Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-03-13
Chaki, Kakali (Department: 2762)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C710S120000, C375S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202209
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a personal information device, e.g., an electronic organizer, and method for downloading reprogramming data from a computer to the personal information device and, more particularly, to a micro-sized device in the form of a PCMCIA card that receives from a computer reprogramming data that is utilized to reprogram the flash memory of the personal information device. The invention also relates to a personal information device in combination with a docking station for coupling the personal information device to a computer's serial port and for converting the baud rate of signals supplied thereto so as to allow a personal information device and a computer communicating at different baud rates to communicate with one another. The present invention further relates to a wallet for a personal information device and, more particularly, to a wallet having a touchpad and, optionally, a PCMCIA connector therein for use in combination with a personal information device.
Recently, there has been a trend to develop and utilize compact and pocket-size electronic devices, such as compact computers (notebook computers), compact electronic personal organizers, compact electronic dictionaries, compact electronic encyclopedias, and so on. As such devices become smaller in size, various problems result, including a reduction in the ease of their operation due to, for example, reduced-sized keys, reduced-sized displays and/or reduced number of keys thereon.
Recent developments have attempted to overcome this problem as well as other problems that are inherent in compact and pocket-sized electronic devices. For example, many compact electronic personal organizers are now equipped to communicate with a personal computer, wherein a user enters various data, e.g., telephone numbers, appointments, etc., into the computer which then transmits or downloads that entered data to the compact electronic personal organizer for storage therein. This technique provides two advantages over previous devices. Data is more easily entered with a full sized keyboard than with a reduced-size keypad. Data is entered only once to utilize organizer programs running on both the personal computer and the compact electronic personal organizer.
While the above-mentioned and other developments have produced more user friendly, easier to use and more sophisticated compact organizers, there still is a need for a personal information device, e.g., an electronic personal organizer, that is yet smaller in size than existing devices and easier to use, and which is designed to allow for easier development of software-driven features therein. There also is a need to provide accessories for use with these personal information devices that make such devices even easier to use.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a micro-sized personal information device which overcomes the short comings of existing devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal information device that is operable to easily and safely receive data downloaded from a computer attached thereto.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a personal information device that is capable of being coupled to a computer via the computer's PCMCIA port.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a personal information device that is easily reprogrammed to provide additional or different features, e.g., organizer features, to a user.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of downloading reprogramming data from a computer to the personal information device.
Still an additional object of this invention is to provide a docking station that allows a personal information device and a computer communicating at different baud rates to communicate with one another.
Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a personal information device includes a housing in the form of a PCMCIA card, a PCMCIA I/O port at one end of the housing and that is adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer, a first memory coupled to the PCMCIA I/O port and that is directly accessible by the computer via the PCMCIA I/O port when the PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device is coupled to the computer and a second memory that is not directly accessible to the computer, and a controller. When the computer is coupled to the PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device, the first memory is adapted to receive and store therein reprogramming data, which includes application code and reprogramming code, that is supplied from the computer. Thereafter, the controller transfers to the second memory the reprogramming code stored in the first memory and executes the reprogramming code stored in the second memory. In addition, a third memory with the device may be programmed utilizing the application code in accordance with the executed reprogramming code.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for downloading reprogramming data from a computer to a personal information device in the form of a PCMCIA card is provided by directly accessing a first memory of the personal information device by the computer via a PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device when the PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device is coupled to a PCMCIA port of the computer, storing reprogramming data supplied from the computer in the first memory, the reprogramming data including application code and reprogramming code, transferring to a second memory of the personal information device the reprogramming code stored in the first memory, executing the reprogramming code stored in the second memory, and programming a third memory of the personal information device utilizing the application code in accordance with the executed reprogramming code.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a personal information device has a housing in the form of a PCMCIA card, a PCMCIA I/O port at one end of the housing that is adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer, an input device including an edit button within the housing that is accessible by a user for receiving user-supplied information, a memory that receives and stores therein application code and user-supplied information, a flat panel display that displays information to the user, and a controller that operates to execute the application code stored in the memory, to control the flat panel display, and to receive the user-supplied information received by the input device. The controller, when executing the application code, allows the user to enter an edit mode by depressing the edit button, at which time, the user can edit previous user-supplied information stored in the memory.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, a docking station and corresponding method are provided for coupling and providing for data communication between a personal information device communicating at a first baud rate and a computer communicating at a second baud rate different from the first baud rate. The docking station includes a PCMCIA port adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device, a serial connector adapted to be coupled to an I/O port of the computer, and a controller coupled to the PCMCIA port and the serial connector and operable to supply and receive data to and from the personal information device and the computer via the PCMCIA port and the serial connector. When serial data is to be supplied from the computer to the personal information device, the controller receives a plurality of framed bytes supplied by the computer wherein each bit of each framed byte is received at a respective instruction cycle of
Bartholomew Paul R.
Todorovich Mark M.
Chaki Kakali
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Xircom, Inc.
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