Modular computer user interface system

• US 6,697,251 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pineapple34, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alain Aisenberg
• Inventors: Aisenberg, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/888,357
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-687, 361/724-727, 364/708.1, 429/99, 429/100, 345/168, 341/20-22, 400/715, 248/918, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• 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 1/1632 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders

Abstract

A modular computer user interface system particularly adaptable for use with portable computers and comprising the integration therewith of at least one, but in certain specific embodiments, a plurality of auxiliary modules, such as keypads, interfaced with the processor independent of the conventional keyboard. The one or more auxiliary modules may be permanently secured to the platform of the portable computer in spaced, segregated relation to the keyboard and keys associated therewith. Alternatively, one or more of the auxiliary modules may be removably mounted on or detachably connected to the platform and keyboard, wherein regardless of their fixed, removable or detached relation to the platform of the computer, each of the auxiliary modules are independently operable to effect data and signal communication with the central processor of the computer, independent of operation of the conventional keyboard. The plurality of auxiliary modules may each be independently structured to perform various functions and therefore are independently operative as a numerical keypad, a proprietary keypad for processing specialized software and/or another type of user interface module.

Claims

1. A modular computer user interface system comprising:

a. a processor,

b. a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard,

c. at least one auxiliary module connected to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard,

d. an interface assembly connected at least in part to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor,

e. said auxiliary module including a programable application integrated therein and a display assembly, and

f. said display assembly responsive to visually display a selected function of said programable application.

2. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said platform includes a palm rest portion fixedly secured said keyboard, said auxiliary module attached to said palm rest portion of said platform in spaced relation to said keyboard.

3. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface assembly is included with both said platform and said auxiliary module and is structured to mount said auxiliary module on said platform into and out of said operative interconnection with said processor.

4. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface assembly includes a first adaptor structure disposed on said platform and structured to at least partially define said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module.

5. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface assembly comprises a first adaptor operatively associated with said processor and a second adaptor operatively associated with said auxiliary module.

6. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary module comprises a keypad including a plurality of keys each including a contact portion immovably disposed in coplanar relation to one another.

7. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary module further comprises a touch pad responsive to activate said programmable application.

8. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface assembly and said auxiliary module are cooperatively structured to removably connect said auxiliary module to said processor.

9. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of auxiliary modules each cooperatively structured with said interface assembly to be removably connected to said processor.

10. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 4 wherein said interface assembly further comprises a second adaptor structure disposed on said auxiliary module and structured to be communicatively associated with said first adaptor and further defining said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module.

11. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 10 wherein said first adaptor comprises a base detached from said platform and said keyboard and electrically connected to said second adaptor of said auxiliary module.

12. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 7 wherein said display assembly is integrated into said touch pad.

13. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 7 wherein said touch pad is programmable for one or more selected functions demonstrated by said programable application.

14. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of auxiliary modules further comprises a touch pad responsive to activate a corresponding programable application associated with each of said plurality of auxiliary modules.

15. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 10 wherein said first adaptor structure comprises a base operatively connected to said processor and communicatively connected to said second adaptor structure of said auxiliary module.

16. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 11 wherein said base and said auxiliary module collectively define a peripheral assembly removably connected in operative relation to said processor.

17. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 12 wherein said display assembly comprises a liquid crystal display.

18. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 12 wherein said touch pad is programmable for one or more selected functions demonstrated by said by programable application.

19. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 14 wherein each of said plurality of modules comprise a display assembly, each of said display assemblies integrated into corresponding ones of said touch pads.

20. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 6 wherein said base and said second adaptor structure are removably connectable to one another so as to collectively define said operative interconnection between said auxiliary module and said processor.

21. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 19 wherein each of said touch pads is programable to one or more selected functions demonstrated by corresponding ones of said programable application and viewable on corresponding one of said display assemblies.

22. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 20 wherein said operative interconnection is further defined by said base being removably secured to said platform.

23. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 21 wherein said interface assembly comprises a plurality of first adaptor structures at least some of which are mounted on said platform in spaced relation to one another and a plurality of second adaptor structures each connected to a different one of said plurality of auxiliary modules.

24. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 22 wherein said base and said auxiliary module are selectively and independently positionable into and out of operative engagement with one another.

25. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 23 wherein at least some of said second adaptor structures are removably attached to at least one of said first adaptor structures;

at least two of said plurality of auxiliary modules being concurrently disposable into said operative interconnection with said processor.

26. A modular computer user interface system as recited in claim 25 wherein each of said first adaptor structures comprises a base, at least some of said bases mounted on said platform, each of said bases being communicatively associable to different ones of said second adaptor structures associated with corresponding ones of said auxiliary modules.

27. A modular computer user interfaces system as recited in claim 26 wherein each of said bases is cooperatively structured with each of said auxiliary modules to be connectable with any one of said second adaptor structures of said plurality of auxiliary modules.

28. A modular computer user interfaces system as recited in claim 26 further comprising at least one shield member positionable into and out of covering relation to one of said auxiliary modules which is communicatively connected to one of said bases.