Modular computer user interface system
DCFirst Claim
1. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
- a) a processor,b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard,c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, andd) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor, wherein said interface assembly includes;
i) a first adaptor structure disposed on said platform and structured to at least partially define said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module;
ii) a second adaptor structure disposed on said auxiliary module and structured to be communicatively associated with said first adaptor and further defining said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module;
wherein said first adaptor structure comprises a base operatively connected to said processor and communicatively connected to said second adaptor structure of said auxiliary module, and wherein said base and said second adaptor structure are removably connectable to one another so as to collectively define said operative interconnection between said auxiliary module and said processor, and wherein said operative interconnection is further defined by said base being removably secured to said platform.
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Abstract
A modular computer user interface system particularly adaptable for use with portable computers and comprising the integration therewith of at least one, but in certain specific embodiments, a plurality of auxiliary modules, such as keypads, interfaced with the processor independent of the conventional keyboard. The one or more auxiliary modules may be permanently secured to the platform of the portable computer in spaced, segregated relation to the keyboard and keys associated therewith. Alternatively, one or more of the auxiliary modules may be removably mounted on or detachably connected to the platform and keyboard, wherein regardless of their fixed, removable or detached relation to the platform of the computer, each of the auxiliary modules are independently operable to effect data and signal communication with the central processor of the computer, independent of operation of the conventional keyboard. The plurality of auxiliary modules may each be independently structured to perform various functions and therefore are independently operative as a numerical keypad, a proprietary keypad for processing specialized software and/or another type of user interface module.
71 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor, wherein said interface assembly includes; i) a first adaptor structure disposed on said platform and structured to at least partially define said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module; ii) a second adaptor structure disposed on said auxiliary module and structured to be communicatively associated with said first adaptor and further defining said operative interconnection between said processor and said auxiliary module; wherein said first adaptor structure comprises a base operatively connected to said processor and communicatively connected to said second adaptor structure of said auxiliary module, and wherein said base and said second adaptor structure are removably connectable to one another so as to collectively define said operative interconnection between said auxiliary module and said processor, and wherein said operative interconnection is further defined by said base being removably secured to said platform. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor operatively connected to a display device, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication with said keyboard, c) a plurality of auxiliary modules each attachable to said platform in spaced, segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly connected to said platform and each of said auxiliary modules and structured to at least partially define an operative interconnection between each of said auxiliary modules and said processor wherein said interface assembly includes a plurality of first adaptor structures at least some of which are mounted on said platform in spaced relation to one another and a plurality of second adaptor structures each connected to a different one of said plurality of auxiliary modules. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor, wherein said interface assembly comprises a first adaptor operatively associated with said processor and a second adaptor operatively associated with said auxiliary module, and wherein said first adaptor comprises a base detached from said platform and said keyboard and electrically connected to said second adaptor of said auxiliary module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module comprises; i) a keypad including a plurality of keys each including a contact portion immovably disposed in coplanar relation to one another, and ii) a border assembly extending outwardly from a common plane of said contact portions and disposed in segregating relation to said contact portions, wherein said border assembly comprises a plurality of border segments disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to different ones of said contact portions, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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15. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module comprises; i) a keypad including a plurality of keys each including a contact portion immovably disposed in coplanar relation to one another, and ii) a border assembly extending outwardly from a common plane of said contact portions and disposed in segregating relation to said contact portions, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor, wherein said interface assembly includes a plurality of border segments at least some of which comprise a substantially continuous configuration extending along and at least partially defining a periphery of different ones of said contact portions.
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16. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a programmable touch pad, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a solar battery unit, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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19. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a card reader unit, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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20. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a calculator, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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21. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a telephone keypad, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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22. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a tablet, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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23. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, wherein said auxiliary module includes a cradle configured to accept a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
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Specification