Data storage for a portable computer device

• US 6,968,208 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Kacines, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US10/304,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/553.1, 455/557, 710/303, 361/686, 711/115
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system for loading data into a module to be used with a portable computer device and the data in the module activated by a wireless connection or from instructions from the teacher. The module may be part of a rechargeable battery pack that includes data storage, or a wireless communications module that is connected to the portable computer device. In an embodiment, the data module is incorporated into a rechargeable battery pack. Data to be sent to the wireless device is transferred via a wired connection first from the charging bay to the battery pack and then from the battery pack to the wireless device when the battery pack is attached.

Claims

1. A system for loading data on a portable computer device comprising:

a. a computer having data to be loaded into the portable computer device;

b. a wireless accessory which is connectable to the portable computer device;

c. an accessory bay for loading data from the computer into the wireless accessory over a wired connection when the wireless accessory is plugged into the accessory bay;

d. wherein the wireless accessory provides data to the portable computer device when it is plugged into the portable computer device after having data loaded previously into the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay, and

e. a wireless access point connected to the computer to communicate over a wireless link to the portable computer device,

wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving a signal from the computer over the wireless link indicating to release access to the data already stored on the wireless accessory to the portable computer, wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving an encryption code matching the data stored on the wireless accessory, wherein the wireless accessory comprises a memory, and wherein the wireless accessory further comprises;

a rechargeable battery.

2. A system for loading data on a portable computer device comprising:

a. a computer having data to be loaded into the portable computer device;

b. a wireless accessory which is connectable to the portable computer device;

c. an accessory bay for loading data from the computer into the wireless accessory over a wired connection when the wireless accessory is plugged into the accessory bay;

d. wherein the wireless accessory provides data to the portable computer device when it is plugged into the portable computer device after having data loaded previously into the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay, and

e. a wireless access point connected to the computer to communicate over a wireless link to the portable computer device,

wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving a signal from the computer over the wireless link indicating to release access to the data already stored on the wireless accessory to the portable computer, wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving an encryption code matching the data stored on the wireless accessory, wherein the wireless accessory comprises a memory, and wherein the wireless accessory further comprises;

a. a microprocessor to control the activity of the wireless accessory;

b. a rechargeable battery; and

c. a wireless communications radio.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the accessory bay comprises:

a. an interface to communicate with the computer over a wired link;

b. a micro-controller to control the data over the interface from the computer; and

c. a data bus for storing data on a wireless accessory connected to a plug-in slot on the accessory bay.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the accessory bay further comprises a power circuit for recharging the rechargeable battery of the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay.

5. A wireless accessory for loading data from a computer into a portable computer device comprising:

a. a data bus for connection to an accessory bay for receiving data;

b. a memory;

c. a processor for controlling data storage into the memory over the wired connection; and

d. wherein the wireless accessory provides data to the portable computer device when it is plugged into the portable computer device after having data loaded previously into the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay, wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving a signal from the computer over the wireless link indicating to release access to the data already stored on the wireless accessory to the portable computer, wherein the data is made available to the portable computer only after receiving an encryption code matching the data stored on the wireless accessory, and wherein the wireless accessory further comprises;

a rechargeable battery.

6. The wireless accessory of claim 5, wherein the wireless accessory further comprises:

a wireless communications radio.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the wireless accessory further comprises a rechargeable battery.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless accessory further comprises a wireless communications radio.

9. A system for loading data on a portable computer device comprising:

a. a computer having data to be loaded into the portable computer device;

b. a wireless accessory which is connectable to the portable computer device;

c. an accessory bay for loading data from the computer into the wireless accessory over a wired connection when the wireless accessory is plugged into the accessory bay; and

d. wherein the wireless accessory provides data to the portable computer device when it is plugged into the portable computer device after having data loaded previously into the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay, and wherein the wireless accessory comprises;

a. a memory; and

b. a rechargeable battery.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising

a. a microprocessor to control the activity of the wireless accessory;

and

b. a wireless communications radio.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the accessory bay comprises:

a. an interface to communicate with the computer over a wired link;

b. a micro-controller to control the data over the interface from the computer; and

c. a data bus for storing data on a wireless accessory connected to a plug-in slot on the accessory bay.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the accessory bay further comprises a power circuit for recharging the rechargeable battery of the wireless accessory when plugged into the accessory bay.