Expandable mobile computer system
First Claim
1. A mobile computer system, said mobile computer system comprising:
- a processor;
an expansion bus, said expansion bus coupled to said processor; and
an expansion interface, said expansion interface comprising, an electrical interface to said expansion bus, and a pair of substantially parallel retaining rails, said pair of retaining rails spaced far apart along a first dimension such that said retaining rails substantially occupying a width of said mobile computer system along said first dimension, said pair of parallel retaining rails forming a first opening for insertion of a peripheral device along a second dimension, and said pair of parallel retaining rails forming a second opening along a third dimension such that said peripheral device may extend in said third dimension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable mobile computer system is described. The mobile computer system includes a peripheral expansion interface that allows a large number of different sized expansion peripherals to be created and used with the mobile computer system. A pair of rails forms a first opening of the peripheral expansion interface wherein an expansion peripheral device may be inserted. Large expansion peripherals may extend in a first dimension out of that first opening. The rails also form a second opening along a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. Large expansion peripherals may also extend outward from the peripheral expansion interface in the second dimension.
384 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A mobile computer system, said mobile computer system comprising:
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a processor;
an expansion bus, said expansion bus coupled to said processor; and
an expansion interface, said expansion interface comprising, an electrical interface to said expansion bus, and a pair of substantially parallel retaining rails, said pair of retaining rails spaced far apart along a first dimension such that said retaining rails substantially occupying a width of said mobile computer system along said first dimension, said pair of parallel retaining rails forming a first opening for insertion of a peripheral device along a second dimension, and said pair of parallel retaining rails forming a second opening along a third dimension such that said peripheral device may extend in said third dimension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
an external interface port; and
a separate cradle, said cradle for holding said mobile computer system and interfacing with said external interface port.
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16. The mobile computer system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said cradle comprises a retention pin, said retention pin engaging a hole on a back of said mobile computer system when said mobile computer system is placed in said cradle.
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17. The mobile computer system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cradle further comprises a flexible resistance mechanism.
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18. The mobile computer system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said flexible resistance mechanism comprises electrical contacts on said cradle.
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19. The mobile computer system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said cradle comprises at least one alignment pin, said alignment pin engaging a hole proximate to said external interface port on said computer system when said computer system is placed in said cradle.
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20. A mobile computer system, said mobile computer system comprising:
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a mobile computer, said mobile computer comprising an external interface port having an electrical connector, said mobile computer having a first hole on a back surface of said mobile computer system;
a cradle, said cradle for holding said mobile computer and interfacing with said external interface port, said cradle comprising a flexible resistance mechanism, said flexible resistance mechanism for pushing said mobile computer system away from said cradle, and a stationary retention pin, said stationary retention pin for engaging said first hole on said back surface of said mobile computer when said mobile computer is placed in said cradle and pushed down against said flexible resistance mechanism such that said mobile computer is firmly held within said cradle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A mobile computer system, said mobile computer system comprising:
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a mobile computer, said mobile computer comprising an expansion interface, said expansion interface for accepting an expansion peripheral device, said expansion interface comprising a first electrical connector;
an external interface port, said external interface port comprising a second electrical connector;
a peripheral charge connector line that couples said first electrical connector on said expansion interface to said second electrical connector on said external interface port; and
a cradle, said cradle for holding said mobile computer and interfacing with said external interface port with a cradle interface, said cradle interface supplying power to said peripheral charge connector line. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
a protective cover, said protective cover engaging said alignment pin.
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31. The mobile computer system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said protective cover may be placed on a back of said mobile computer system or on a front of said mobile computer system.
Specification