Texas Instruments Corporation

Thomas R Grimm

LaVaughn F Watts, Jr

Erik A Treszoks

Ronald L Smith

Mark A Rendon

Luther L Oliver

Jose I Rodriguez

Sam Vinson

Gary Joseph Verdun

Larry D Mitcham

Kevin D Davis

James E Altic

Hermon L Pope, Jr

Samuel L Vinson

Jose I Rodriquez

Donald J Arndt

Dan Dodson

Paily T Varghese

The present invention provides a solution to the dual problems of mobility and portability associated with using a portable telephone in combination with a portable computer. A portable computer () has an interface () that facilitates a direct connection to a portable telephone (). The interface () electrically connects the portable telephone () to the portable computer () thus eliminating the need for a cable or tethered connection between the portable computer () and a portable telephone (). In one embodiment of the invention, the portable telephone () is constructed to fit within a cavity () in the portable computer (). When fully inserted into the computer (), the portable telephone () is physically connected to the portable computer () by a latching mechanism and communicates with the portable computer by means of a computer/portable telephone interface (that electrically connects the portable telephone to the portable computer). In another embodiment of the invention, the portable telephone serves as the portable computer's modem and function while installed in the computer. Thus, the portable phone facilitates the transmission and reception of data between the portable computer and another computer connected to the telephone system. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the portable computer (and not the portable telephone), contains the modem that is utilized for telephonic data communications. In still another embodiment of the invention, a modem may be omitted altogether for data communications in a completely digital telephone network. An operator of the portable computer/portable telephone also has the option of using the portable telephone for voice transmission independently of the computer, or may enjoy hands free voice operation by using the portable computer's internal speaker and microphone.

Portable computer having an interface for direct connection to a mobile telephone

The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station having connection means for connecting a portable computer to the docking station, the docking station having an internal microprocessor. In preferred embodiments, the microprocessor of the docking station: performs processing to the portable computer and applications across a communications bus between the microprocessor and said portable computer; controls the means by which the portable computer is mechanically connected to the docking station; controls the means by which the portable computer is electrically connected to said docking station; controls the means by which the portable computer is mechanically and electrically connected to said docking station; controls the power to the portable computer, connects the portable computer to the docking station from a software point of view; ejects the portable computer to from the docking station from a software point of view; controls processing across the bus; controls the function of free form switches on the docking station; and controls itself under a first mode of operation and is under at least partial from a central processing unit in said portable computer under a second mode of operation.

Computer ducking station with internal microprocessor

The present invention provides a solution to the dual problems of mobility and portability associated with using a portable telephone in combination with a portable computer. A portable telephone (166) is constructed to fit within a cavity (210) in a portable computer (164). When fully inserted into the computer (166), the portable telephone (166) is physically connected to the portable computer (164) by a latching mechanism and communicates with the portable computer by means of a computer/portable telephone interface (172, 192, 204 that electrically connects the portable telephone to the portable computer. Physically and electrically connecting the portable telephone to the portable computer eliminates the need for a cable or tethered connection between a portable computer and a portable telephone. In one embodiment of the invention, the portable telephone serves as the portable computer's modem and function while installed in the computer. Thus, the portable phone facilitates the transmission and reception of data between the portable computer and another computer connected to the telephone system. In another embodiment of the invention, the portable computer (and not the portable telephone), contains the modem that is utilized for telephonic data communications. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a modem is omitted altogether for digital data communications. An operator of the portable computer/portable telephone also has the option of using the portable telephone for voice transmission independently of the computer, or may enjoy hands free voice operation by using the portable computer's internal speaker and microphone. The portable telephone operates on the computers internal battery/power system while installed in the portable computer and on it's own battery (charged while in the portable computer) when used independently of the portable computer.

Portable computer stored removable mobile telephone

An automatic docking station for a portable PC such as a Notebook PC is provided wherein the station includes a housing with external connectors to connect up to a full size monitor and full size keyboard as well as external connectors for connection to a modem and a mouse. The docking station further includes internal connectors coupled to these external connectors and tray for receiving the portable computer. The docking station includes a first drive motor to drive the tray into and out of the docking station so that some of the internal connectors engage and disengage with connectors on the end of a portable PC mounted on the tray. The movement of the tray causes an internal connector mounted on a first side of the docking station to cam into and out of engagement with a connector on a first side of a portable PC mounted on the tray. A second drive motor is provided to drive other internal connectors mounted on a second side of the docking station into and out of engagement with connectors on a second side of a portable PC mounted on the tray. Guide pins which are locked and unlocked in response to the guide pins being in mating holes in the portable PC are provided.

Automatic computer docking station having a motorized tray, cammed side

A chassis for a portable printer wherein the structural members of the chassis not only makes the chassis more rigid, but each serves a functional role.

Printer chassis

A portable printer including paper feed apparatus for utilizing sheet, roll or continuous form paper. The paper feed apparatus having pin feed drive members and friction rollers for feeding all three forms of paper. The printer also includes apparatus for selecting printing different character pitches to reduce the memory capacity required. A method is provided for operating the printer to obtain alignment of the paper feed drive motor prior to printing.

Portable printer

Portable computer

An electronic terminal is mechanically and electrically connected to an electronic printer module to form a portable electronic terminal/printer. The bottom housing of the terminal and an extended portion of the bottom housing of the printer module together form a dovetail type connection. The bottom housing of the terminal has a plurality of rails formed thereon and the extended portion of the bottom housing of the printer module has a plurality of channels formed therein for slidably receiving the rails, forming a dovetail type connection. One half of an electrical connector is mounted on the terminal and the other half of the electrical connector is mounted on the printer module in a position to couple when the mechanical dovetail connection is made. A latch mechanism, attached to the extended portion of the bottom housing of the printer secures the bottom housing of the printer and also the two halves of the electrical connector. When the latch mechanism is activated, the electrical connection is broken and the mechanical connection is disengaged.

Portable electronic data handling/data entry system

A printer has a detection mechanism for detecting the absence of paper and the end position of the printhead upon start-up and reset. The detection mechanism includes a detection lever arm that is spring loaded and operationally positioned in a normal state. An optical sensor made up of an LED and a photo transistor that receives light from the LED, has the lower end of the detection lever arm operationally positioned in the normal state, between the LED and the photo transistor. The upper end of the detection lever arm is urged against the paper, by the spring. The platen supporting the paper has a groove formed therein which, in the absence of paper, receives the upper end of the detection lever arm, causing the lower end to move from its normal position between the LED and the photo transistor, the optical sensor then indicating a paper-out condition. The carriage for supporting and moving the printhead has an activation arm that moves against the detection lever arm when the carriage moves to the leftmost position, thereby moving the lower end of the lever arm away from the normal state, the optical sensor then indicating a column one position.

Printer having paper-out and column zero detection mechanism

A non-impact printer has a movable printhead carriage for traversing a print medium and has a bracket, also serving as a heat sink, pivotally connected to the printhead carriage. A non-impact printhead is secured to the bracket and positioned to contact the print medium. A spring is positioned between the bracket and the printhead carriage to move the bracket and consequently the attached printhead into contact with the print medium. A printhead adjusting eccentric, causing relative motion between the printhead carriage and the bracket, enables vertical positioning of the printhead with respect to the print medium.

Growing community of inventors

Temple, TX, United States of America

Thomas R Grimm