Modular information processing system
First Claim
1. A modular information processing system comprising:
- an expansion device that embeds at least one internal peripheral without any controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral;
a hand-held computer that embeds control circuitry including at least one controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral, and processing circuitry coupled to the control circuitry; and
an interface for coupling the hand-held computer to the expansion device in a removable manner, wherein in a mobile operating condition in which the hand-held computer is not coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls the hand-held computer, and in an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular information processing system is disclosed. The system includes an expansion device that embeds at least one internal peripheral without a controller and/or at least one port for connecting an external peripheral. The system further includes a hand-held computer that embeds control circuitry including at least one controller for the at least one internal peripheral or at least one external peripheral, and an interface for coupling the hand-held computer to the expansion device in a removable manner. In a mobile operating condition in which the hand-held computer is not coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls the hand-held computer. In an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device. Also provided are a hand-held computer and an expansion device for use in modular information processing systems.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A modular information processing system comprising:
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an expansion device that embeds at least one internal peripheral without any controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral;
a hand-held computer that embeds control circuitry including at least one controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral, and processing circuitry coupled to the control circuitry; and
an interface for coupling the hand-held computer to the expansion device in a removable manner, wherein in a mobile operating condition in which the hand-held computer is not coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls the hand-held computer, and in an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hand-held computer for use in a modular information processing system, the hand-held computer comprising:
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an interface for coupling the hand-held computer to an expansion device in a removable manner;
embedded control circuitry including a plurality of controllers for managing the flow of data to and from at least one internal peripheral, the internal peripheral being embedded in the expansion device without any controller for managing the flow of data to and from the internal peripheral; and
processing circuitry coupled to the control circuitry, wherein in a mobile operating condition in which the hand-held computer is not coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls the hand-held computer, and in an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An expansion device for use in a modular information processing system, the expansion device comprising:
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at least one internal peripheral without any controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral; and
an interface for coupling the expansion device to a hand-held computer in a removable manner, at least one controller for managing the flow of data to and from the at least one internal peripheral being embedded in the hand-held computer. wherein in an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry of the hand-held computer controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification