CN1206135A - Hand set synchronizing with PC computer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention divides the hand set into PCMCIA module and I/O module, and main circuits of traditional hand set are concentrated to the PCMCIA module, and the I/O module is used only as user's interface. The modular structure can reduce cost greatly, and the I/O module may be changed according to various requirement and updated according to the fashions to increase elasticity of whole structure.

Description

Carry out synchronous handheld apparatus with PC

The present invention relates to the technology of portable electric device, particularly carry out synchronous handheld apparatus with PC relevant for a kind of.

In the modern society that information alternates fast, PC almost has been the instrument of modern's indispensability.In addition, personal digital aid (PDA) (PDA:Personal DigitalAssistant) in conjunction with computer, communication, consumer electronics technology, light and handy with volume, be easy to carry about with one, can store advantage such as personal information (thin, memorandum record, routing) such as business card, be subjected to consumer's favor widely.At the demand in market, PDA miscellaneous is produced in design one after another at present existing many manufacturers.Take a broad view of these commercial PDA, be not difficult to find that PDA is just constantly towards miniaturization, cheap and possess and several directions such as PC (PC:Personal Computer) communication transfer function develop.Wherein, PILOT, the NEWTON of APPLE company etc. of comparatively typical representative products such as 3COM Corp..

Yet known PDA is when carrying out the data transmission with PC, and on the whole be to adopt dual mode to carry out: one for adopting mode of serial transmission; Another person is a storage card that adopts personal computer memory card League of Nations (personalcomputer memory card international association hereinafter is referred to as with PCMCIA) institute's standard, obtains the storage of data with synchronously.Though the former saves cost in the mode of serial communication, transmission speed is slower, usually still need during data transmission extra installing frame (cradle) and RS-232 wiring, quite inconvenience in the use.Though it is fast as for pcmcia memory card speed, and do not need external wiring, so all need separate processor and storer (ROM (read-only memory), flash memory, random access memory etc.) to be set, make overall architecture seem and heavily cover redundancy, also can increase production cost simultaneously in each known PDA place.

Therefore, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of handheld apparatus, the processor and the storer (ROM (read-only memory), flash memory, random access memory etc.) of traditional handheld apparatus inner core circuit must be integrated in the pcmcia card together, so can reduce the production cost of handheld apparatus, still have the standard and the portability of pcmcia card concurrently.

Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of and carry out synchronous handheld apparatus with PC, (the RS-232 cost is low to have the advantage of RS-232 and PCMCIA simultaneously concurrently, PCMCIA is the data transmittability fast) can upgrade the simulation softward of host computer system program, downloading application software and peripheral equipment from PC, increase the expansion capacity of handheld apparatus.

For obtaining above-mentioned all purposes, the invention provides a kind of handheld apparatus, comprising: the I/O module, as user's interface; And the PCMCIA module is connected with the I/O module in separable mode, and the PCMCIA module comprises: I/O interface, processor, random access memory, non-volatility memorizer and PCMCIA interface; Processor is connected with I/O interface, random access memory, non-volatility memorizer and PCMCIA module etc., is responsible for the control operation of handheld apparatus; The PCMCIA module connects the I/O module with the I/O interface, stores data required program when operating with the non-volatility memory storage device device with random access memory; And when the PCMCIA module from the I/O mould splits from the time, can do data sync through a PCMCIA interface and a PC.

Moreover the method for above-mentioned data sync can be to carry out with the following step: (a) between handheld apparatus and PC, exchange a data state table; And, (b) data are upgraded according to the data state table.Also applicable to the download of application program or simulation softward etc., or the updating operation of host computer system program is so significantly promote the expansion capacity of handheld apparatus with method of data synchronization for this.

For above-mentioned and other purposes, feature and advantage of the present invention can be become apparent, a preferred embodiment cited below particularly, and conjunction with figs. are described in detail below:

Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure of handheld apparatus one preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 be according to the present invention in the handheld apparatus PCMCIA module and I/O mould splits from stereoscopic figure;

Fig. 3 is the calcspar of PCMCIA module one preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is the calcspar of I/O module one preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 carries out the data synchronization system calcspar for PCMCIA module and PC;

Fig. 6 drives process flow diagram for the PCMCIA module;

Fig. 7 is for showing the initialized process flow diagram of data sync between PCMCIA module desire and PC; And

Fig. 8 is for showing the process flow diagram of obtaining data sync between PCMCIA module and PC.

Please refer to Fig. 1, Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure of handheld apparatus one preferred embodiment according to the present invention.Among the figure, handheld apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises PCMCIA module 3 and I/O module 4, and PCMCIA module 3 is to be connected in separable mode (detachable) with I/O module 4.This separable connected mode for example can be of a size of the difference of Type-I, Type-II or Type-III according to PCMCIA module 3.In I/O module 4 places one guide groove 5 is set, again PCMCIA module 3 is inserted in the I/O module 4 along guide groove 5, realize that PCMCIA module 3 is connected with the entity of 4 of I/O modules.

As shown in Figure 2, be the stereoscopic figure of the PCMCIA module 3 of Fig. 1 from I/O 4 separation.For considering that PCMCIA module 3 must separate rapidly with I/O module 4, can on I/O module 4, be provided with one and eject switch 6 (eject switch).In addition, when PCMCIA module 3 is connected with I/O module 4, for avoiding therebetween because of loose contact operation response function, one breech lock/release-push 7 (lock/release switch) can also be set in I/O module 4 places, be able to certain being connected to guarantee 4 of PCMCIA module 3 and I/O modules.Yet, above-mentioned guide groove 5, eject switch 6 and breech lock/release-push 7 or the like, only be to realize that 4 of PCMCIA module 3 and I/O modules are connected a example in numerous enforcement means in separable mode, be not in order to qualification the present invention.

Handheld apparatus 1 according to the present invention can be electronic dictionary, electronic personal memo pad, PDA etc.Because the host computer system program can comprise host computer system program (OS) or Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS), is to be stored in the PCMCIA module 3, so when desire was used handheld apparatus, PCMCIA module 3 just was connected with I/O module 4; When if handheld apparatus desire of the present invention is done data and data transmission with a PC 2, then only need PCMCIA module 3 after I/O module 4 separates, insert in the appended PCMCIA slot of PC (not shown), then PCMCIA module 3 just can with PC swap date or data.

Please refer to Fig. 3, Figure 3 shows that the block schematic diagram of PCMCIA module 3 in Fig. 1 handheld apparatus 1.According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, PCMCIA module 3 comprises: processor 30, ROM (read-only memory) 31, flash memory 32, random access memory 33, PCMCIA interface 34 and I/O interface 35 etc.Processor 30, ROM (read-only memory) 31, flash memory 32, random access memory 33, PCMCIA interface 34 and 35 of I/O interfaces are to do transmission control via a bus 36, and this bus 36 has comprised data bus, address bus and control bus etc.

Among Fig. 3, processor 30 is responsible for the control operation of whole handheld apparatus 1,31 of ROM (read-only memory) are in order to store host computer system program or the like, 32 of flash memories store the simulation softward (such as Soft-Modem etc.) of required application program (AP) of handheld apparatus 1 or peripheral device, and store data or data with random access memory 33.The application program that flash memory 32 is stored or the simulation softward of peripheral device, can be when PCMCIA module 3 be connected with PC 2, download (download) from PC 2 places and be updated in the flash memory 32, so can increase the expansion capacity of handheld apparatus 1.And stored data or the data of random access memory 33, also can be when PCMCIA module 3 be connected with PC 2, upgrade synchronously with PC 2, it is newer that meaning is promptly looked stored in random access memory 33 or the PC 2 what person of data, upgrades synchronously each other according to this.For example, if stored data is new than random access memory in the PC 2, then the data of random access memory 33 being changed is stored person in the PC 2; If the data of random access memory 33 is than storing in the PC 2; If the data of random access memory 33 is new than stored person in the PC 2, then stored in the data updating PC 2 with random access memory 33, this is the meaning of data or data sync.In addition, lose (data loss), a reserce cell 37 then still can be set standby power supply is provided for guaranteeing random access memory 33 stored data being unlikely.

Moreover, PCMCIA module 34 is as the conversion interface of 2 of handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention and PC, when handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention is desired simulation softward from PC 2 down load application programs or peripheral device, when upgrading personal information synchronously also or with PC 2, all need do conversion through PCMCIA interface 34 such as current potential or logic etc.Because PCMCIA interface 34 is to be connected with PC 2 via the PCMCIA slot, according to the standard that personal computer memory card League of Nations is worked out, PCMCIA interface 34 has the connector of tool 68-pin shown in label among Fig. 1 and 28.When PCMCIA module 3 when PCMCIA interface 34 and PC 2 are carried out the data transmission, PC 2 can be done a judgement to the type of PCMCIA module 3 earlier.

I/O module 35 is as the conversion interface of 4 of PCMCIA module 3 and I/O modules, when desire is used handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention, PCMCIA module 3 is connected with I/O module 4 through guide groove 5 by I/O interface 35, so in fact I/O interface 35 should possess the splicing ear that mates each other with I/O module 4 connectors 40.When PCMCIA module 3 is connected with I/O module 4, can read by 35 pairs of I/O modules of I/O module, 4 interior registers (register), judge the type of I/O module 4 and the peripheral hardware that is comprised thereof, such as LCD (LCD), contact panel (torch-panel) or keyboard (keypad) or the like, so that processor 30 is done control corresponding when carrying out BIOS.

Please refer to Fig. 4, Figure 4 shows that the calcspar of I/O module 4 in the handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention.Among the figure, I/O module 4 comprises: connector 40, register 41, display driver 42, display 43, touching control panel controller 44, contact panel 45 and primary power 46.

I/O module 4 carries out entity with connector 40 with the I/O interface 35 of PCMCIA module 3 and is connected, and the pin of this connector 40 (pin) on the whole is no less than 30, can be the connector of 45-pin for example.When PCMCIA module 3 is connected with I/O module 4, read through 40 pairs of registers 41 of connector with I/O interface 35 earlier, judge the type of I/O module 4 and the peripheral hardware that is comprised thereof, so that processor 30 is done control corresponding when carrying out the host computer system programs.And peripheral hardware shown in Figure 4, the two is example for display 43 and contact panel 45, so only is one of among numerous embodiment, is not in order to limit the present invention.

If the display 43 of Fig. 4 is to be LCD, the pixel information that sends through connector 40 according to PCMCIA module 3 then, after display driver 42 (comprising line driver and row driver) was converted to corresponding ranks control voltage, the liquid crystal molecule of control display 43 was done the demonstration of image.But display of the present invention does not exceed with LCD, and other are all applicable such as vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), plasma display (plasma display) or Field Effect Display (FED) etc.Contact panel 45 is then responded to the indication of user with pen or hand input, reaches via touching control panel controller 44 and does corresponding control operation in PCMCIA module 3.Therefore, in brief, the I/O module 4 of handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention is only as the usefulness of user's interface.

In addition, the primary power 46 of handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention is to be installed on the I/O module 4, and this primary power 46 provides the power supply of whole handheld apparatus 1, so primary power 46 can offer PCMCIA module 3 to power supply via connector 40.

When handheld apparatus of the present invention 1 is desired to do data information when synchronous with PC 2, then with PCMCIA module 3 after I/O module 4 places separate, insert in the set PCMCIA slot of PC 2, then PCMCIA module 3 just can be done the download of data or data synchronization operation, application software or peripheral device simulation softward with PC 2, or the upgrading of host computer system program operations such as (upgrade).

Please refer to Fig. 5, Figure 5 shows that PCMCIA module 3 PC 2 carry out the data synchronization system calcspar.When carrying out data or data sync according to handheld apparatus 1 of the present invention and 2 of PC, the network communication principle that is adopted mainly is that transport layer (transport layer), protocol layer (session layer) and the physical layer (physical layer) etc. that the OSI pattern (open SystemInterconnection Mode) at International Standards Organization is defined are set about.In the diagram, have data sync administrative unit 520 (OLE service), data synchronization service unit 522 (data synchronization service), pcmcia card driver element 523 (synchronization program), card service unit 531 (card service) and host computer system program element 532 etc. at PC 2 ends.Be connected with physical layer between the PC 2 then with label 50 expressions as for PCMCIA module 3, this physical layer 50 for example is exactly the connector 8 (as illustrated in fig. 1 and 2) and the card bus (card bus, not shown) that is arranged in the PC 2 that is arranged at PCMCIA module 3 one end tool 68-pin.

When PCMCIA module 3 and PC 2 are done data sync, be responsible for the data sync operator, be mainly data sync administrative unit 520 and data synchronization service unit 522.Wherein, data sync administrative unit 520 is responsible for the decomposition/combination of data formats and the subpackage/reorganization of data.Data synchronization service unit 522 mainly is responsible for the control of hardware datas stream and is carried out ability to communicate with OO service unit 521.Hereinafter driving flow process, the real beginningization flow process of data sync and data sync flow process etc. with regard to pcmcia card is described in detail respectively.

Please refer to Fig. 6, Figure 6 shows that PCMCIA module 3 drives process flow diagram, this pcmcia card drives flow process and relates to pcmcia card driver element 523, personal host computer system program unit 524, card service unit 531 and host computer system program element 532.When PCMCIA module 3 with after PC 2 entities are connected, carry out driver by PC 2, judge in step 60 whether the PCMCIA module 3 that is connected is the pcmcia card of institute of personal computer memory card League of Nations standard, if, then carry out step 61, by the pcmcia card service of host computer system program start PCMCIA module 3.Then, carry out the identification data that step 62 PC 2 reads PCMCIA module 3, this identification data for example can comprise data such as the manufacturing firm of PCMCIA module 3 and type.Afterwards, finish the card service procedure, in step 64 message is transmitted the host computer system program of giving again in step 63.

Please refer to Fig. 7, Figure 7 shows that PCMCIA module 3 desire and 2 initialized process flow diagrams of data sync of PC.At first, judge in step 71 whether PCMCIA module 3 is connected with the entity of PC 2 certain, if not, then carry out step 72 and know connection failure, and transmit the host computer system program that the connection failure message is given PC 2 in step 73.If it is appropriate that step 71 judgement learns that 2 entities of PCMCIA module 3 and PC are connected, then the capable step 74 of Jing is written into synchronous service.Then, send request signal in step 75 and give PCMCIA module 3, judge whether to surpass given time in step 76 again and do not obtain response.If then carry out step 72 and know connection failure, and transmit the host computer system program that the connection failure message is given PC 2 in step 73.If step 76 is judged as and is, then proceed to step 77, judge that receiving 3 responses of PCMCIA module denys if not, then to be back to step 75 with having of handshaking signal; If then carry out step 78 and know and finish connection, and transmit the successful connection message in step 79 and give PC 2 host computer system programs.This transmits handshaking signal and judges that request signal is to hand over the normal mode that adopts in (handshake) process of holding before foundation is communicated by letter.

Please refer to Fig. 8, Figure 8 shows that 2 process flow diagrams of obtaining data sync of PCMCIA module 3 and PC.At first, judge in step 80 whether PCMCIA module 3 is connected with the entity of PC 2 appropriate, if not, the capable step 81 of Jing give a warning message or caution sound are and in the synchronous flow process of step 82 end data; If then carry out step 83 beginning synchronous operation.

Because there are a data state table respectively in PC 2 and hand-held device 1 when off-line state each other, therefore, PC 2 and hand-held device 1 off-line are each other brought in constant renewal in oneself data state table separately during editing data.When the synchronous back of step 83 beginning data, make servomechanism (server) by PC 2, send the request of swap date state table to PCMCIA module 3 as client (client), after PCMCIA module 3 responds, in step 84 by PC 2 and PCMCIA module 3 exchanges data state table separately.Then.In the data type that step 85 is checked, this data type be provided with in can the record material state table data type hurdle with code table it, such as following table one is listed:

Table one

Data type	Code
The personal information type	0x40xx
Reminder note	0x4010
The stroke plan	0x4020
Commemorate the date	0x4030
Visiting-card management	0x4040
The host computer system program	0x2000
Application software	0x6000
Peripheral device simulation softward (for example can be sound card)	0x8000

Wherein, data such as the reminder note of personal information type, stroke plan, souvenir date, visiting-card management are to be stored in the random access memory 33, the host computer system program is to be stored in the ROM (read-only memory) 31, is to be stored in the flash memory 32 as for application software and peripheral device simulation softward.Because when data is synchronous, PC 2 can be upgraded all types of data according to the data state table when transmitting, so can judge whether data transmits with step 86 finishes, if not, then carry out step 87 according to the data state table, judge the data of storage in the PC 2 and PCMCIA module 3 interior stored persons' the similarities and differences, and upgrade the difference part according to this, but not completely with the mode row that overrides (overwrite) it.

If the data of storage is identical with PCMCIA module 3 stored persons in step 87 is known PC 2, then carries out step 8 reading state table next record record and return back to step 85.Alleged herein record (record) refers to that the personal information type is such as required synchronous regenerator's speech in the reminder note data, so each data unit of required renewal then is referred to as with a record.But host computer system program, application software or peripheral device simulation softward then become a record respectively.

If the data of storage is different with PCMCIA module 3 stored persons in step 87 is known PC 2, then carry out step 89 and judge whether that the data of storage in the PC 2 are new than PCMCIA module 3 stored persons, if then carry out step 90 and upgrade storage data in the PCMCIA module 3; If not, the data of storage is new than PC 2 stored persons in the expression PCMCIA module 3, then carries out step 91 and upgrades storage data in the PC 2.After step 91 and 92 was finished, Jing walked to step 88.

Finish as if knowing that in step 86 data has transmitted, then carry out step 92, after the data state table renewal with PC 2 and PCMCIA module 3, and in step 82 end synchronous operation.

As mentioned above, the flow process that the data of Fig. 8 is synchronous, in like manner also applicable to the flow process of PMCIA module from the simulation softward of PC 2 place's down loading updating application software or peripheral device or upgrading host computer system program, in this so do not giving unnecessary details.

In sum, the handheld apparatus that the present invention is suggested, be that handheld apparatus is divided into PCMCIA module and I/O module, and the core circuit of traditional handheld apparatus is concentrated in the PCMCIA module totally, and the I/O module is only merely as user's interface.With as modular framework, can significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of I/O module, so conversion I/O module miscellaneous according to demand or is weeded out the old and bring forth the new the elasticity of the overall architecture of increase according to fashion.Moreover, the PCMCIA module has comprised all core circuits (processor, ROM (read-only memory), flash memory, random access memory etc.), and with the construction packages of PCMCIA, and the I/O module of the formula of can arranging in pairs or groups various kinds uses, thereby need not expend under the expensive prerequisite, have and pcmcia memory card as must and PC between carry out the synchronous effect of data.In addition, handheld apparatus of the present invention also can be downloaded the simulation softward of answering software and peripheral equipment from PC, increases the expansion capacity of handheld apparatus.

Though the present invention discloses as above with preferred embodiment; right its is not in order to limiting the present invention, anyly has the knack of this skill person, do not breaking away from the spirit and scope of the invention; when can doing to change and retouching, so protection scope of the present invention is as the criterion when looking the appended claim person of defining.

Claims (19)

1. handheld apparatus comprises:

The I/O module is as user's interface; And

The PCMCIA module connects this I/O module in separable mode, and this PCMCIA module comprises:

Processor is responsible for the control operation of this handheld apparatus;

The I/O interface is connected with this processor, and connects this I/O module in separable mode;

Random access memory is connected in order to storage data with this processor;

Non-volatile existence reservoir is connected program required when storing this processor operations with this processor; And

The PCMCIA interface is connected with this processor, when this PCMCIA module from this I/O mould splits from the time, can do synchronous processing at least a in these data and the program through this a PCMCIA interface and a PC.

2. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this I/O module comprises display and contact panel, respectively as the output and the input media of this user's interface.

3. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, this I/O module comprises that pin count is no less than 30 connector.

4. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, this I/O module also comprises register.

5. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, this I/O module also comprises a primary power.

6. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this PCMCIA interface comprises a 68-pinr PCMCIA connector.

7. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this PCMCIA module also comprises a reserce cell, for this random access memory provides power supply.

8. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this non-volatility memorizer comprises a ROM (read-only memory).

9. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, this program is the host computer system program.

10. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, also can carry out this host computer system program upgrade via this PCMCIA interface and this PC.

11. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this non-volatility memorizer comprises a flash memory.

12. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, this program is an application software.

13. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, also can carry out this application software via this PCMCIA interface and this PC and download.

14. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, this program is the simulation softward of peripheral device.

15. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, also can carry out this simulation softward via this PCMCIA interface and this PC and download.

16. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this synchronous processing comprises the following steps:

(a) between this handheld apparatus and this PC, exchange a data state table; And

(b) according to this data state table at least a renewal the in these data and this program.

17. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, this program is the host computer system program.

18. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, this program is an application software.

19. handheld apparatus as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, this program is the simulation softward of peripheral device.

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