US5608608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge-based design for portable and fixed computers
Assignee: Lenovo PC International Ltd
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Filing: 1996-04-17
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A computer system includes a chassis and a cartridge having separate functional components that interface with one another over a common bus. The chassis includes a plurality of user interface modules, which are generally designed and packaged according to a particular application/work mode, each coupled to a first bus. The cartridge, on the other hand, includes components that can be shared among the various applications/work modes. Specifically, the cartridge has a core processor and memory coupled to a second bus, and at least one slot for housing a communication module that is coupled to the second bus. In addition, the cartridge may be designed to be configured by the user to have a first form and a second form. The cartridge of the first form may be utilized for portable computer processing systems such as laptop, notebook and sub-notebook systems. The cartridge of the second form may be designed to be narrow enough to be utilized in smaller portable computer processing systems, such as hand-held systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Ephraim B. Flint
- 👤 John P. Karidis
- 👤 Gerard McVicker
- 👤 William E. Pence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said first, second, and third buses each comprise a plurality of buses; and wherein said plurality of buses of said first bus connects to said plurality of buses of said third bus through separate first connectors, and said plurality of buses of said second bus connects to said plurality of buses of said third bus through separate second connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said first, second, and third buses each comprise a plurality of buses; and wherein said plurality of buses of said first bus connects to said plurality of buses of said third bus through separate first connectors, and said plurality of buses of said second bus connects to said plurality of buses of said third bus through separate second connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form; and wherein said cartridge comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by at least one hinged connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form; and wherein said cartridge comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by at least one hinged connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form; and wherein said cartridge of said first form comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by a first connector, and said cartridge of said second form comprises said first portion connected to said second portion by a second connector different than said first connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form; and wherein said cartridge of said first form comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by a first connector, and said cartridge of said second form comprises said first portion connected to said second portion by a second connector different than said first connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge comprises at least one slot for housing a module that is coupled to said second bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus; a second chassis, different than said first chassis, having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge comprises at least one slot for housing a module that is coupled to said second bus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is an wireless communication module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is a modem.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is a wired local area network adapter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is a digital communication module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is an analog communication module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is a data storage device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 10, wherein said data storage device is a hard disk drive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said module is a data processing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 12, wherein said data processing device is a video interface adapter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 12, wherein said data processing device processes analog signals input to and/or output from the computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer system of claim 14, wherein said analog signals are voice signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said slot is a PCMCIA standard slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
138 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein one of said first chassis and said second chassis has an internal connector having a first portion in electrical contact with a first external peripheral device, a second portion in electrical contact with said second external peripheral device and a third portion in electrical contact with a third external peripheral device, said module being associated with one of said first, second and third external peripheral devices; and said computer system further comprises an adapter for coupling said module to said internal connector, said adapter having one of a first portion that connects to said first portion of said internal connector, a second portion that connects to said second portion of said internal connector, and a third portion that connects to said third portion of said third portion of said internal connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein one of said first chassis and said second chassis has an internal connector having a first portion in electrical contact with a first external peripheral device and a second portion in electrical contact with a second external peripheral device, said module being associated with one of said first external peripheral device and said second external peripheral device; and said computer system further comprises an adapter for coupling said module to said internal connector, said adapter having one of a first portion that connects to said first portion of said internal connector and a second portion that connects to said second portion of said internal connector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a PCMCIA device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a modem and said one of said first and second external peripheral devices is a telephone line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a wired local area network adapter and said one of said first and second external peripheral devices is a wired local-area network communication link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a wireless communication module and said one of said first and second peripheral devices comprises an antenna.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a data communication module and said one of said first and second peripheral devices is a data communication link.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 18, wherein said module is a video interface adapter and said one of said first and second peripheral devices is video link.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus, wherein said first chassis is optimized for use in a first mode; a second chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus, wherein said second chassis is optimized for use in a second mode different from said first mode; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus, wherein said first chassis is optimized for use in a first mode; a second chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus, wherein said second chassis is optimized for use in a second mode different from said first mode; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge can be configured by a user of said computer system to have a first form and a second form.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said first mode is a stationary mode and said second mode is a portable mode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said cartridge comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by at least one hinge and a cable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said cartridge comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by at least one hinged connector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said cartridge of said first form comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by a first connector, and said cartridge of said second form comprises said first portion connected to said second portion by a second connector different than said first connector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said first form has a predetermined width, length, and thickness, and said second form has a width approximately half the width of said first form and a thickness approximately twice the thickness of said first form.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 30, wherein said width of said second form is narrow enough to be readily grasped with one hand.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said first form has a predetermined width, length, and thickness, and said second form has a length approximately half the length of said first form and a thickness approximately twice the thickness of said first form.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 32, wherein said length of said second form is short enough to be readily grasped with one hand.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said cartridge comprises at least one slot for housing a module that is coupled to said second bus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is an wireless communication module.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is a modem.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is a wired local area network adapter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is a digital communication module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is an analog communication module.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is a data storage device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 40, wherein said data storage device is a hard disk drive.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said module is a data processing device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 42, wherein said data processing device is a video interface adapter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 42, wherein said data processing device processes analog signals input to and/or output from the computer system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer system of claim 44, wherein said analog signals are voice signals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 34, wherein said slot is a PCMCIA standard slot.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus, wherein said first chassis is optimized for use in a first mode; a second chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus, wherein said second chassis is optimized for use in a second mode different from said first mode; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge comprises at least one slot for housing a module that is coupled to said second bus.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer system comprising: a first chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a first bus, wherein said first chassis is optimized for use in a first mode; a second chassis having at least one user interface module coupled to a second bus, wherein said second chassis is optimized for use in a second mode different from said first mode; and a cartridge having a core processor and memory coupled to a third bus; wherein said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said first bus of said first chassis to form a first functional system, or said third bus of said cartridge is detachably connected to said second bus of said second chassis to form a second functional system; and wherein said cartridge comprises at least one slot for housing a module that is coupled to said second bus.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said first mode is a stationary mode and said second mode is a portable mode.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is an wireless communication module.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is a modem.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is a wired local area network adapter.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is a digital communication module.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is an analog communication module.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is a data storage device.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 54, wherein said data storage device is a hard disk drive.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said module is a data processing device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 56, wherein said data processing device is a video interface adapter.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 56, wherein said data processing device processes analog signals input to and/or output from the computer system.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer system of claim 58, wherein said analog signals are voice signals.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 47, wherein said slot is a PCMCIA standard slot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |