Palmtop computer expansion using shared memory access
First Claim
1. A method of expanding capabilities of a palmtop computer with a memory expansion module, comprising:
- coupling the memory expansion module to a processor within the palmtop computer;
coupling the memory expansion module to an expansion port of the palmtop computer; and
coupling a sled device to the palmtop computer, so that the sled device is coupled directly to the memory expansion module and to a communication port of the palmtop computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A palmtop computer utilizes SD memory modules or other types of memory modules to provide expansion memory. The expansion memory module plugs in to the palmtop computer via an external slot or compartment that is easily accessed by the user. This provides additional memory to the palmtop computer. To facilitate use of expansion devices such as sled or cradle based devices, a connector is provided on the palmtop computer that not only includes conventional power, ground and serial communication terminals, but also provides direct access to the memory module for use by the expansion device. This provides the advantage that the sled or cradle based device can directly access the palmtop computer'"'"'s memory without using the palmtop computer'"'"'s processing resources.
19 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of expanding capabilities of a palmtop computer with a memory expansion module, comprising:
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coupling the memory expansion module to a processor within the palmtop computer;
coupling the memory expansion module to an expansion port of the palmtop computer; and
coupling a sled device to the palmtop computer, so that the sled device is coupled directly to the memory expansion module and to a communication port of the palmtop computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
at said sled device, directly accessing music stored on the expansion memory module.
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6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the music player comprises an MP3 music player.
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7. A palmtop computer having enhanced expansion, comprising:
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a central processor connected to a bus;
an expansion memory operatively coupled to the bus to provide the central processor with access to the expansion memory;
a communication interface operatively coupled to the bus to provide the central processor with communication with devices outside the palmtop computer; and
a connector, operatively coupled to the communication interface and to the expansion memory, to permit an external device to communicate with the central processor via the communication interface and to permit the external device to directly access the expansion memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An expansion device for a palmtop computer, the palmtop computer having a central processor, an expansion memory, a communication interface and a palmtop-side connector, the palmtop-side connector being operatively coupled to the communication interface and to the expansion memory, the expansion device comprising:
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an expansion device-side connector suitable for mating with the palmtop-side connector;
an expansion device-side communication interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for communicating with the communication interface of the palmtop computer; and
a memory interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for directly accessing the expansion memory of the palmtop computer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification