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US5774741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable computer having a port connector for communicating with a variety of optional extension modules
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus capable of supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising a port connector for connecting any of the optional extension modules; and a selector for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module. With the module supporting apparatus, a variety of optional extension modules can be connected to the computer by using the port connector. Besides basic functions, the portable computer can perform a variety of functions, such as a multi-media function, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Jae-Chun Choi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; and means provided in the portable computer, for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal with the control signal being received through a different pin in the port connector for each of the optional extension modules.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; and means provided in the portable computer, for receiving a control signal from the connected module through the port connector and enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal with the control signal being received through a different pin in the port connector for each of the optional extension modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises a plurality of bidirectional buffers, each of said directional buffers having a control terminal for receiving the control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprised of said receiving means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding to a different one of said optional extension modules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprised of said receiving means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding to a different one of said optional extension modules, and with said bidirectional buffers in any one of said groups being simultaneously enabled by said control signal on a corresponding said different pin to accommodate communication between the connected module and the portable computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprised of said receiving means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding to a different one of said optional extension modules, and with said bidirectional buffers in any one of said groups being simultaneously enabled by said control signal on a corresponding said different pin to accommodate communication between the connected module and the portable computer, while said bidirectional buffers in others of said groups being disable from accommodating said communication between the connected module and the portable computer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus of supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; means responsive to one of three or more voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module through the port connector, for generating a control signal; and means provided in the portable computer, for enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus of supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, for connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer; means responsive to one of three or more voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module through the port connector, for generating a control signal; and means provided in the portable computer, for enabling the portable computer to communicate with the connected module in response to the control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said enabling means comprises a plurality of bidirectional buffers, each of said directional buffers having a control terminal for receiving the control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said control signal generating means comprises a microcomputer for controlling the enabling means in response to the selection signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said microcomputer performs the steps of determining whether any of the extension modules is connected to the port connector in accordance with the selection signal; generating a disabling signal for disabling the computer to communicate with the optional extension modules when no extension module is connected to the port connector; determining voltage levels of the selection signal when any one of the extension modules is connected to the port connector; and generating a signal for enabling the computer to communicate with the connected module in accordance with the determined voltage level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprised of said enabling means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding with a different one of said optional extension modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprised of said enabling means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding with a different one of said optional extension modules, and with said bidirectional buffers in one of said groups being simultaneously enabled by said control signal to accommodate communication between the corresponding connected module and the portable computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprised of said enabling means comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers, with each of said groups corresponding with a different one of said optional extension modules, and with said bidirectional buffers in one of said groups being simultaneously enabled by said control signal to accommodate communication between the corresponding connected module and the portable computer, while said bidirectional buffers in others of said groups being disabled from accommodating said communication between the connected module and the portable computer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controlling an extension module supporting apparatus for a portable computer, comprising the steps of: determining whether any of optional extension modules is connected to a port connection provided in the portable computer; disabling the computer to communicate with the optional extension modules when no module is connected to the port connector; determining voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module when any one of the extension modules is connected to the port connector; and enabling the computer to communicate with the connected module in accordance with one of three or more voltage levels determined thus.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controlling an extension module supporting apparatus for a portable computer, comprising the steps of: determining whether any of optional extension modules is connected to a port connection provided in the portable computer; disabling the computer to communicate with the optional extension modules when no module is connected to the port connector; determining voltage levels of a selection signal from the connected module when any one of the extension modules is connected to the port connector; and enabling the computer to communicate with the connected module in accordance with one of three or more voltage levels determined thus.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving on a specific terminal a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers selectively accommodating communication between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in conformance with said recognition signal; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said unique characteristic.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving on a specific terminal a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers selectively accommodating communication between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in conformance with said recognition signal; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said unique characteristic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprised of said signal characteristic exhibiting a voltage magnitude unique to each type of said variety of optional extension modules.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 14, with said port connector comprising a plurality of functionally distinct terminals provided in the portable computer operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer, while said specific terminal comprises one terminal of a specific set of said plurality of functionally distinct terminals dedicated to receiving said recognition signal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector having a plurality of functionally distinct terminals provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving via one terminal of a specific set of said plurality of functionally distinct terminals a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; and a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers each, when selectively enabled in response to a corresponding said recognition signal, accommodating communication by transmission of data signals between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in response to said recognition signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for supporting a variety of optional extension modules for a portable computer, comprising: a port connector having a plurality of functionally distinct terminals provided in the portable computer, operationally connecting any of the optional extension modules to the portable computer while receiving via one terminal of a specific set of said plurality of functionally distinct terminals a recognition signal provided by each optional extension module connected to said port connector to exhibit a signal characteristic unique to the connected module; and a selector provided in the portable computer, comprising a plurality of groups of bidirectional buffers each, when selectively enabled in response to a corresponding said recognition signal, accommodating communication by transmission of data signals between the portable computer and the connected module via one of said groups enabled in response to said recognition signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprised of a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said unique characteristic.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of clam 17, further comprised of: said unique characteristic comprised of said recognition signal having a voltage varying in magnitude; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said magnitude.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of clam 17, further comprised of: said unique characteristic comprised of said recognition signal having a voltage varying in magnitude; and a controller provided in the portable computer responding to reception of said unique characteristic from said port connector by generating a control signal enabling said one of said groups in dependence upon said magnitude.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprised of said recognition signal being received through a different terminal of said specific set of said plurality of functionally distinct terminals for each of the optional extension modules.
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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) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |