Patent US5691926A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5691926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated test tools for portable computer
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-20
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Granted: 1997-11-25
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Expires: 2014-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing test tools at a remote location with a portable computer is disclosed. The system includes a peripheral interface coupled to the computer for communicating data between the computer and a unit under test. The test tool is implemented on a printed circuit card that, preferably, conforms to the dimensions and specifications of the card categories for the Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association (PCMCIA) standard. The test tool receives and transmits signals to and from the unit under test so that an application program executing within said computer may display, analyze, or otherwise use the data received from the test tool which is controlled by the program. The test tool includes a tuple to identify the functionality of the tool. A card service interpreter within the computer communicates with the tool in accordance with the tuple information identifying the test tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Kim B. Cannon
- 👤 Michael R. Hilley
- 👤 B. Russell Bryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, said test tool further including a signal interface for conditioning signals received from said unit under test so that said conditional signals may be transmitted to said portable computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, said test tool further including a signal interface for conditioning signals received from said unit under test so that said conditional signals may be transmitted to said portable computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
241 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool; a plurality of PCMCIA cards, each of said plurality of PCMCIA cards having a test tool included thereon, said test tool identifier for each of said test tools identifying a functionality different from said other test tools; and said tool interpreter being a card service module which further includes a plurality of socket service modules, said card service module enabling one of said socket service modules in response to identification of said functionality for one of said test tools so that said card service module communicates commands and data corresponding with said identified functionality of said test tool through said interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
241 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool; a plurality of PCMCIA cards, each of said plurality of PCMCIA cards having a test tool included thereon, said test tool identifier for each of said test tools identifying a functionality different from said other test tools; and said tool interpreter being a card service module which further includes a plurality of socket service modules, said card service module enabling one of said socket service modules in response to identification of said functionality for one of said test tools so that said card service module communicates commands and data corresponding with said identified functionality of said test tool through said interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said socket service module enabled for one of said test tools communicates data to an application program for display of said data on said portable computer display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said interface includes a connector and each of said test tools mate with said connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said data display corresponds to said functionality identified for said one of said test tools.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising: a second PCMCIA slot having a second peripheral interface; and first and second test tools being coupled to said first and second interfaces so that said card service module enables first and second socket service modules corresponding to said functionality identified for each of said test tools.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 6 wherein each of said first and second socket service modules communicate data to said application program for display of said data on said portable computer display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said data for one test tool is displayed on said portable computer display in juxtaposition to said data displayed for said second test tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, said portable computer further comprising a keyboard for receiving tool commands from a user, said tool commands being transmitted to one of said test tools communicating through said interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
170 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, said portable computer further comprising a keyboard for receiving tool commands from a user, said tool commands being transmitted to one of said test tools communicating through said interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
217 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a test tool for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test, said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool; a plurality of test tools, said test tool identifier for each of said test tools identifying a functionality different from said other test tools; and said tool interpreter being a card service module which further includes a plurality of socket service modules in response to identification of said functionality for one of said test tools so that said card service module communicates commands and data corresponding with said identified functionality of said test tool through said interface, wherein said test tools include a voltmeter, a waveform synthesizer, a A/D converter, a D/A converter, a frequency counter, a spectrum analyzer, a logic analyzer, an oscilloscope, and a spectrum generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
217 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a test tool for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test, said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool; a plurality of test tools, said test tool identifier for each of said test tools identifying a functionality different from said other test tools; and said tool interpreter being a card service module which further includes a plurality of socket service modules in response to identification of said functionality for one of said test tools so that said card service module communicates commands and data corresponding with said identified functionality of said test tool through said interface, wherein said test tools include a voltmeter, a waveform synthesizer, a A/D converter, a D/A converter, a frequency counter, a spectrum analyzer, a logic analyzer, an oscilloscope, and a spectrum generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, wherein said test tool identifier is included within a tuple stored on said test tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
A portable test tool system for field maintenance comprising: a portable computer having a display; a PCMCIA slot having a peripheral interface coupled to said portable computer for communicating data between said portable computer and a unit under test; a PCMCIA card which is receivable into said PCMCIA slot, said PCMCIA card having a test tool included thereon for receiving and transmitting signals between said test tool and said unit under test when said PCMCIA card is received into said PCMCIA slot, and said test tool including a test tool identifier for identifying a functionality for said test tool to said portable computer through said peripheral interface; and a tool interpreter for communicating with said test tool in accordance with said test tool identifier so that said portable computer may control said test tool and receive data from said test tool, wherein said test tool identifier is included within a tuple stored on said test tool.
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) | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-26 | 2001-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-05-26 | 2005-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-24 | 2009-05-26 | 2009-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |