Modular application computing apparatus, system and method

• US 20100281194A1
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Fujioka, Robb
• Application Number:
  US12/584,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20100281194A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/76 Architectures of general purpose stored program computers with program plugboard G06F15/08; multicomputers G06F15/16

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method of open platform computing. The present invention may include at least one microprocessor, a computer case that encases the at least one microprocessor, at least one operating system resident on the at least one microprocessor, wherein the at least one operating system includes an open platform for accepting a plurality of applications and hardware not presented as forming a portion of, and absent the plurality of applications not being operable by, the at least one operating system, at least three ports in the computer case, wherein the ports are communicatively electrically connected to the at least one microprocessor, and wherein at least one of the plurality of applications is applied at least one of the ports for presentation by the at least one microprocessor via the at least one operating system.

Claims

1. An open platform computer, comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

a plurality of external interfaces to said at least one microprocessor, comprising at least three ports, wherein said ports are communicatively electrically connected to the at least one microprocessor; and

at least one operating system resident on the at least one microprocessor, wherein said at least one operating system comprises an open platform for accepting a plurality of applications resident exclusively on a memory device presented at one or more of said ports, wherein each of the plurality of applications is correspondent to at least one independent hardware device, which at least one hardware device is, absent the correspondent one of the plurality of applications, not operable by said at least one operating system.

2. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of applications comprises a conference center.

3. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of applications comprises a picture frame.

4. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of applications comprises an email module.

5. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware device comprises an electronic display.

6. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware device comprises a modular appliance.

7. The open platform computer of claim 6, wherein said modular appliance comprises a toaster.

8. The open platform computer of claim 6, wherein said modular appliance comprises a lamp.

9. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein said at least one hardware device comprises a radio display.

10. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein one of said at least three ports comprises a USB connection.

11. The open platform computer of claim 9, wherein a second and third of said hardware devices comprise accessories for a first of said hardware devices.

12. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein said at least one operating system comprises Linux.

13. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein one of said at least three ports comprises a proprietary connector.

14. The open platform computer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of external interfaces accepts a modular connection of open source hardware to said microprocessor.

15. The open platform computer of claim 14, wherein said open source hardware is designed by a hardware designer.

16. The open platform computer of claim 14, wherein said open source hardware includes at least one of appliances, furniture and electronic devices.

17. A computing platform, comprising:

at least one open source software for interacting with at least one modular software, wherein the open source software comprises an open application programming interface; and

at least one open source hardware that interacts with the at least one modular software, wherein at least a portion of the open source hardware comprises at least a functional aesthetic design and a computer peripheral.

18. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware comprises a conference center.

19. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware comprises a picture frame.

20. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware comprises an email module.

21. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware comprises an electronic display.

22. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware device comprises a modular appliance.

23. The computing platform of claim 22, wherein said modular appliance comprises a toaster.

24. The computing platform of claim 22, wherein said modular appliance comprises a lamp.

25. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said at least one open source hardware comprises a radio display.

26. The computing platform of claim 17, further comprising at least one port to enable electrical coupling between said at least one open source hardware and said at least one modular software.

27. The computing platform of claim 26, wherein said at least one port comprises a proprietary connector.

28. The computing platform of claim 26, wherein said at least one port comprises a USB connection.

29. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said open source hardware is designed by a hardware designer.

30. The computing platform of claim 17, wherein said open source hardware includes at least one of appliances, furniture and electronic devices.