Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
  • H04M1/2473—Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface)
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
  • G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/253—Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
  • H04M11/06—Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
  • H04M11/06—Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
  • H04M11/066—Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M9/00—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
  • H04M9/002—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching with subscriber controlled access to a line, i.e. key telephone systems
  • H04M9/005—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching with subscriber controlled access to a line, i.e. key telephone systems with subscriber controlled access to an exchange line
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M9/00—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
  • H04M9/08—Two-way loud-speaking telephone systems with means for conditioning the signal, e.g. for suppressing echoes for one or both directions of traffic
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
  • H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
  • H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
  • H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
  • H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
  • H04Q11/0435—Details
  • H04Q11/0471—Terminal access circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
  • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
  • H04M3/42323—PBX's with CTI arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
  • H04N1/10—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces
  • H04N1/107—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces with manual scanning
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13003—Constructional details of switching devices
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13034—A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13093—Personal computer, PC
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13096—Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13103—Memory
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13106—Microprocessor, CPU
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13107—Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13175—Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13209—ISDN
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/1322—PBX
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13299—Bus
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13322—Integrated circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13389—LAN, internet
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
  • H04Q2213/13396—Signaling in general, in-band signalling

Definitions

• PBXs private branch exchanges
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another possible solution.
• a DSP unit is provided in the PC as a separate module, such as an expansion card.
• Such a system would typically use an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface between PBX and DSP. Specialized multimedia functions can be passed through to the telephone system.
• ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
• Fig. 16 is a block diagram of a ⁇ PDA docked in a docking bay of a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 28 is an isometric view of a ⁇ PDA with a solar charger according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 36 is a block diagram of a CPU function module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 40 is a block diagram of a "flash card” memory module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 42 is a block diagram of a modem module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 43 is a block diagram of a FAX module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 46 is a sectioned plan view of the computer framework of Fig. 45A taken along section line 46-46 of Fig. 45B.
• Fig. 47 is an isometric illustration showing a function module and a dedicated docking bay in an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 49 is a block diagram of a compressed bus and connection to docking bays in a computer framework according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a Smart Phone system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention, having at least one Smart Phone 13 connected to a PBX 17 by preferably an ISDN (digital) line 16. This connection could alternately be an analog connection.
• PBX 17 is in turn connected on a LAN 18 to one or more PCs 21 and optionally one or more network servers 19.
• Each Smart Phone 13 is also connected by serial link 22 to a PC 21.
• EEPROM 25 holds instructions for the phone connection to PBX 17.
• CODEC 26 supports the phone sound system, performing digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital data conversions through non ⁇ linear compression and decompression processes.
• RAM 39 is the DSP workspace. It also acts as a buffer, holding data from PC 21 until it can be converted by ASIC 24.
• Fig. 7 is an internal block diagram of ASIC 24 of Fig. 4, with the features described relative to Figs. 3 through 6. Internal communication is via internal bus (IBUS) 67. Use of the internal bus is controlled by a connect table 69, which is configured by an internal or external microprocessor, shown here as part of microcontroller 37. Table access register 71 provides a link for the microprocessor to perform this configuration.
• IBUS internal bus
• connect table 69 which is configured by an internal or external microprocessor, shown here as part of microcontroller 37.
• Table access register 71 provides a link for the microprocessor to perform this configuration.
• ASIC interfaces and components are described below:
• ISDN "S" Interface 73 Incoming and outgoing ISDN lines, LI and LO, link PBX 17 with the Smart Phone.
• An isolated power converter 75 supplies 5-volt dc power.
• Incoming signals pass through isolating pulse transformer 77 to ISDN receiver 81 and outgoing signals pass from ISDN transmitter 83 to isolating pulse transformer 79.
• An activation state controller 85 coordinates ISDN receiver and ISDN transmitter activity with the rest of ASIC 24.
• Receive data registers 87 and transmit data registers 89 temporarily store data for each bearer (B) channel, which can carry any kind of data (digitally encoded voice, FAX, text and numbers) and delta (D) channel, which carries call status and control signals and serves as a third data channel.
• B bearer
• D delta
• On-board clock 101 runs ASIC digital logic when the PCSDI line is unavailable. Switchover between the two clock sources is done automatically by PC receiver 95.
• CODEC Interface 125 This interface connects to CODEC circuitry 26, which performs digital conversions on analog signals channeled through an analog multiplexer (MUX) 129 from phone audio system components and vice versa.
• the phone audio system includes a handset 29 with microphone 31 and speaker 30 and speakerphone 32 with microphone 34 and speaker 33, and optional satellite speakers/amplifiers 35.
• An optional analog sound line 58 allows for multimedia expansion, whereas an optional analog fax line 59 permits use of standard, standalone analog-type fax devices.
• Analog MUX controller 127 on the ASIC bus controls analog MUX 129 activities and provides a low-pass filter for output from speaker 33. A low- pass filter is used when the built-in speaker is employed as a woofer in conjunction with the optional satellite speakers.
• a speakerphone although included as part of this embodiment, is not essential to Smart Phone operation. In a simpler variation, phone sound might consist of a single speaker-microphone pair in the handset.
• LCD Display Interface 131 This interface to an optional liquid crystal display 28 on the Smart Phone provides a means to visually monitor incoming calls.
• Standard analog phone device input ports e.g., fax and modem.
• a Smart Phone 13 such as that described in Figs. 3 through 8 may be implemented with various levels of functionality tailored to the budget and needs of the purchaser.
• a lower-priced, basic Smart Phone model might only have a microprocessor residing inside or outside the ASIC.
• basic Smart Phone functions can easily be expanded as needed with an inexpensive, low-end DSP chip, such as those currently available from Zilog and Motorola, to add features such as business audio (for tape recording), voice mail (with DTMF detection), data compression and decompression, and data encryption.
• the DSP can reside on a removable PCMCIA card that is plugged into a designated slot on the Smart Phone.
• Fig. 1 IB is a top plan view of the ⁇ PDA of Fig. 11 A, showing a thumbwheel 1018 implemented in one corner of the ⁇ PDA.
• the thumbwheel in this embodiment is an input device capable of providing input with both amplitude and directional characteristics, and in some cases rate characteristics as well.
• the thumbwheel has many uses in combination with the ⁇ PDA and I/O interface 1016. One such use is controlled scrolling of icons, characters, menus, and the like on the display of the device.
• the thumbwheel provides many of the functions of a pointer device.
• microcontroller 1011 acts as a slave unit, granting bus control to the CPU of the host.
• the CPU of the host thus gains control of the memory contents of the ⁇ PDA, subject in most cases to security procedures which are described below.
• the host computer can transfer data and software into and out of a docked ⁇ PDA memory.
• many other cooperative operating modes may be accomplished between the two
• Optional equipment such as devices listed in box 1019 may be connected for use with the ⁇ PDA through the expansion bus. Selected ones of such devices may also be built in to the ⁇ PDA in various embodiments, providing variations of applicability. In the former case, connection is through path 1021 and the expansion bus interface via connector portion 1020. In the built-in case, connection is in the interconnection traces of the ⁇ PDA as indicated by path 1023.
• a further embodiment of the present invention provides an I/O set-up application wherein a user may completely customize features of I/O area displays.
• Machine with a very large electronic storage capacity wherein a ⁇ PDA user may dock a module and purchase and download software routines compatible with the ⁇ PDA environment.
• a user may, in this embodiment, review software for sale simply by docking his ⁇ PDA unit in the vending machine and selecting from a menu on display 1069.
• the menu may allow the user to browse all available applications, or list new applications since entered dates. The user can select certain applications, try them out, at least in simulation, and then select applications to purchase.
• the ⁇ PDA dials the call, including necessary credit card information stored in the memory of the ⁇ PDA for this purpose.
• Fig. 26 is a plan view of a ⁇ PDA with a Centronics adapter interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• a printer connector 1093 engages expansion interface 1020 by a connector 1095 through a cable 1097.
• Translation capability resides in circuitry in connector 1093, which is configured physically as a
• Application routines enable the data acquisition peripheral to operate as, for example, a mobile inventory management device.
• the user may scan barcode labels with scanner 1101 and enter information, such as counts, on keypad 1096 or by voice input via microphone 1103. Since applications of peripheral 1100 are very specialized, only a limited voice recognition system is needed. The voice recognition system may prompt other command routines within the master applications as well.
• Fig. 28 is an isometric view of the side of a ⁇ PDA 1010 opposite the I/O interface with a solar charger panel 1098 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Panel 1098 is positioned so that when ⁇ PDA 1010 is in strong light, such as sunlight, the solar charger absorbs the solar energy and converts it to electricity to recharger battery 1015 inside the ⁇ PDA.
• Solar charger 1098 may be permanently wired to the circuitry of the ⁇ PDA or attached by other means and connected to a dedicated electrical port or the expansion port. The solar charger is placed so that the ⁇ PDA can be fully docked in a docking port with the panel in place.
• a detachable solar charger may be unplugged before docking the ⁇ PDA, and the detachable charger may then be of a larger surface area.
• Fig. 29 is a largely diagrammatic representation of a Games
• Computers with docking bays can take a number of alternative forms in the scope of the present invention.
• the computer portion of a smart telephone system according to the invention may take the external form of a desktop unit to which a smart phone may be attached (Figs. 4, 5, and 7).
• the computer portion may also take the form of a portable computer, such as a laptop, notebook, or palmtop computer having one or more docking bays.
• the smart phone circuitry (Figs. 4 and 7) may be integrated into the case of the computer, and DSP modules and intelligent ⁇ PDA modules may be docked in the one or more docking bays.
• the smart phone elements may be a part of a ⁇ PDA functional module dockable in the computer.
• Fig. 31A is an isometric drawing of a notebook computer framework 2011 according to the invention.
• Framework 2011 comprises a back housing 2013, a tilt-up flat panel display 2015, shown closed, a keyboard 2017, and a plurality of module bays for plugging in function modules.
• Back housing 2013 includes a power unit for converting electrical input on a wide variety of standards to the form required by the computer. For example, there is a port (not shown) for connecting to a standard household outlet, rated at 120 V., 60 Hz, alternating current. The power unit will convert the input to outputs as needed by the computer bus and functional modules. There are also input ports for 6 V. DC, 12 V. DC, 9 V. DC, and others, and the power unit in one embodiment of the present invention is capable of recognizing the input characteristics by sampling, and switching to proper on-board circuitry to utilize the input.
• Fig. 33 is an isometric view of a function module 2061 according to the invention aligned with module bay 2025 of framework 2011.
• Module 2061 includes guides 2063 and 2065 on opposite sides for engaging rails 2067 and 2069 when module 2061 is inserted into bay 2025.
• the module has two spring-loaded detent levers (lever 2073 is shown) for engaging detents in guide rails 2067 and 2069 when the module is fully inserted.
• Detent 2071 is shown in rail 2067 in Fig. 33.
• Each module bay has a compression spring mechanism engaged by a function module as the module nears full insertion, so there is an outward force on the module when the detent levers engage the detents.
• Mechanism 2075 (Fig. 32) is exemplary. To insert a module one aligns the guides in the module with the guide rails and pushes the module into the module bay until the detents engage.
• Button 2079 on front face 2077 of the module is for retracting the detent levers of the module, in which case the spring mechanism ejects the module, much as is the case with some floppy disk drives.
• the notebook computer framework of the present invention comprises a frame with module bays and connectors as described above for "plugging in” function modules, power supply units, and other peripheral devices.
• the framework also comprises display 2015, keyboard 2017, and an internal bus structure hereinafter termed the Notebus, which is described in additional detail below, in the section titled "Notebus Bus Structure”.
• the notebook computer of the invention comprises hard disk drive modules, and these modules are preferably provided without their own “on board” power source.
• the motor drive for the hard disk requires a different power (voltage and current) than does a CPU, for example, so there are parallel power lines of differing size and voltage level in the notebus.
• a typical Notebus will have, for example, a line for 24V DC, another for 12V DC, and yet another for 5V DC, as well as multiple ground lines.
• Notebus 2089 connects to a video display controller 2091 including Video Random Access Memory (VRAM) which both powers and controls display 2015, which in the preferred embodiment is a flat panel display driven by analog driver lines on analog bus 2093.
• VRAM Video Random Access Memory
• Notebus 2089 also connects to a keyboard controller 2095 which powers and controls keyboard 2017 over link 2097, accepting keystroke input and converting the input to digital data for transmission on Notebus 2089.
• the keyboard controller may be physically mounted in the keyboard or in framework 2011.
• Notebus 2089 also connects as illustrated in Fig. 35 to each of the module bays, such as bay 2019, through connectors, such as connector 2033.
• a function module such as module 2061
• the mating connector in the back of the function module mates with the connector from the Notebus, and circuitry inside the function module is then connected to the Notebus.
• the Notebus is a high-speed backplane bus for interconnecting processor, memory and peripheral device modules.
• the Notebus also supplies standard operating and standby power supply voltages and electrical ground to all module bays.
• a unique feature of the present invention is that the CPU for the notebook computer is provided as a CPU function module. This provides an ability for a user to tailor the CPU power to the other modules and application for the notebook computer, and an easy upgrade to more powerful CPUs.
• Fig. 36 is a diagram of a CPU module 2099 plugged into a bay in a notebook computer according to the present invention.
• the module is plugged into bay 2019 having connector 2033.
• This is exemplary, as the module could just as well be plugged into any open bay of framework 2011.
• internal elements of the CPU module are connected to Notebus 2089.
• RAM memory module 2113 comprises conventional RAM chips mounted on a PCB as is known in the art, and connectable to state translator 2105 by a plug or connector interface, such as an edge connector.
• a plug or connector interface such as an edge connector.
• the purpose of having a RAM module "on board" the CPU module is to provide for rapid memory access, which will be much slower if the RAM is made available in a separate module at one of the other module bays. Memory at another module bay is on the Notebus, and will be subject to bus contention and wait states.
• the plug-in nature of the RAM unit relative to the CPU module allows different amounts of memory to be provided with a CPU module in the notebook computer of the present invention.
• framework 2011, sans function modules has no power capability other than power plugged into one of input lines 2087, which may be converted to the power characteristics needed by the computer and distributed on the power lines of the Notebus.
• power is typically supplied by one (or more) power modules 2111 plugged into one or more of the module bays.
• a controller 2153 is needed to accomplish communication between the memory structure of the "flash card” and bus 089. Controller 2153 communicates with "flash card” unit 2151 over lines 2155 and with connector 2033 over lines 2157. There may optionally be an opening 2159 in case 2149 and a connector (not shown) within unit 2151 for inserting and withdrawing flash cards, so relatively large collections of data may be plugged in as desired. Alternatively the interface may be the modular interface afforded by the plug-in module 2147. Again, given the known characteristics of the flash card and of bus 2089, implementation of the controller is a matter within the skill of workers in the art.
• Fig. 45A is an isometric view of a modular palmtop computer 2221 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Computer 2221 is approximately the size of one-half a standard piece of paper (approximately 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches) and in a preferred embodiment comprises a planar array of four Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Type II module bays in a case 2223.
• case 2223 has a combination I/O area 2225 implemented on one side of computer 2221, comprising a display overlaid with a touch sensitive planar structure.
• the display may be a flat-panel display pivoted to the case, or a separate monitor in communication with case 2223.
• the touch screen provides a "softkey" operation in conjunction with interactive control logic.
• control logic resides in static or dynamic memory within case 2223 but may also be part of an installed PCMCIA-type peripheral.
• a power unit (not shown) is enclosed within case 2223 for converting electrical input on a wide variety of standards to the form required by the computer. For example, there is a port (not shown) for connecting to a standard household outlet, rated at 120 V., 60 Hz, alternating current.
• the power unit converts the input to outputs as needed by the computer bus and function modules.
• Fig. 45B is a view of computer 2221 in the direction of arrows 45B-45B of Fig. 45 A.
• I/O area 2225 is located on top of case 2223.
• Module bay 2227 has a set of guide slots 2230A and 2230B. The guide slots are to position and guide a PCMCIA module card inserted into the module bay.
• Each module bay in this embodiment is configured to PCMCIA dimensional and connective standards and secures the fitted PCMCIA cards according to those standards.
• case 2223 has bays configured to PCMCIA type 2, revision B standard.
• the case may have other types of PCMCIA module bays, or bays configured to one or another proprietary standard.
• Module bay 2227 engages function module 2240 in the full inserted position according to PCMCIA standards.
• detents may be provided similar to those in Fig. 33 for the larger notebook computer embodiment.
• Securing a module may also be accomplished by other means, such as clamping or wedging and/or closing retaining mechanisms.
• Function modules are provided in many models capable of a wide range of functions.
• computer 2221 in one embodiment has no onboard CPU or system memory.
• function modules that may be inserted in any one of the available module bays.
• Other kinds of function modules that may be inserted include I/O system modules that provide speech-based, pen-based or keyboard based input.
• I/O system modules that provide speech-based, pen-based or keyboard based input.
• Bus 2255 connects I/O area 2225 and transmits video signals from a video controller.
• the video controller may be integral to a function module, which is shown as video controller 2301 in a CPU function module 2300, or implemented in the case, shown as optional video controller 2301(a).
• I/O area 2225 is a combination display with an overlaid touch-sensitive screen.
• the I/O area may comprise an active-matrix display, in which case, dedicated analog driver lines from video controller 2301 connect to the display.
• I/O area 2225 may also comprise a conventional LCD display wherein I/O control logic is a function of an installed and dedicated I/O peripheral modules.
• video controller 2301 is built into case 2223 (Fig. 45 A), and connected directly to bus 2255, similar to the modular notebook computer described above.
• Bus 2255 connects to each of module bays 2222, 2224, 2226 and 2227 (Fig. 46) through connectors 2232, 2234, 2236 and 2231.
• a function module such as CPU module 2300
• female connector 2253 Fig. 18
• circuitry inside the CPU module is then connected to bus 2255.
• the disclosed PC interface may be used, or connections may be made directly, as will be apparent to those with skill in the art. Docking bays may still be used for adding levels of DSP capability in this option.
• the computer has a speaker (most do) and a microphone acting as the phone's handset, the keyboard is the input device for such as dialing, and a graphic interface may be provided for data and control management.
• the PBX might transmit digital and analog data.
• an analog line from the PBX might support older fax machines and other analog communication equipment that might be part of a user's system.
• the PC might also have an analog interface so, for instance, a document scanner can read data into the PC and the data can be transmitted to the Smart Phone.
• a PBX is not even needed.
• Smart Phone input could instead be through standard public telephone lines, for example, ISDN lines.
• the specialized, plug-in RS-485 interface in Fig. 5 could become a hardware standard for PCs. There are many deviations that all fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

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• 1995
  • 1995-12-28 JP JP51935296A patent/JP2001523403A/ja active Pending
  • 1995-12-28 EP EP95944737A patent/EP0800742A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1995-12-28 WO PCT/US1995/016981 patent/WO1996022652A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2002
  • 2002-06-12 JP JP2002171413A patent/JP3999056B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related

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