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US5999952A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Core computer unit

Assignee: RPX Corp
•
Filing: 1998-01-20
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2018-01-20
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Abstract

Abstract This invention provides a core computer unit that contains all of the components of a conventional computer however will not function unless it is positioned in an enclosure. The enclosure dictates the computer function, the core unit supplies the computer components. The core unit remains dormant and non-functional until it is positioned in a compatible enclosure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael D. Jenkins
  • 👤 John F. Moynahan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/183

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 274 words
A core computer unit comprising in combination a completely enclosed housing, internal core components in said housing, and an external core connector, said internal core components comprising, except for a display, all of the components of a conventional computer, including internal non-volatile mass storage means, all in electrical connection with said external core connector, said core computer unit having power connection means via said external core connector for electrical connection to an enclosure, without attachment to said enclosure said core computer unit is dormant and non-functional as a computer, said core computer unit not originally a component of a computer but a free standing unit originally not part of a computer, with said electrical connection said core computer unit supplying any desired computer function dictated by a plurality of different enclosures, said core devoid of any peripheral ports but having means to cooperate with said enclosure to supply a computer function to peripherals which are only in direct communication with said enclosure, said core computer unit having means to retain stored information even when separated from said enclosure, said stored information usable in said core computer unit with said plurality of different enclosures, said external core connectors having means adapted to cooperate with a connector in said enclosure to provide said electrical connection between said core computer unit and said enclosure, and wherein all of said internal core components in said core housing are completely enclosed therein and may not be removed, said core computer unit having means to be used interchangeably with a plurality of different type and structured enclosures and not being a removable or replacement portion or component of a computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 274 words
A core computer unit comprising in combination a completely enclosed housing, internal core components in said housing, and an external core connector, said internal core components comprising, except for a display, all of the components of a conventional computer, including internal non-volatile mass storage means, all in electrical connection with said external core connector, said core computer unit having power connection means via said external core connector for electrical connection to an enclosure, without attachment to said enclosure said core computer unit is dormant and non-functional as a computer, said core computer unit not originally a component of a computer but a free standing unit originally not part of a computer, with said electrical connection said core computer unit supplying any desired computer function dictated by a plurality of different enclosures, said core devoid of any peripheral ports but having means to cooperate with said enclosure to supply a computer function to peripherals which are only in direct communication with said enclosure, said core computer unit having means to retain stored information even when separated from said enclosure, said stored information usable in said core computer unit with said plurality of different enclosures, said external core connectors having means adapted to cooperate with a connector in said enclosure to provide said electrical connection between said core computer unit and said enclosure, and wherein all of said internal core components in said core housing are completely enclosed therein and may not be removed, said core computer unit having means to be used interchangeably with a plurality of different type and structured enclosures and not being a removable or replacement portion or component of a computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 55 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said unit has means via said enclosure to communicate with a function selected from the group consisting of a U.S.B., communication serial ports, floppy discs, video graphic adapters, P.C.I. Bus, head mounted displays, audio input/output means, power means, IRDA means, PCMCIA cards, activation means and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said unit has means via said enclosure to communicate with PCMCIA cards connected to said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said unit has means via said enclosure to communicate with and function off an activation means selected from the group consisting of mouse activation, keyboard, audio activation, eye tracking activation means, pen activation means, electroencephalography activation means and mixture thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said unit has means for communicating with ports located in said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said core computer unit has means when connected to said enclosure to provide built-in capacity to interface with external sources of data and information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 40 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said core housing permanently encloses a processor, memory means, internal storage means, activation means, video display controller means, input/output controller means, and means for communication with outside sources of data and information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 60 words
The core computer unit of claim 1 wherein said power connection means comprises a connector in electrical connection to all of said internal core components and having means for only mating with a compatible connector means for said enclosure, each of said power connection means and connector means for said enclosure being specifically structured to only function with each other.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5384686A Cited
US5264992A Cited
US5305244A Cited
US5305244B1 Cited
US5305244B2 Cited
US5708840A Cited
US5313596A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-12-06 2003-06-07 2003-12-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-12-06 2007-06-07 2007-12-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-12-06 2011-06-07 2011-12-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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