Modular computer units

• US 9,348,365 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3290255 Nova Scotia Limited
• Original Assignee: 3290255 Nova Scotia Limited
• Inventors: Gillis, John Archie
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUL, STEPHEN SANGJIN
• Application Number:
  US14/086,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 361/681, 361/679.04, 345/156, 345/1.3, 345/903, 345/1.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules

Abstract

The present invention describes a modular computerized system that includes the ability to magnetically attach to another similar or identical unit, integrates both male and female ports into each unit so that when two or more units are attached side by side the ports become functional and do not require external cables. Other elements of the invention include; the integration of one or more data splitters into the computerized unit and the integration of one or more power splitters into the computerized unit. The present invention also provides the ability to charge more than one computerized unit with only one cable attachment and the ability to share data quickly and easily between more than one computerized unit without the use of cables unless desired.

Claims

1. A system of computer units with integrated magnetic connectors, comprising:

a first integrated connector comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts in a first instrument effects device focused on audio processing, the first plurality of electrical contacts adapted to mate with a second plurality of electrical contacts in a second instrument effects device focused on audio processing when the first integrated connector couples to a second integrated connector in the second instrument effects device with integrated connectors, wherein when the first integrated connector couples to the second integrated connector, the first and second plurality of electrical contacts define a corresponding plurality of electrical paths; and

a magnetic element adapted to mate with a plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector that are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first integrated connector is brought in close proximity to the second integrated connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the first integrated connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the second integrated connector;

wherein the plurality of electrical paths comprises at least one signal path to convey a signal, and wherein when the first integrated connector and second integrated connector are magnetically coupled, the at least one signal path transfers instrument effects information from the first device to the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first power port integrated into the first plurality of electrical contacts; and

a second power port integrated into the second plurality of electrical contacts;

the plurality of electrical paths comprising at least one electrical power path;

wherein when the first power port and the second power port are brought into physical contact, the first device is adapted to transfer power to the second device to charge the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device.

3. The system of claim 2, the first device being adapted to power the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a battery for powering the second device and for receiving the power transferred from the first device to the second device to charge the second device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first power port integrated into the first plurality of electrical contacts; and

a second power port integrated into the second plurality of electrical contacts, the plurality of electrical paths comprising at least one electrical power path, wherein when the first power port and the second power port are brought into physical contact, the first device is adapted to power the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device.

6. The system of claim 1, the first instrument effects device being coupled to a power source for powering the first instrument effects device.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a cable connecting the first instrument effects device to the power source.

8. The system of claim 1, at least one of the first instrument effects device and second instrument effects device comprising a foot-operated instrument effects device.

9. The system of claim 8, at least one of the first instrument effects device and second instrument effects device comprising an instrument effects pedal.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a visual display integrated into at least one of the first instrument effects device and second instrument effects device.

11. A transfer system for transferring data to a second device from a first device, comprising:

the first device coupled to a data source via a hardwired connection for sending data to and receiving data from the Internet;

a magnetic connector assembly having a first connector in the first device having a first data port, and a second connector in the second device having a second data port, at least one of the first and second devices being an instrument effects device focused on audio processing, the first and second connectors being releasably coupled by magnetic attraction;

a first power port integrated into the first connector in the first device; and

a second power port integrated into the second connector in the second device;

wherein when the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled, the first data port and the second data port are brought into communication with one another to transfer data between the first device and the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device, thereby sharing the hardwired data connection of the first device with the second device; and

wherein when the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled, the first power port and the second power port are brought into communication with one another for power transfer from the first device to the second device to charge the second device without use of a cable between the first device and the second device.

12. The transfer system of claim 11, the hardwired data connection including a fiber optic cable.

13. The transfer system of claim 11, further comprising:

a visual display integrated into at least one of the first instrument effects device and second instrument effects device.