US6144888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular system and architecture for device control
Assignee: Maya Design Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-10
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2017-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An architecture and electric system for controlling various devices is disclosed. The system uses modular, interchangeable components that can perform one or several tasks, such as interacting with a human user, controlling an external device, communicating and managing communications between several modules, storing and retrieving information, and acting as a master module. The modules are stackable and can interface with any other module.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Lucas
- 👤 Jeffrey Senn
- 👤 Joseph Ballay
- 👤 Noah Guyot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:44
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1462; H05K7/1465; G; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; H05K7/1475; H05K7/1478; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25322; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49169; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49893; Y10T29/49904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A modular system for controlling electronic devices comprising: at least two shells, each shell for holding an electronic device, wherein each shell comprises a first side and second side, the first side having a first shape and a first gender-specific connector and the second side having a second shape that is opposite the first shape and a gender-specific connector that is opposite that of the connector on the first side such that one shell can be mated and stacked on the other shell; mounting means for mounting the shells; and control means for controlling operations of the electronic devices and allowing communication between the electronic devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A modular system for controlling electronic devices comprising: at least two shells, each shell for holding an electronic device, wherein each shell comprises a first side and second side, the first side having a first shape and a first gender-specific connector and the second side having a second shape that is opposite the first shape and a gender-specific connector that is opposite that of the connector on the first side such that one shell can be mated and stacked on the other shell; mounting means for mounting the shells; and control means for controlling operations of the electronic devices and allowing communication between the electronic devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shapes are stepped configurations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the gender-specific connector on both the first side and the second side include a sub-connector for connecting required control signals between the electronic devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the gender-specific connector on both the first side and the second side include a sub-connector for connecting audio signals between the electronic devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the gender-specific connector on both the first side and the second side include a sub-connector for connecting video signals between the electronic devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the gender-specific connector on both the first side and the second side include a sub-connector for connecting undetermined signals between electronic devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for vertically mounting the shells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for horizontally mounting the shells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means includes means for mounting the shells to a rack, wherein the means includes a bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modular system according to claim 9, wherein the bracket is a pivot assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a master module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The modular system according to claim 11, wherein the master module includes a communications protocol and interface, a micro controller, input/outputs for a common data bus, for a control module bus, for an optional high speed bus, and for at least one special purpose bus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 12, wherein the communications protocol and interface is RS-232.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular system according to claim 12, wherein the communications protocol and interface is SCSI, USB, or Firewire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a control module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular system according to claim 15, wherein the control module includes a non-volatile program memory, a micro controller, and input/outputs for a common data bus and for a control module bus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 16, wherein the non-volatile program memory is a Flash memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular system according to claim 16, wherein the non-volatile program memory is a ROM or an EPROM.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes an I/O slave module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular system according to claim 19, wherein the I/O slave module includes a hardware interface circuit, a micro controller and an input/output for a common data bus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 20, wherein the hardware interface circuit is an opto isolator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 20, wherein the hardware interface circuit is a line driver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a memory module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular system according to claim 23, wherein the memory module includes a non-volatile storage, a micro controller, and input/outputs for a common data bus and for an optional high speed bus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 24, wherein the non-volatile storage is a Flash memory.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular system according to claim 24, wherein the non-volatile storage is a ROM or an EPROM.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 24, wherein the non-volatile storage is a a disk drive.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a human interface module.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular system according to claim 28, wherein the human interface module includes a micro controller and an input/output for a common data bus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular system according to claim 29, wherein the human interface module includes external controls connected to the human interface module by a wire.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular system according to claim 29, wherein the human interface module includes external controls connected to the human interface module by a wireless link.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a video module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes an audio module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
138 words
A modular system for controlling electronic devices comprising: at least two shells, each shell for holding an electronic device, wherein each shell comprises a first side and second side, the first side having a first shape and the second side having a second shape that is opposite the first shape such that one shell can be mated and stacked on the other shell, the second side having a gender-specific connector that is opposite that of the connector on the electronic devices; mounting means for mounting the shells; and control means for controlling operations of electronic devices and allowing communication between the electronic devices, wherein the control means includes a master module and one at least one of an I/O slave module, a control module, a memory module, a human interface module, a video module or an audio module.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
138 words
A modular system for controlling electronic devices comprising: at least two shells, each shell for holding an electronic device, wherein each shell comprises a first side and second side, the first side having a first shape and the second side having a second shape that is opposite the first shape such that one shell can be mated and stacked on the other shell, the second side having a gender-specific connector that is opposite that of the connector on the electronic devices; mounting means for mounting the shells; and control means for controlling operations of electronic devices and allowing communication between the electronic devices, wherein the control means includes a master module and one at least one of an I/O slave module, a control module, a memory module, a human interface module, a video module or an audio module.
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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) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |