Successively layered modular construction for a portable computer system

• US 7,499,282 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Loucks, Jeffry Harlow
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui; Hung S
• Application Number:
  US09/957,090
• Time in Patent Office: 2,722 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/683, 361/680, 361/790, 361/735, 361/301.4, 710/303, 257/686
• US Class Current: 361/730
• 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 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer

Abstract

A modular portable computer system is described. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a top modular layer with a coupled display interface and adapted to be interconnected with other modular layers. In the present embodiment, a second modular layer is interconnected with the top modular layer and other modular layers, for providing a power source to supply operating power to said top modular layer and to those other modular layers present and is disposed beneath the top modular layer. In the present embodiment, a third modular layer is interconnected with the top modular layer and the second modular layer for providing baseline logic electronics and communication components to the modular portable computer system and is disposed beneath the top modular layer. In the present embodiment, a universal interconnect for providing electronic and communicative interconnection of each modular layer is disposed at least once on each modular layer.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

a plurality of modular layers each providing an electronic function and each connected mechanically and electrically to at least one other modular layer, wherein each modular layer is substantially of the same physical profile in width and length, wherein each modular layer comprises a universal interconnect for mechanically coupling and communicatively coupling said plurality of modular layers, wherein said universal interconnect of each modular layer comprises at least one electrical contact for implementing a common signal interface, wherein said universal interconnect is operable to communicate data between at least two of said plurality of modular layers, wherein said plurality of modular layers are adjacently disposed to form one integrated computer system, and wherein each of said plurality of modular layers is adapted to be interchangeable with one or more replacement modular layers such that said portable computer system is modularly upgradeable.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein a first modular layer is top-most positioned and comprises display and mechanical input/output functionality.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein a second modular layer provides power to other modular layers.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein a third modular layer provides baseline functionality.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein a fourth modular layer provides peripheral functionality.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said peripheral functionality is wireless communication.

7. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said peripheral functionality is a music player.

8. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said peripheral functionality is extended memory.

9. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said peripheral functionality is digital camera functionality.

10. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said common signal interface is operable to communicate power signals, address signals, and data signals.

11. A portable computer system comprising:

a top modular layer comprising a display and adapted to be electrically interconnected with other modular layers;

a second modular layer electrically interconnected with said top modular layer and said other modular layers, for providing a power source;

a third modular layer electrically interconnected with said top modular layer and said second modular layer for providing baseline logic electronics and communication components; and

a universal interconnect for providing interconnection of each said modular layer with each of said other modular layers, said universal interconnect disposed at least once on each modular layer, wherein said universal interconnect comprises at least one electrical contact for communicatively coupling said top modular layer, said second modular layer, and said third modular layer, and wherein said universal interconnect is operable to communicate data between at least two of said top, second, and third modular layers;

wherein said top modular layer, said second modular layer, and said third modular layer are each adapted to be interchangeable with one or more replacement modular layers, so as to allow for modular upgradeability of said portable computer system.

12. The portable computer system of claim 11 further comprising additional modular layers adapted to be interconnected with said portable computer system, said additional modular layers disposed beneath said top modular layer and to provide added functionality to said portable computer system.

13. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein said top modular layer further comprises a plurality of dedicated/programmable buttons for selecting information and implementing functions.

14. The portable computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said second modular layer further comprises a physical thickness that is in proportion to the amount of operating power supplied, such that a thicker second modular layer equates to a greater supply of operating power.

15. The portable computer system of claim 13 wherein said dedicated/programmable buttons are disposable upon each of said modular layers, dependent upon requirements of each of said modular layers.

16. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein said third modular layer is interposed between said top modular layer and said second modular layer, such that said second modular layer is a bottom modular layer.

17. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein said baseline logic electronics further comprise:

a bus, interconnectable with said universal interconnect;

a processor coupled to said bus for processing instructions and data;

a memory unit for storing information utilized by said processor and said other modular layers.

18. The portable computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said communication components further comprise:

a bus, interconnectable with said universal interconnect and coupled with said bus of said baseline logic electronics;

a communication circuit coupled to said bus for providing analog wireless communication;

a digital signal processor coupled to said bus for providing digital wireless communication; and

a communication interface coupled to said bus for providing wired communication.

19. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein each said modular layer is of an equivalent width and length so as to be form compatible and wherein the thickness of each said modular layer varies.

20. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein each said modular layer further comprises an encasing structure to hold said modular layer.

21. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein said third modular layer and said other modular layers, said interposed between said top modular layer and said second modular layer, further comprise exposed connectors and indicators and enunciators and switches, said exposed connectors and said indicators and said enunciators and said switches are disposed on an exposed edge surface of said interposed layer.

22. The portable computer system of claim 11 wherein said top modular layer further comprises a hinged front cover configured to rotate about a hinged axis and adapted to provide protection for said display.

23. A portable electronic device comprising:

a top modular layer comprising a display adapted to be electrically interconnected with other modular layers;

a bottom modular layer electrically interconnected with said top modular layer and said other modular layers, for providing a power source to supply operating power;

a first interposable modular layer electrically interconnected with said top modular layer and said bottom modular layer for providing baseline logic electronics and communication components; and

a universal interconnect for providing interconnection between each modular layer, said universal interconnect disposed at least once on each modular layer, and wherein said universal interconnect comprises at least one electrical contact for communicatively coupling said top modular layer, said bottom modular layer, and said first interposable modular layer, and wherein said universal interconnect is operable to communicate data between at least two of said top, bottom, and first interposable modular layers;

wherein said first interposable modular layer is adapted to be interchangeable with one or more replacement modular layers, so as to allow for modular upgradeability of said modular electronic device.

24. The portable electronic device of claim 23 further comprising additional interposable modular layers adapted to be interconnected with said modular layers and providing peripheral functionality.

25. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said top modular layer further comprises a plurality of dedicated/programmable buttons for selecting information and implementing functions.

26. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said bottom modular layer is of a physical thickness that is in proportion to the amount of operating power supplied.

27. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said baseline logic electronics further comprise:

a bus, interconnectable with said universal interconnect;

a processor coupled to said bus for processing instructions and data; and

a memory unit for storing information utilized by said processor.

28. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said communication components further comprise:

a bus, interconnectable with said universal interconnect and coupled with said bus of said baseline logic electronics;

a communication circuit coupled to said bus for providing analog wireless communication;

a digital signal processor coupled to said bus for providing digital wireless communication; and

a communication interface coupled to said bus for providing wired communication.

29. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein each said modular layer is of an equivalent width and length so as to be form compatible and wherein the thickness of each said modular layer can vary in accordance with the functionality provided therefrom.

30. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said top modular layer and said bottom modular layer further comprise an encasing shell for providing form compatibility within said modular electronic device and for ensuring modular layer integrity and for facilitating modular layer interconnectabililty, said encasing structure disposed on front and back and peripheral edges of said top and bottom modular layer.

31. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein each interposed modular layer further comprises an exposed periphery encasing shell for providing form compatibility within the modular electronic device and to hold said interposed modular layer along peripheral edges thereof.

32. The portable electronic device of claim 23 wherein said interposable modular layers further comprise exposed connectors and indicators and enunciators and switches disposed on an exposed edge surface of said interposed layer.