second board-to-board connector fixably coupled to the main circuit board of the computer system;

wherein the detachable I/O device interconnects to the main circuit board of the computer system via the mating of the first board-to-board connector and the second board-to-board connector when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station.

12. An input interface for a computer system comprising:

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to a computer and functions as a remote control for wirelessly communicating commands to the computer and controlling operations of the computer when detached from the computer; and

a docking station for the detachable I/O device for receiving wireless communication of commands from the detachable I/O device and transferring the received commands to the computer;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes a rechargeable battery, and is a detachable trackpad, trackball, or mouse I/O device; and

wherein the docking station includes a charger for recharging the battery when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes;

a microphone for generating audio signals; and

a multiplexer for multiplexing the audio signals with the commands, the detachable I/O device communicating the multiplexed audio signals and commands to the docking station, and

the docking station includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the audio signals from the commands for performance of the audio signals.

13. A input interface according to claim 12 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer; and

a controller for controlling the charger for recharging the battery when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

14. A input interface according to claim 12 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a detachable enclosure;

a plurality of activation buttons enclosed within the enclosure;

an I/O interface coupled to the activation buttons and enclosed within the enclosure, the I/O interface for generating command signals based on actuation of the activation buttons;

an encoder coupled to the I/O interface for encoding the command signals;

a transmitter coupled to the encoder and enclosed within the enclosure for transmitting the command signals; and

a rechargeable battery cell for powering the activation buttons, I/O interface, encoder and transmitter; and

the docking station includes;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signals;

a decoder for decoding the command signals;

a serial interface coupled to the decoder and coupled to the computer for transferring the commands from the decoder to the computer; and

a charger for charging the battery of the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

15. A input interface according to claim 12 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device including a plurality of activation buttons for generating commands for communication to the docking station and for controlling the computer.

16. A computer system comprising:

a computer including a processor;

a keyboard housing providing a keyboard and a docking station;

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that detachably docks to the docking station of the keyboard housing and functions (1) as a conventional computer interface when docked to the docking station and (2) as a remote control for wirelessly communicating commands to the computer and controlling operations of the computer when detached from the docking station, the detachable I/O device including a rechargeable battery for powering the detachable I/O device;

the docking station coupled to the processor and detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device adapted to receive wireless communication of commands from the detachable I/O device and transfer the received commands to the computer, the docking station including a charger for recharging the battery in the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes;

a microphone for generating audio signals; and

a multiplexer for multiplexing the audio signals with the commands, the detachable I/O device communicating the multiplexed audio signals and commands to the docking station; and

wherein the docking station includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the audio signals from the commands for performance of the audio signals.

17. A computer system according to claim 16 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a infrared (IR) wireless communication technology.

18. A computer system according to claim 16 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer; and

a controller for controlling the charger for recharging the battery when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

19. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising:

a main circuit board;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes a first board-to-board connector;

wherein the docking station includes a second board-to-board connector fixably coupled to the main circuit board of the computer system;

wherein the detachable I/O device interconnects to the main circuit board of the computer system via the mating of the first board-to-board connector and the second board-to-board connector when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station.

20. A computer system according to claim 16 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a detachable enclosure;

a plurality of activation buttons enclosed within the enclosure;

an I/O interface coupled to the activation buttons and enclosed within the enclosure, the I/O interface for generating command signals based on actuation of the activation buttons;

an encoder coupled to the I/O interface for encoding the command signals;

a transmitter coupled to the encoder and enclosed within the enclosure for transmitting the command signals; and

a rechargeable battery cell for powering the activation buttons, I/O interface, encoder and transmitter; and

the docking station includes;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signals;

a decoder for decoding the command signals;

a serial interface coupled to the decoder and coupled to the computer for transferring the commands from the decoder to the computer; and

a charger for charging the battery of the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

21. A computer system according to claim 16 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device including a plurality of activation buttons for generating commands for communication to the docking station and for controlling the computer.

22. A computer system according to claim 16 further comprising:

a serial interface coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor, the serial interface including;

direct serial connections coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station; and

a wireless interface for communicating between the processor and the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer housing.

23. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the computer system is a portable computer system and the keyboard housing houses the processor.

24. A computer system according to claim 16 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication technology.

25. An audio/visual presentation device comprising:

a computer including a processor;

a docking station coupled to the computer;

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that detachably docks to the docking station and functions (1) as a conventional computer interface when docked to the computer and (2) as a remote control for wirelessly communicating commands to the computer and controlling operations of the computer when detached from the computer; and

the docking station coupled to the processor and detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device adapted to receive wireless communication of commands from the detachable I/O device and transfer the received commands to the computer;

wherein the detachable I/O device includes;

a microphone for generating audio signals;

a rechargeable battery for providing power to the detachable I/O device including the microphone; and

a multiplexer for multiplexing the audio signals with the commands, the detachable I/O device communicating the multiplexed audio signals and commands to the docking station;

wherein the docking station includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the audio signals from the commands for performance of the audio signals.

26. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 25 wherein:

the docking station includes a charger for recharging the battery in the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer.

27. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 26 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a detachable enclosure;

a plurality of activation buttons enclosed within the enclosure;

an I/O interface coupled to the activation buttons and enclosed within the enclosure, the I/O interface for generating command signals based on actuation of the activation buttons;

an encoder coupled to the I/O interface for encoding the command signals;

a transmitter coupled to the encoder and enclosed within the enclosure for transmitting the command signals; and

a rechargeable battery cell for powering the activation buttons, I/O interface, encoder and transmitter; and

the docking station includes;

a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signals;

a decoder for decoding the command signals;

a serial interface coupled to the decoder and coupled to the computer for transferring the commands from the decoder to the computer; and

a charger for charging the battery of the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

28. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 26 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer; and

a controller for controlling the charger for recharging the battery when the detachable I/O device is connected to the computer.

29. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 25 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication technology.

30. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 25 wherein:

the detachable I/O device and the docking station communicate by a infrared (IR) wireless communication technology.

31. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 25 further comprising:

a serial interface coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor, the serial interface including;

direct serial connections coupling the detachable I/O device to the processor when the detachable I/O device is docked to the docking station; and

a wireless interface for communicating between the processor and the detachable I/O device when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer housing.

32. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 30 wherein the microphone is an embedded microphone.

33. An audio/visual presentation device according to claim 25 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device including a plurality of activation buttons for generating commands for communication to the docking station and for controlling the computer.