CA2360976A1 - Ultra-light computer system - Google Patents
Ultra-light computer system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2360976A1 CA2360976A1 CA002360976A CA2360976A CA2360976A1 CA 2360976 A1 CA2360976 A1 CA 2360976A1 CA 002360976 A CA002360976 A CA 002360976A CA 2360976 A CA2360976 A CA 2360976A CA 2360976 A1 CA2360976 A1 CA 2360976A1
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- Prior art keywords
- computer
- docking station
- portable
- ultra
- light
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Abstract
The Ultra Light Computer system redefines portability by minimizing the hardware in the portable unit. Current portable computer systems are bulky, heavy, and difficult to transport.
The Ultra-Light Computer contains only the essential computing hardware and few or no peripherals, thereby allowing it to be extremely light and portable. The computer operates only when coupled with one of various docking stations which contain all input and output peripherals: the Fixed Docking Station; the Portable Docking Station; the Palm Top Docking Station; the Cellular Phone Docking Station; and the Multiple Docking Station.
The docking stations replace the second, third and fourth computers currently being used by many computer operators today so that only one Ultra-Light Computer will be needed for computing at home, office or when traveling. Under this system, portable computing is vastly more powerful and the owner always has all of his or her data and programs readily available. The ease and cost of upgrades are improved by this system.
The Ultra-Light Computer contains only the essential computing hardware and few or no peripherals, thereby allowing it to be extremely light and portable. The computer operates only when coupled with one of various docking stations which contain all input and output peripherals: the Fixed Docking Station; the Portable Docking Station; the Palm Top Docking Station; the Cellular Phone Docking Station; and the Multiple Docking Station.
The docking stations replace the second, third and fourth computers currently being used by many computer operators today so that only one Ultra-Light Computer will be needed for computing at home, office or when traveling. Under this system, portable computing is vastly more powerful and the owner always has all of his or her data and programs readily available. The ease and cost of upgrades are improved by this system.
Description
PATENT
ULTRA LIGHT COMPUTER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is the portability and upgrade ability of personal computers.
Current personal computer configurations are desktop computers and notebook computers. Desktop computers generally contain all computing components, most peripherals and ports for additional components such as. a monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. Notebook computers generally contain all computing components, most peripherals including a screen, keyboard, mouse and disk drives and ports for other peripherals not deemed essential during transport.
The peripherals and ports contained in current desktop computers and notebook computers create seven limitations. First, they limit portability by adding weight and bulk.
Second, they increase the cost of upgrading the power and speed of the computer by requiring the user to unnecessarily replace the peripherals and ports. Third, an owner must own separate computers for each work station (home, office, notebook, palm top) and purchase duplicate operating programs for each computer. Fourth, transferring data between work stations is difficult requiring the use of disk drives which limit the amount of data that can be transferred and require compatibility. Fifth, shipping computers in their current configurations is expensive because of their size and weight. Sixth, current computer are difficult to transport for servicing.
Seventh, current palm top organizers have very limited computing and storage capabilities.
mrhl 895 PATENT
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention solves the problems described in the Background of the Invention. The invention is an Ultra-Light Computer system in which the actual computer contains only the essential computing components, thereby keeping the computer small and portable. The essential computing components are only the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and an interface card. The Ultra-Light Computer with just this hardware can be connected to peripherals through a Fixed Docking Station, a Portable Docking Station, a Palm Top Docking Station, a Cellular Phone Docking Station, or a Multiple Docking Station. The computer and docking stations each contain a computer interface through which the computer receives and sends all input and output, including power.
Because the Ultra-Light Computer contains only the essential computing components, it is slightly larger and just as portable as current cellular telephones. When the owner wishes to upgrade for greater speed and memory, only the Ultra-Light Computer need be replaced, not all of the peripherals.
Shipping and servicing are easier due to the small size of the Ultra-Light Computer.
When the Ultra-Light Computer is connected to a Fixed Docking Station or a Portable Docking Station, it then has the ability to receive input from peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse and disk drives and to send output to such peripherals as the monitor and the printer.
When the Ultra-Light Computer is connected to a Portable Docking Station, the combination is essentially indistinguishable from current notebook computers except that it allows access all programs and data contained in the Ultra-Light Computer.
ULTRA LIGHT COMPUTER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is the portability and upgrade ability of personal computers.
Current personal computer configurations are desktop computers and notebook computers. Desktop computers generally contain all computing components, most peripherals and ports for additional components such as. a monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. Notebook computers generally contain all computing components, most peripherals including a screen, keyboard, mouse and disk drives and ports for other peripherals not deemed essential during transport.
The peripherals and ports contained in current desktop computers and notebook computers create seven limitations. First, they limit portability by adding weight and bulk.
Second, they increase the cost of upgrading the power and speed of the computer by requiring the user to unnecessarily replace the peripherals and ports. Third, an owner must own separate computers for each work station (home, office, notebook, palm top) and purchase duplicate operating programs for each computer. Fourth, transferring data between work stations is difficult requiring the use of disk drives which limit the amount of data that can be transferred and require compatibility. Fifth, shipping computers in their current configurations is expensive because of their size and weight. Sixth, current computer are difficult to transport for servicing.
Seventh, current palm top organizers have very limited computing and storage capabilities.
mrhl 895 PATENT
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention solves the problems described in the Background of the Invention. The invention is an Ultra-Light Computer system in which the actual computer contains only the essential computing components, thereby keeping the computer small and portable. The essential computing components are only the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and an interface card. The Ultra-Light Computer with just this hardware can be connected to peripherals through a Fixed Docking Station, a Portable Docking Station, a Palm Top Docking Station, a Cellular Phone Docking Station, or a Multiple Docking Station. The computer and docking stations each contain a computer interface through which the computer receives and sends all input and output, including power.
Because the Ultra-Light Computer contains only the essential computing components, it is slightly larger and just as portable as current cellular telephones. When the owner wishes to upgrade for greater speed and memory, only the Ultra-Light Computer need be replaced, not all of the peripherals.
Shipping and servicing are easier due to the small size of the Ultra-Light Computer.
When the Ultra-Light Computer is connected to a Fixed Docking Station or a Portable Docking Station, it then has the ability to receive input from peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse and disk drives and to send output to such peripherals as the monitor and the printer.
When the Ultra-Light Computer is connected to a Portable Docking Station, the combination is essentially indistinguishable from current notebook computers except that it allows access all programs and data contained in the Ultra-Light Computer.
2 mrh1895 PATENT
The Ultra-Light Computer can be connected to a Paten Top Docking Station or a Cellular Phone Docking Station, allowing the user to engage in complex computing, access all hard drive data and connect to the Internet anytime, anywhere.
Finally, the Multiple Docking Station facilitates the easy transfer of data directly between Ultra-Light Computers without the need for disk drives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an illustration of an Ultra-Light Computer. It shows the box that contains the essential computing component and the interface port. Inside the box is the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and a computer interface card.
Figure 2 is a front view illustration of an example of a Fixed Docking Station. The drawing shows a box and a computer interface port (such as a small computer systems interface (SCSI)).
Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of an example of a Fixed Docking Station. In this example, the Fixed Docking Station contains a power cord and ports for numerous peripherals but no actual peripherals. The Fixed Docking Station may contain actual peripherals and fewer or additional ports for peripherals.
Figure 4 illustrates an example of a Multiple Docking Station, similar to a Fixed Docking Station except that it contains multiple computer interface ports.
Figure 5 illustrates an example of a Portable Docking Station. Shown are the screen, keyboard and computer interface port. The Portable Docking Station does not contain the computing components of the Ultra-Light Computer. The Portable Docking Station may contain
The Ultra-Light Computer can be connected to a Paten Top Docking Station or a Cellular Phone Docking Station, allowing the user to engage in complex computing, access all hard drive data and connect to the Internet anytime, anywhere.
Finally, the Multiple Docking Station facilitates the easy transfer of data directly between Ultra-Light Computers without the need for disk drives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an illustration of an Ultra-Light Computer. It shows the box that contains the essential computing component and the interface port. Inside the box is the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and a computer interface card.
Figure 2 is a front view illustration of an example of a Fixed Docking Station. The drawing shows a box and a computer interface port (such as a small computer systems interface (SCSI)).
Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of an example of a Fixed Docking Station. In this example, the Fixed Docking Station contains a power cord and ports for numerous peripherals but no actual peripherals. The Fixed Docking Station may contain actual peripherals and fewer or additional ports for peripherals.
Figure 4 illustrates an example of a Multiple Docking Station, similar to a Fixed Docking Station except that it contains multiple computer interface ports.
Figure 5 illustrates an example of a Portable Docking Station. Shown are the screen, keyboard and computer interface port. The Portable Docking Station does not contain the computing components of the Ultra-Light Computer. The Portable Docking Station may contain
3 mrh1895 PATENT
peripherals and peripheral ports such as do not interfere with the portability of the Portable Docking Station, similar to today's notebook computers.
Figure 6 illustrates an example of a sample Palm Top Docking Station. Shown is a small screen (which may be touch-sensitive) and a computer interface port.
Figure 7 illustrates an example of a sample Cellular Phone Docking Station.
Shown is a cellular phone with a small screen and a computer interface port.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Ultra Light Computer is an extremely small and portable computer containing only the components absolutely necessary for computing. These components are the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and a computer interface card such as a small computer systems interface (SCSI). From the exterior, it will appear as a small, light box with a single computer connector which will allow the interface with all peripherals and the power. The Ultra-Light Computer may also contain other hardware that does not interfere with its portability, such as a modem. An example of an Ultra-Light Computer is shown in Figure 1.
The Fixed Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector and ports for all peripherals and power. It may contain also contain a fan, speakers, microphone, compact disk drive, digital video disk drive, floppy disk drive, modem and/or any other peripheral. An example of a Fixed Docking Station is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The Portable Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector, a screen, a keyboard and a power source (direct, battery or both). It may contain such other peripherals that
peripherals and peripheral ports such as do not interfere with the portability of the Portable Docking Station, similar to today's notebook computers.
Figure 6 illustrates an example of a sample Palm Top Docking Station. Shown is a small screen (which may be touch-sensitive) and a computer interface port.
Figure 7 illustrates an example of a sample Cellular Phone Docking Station.
Shown is a cellular phone with a small screen and a computer interface port.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Ultra Light Computer is an extremely small and portable computer containing only the components absolutely necessary for computing. These components are the mainboard, the hard drive, the processor, the random access memory, a cmos battery and a computer interface card such as a small computer systems interface (SCSI). From the exterior, it will appear as a small, light box with a single computer connector which will allow the interface with all peripherals and the power. The Ultra-Light Computer may also contain other hardware that does not interfere with its portability, such as a modem. An example of an Ultra-Light Computer is shown in Figure 1.
The Fixed Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector and ports for all peripherals and power. It may contain also contain a fan, speakers, microphone, compact disk drive, digital video disk drive, floppy disk drive, modem and/or any other peripheral. An example of a Fixed Docking Station is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The Portable Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector, a screen, a keyboard and a power source (direct, battery or both). It may contain such other peripherals that
4 mrhl 895 PATENT
will not interfere with its size and portability, including but not limited to: a mouse; speakers; a microphone; a digital video disk drive; a compact disk drive; a floppy disk drive; and/or a modem. When coupled with an Ultra-Light Computer, it appears and operates essentially identical to today's notebook computers except that is has the power and data contained in the Ultra-Light Computer. An example of a Portable Docking Station is shown in Figure S.
The Palm Top Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector, a screen that may be touch-sensitive and a power source (direct; battery or both). It may also contain such other peripherals that will not interfere with its size and portability including a modem, cellular phone and/or membrane or other keyboard. When the Palm Top Docking Station and the Ultra-Light Computer are connected, they may be rigidly fixed together or they may be attached by a cord that will allow the Ultra-Light Computer to be attached to a belt while the Palm Top Docking Station is hand-held. An example of a Palm Top Docking Station is shown in Figure 6.
The Cellular Phone Docking Station is a working cellular phone containing a computer connector and a cellular modem. The cellular phone screen is also the computer screen. The cellular phone keypad is also the computer keypad. It may contain such other peripherals that will not interfere with its size and portability. When the Cellular Phone Docking Station and the Ultra-Light Computer are connected, they may be rigidly fixed together or they may be attached by a cord that will allow the Ultra-Light Computer to be attached to a belt while the Cellular Phone Docking Station is hand-held. An example of a Cellular Phone Docking Station is shown in Figure 7.
The Multiple Docking Station is the same as the Fixed Docking Station except that it mrh1895 PATENT
contains multiple computer connectors to allow the transfer of data between multiple Ultra-Light Computers. An example of a Multiple Docking Station is shown in Figure 4.
mrhl 895
will not interfere with its size and portability, including but not limited to: a mouse; speakers; a microphone; a digital video disk drive; a compact disk drive; a floppy disk drive; and/or a modem. When coupled with an Ultra-Light Computer, it appears and operates essentially identical to today's notebook computers except that is has the power and data contained in the Ultra-Light Computer. An example of a Portable Docking Station is shown in Figure S.
The Palm Top Docking Station contains, at a minimum, a computer connector, a screen that may be touch-sensitive and a power source (direct; battery or both). It may also contain such other peripherals that will not interfere with its size and portability including a modem, cellular phone and/or membrane or other keyboard. When the Palm Top Docking Station and the Ultra-Light Computer are connected, they may be rigidly fixed together or they may be attached by a cord that will allow the Ultra-Light Computer to be attached to a belt while the Palm Top Docking Station is hand-held. An example of a Palm Top Docking Station is shown in Figure 6.
The Cellular Phone Docking Station is a working cellular phone containing a computer connector and a cellular modem. The cellular phone screen is also the computer screen. The cellular phone keypad is also the computer keypad. It may contain such other peripherals that will not interfere with its size and portability. When the Cellular Phone Docking Station and the Ultra-Light Computer are connected, they may be rigidly fixed together or they may be attached by a cord that will allow the Ultra-Light Computer to be attached to a belt while the Cellular Phone Docking Station is hand-held. An example of a Cellular Phone Docking Station is shown in Figure 7.
The Multiple Docking Station is the same as the Fixed Docking Station except that it mrh1895 PATENT
contains multiple computer connectors to allow the transfer of data between multiple Ultra-Light Computers. An example of a Multiple Docking Station is shown in Figure 4.
mrhl 895
Claims (11)
1. A computer apparatus comprising:
a portable, ultra-light computer with a main board, hard drive, processor, memory, and an interface;
a docking station having an interface for connecting to said portable computer; and said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
a portable, ultra-light computer with a main board, hard drive, processor, memory, and an interface;
a docking station having an interface for connecting to said portable computer; and said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
2. The computer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said docking station is a fixed docking station with an interface for connecting to said portable computer and separate additional interfaces for connecting to various other peripheral devices.
3. The computer apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fixed docking station contains multiple interfaces for connecting to a plurality of said portable computers and separate additional interfaces for connecting.to various other peripheral devices.
4. The computer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said docking station is a cellular phone with an interface for connecting to said portable computer.
5. The computer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said docking station is hand held with an interface for connecting to said portable computer such that the coupled computer and docking station can be hand held.
6. The computer apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hand held docking station includes palm top and PDA computers.
7. The computer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said docking station is a notebook docking station with an interface for connecting to said portable computer such that the coupled computer and docking station will constitute a notebook computer.
8. The computer apparatus of claim 7 wherein said notebook docking station includes laptop docking stations.
9. A computer apparatus comprising:
a portable, ultra-light computer that interfaces interchangeably with various different types of electronic devices;
said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
a portable, ultra-light computer that interfaces interchangeably with various different types of electronic devices;
said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
10. A computer apparatus not including a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals comprising:
a main board, hard drive, processor, memory, and an interface for interchangeably connecting with various different types of electronic devices selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptop computers, handheld computers and cellular phones.
a main board, hard drive, processor, memory, and an interface for interchangeably connecting with various different types of electronic devices selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptop computers, handheld computers and cellular phones.
11. A computer apparatus comprising:
a portable, ultra-light computer with interface means for connecting to various different types of electronic devices;
interface means associated with said electronic devices for connecting to said portable, ultra-light computer; and said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
a portable, ultra-light computer with interface means for connecting to various different types of electronic devices;
interface means associated with said electronic devices for connecting to said portable, ultra-light computer; and said portable computer does not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripherals.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US70630000A | 2000-11-03 | 2000-11-03 | |
| US09/706,300 | 2000-11-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2360976A1 true CA2360976A1 (en) | 2002-05-03 |
Family
ID=24836997
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002360976A Abandoned CA2360976A1 (en) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-11-02 | Ultra-light computer system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2360976A1 (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-11-02 CA CA002360976A patent/CA2360976A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |