US5708840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro personal digital assistant
Assignee: INPRO II LICENSING SARL
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Filing: 1996-03-04
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Granted: 1998-01-13
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Expires: 2016-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A personal digital assistant module with a local CPU, memory, and I/O interface has a host interface comprising a bus connected to the local CPU and a connector at a surface of the personal digital assistant for interfacing to a bus connector of a host general-purpose computer, providing direct bus communication between the personal digital assistant and the host general-purpose computer. In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant also has a means for storing a security code. The personal digital assistant according to the invention forms a host/satellite combination with a host computer having a docking bay, wherein upon docking a docking protocol controls access by the host to memory of the personal digital assistant based on one or more passwords provided by a user to the host. In another embodiment the personal digital assistant also has an expansion port connected to the local CPU, and expansion peripheral devices may be connected and operated through the expansion port. Also disclosed are various embodiments for host systems compatible with personal digital assistants according to the invention, and a scanner system useful with displays of both personal digital assistants and hosts.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Kikinis
- 👤 Pascal Dornier
- 👤 William J. Seiler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:07
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0256; H05K5/026; H05K5/0265; H05K5/0273; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/20; G06F1/203; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/409; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00241; H04N1/00326; H04N1/00328; H04N1/00331; H04N1/00334; H04N1/00339; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00352; H04N1/00392; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00408; H04N1/00411; H01; H01H; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/052; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; 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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A scanning and image capturing system, comprising: a digital assistant module having a CPU for managing functions of the digital assistant module, a combination touchscreen/display apparatus, and a host interface system including a host interface bus connected to the CPU and to a first portion of a host interface connector; and a host computer having a host video display including a display surface for illuminating pixel elements, video adapter circuitry, a photosensitive film overlying a portion of the display surface, apparatus for communicating signals generated by the photosensitive film to the host computer, and a module bay within the structure of the host computer adapted to dock the digital assistant by connecting to the host interface connector; wherein the host computer is adapted for scanning the display surface by illuminating selected pixel locations through the video adapter circuitry, for recording a raster file based on signals generated by the photosensitive film in response to the scanning, and for downloading the resulting raster file to the digital assistant module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A scanning and image capturing system, comprising: a digital assistant module having a CPU for managing functions of the digital assistant module, a combination touchscreen/display apparatus, and a host interface system including a host interface bus connected to the CPU and to a first portion of a host interface connector; and a host computer having a host video display including a display surface for illuminating pixel elements, video adapter circuitry, a photosensitive film overlying a portion of the display surface, apparatus for communicating signals generated by the photosensitive film to the host computer, and a module bay within the structure of the host computer adapted to dock the digital assistant by connecting to the host interface connector; wherein the host computer is adapted for scanning the display surface by illuminating selected pixel locations through the video adapter circuitry, for recording a raster file based on signals generated by the photosensitive film in response to the scanning, and for downloading the resulting raster file to the digital assistant module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 further comprising mounting apparatus for mounting a hard copy document adjacent the host video display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive film comprises a layer of substantially transparent material integral with the front surface of the host video display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive film is a part of a separate and removable panel configured for mounting adjacent to the display surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host video display comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host video display comprises an LED display matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host video display comprises an array of electroluminescent cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer is a photovoltaic film, and the signals generated as a result of incident light comprise variations in voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the raster file is stored in a host memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the raster file is stored in the memory of the digital assistant module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the personal digital assistant module and the docking bay are implemented according to a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association standard type I, II, or three.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host computer is a desktop computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host computer is a portable laptop computer having a display hinged to a case enclosing computer circuitry and elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scanning and image capturing system as in claim 1 wherein the host computer is a palmtop computer.
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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) | 2001-01-12 | 2001-07-14 | 2002-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-12 | 2005-07-14 | 2006-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-12 | 2009-07-14 | 2010-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |