US5331509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular notebook computer having a planar array of module bays and a pivotally attached flat-panel display
Assignee: PDACO Ltd
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Filing: 1993-11-18
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2013-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A modular notebook computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Kikinis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03541; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/409; G06F3/03543; G06F3/03545; G06F3/03549; H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/066; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00241; H04N1/00326; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00352; H04N1/00392; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0256; H05K5/026; H05K5/0265; H05K5/0273; H05K5/0286; H05K5/0291; H01; H01H; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/052; H04M1/00; H04M1/247; H04M1/2473; H04M1/72; H04M1/725; H04M3/42323; H04N1/00519; H04N1/00538; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/107; H04N1/19; H04N1/195; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0034; H04N2201/0048; H04N2201/0049; H04N2201/0051; H04N2201/0053; H04N2201/0063; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0093; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13003; H04Q2213/13034; H04Q2213/1308; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13096; H04Q2213/13098; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13107; H04Q2213/13174; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/13179; H04Q2213/13199; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13299; H04Q2213/13322; H04Q2213/13389; H04Q2213/13396
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A modular computer comprising: a flat, rectangular case; a plurality of module bays arranged in a common plane and opening to one or more edges of the case, the module bays for receiving and docking functional modules; a multi-pin electrical connector at the inboard end of each module bay, for engaging a mating electrical connector on a docked functional module; a communication bus connecting to each multi-pin electrical connector in each module bay; a flat-panel display pivotally attached to the case of the modular computer; and input apparatus for providing user input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A modular computer comprising: a flat, rectangular case; a plurality of module bays arranged in a common plane and opening to one or more edges of the case, the module bays for receiving and docking functional modules; a multi-pin electrical connector at the inboard end of each module bay, for engaging a mating electrical connector on a docked functional module; a communication bus connecting to each multi-pin electrical connector in each module bay; a flat-panel display pivotally attached to the case of the modular computer; and input apparatus for providing user input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the flat-panel display is pivotally attached to the case of the modular computer, positionable substantially in the plane of the case for storage and transport, and positionable at an angle to the case for viewing in operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the input apparatus is a physical keyboard with separately operable keys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the communication bus is a compressed bus for multiplexing data and addresses on a common set of parallel conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the input apparatus is a keyboard, the display is a flat panel display pivotally attached to the case, and the display is closable over the keyboard for storage and transport.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 additionally comprising a power-conversion means for accepting electrical power from one or more of function modules and a power plug, altering the voltage level of the accepted electrical power, and providing the altered voltage to the multi-pin electrical connectors in the module bays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 wherein the module bays open to two opposite edges of the case, and the communication bus is implemented in a central spine between the inboard ends of opposite module bays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising a CPU function module configured to dock in one of the module bays, the CPU function module having a CPU microprocessor and a state translator for managing communication between the CPU microprocessor and the communication bus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 comprising a power module configured to dock in one of the module bays, the power module having an electrical power storage unit connected to a mating electrical connector configured to mate with the multi-pin electrical connectors in the module bays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A modular computer as in claim 1 further comprising an I/O function module for performing an I/O function for the modular computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a floppy disk drive module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a hard disk drive module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a RAM memory module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a LAN module for providing communication between the modular computer and other digital systems on a local area network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a modem module for providing serial communication between the modular computer and other digital systems.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a facsimile module for providing facsimile communication over a telephone line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A modular computer as in claim 10 wherein the I/O function module is a specialty module for data acquisition from an instrument, the function module configured to transfer commands to the instrument over a communication link and to receive data from the instrument.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |