Palmtop computer expansion using shared memory access

Abstract

A palmtop computer utilizes SD memory modules or other types of memory modules to provide expansion memory. The expansion memory module plugs in to the palmtop computer via an external slot or compartment that is easily accessed by the user. This provides additional memory to the palmtop computer. To facilitate use of expansion devices such as sled or cradle based devices, a connector is provided on the palmtop computer that not only includes conventional power, ground and serial communication terminals, but also provides direct access to the memory module for use by the expansion device. This provides the advantage that the sled or cradle based device can directly access the palmtop computer's memory without using the palmtop computer's processing resources.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of expansion mechanisms for a palmtop computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism for sharing memory access with an accessory such as a palmtop sled based accessory.BACKGROUND[0002]As the components required to build a computer system have reduced in size, new categories of computer systems have emerged. One of the new categories of computer systems is the “palmtop” computer system. A palmtop computer system is a computer that is small enough to be held in the hand of a user and can be “palm-sized.” Most palmtop computer systems are used to implement various Personal Information Management (PIM) applications such as an address book, a daily organizer and electronic notepads, to name a few.[0003]While these palm sized computers (“palmtop” computers) have dramatically reduced size when compared to a desktop or notebook computer, the user would like to be able to perform many of the sam...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a palmtop computer utilizes SD memory modules or other types of memory modules to provide expansion memory. The expansion memory module plugs in to the palmtop computer via an external slot or compartment that is easily accessed by the user. This provides additional memory to the palmtop computer. To facilitate use of expansion devices such as sled or cradle based devices, a connector is provided on the palmtop computer that not only includes conventional power, ground and serial communication terminals, but also provides direct access to the memory module for use by the expansion device. This provides the advantage that the sled or cradle based device can directly access the palmtop computer's memory without using the palmtop computer's processing resources.

Problems solved by technology

Such functions often require substantial amounts of memory and / or circuitry that is not generally incorporated within a palmtop computer.

Unfortunately, such devices are taxing on the processing power of a palmtop computer if the music is stored either on the palmtop computer itself or on a storage device associated with the palmtop computer.

This is cumbersome and taxing on battery life and processing power of the palmtop computer.

Unfortunately, the above listed drawbacks may be prohibitive in implementing such an arrangement.

Thus, the cost of such sled accessories may suffer by needing to supply an additional connector to support its own memory for storing data (e.g. MP3 music) or personality programs.

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