Method of interconnecting of a hand-held auxiliary unit, a portable computer and a peripheral device

• US 6,504,710 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xplore Technologies Corporation (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Sutton, John, Clifton, Glen, Perley, Richard, Swindler, Danile E., Groh, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US10/046,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20020078291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/683, 361/679, 361/724, 361/727, 439/76.1, 439/131, 439/135, 439/136, 439/626, 439/638, 439/928.1, 235/472, 235/462, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 364/708.1, 307/9-- 1, 297/188.01, 297/188.2, 224/275, 224/929
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• 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 2200/1635 Stackable modules

Abstract

A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer. The computer utilizes a main or primary housing for the major components of the computer, and a separate, independent, auxiliary expansion unit having its own housing for mounting a replaceable radio module that is connected to the main computer via a multi-pin connector, whereby the replacement or exchange of the radio module for a different one is easily and readily achieved, and where auxiliary or expansion devices may be connected to the main computer thereby, and where the auxiliary device itself serves as a handle for holding the main computer. Also provided is a vehicular docking station for the combined main computer and auxiliary unit, which vehicular docking station is provided with a multi-pin connector for receiving thereby a multi-pin connector of the auxiliary unit when the computer is connected to the auxiliary unit.

Claims

1. In a portable computer for use with an hand-held auxiliary unit, said compute r having a central processor and first connector means for coupling said computer to said auxiliary unit, said auxiliary unit having a second connector means for coupling with said first connector means of said computer , the method comprising:

a) securing said auxiliary unit to said computer via said first and second connectors;

b) electrically coupling at least one peripheral device to the central processor of the portable computer;

c) said step (b) comprising connecting the at least one peripheral device to the auxiliary unit, whereby the connection between said first and second connectors couples the central processor of the computer to the at least one peripheral device associated with the auxiliary unit;

(d) said step (b) comprising coupling a removable, interchangeable radio-module unit, whereby the portable computer may transmit via a radio link; and

(d) removing the radio module of said step(d), and performing said stop (b) a second time for a different radio module operating on a system that is different the system of the replaced module of said step (d).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

removing the auxiliary unit with attached portable computer from the docking station;

removing the auxiliary unit from the portable computer; and

securing the portable computer directly to the docking station.

3. In a portable computer for use with an hand-held auxiliary unit, said computer having a central processor and first connector means for coupling said computer to said auxiliary unit, said auxiliary unit having a second connector means for coupling with said first connector means of said computer, the method comprising:

a) securing said auxiliary unit to said computer via said first and second connectors;

b) electrically coupling at least one peripheral device to the central processor of the portable computer;

c) said step (b) comprising connecting the at least one peripheral device to the auxiliary unit, whereby the connection between said first and second connectors couples the central processor of the computer to the at least one peripheral device associated with the auxiliary unit;

said step (b) comprising coupling at least one of the following;

printer, keyboard, mouse, floppy-disk drive, CD ROM drive; and

further comprising securing the auxiliary unit with attached portable computer to a docking station.