Mobile data processing and communcations system with removable portable computer

• US 5,184,314 A
• Filed: 07/31/1991
• Issued: 02/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electrocom Communication Systems, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Electrocom Automation L.P.
• Inventors: Kelly, Edward J., Howard, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ngo, Chuong D.
• Application Number:
  US07/738,559
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200, 364/705.06, 364/708, 364/709.01, 364/709.04, 364/709.11, 364/709.12, 379/96, 340/711, 340/712
• US Class Current: 708/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/025 adapted to a specific application

Abstract

A mobile data processing and communications system having a keyboard converter mounted in a vehicle and detachably interconnected to a self-contained removable hand-held portable computer. The hand-held portable computer includes a microprocessor with an interactive display and an integral internal RF antenna to enable the user to perform data processing and communications functions outside the vehicle. When the hand-held portable computer interfaces with the keyboard converter, the user may enter data through the keyboard converter and communicate via an external RF antenna attached to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A mobile data processing and communications system comprising:

a hand-held portable computer having a touch-screen interactive display, a microprocessor and a communications processor, the portable computer having a first mode of operation wherein data is entered through, and displayed on the touch-screen interactive display, said portable computer further including a means coupled to the communications processor for transmitting data by RF transmission to a central computer;

a keyboard converter having a full size Qwerty keyboard, an input/output processor, a means for transmitting data by RF transmission and a cradle for receiving the hand-held portable computer; and

means for interfacing the hand-held portable computer with the keyboard converter when the keyboard converter cradle receives the portable computer, the portable computer having a second mode of operation wherein data may be input to the portable computer through the Qwerty keyboard and displayed on the touch-screen interactive display of the portable computer, said means for interfacing including means to enable transmission of data to the central computer from the means for transmitting of the keyboard converter when the keyboard converter cradle receives the portable computer.

2. The mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 1 wherein the means for transmitting data from the portable computer includes an RF integral antenna for RF transmission during the first mode of operation of the hand-held portable computer.

3. The mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 1 wherein the means for transmitting data from the keyboard converter includes an external antenna for RF transmission during the second mode of operation of the hand-held portable computer.

4. The mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 1 wherein the means for interfacing the hand-held portable computer with the keyboard converter comprises a digital-to-optical, optical-to-digital interface.

5. A mobile data processing and communications system comprising:

a hand-held portable computer;

a keyboard converter having a full size Qwerty keyboard and a cradle for receiving the hand-held portable computer;

means for interfacing data transmission between said hand-held portable computer and said keyboard converter during a second mode of operation of the portable computer;

means for entering data through the portable computer during a first mode of operation of the portable computer;

means for transmitting data from the portable computer to a central computer data base by RF transmission during the first mode of operation of the portable computer;

means for entering data into the portable computer through the keyboard converter when the portable computer rests in the cradle of the keyboard converter; and

means for transmitting data from the keyboard converter to a central computer by RF transmission when the portable computer rests in the cradle of the keyboard converter.

6. A mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 5 wherein said hand-held portable computer comprises a touch screen interactive display, a communications processor and a microprocessor coupled to said touch-screen interactive display and said communications processor.

7. A mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 6 wherein said means for transmitting data by RF transmission includes an amplifier and an integral internal antenna.

8. A mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 5 wherein said keyboard converter further comprises an input/output processor, and a plurality of serial ports, a parallel port and a mass storage means.

9. A mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 8 wherein said means for transmitting data by RF transmission comprises an amplifier coupled to an external antenna.

10. A mobile data processing and communications system according to claim 5 wherein said means for interfacing comprises a digital-to-optical, optical-to-digital interface.