Smart modular electronic machine
First Claim
1. An apparatus for converting an only one open architecture computer into both an open and a closed architecture computer, the converted open architecture computer including a housing defining a housing space and a computer processor disposed in the housing space of the housing, the apparatus comprising:
- a modular computer peripheral capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer, the modular computer peripheral comprising;
a housing defining a plurality of module bays;
at least one module, each of the modules being disposable in one of the module bays and at least one of the modules comprising a closed architecture computer which is capable of operating independently of the converted open architecture computer, and executing at least a portion of an application program responsive to receiving a request for at least the portion of the application program to be executed by the modular computer peripheral;
a controller communicating with at least one of the modules and capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of the modules; and
interface means connected to the controller and at least one of the modules when the modules are disposed in the module bays of the housing for permitting communication between the controller and the modules; and
communication means capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer and the modular computer peripheral for establishing communication between the computer processor of the open architecture computer and the controller of the modular computer peripheral.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for converting an open architecture computer into both an open and a closed architecture computer. The open architecture computer includes a housing defining a housing space and a computer processor disposed in the housing space of the housing. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a modular computer peripheral physically connectable to only one open architecture computer, and a communication means electrically connectable to the open architecture computer and the modular computer peripheral for permitting communication between the computer processor of the open architecture computer and the controller of the modular computer peripheral. The modular computer peripheral comprises a housing defining a plurality of module bays. At least one module is disposed in one of the module bays and at least one of the modules comprising a closed architecture computer which is capable of operating independently of the open architecture computer. A controller capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of the modules is provided and interface means electrically connected to the controller and the modules when the modules are disposed in the module bays of the housing is provided for permitting electrical communication between the controller and the modules.
14 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for converting an only one open architecture computer into both an open and a closed architecture computer, the converted open architecture computer including a housing defining a housing space and a computer processor disposed in the housing space of the housing, the apparatus comprising:
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a modular computer peripheral capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer, the modular computer peripheral comprising;
a housing defining a plurality of module bays;
at least one module, each of the modules being disposable in one of the module bays and at least one of the modules comprising a closed architecture computer which is capable of operating independently of the converted open architecture computer, and executing at least a portion of an application program responsive to receiving a request for at least the portion of the application program to be executed by the modular computer peripheral;
a controller communicating with at least one of the modules and capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of the modules; and
interface means connected to the controller and at least one of the modules when the modules are disposed in the module bays of the housing for permitting communication between the controller and the modules; and
communication means capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer and the modular computer peripheral for establishing communication between the computer processor of the open architecture computer and the controller of the modular computer peripheral. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for converting an only one open architecture computer into both an open and a closed architecture computer, the converted open architecture computer including a housing defining a housing space and a computer processor disposed in the housing space of the housing, the apparatus comprising:
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a modular computer peripheral capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer, the modular computer peripheral comprising;
a housing defining a plurality of module bays;
at least two modules, each of the modules being disposed in one of the module bays and the two modules being different types of modules;
a controller communicating with the two modules and capable of simultaneously controlling the two modules; and
interface means connected to the controller and the modules when the modules are disposed in the module bays of the housing for permitting communication between the controller and the modules; and
communication means capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer and the modular computer peripheral for establishing communication between the computer processor of the open architecture computer and the controller of the modular computer peripheral.
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16. An apparatus for converting an only one open architecture computer into both an open and a closed architecture computer, the converted open architecture computer including a housing defining a housing space and a computer processor disposed in the housing space of the housing, the apparatus comprising:
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a modular computer peripheral capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer, the modular computer peripheral comprising;
a housing defining a plurality of module bays;
at least two modules, each of the modules being disposed in one of the module bays and the two modules being different types of modules, at least one of the modules being a closed architecture computer for executing at least a portion of an application program responsive to receiving a request for at least a portion of the application program to be executed;
a controller communicating with the two modules and capable of simultaneously controlling the two modules; and
interface means connected to the controller and the modules when the modules are disposed in the module bays of the housing for permitting communication between the controller and the modules; and
communication means capable of communicating with the converted open architecture computer and the modular computer peripheral for establishing communication between the computer processor of the open architecture computer and the controller of the modular computer peripheral.
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Specification