Method and apparatus for transferring data between a host device and plurality of portable computers

• US 5,301,346 A
• Filed: 06/21/1991
• Issued: 04/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: World Cyberlinks Corporation
• Original Assignee: CAD Forms Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Notarianni, John, Orlowski, Charles, D'Ambrosio, John P., Cohen, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treat, William M.
• Application Number:
  US07/718,358
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 395/800, 395/750, 395/200, 361/390, 361/679-686, 361/724-727, 340/707, 340/708
• US Class Current: 700/267
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An electrical system for transferring data concurrently between pen based computers and a host computer includes a multiple computer receptacle device for receiving a plurality of pen based computers. The multiple computer receptacle device includes a housing, and a support frame mounted in the housing for supporting the plurality of pen based computers. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, where adjacent divider panels define between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer. The support frame includes a back panel mounted on the divider panels, a plurality of data input/output connectors mounted on the back panel, and a plurality of power connectors also mounted on the back panel. The data input/output connectors and the power connectors are positioned between adjacent divider panels and are adapted to mate with corresponding data and power connectors mounted on the pen based computers.

Claims

1. In combination:

a plurality of pen based computers, each pen based computer including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display; and

apparatus for transferring data from the plurality of pen based computers, which comprises;

a housing;

a support frame mounted in the housing, the support frame being adapted to support a plurality of pen based computers, the support frame including a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, adjacent divider panels defining between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer, the support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being mounted on the divider panels and being disposed transversely thereto;

a plurality of guide brackets, each of the guide brackets being mounted on the support frame and disposed within a respective slot defined by adjacent divider panels, the guide brackets directly engaging an edge of the pen based computers to facilitate insertion of the pen based computers into respective receiving slots;

a plurality of data input/output connectors, the data connectors being mounted on the first back panel and positioned between adjacent divider panels so as to be adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers;

a plurality of power connectors, the power connectors being mounted on the first back panel and positioned between adjacent divider panels so as to be adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers;

circuit means coupled to the plurality of data input/output connectors for automatically transmitting data concurrently to the plurality of pen based computers for storage of the data therein and for automatically receiving data concurrently from the plurality of pen based computers; and

means coupled to the power connectors for discharging and recharging the batteries of the pen based computers.

2. A combination as defined by claim 1, wherein the guide brackets are formed from an anti-friction material.

3. A combination as defined by claim 2, wherein the guide brackets are formed from a Teflon (TM) material.

4. A combination as defined y claim 1, wherein the apparatus for transferring data further comprises:

a plurality of anti-friction strip members, the anti-friction strip members being mounted on the divider panels, the anti-friction strip members having an exposed surface within the pen based computer receiving slots for engagement with the pen based computers situated in the slots.

5. An electrical system for transferring data signals concurrently between a host device and a plurality of pen based portable computers, each of the plurality of pen based computers including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display, at least one of the pen based computers being received by a multiple computer receptacle device, the electrical system comprising:

a first signal generating circuit, the first signal generating circuit forming a portion of the multiple computer receptacle device and providing a first signal indicative of the at least one pen based computer received by the multiple computer receptacle device;

a first signal receiving circuit, the first signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing an output signal in response to the first signal;

a second signal generating circuit, the second signal generating circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing a second signal for polling the pen based computers and for performing a security check with respect thereto;

a second signal receiving circuit, the second signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and generating an output signal in response to the second signal;

a third signal generating circuit, the third signal generating circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing a third signal for polling the host device and for performing a security check with respect thereto;

a third signal receiving circuit, the third signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the host device and generating at least first and second output signals in response to the third signal;

a first look-up table memory circuit, the first look-up table memory circuit forming a portion of the host device and having stored therein logic data corresponding to a plurality of first identification/password logic codes, each of the first identification/password codes corresponding to a respective pen based computer;

a fourth signal generating circuit, the fourth signal generating circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing a fourth signal corresponding to at least one of the first identification/password codes;

a second look-up table memory circuit, the second look-up table memory circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and having stored therein logic data corresponding to a second identification/password logic code;

a fourth signal receiving and comparator circuit, the fourth signal receiving and comparator circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing an output signal in response to the fourth signal, the PG,74 second look-up table memory circuit being electrically coupled to the fourth signal receiving and comparator circuit, the fourth signal receiving and comparator circuit comparing the second identification/password code logic data stored in the second look-up table memory circuit with logic data corresponding to the fourth signal, and providing an output signal in response to the comparison thereof;

a fifth signal generating circuit, the fifth signal generating circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing a fifth signal in response to the output signal of the fourth signal receiving and comparator circuit, the fifth signal corresponding to the second identification/password code logic data stored in the second look-up table memory circuit of the at least one pen based computer;

a fifth signal receiving and comparator circuit, the fifth signal receiving and comparator circuit forming a portion of the host device and comparing the first identification/password code logic data stored in the first look-up table memory circuit with logic data corresponding to the fifth signal, and providing an output signal in response thereto, the output signal being provided to the second signal generating circuit, the second signal generating circuit being responsive to the output signal and providing the second signal in response thereto;

an identification/password code selection circuit, the identification/password code selection circuit forming a portion of the host device and being electrically coupled to the first look-up table memory circuit, the identification/password code selection circuit generating third identification/password codes for storage by the first look-up table memory circuit and for substitution in the first look-up table memory circuit of the first identification/password signals;

a sixth signal generating circuit, the sixth signal generating circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing a sixth signal corresponding to the third identification/password code generated by the identification/password code selection circuit;

a sixth signal receiving circuit, the sixth signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing an output signal in response thereto, the output signal corresponding to the third identification/password code and being provided to the second look-up table memory circuit, the second look-up table memory circuit storing the output signal corresponding to the third identification/password code as logic data in substitution for the second identification/password code logic data;

a first data memory circuit, the first data memory circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and having stored therein logic data inputted to the pen based computer by the user thereof;

a first data transmission circuit, the first data transmission circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and electrically coupled to the first data memory circuit for transmitting first data signals corresponding to the logic data stored in the first data memory circuit, the first data signals being transmitted by the first data transmission circuit a first time and a second time;

a first data receiving circuit, the first data receiving circuit forming a portion of the host device and receiving the first data signals;

a first data buffer memory circuit, the first data buffer memory circuit forming a portion of the host device and coupled to the first data receiving circuit and storing therein the first data signals transmitted the first time as first pen based computer transmitted logic data, and storing therein the first data signals transmitted the second time as second pen based computer transmitted logic data;

a first file length and content check circuit, the first file length and content check circuit forming a portion of the host device and electrically coupled to the first data buffer memory circuit, the first file length and content check circuit comparing the first pen based computer transmitted logic data with the second pen based computer transmitted logic data and providing an output signal in response to the comparison thereof;

a seventh signal generating circuit, the seventh signal generating circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing a seventh signal in response to the output signal of the first file length and content check circuit;

a seventh signal receiving circuit, the seventh signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing an output signal in response to the seventh signal, the output signal being provided to the first data memory circuit, the first data memory circuit erasing the logic data stored therein in response to the output signal of the seventh signal receiving circuit;

a second data memory circuit, the second data memory circuit forming a portion of the host device and having stored therein logic data inputted to the host device by the operator thereof;

a second data transmission circuit, the second data transmission circuit forming a portion of the host device and electrically coupled to the second data memory circuit for transmitting second data signals corresponding to the logic data stored in the second data memory circuit, the second data signals being transmitted by the second data transmission circuit a first time and a second time;

a second data receiving circuit, the second data receiving circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and receiving the second data signals;

a second data buffer memory circuit, the second data buffer memory circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and coupled to the second data receiving circuit and storing therein the second data signals transmitted the first time as first host device transmitted logic data and storing therein the second data signals transmitted the second time as second host device transmitted logic data;

a second file length and content check circuit, the second file length and content check circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and electrically coupled to the second data buffer memory circuit, the second file length and content check circuit comparing the first host computer transmitted logic data with the second host computer transmitted logic data and providing an output signal in response to the comparison thereof;

an eighth signal generating circuit, the eighth signal generating circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing an output signal in response to the output signal of the second file length and content check circuit;

an eighth signal receiving circuit, the eighth signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing an output signal in response to the eighth signal;

a ninth signal generating circuit, the ninth signal generating circuit forming a portion of the host device and providing a ninth signal in response to the output signal of the eighth signal receiving circuit;

a ninth signal receiving circuit, the ninth signal receiving circuit forming a portion of the at least one pen based computer and providing a disable signal in response to the ninth signal, the disable signal being provided to the second signal receiving circuit, the second signal receiving circuit being responsive thereto;

a keyboard, the keyboard being coupled to the host device and being provided for entering logic data to the second data memory circuit;

an input/output circuit, the input/output circuit being coupled to the keyboard and to the second data memory circuit;

a display, the display being electrically coupled to and responsive to the output signals of the third signal receiving circuit, the first file length and content check circuit, the eighth signal receiving circuit and the ninth signal receiving circuit; and

a discharge and recharge circuit, the discharge and recharge circuit forming a portion of the multiple computer receptacle device and being electrically coupled to the at least one pen based computer and responsive to the ninth signal.

6. In combination:

a plurality of pen based computers, each pen based computer including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display; and

apparatus for transferring data from the plurality of pen based computers, which comprises;

a housing;

a support frame mounted in the housing, the support frame including means for supporting in parallel the plurality of pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means defining a plurality of parallel slots for receiving respective pen based computers, the support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being situated in proximity to the plural computer supporting means, the plural computer supporting means including a top plate and a bottom plate disposed opposite the top plate, the top and bottom plates being mounted on the support frame, each of the top and bottom plates having an exposed surface, the exposed surface of the top plate facing the exposed surface of the bottom plate, each of the top and bottom plates having formed in the exposed surface thereof a plurality of spaced apart, parallel channels, the channels formed in the bottom plate being opposite to and in alignment with corresponding channels formed in the top plate so that the top and bottom plates define a plurality of parallel computer receiving slots for receiving pen based computers;

a plurality of data input/output connectors, each data connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the data connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers;

a plurality of power connectors, each power connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the power connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers;

circuit means coupled to the plurality of data input/output connectors for transmitting data to the plurality of pen based computers for storage of the data therein and for receiving data from the plurality of pen based computers; and

means coupled to the power connectors for discharging and recharging the batteries of the pen based computers.

7. A combination as defined by claim 6, wherein each of the top and bottom plates is formed from an anti-friction material to allow the pen based computers to slide easily into respective computer receiving slots.

8. A combination as defined by claim 6, wherein the apparatus for transferring data further comprises a plurality of indicator lights, each of the indicator lights being situated in alignment with a corresponding computer receiving slot.

9. A combination as defined by claim 6, wherein the apparatus for transferring data further comprises multiple color indicating means, the multiple color indicating means being situated in alignment with each of the computer receiving slots, the multiple color indicating means having a first color which indicates to an operator of the apparatus that a particular pen based computer situated in a computer receiving slot in alignment with the multiple color indicating means having the first color should not be removed from the computer receiving slot, and having a second color different from the first color which indicates to the operator that a particular pen based computer situated in a computer receiving slot in alignment with the multiple color indicating means having the second color may be removed from the computer receiving slot.

10. In combination:

apparatus for transferring data from a plurality of pen based computers, each of the plurality of pen based computers including a battery pack, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display, which comprises;

a housing;

a support frame mounted in the housing, the support frame including means for supporting in parallel a plurality of pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means defining a plurality of parallel slots for receiving respective pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means including a top plate and a bottom plate disposed opposite the top plate, the top and bottom plates being mounted on the support frame, each of the two and bottom plates having an exposed surface, the exposed surface of the top plate facing the exposed surface of the bottom plate, each of the top and bottom plates having formed in the exposed surface thereof a plurality of spaced apart, parallel channels, the channels formed in the bottom plate being opposite to and in alignment with corresponding channels formed in the top plate so that the top and bottom plates define a plurality of parallel computer receiving slots for receiving pen based computers, the support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being situated in proximity to the plural computer supporting means;

a plurality of data input/output connectors, each data connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the data connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers; and

a plurality of power connectors, each power connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the power connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers;

a battery pack charging rack, the battery pack charging rack including means for supporting in parallel a plurality of computer battery packs, the plural battery back supporting means defining a plurality of battery pack receiving slots, each slot being dimensioned to receive a respective battery pack of a pen based computer;

a plurality of battery pack connectors, the battery pack connectors being positioned in alignment with respective battery pack receiving slots so as to be adapted to make an electrical connection with corresponding contacts of the battery packs when the battery packs are mounted in the battery pack receiving slots;

circuit means coupled to the plurality of data input/output connectors for transmitting data to the plurality of pen based computers for storage of the data therein and for receiving data from the plurality of pen based computers;

a discharge and recharge circuit, the discharge and recharge circuit being selectively electrically coupled to the apparatus for transferring data and to the battery pack charging rack; and

means for selectively electrically coupling the discharge and recharge circuit to the apparatus for transferring data and to the battery pack charging rack.

11. A method for transferring data from and to a plurality of pen based computers, each of the pen based computers including a battery, a display and an unlighted pen for handwritten input of information on the display, which comprises the steps of:

mounting the plurality of pen based computers in a multiple computer receptacle device, the multiple computer receptacle device including a housing, a support frame mounted in the housing, the support frame including means for supporting in parallel the plurality of pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means defining a plurality of parallel slots for receiving respective pen based computers, the plural computer supporting means including a top plate and a bottom plate disposed opposite the top plate, the top and bottom plates being mounted on the support frame, each of the top and bottom plates having an exposed surface, the exposed surface of the top plate facing the exposed surface of the bottom plate, each of the top and bottom plates having formed in the exposed surface thereof a plurality of spaced apart, parallel channels, the channels formed in the bottom plate being opposite to and in alignment with corresponding channels formed in the top plate so that the top and bottom plates define a plurality of parallel computer receiving slots for receiving pen based computers, the support frame further including a first back panel, the first back panel being situated in proximity to the plural computer supporting means, a plurality of data input/output connectors, each data connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the data connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding data connectors mounted on the pen based computers, a plurality of power connectors, each power connector being mounted on the first back panel and positioned thereon in alignment with a respective slot defined by the plural computer supporting means so that the power connectors are adapted to mate with corresponding power connectors mounted on the pen based computers, circuit means coupled to the plurality of data input/output connectors for transmitting data to the plurality of pen based computers for storage of the data therein and for receiving data from the plurality of pen based computers, and means coupled to the power connectors for discharging and recharging the batteries of the pen based computers;

receiving first data from the plurality of pen based computers and storing the first data in the multiple computer receptacle device;

transmitting second data to the plurality of pen based computers and storing the second data in the pen based computers; and

discharging and recharging the batteries of the pen based computers.