초록 ▼

A miniature digital assistant module with a local CPU, a memory, and a touchscreen I/O interface in a preferred embodiment, has a host interface comprising a full-service parallel bus, including data lines, address lines, read/write signals, and at least one memory control signal, connected to the l

A miniature digital assistant module with a local CPU, a memory, and a touchscreen I/O interface in a preferred embodiment, has a host interface comprising a full-service parallel bus, including data lines, address lines, read/write signals, and at least one memory control signal, connected to the local CPU and also to a connector at a surface of the personal digital assistant. The full-service bus connection provides direct bus communication between the personal digital assistant and a host computer. In a preferred embodiment, the miniature digital assistant also stores a security code, which the host can recognize. The miniature digital assistant forms a host/satellite combination with the host computer, which has a docking bay. When the miniature digital assistant is docked, a docking control routine 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 an alternative 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, even while the miniature digital assistant is docked.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A digital assistant module, comprising:an enclosure for enclosing and supporting internal elements;a local CPU within the enclosure for managing functions of the digital assistant module;a local memory connected to the local CPU for storing data and executable routines;a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A digital assistant module, comprising:an enclosure for enclosing and supporting internal elements;a local CPU within the enclosure for managing functions of the digital assistant module;a local memory connected to the local CPU for storing data and executable routines;a power supply within the enclosure connected to functional elements of the digital assistant module;a touchscreen combination input/display operable by the local CPU and implemented on a surface of the enclosure;a host interface comprising a host interface bus having address lines, data lines, and control signal lines, control signals including read/write and at least one memory control signal, the host interface bus connected to the local CPU and to a first portion of a host interface connector at a surface of the enclosure the host interface for connecting the local CPU to a compatible bus structure of a host computer having a host CPU and a host memory;wherein, upon connection to a compatible host computer through the host interface bus, digital communication occurs between the host computer and the digital assistant module.