Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02750668 2011-08-26
industry Industri 9 AlPe9~u,
Canada Canada
2011/08/26
241- 11
CPO OPiC E001261780
Patent Application of
John Archie Gillis
For
TITLE: Modular Computer Units
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to modular computer components and systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-PRIOR ART
The present invention relates to modular computer components and systems. Most
computer units include a visual display that is based on LED or LCD
technology. Many
are all-in-one units, such as the iMac, iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry,
Samsung
Galaxy Tab, BlackBerry PlayBook, Cisco Cius HP Slate 500, Toshiba Libretto,
ViewSonic ViewPad 100, ASUS Eee Pad, Lenovo IdeaPad UlHybrid, Archos 10.1,
Toshiba Folio 100, LG Android tablet, MSI WindPad 100, Notion Ink Adam, NEC
LifeTouch, ExoPC Slate, Motion J3500, Viliv X70 EX, Nefonie WeTab, Augen
Gentouch78, etc.
Other such devices are made up of separate and changeable components. In rarer
instances the computerized units do not have a visual display and focus on
audio output,
such as a musical instrument effects pedal.
Computer units with there integrated displays are often set up for screen
sharing through
networking or attaching the display units together via a cable. One of the
problems with
this method of screen sharing is that current computer screens have large
edges. Due to
these large edges, it is more common that shared or multiple displays shows
different
content or tile the content, so that all the monitor displays are the same. If
more than one
monitor is used to display one picture over numerous displays, the monitor
edges greatly
interrupt the visually displayed content as current display units have a
border around the
screen portion, which creates gaps in the pictures when set up beside each
other. We see
this when a number of computer display units are set up beside each other. It
has been
determined by the present inventor that there is a need in the art for a
display unit that can
easily be attached to another display unit and provide a picture very close to
the edge of
the display screen so that interruption by material that does not display
content is very
minimally, or non existant.
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Another problem is that even though these computer units and there integrated
displays
can be set up beside each other in a number of different ways, they generally
require an
external means of attachment. An example of one of these systems is the
Foldable
System for Supporting Multiple Computer Monitors found in US 2010/0116961.
These
types of systems are unfortunately not integrated into the display units and
are sold as
separate components to the display screen.
It has been determined that there is a need in the art for a display unit that
can quickly
and easily attach or assist with the attachment of one computer display unit
with one or
more other computer display units. It has been determined that in the
preferred
embodiment of the present invention that the method for attachment of the one
or more
display units be integrated into the units themselves.
Another drawback of the current computer display systems is that a cable is
often
required to attach one visual display unit to another. Thus if someone wants
to try and
place more than one display unit together to watch content on multiple
displays, the
cables get in the way or are an extra annoyance. A great example of this is
the MacBook
Pro. If I wanted to watch content on two separate screens of a set of MacBook
Pros, the
cable for connecting the two devices would be very troublesome and get in the
way of the
picture on Computer 1 being as close as possible to the display of picture 2.
Some existing computer display units display content pretty close to their
edges and there
is currently rumors on the Internet that the iPhone 5 will incorporate an edge
to edge
display however none of these units are capable of attaching themselves to
another unit of
a similar nature for modular screen creation and none of these units are set
up to
magnetically attach to each other for screen sharing. They are designed to be
stand-a-
lone devices rather than a component of a larger modular system.
An interesting device described in United States Patent 7,311,526 to Rohrbach,
et al.
December 25, 2007 describes a magnetic connector for an electronic device.
An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain
contact are
disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for
connecting
an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug
includes
electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts
on the
receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic
element
on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably
a
permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The
magnetic
element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed
of
ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into
proximity, the
magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another
magnet or a
ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive
relationship.
This device is great for preventing accidental damage to a power cable and
computing
device and provides a successful means for supplying a single computerized
unit with
power and data, but this type of cable is not used for connecting two display
units
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together magnetically. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention
this type of
technology is directly integrated into computerized units, such as iPads, both
for
attachment purposes and/or for electrical signal transfer that does not
require the use of
an external cable unless desired.
In computer hardware, a port serves as an interface between the computer and
other
computers or peripheral devices. Physically, a port is a specialized outlet on
a piece of
equipment to which a plug or cable connects. Electronically, the several
conductors
making up the outlet provide a signal transfer between devices. The
requirements for
cables to be used on computer display units have made it impossible to design
a practical
modular display system that provides uninterrupted content and that can
quickly and
easily be assembled in a very short period of time.
The United States Patent Application titled "Magnetic Connector with Optical
Signal
Path", to John C. Di Fonzo, Chris Ligtenberg and Michael Culbert, describes
circuits,
apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both
power and
data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection.
This
invention will reduce the number of cables required for running a computer
system in
many instances, however it does not address any methods for joining one or
more
computer units together or a means for supplying more than one unit with power
and data
tranfer.
Mobile computing devices have recently become popular for their portability,
and as
replacements for traditional computers, such as desktops. Many existing
computing
devices require numerous connections to the device; one for power and one for
data
transmission. These two connections generally require the use of cables that
can be
frustrating and quickly become unpleasant when the user trips or becomes
entangled with
one of these cables and accidentially pulls the laptop or device to the
ground.
Patent number US 7,841,776 B2 to DiFonzo et al. describes circuits, apparatus,
and
methods that provide a power and data transfer system that can supply both
power and
data to a laptop or other mobile computing device using a single connection.
Again this
patent application does not address any methods for joining one or more
computer units
together for display sharing or a means for supplying more than one unit with
power and
data transfer. This method is limited due to the fact that it can supply power
and data
transfer to only one device at any given time.
SUMMARY
The present invention describes a method of creating a modular computer.
Described is
a method of attaching a plurality of computerized units with integrated visual
displays
that display content very close to the device edge, is designed for modularity
and attached
by magnetism. The computerized units incorporate at least one magnetic
component for
attaching to at least one other magnetic component on each additional unit.
The invention also provides a connector system that can transfer power and
data to and
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from the computerized units. The units do not require cables to interact,
however a cable
is used for charging the units or if modularity is not desired.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 - This figure shows a single modular unit wherein two edges of the
device are
capable of displaying content near the edge of the device (1) so that when
attached to a
similar unit, a larger screen is created. Figure 1 then provides an example of
two modular
units attached together (2) and also three modular units attached together
(3).
Figure 2 - This figure shows a single modular unit wherein three edges of the
device are
capable of displaying content near the edge of the device so that when
attached to a
similar unit, a larger screen is created.
Figure 3 - This figure provides an example of where the magnets may be
positioned for
attaching one device to another.
Figure 4 - This figure shows three computer display units each with the
ability to send
and receive electrical signals and power supplies to and from each other via
an integrated
port system that requires no cables.
Figure 5 - This figure shows a port connector and a power supply connector.
Figure 6 - This figure provides an example of how a splitter sends power or
data to both
an outgoing port and provides power and data to each unit.
Figure 7 - This figure provides an example of how the system can be used with
or
without a cable for attaching each additional unit.
DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 - A single modular display unit
2 - Two modular display units attached together
3 - Three modular display units attached together
4 - A single modular display unit with a screen that is visible to the edges
of three
different sides
- Four modular display units with a screen that is visible to the edges of
three different
sides and being held together with magnetism.
6 - A magnet positioned in the device for attaching to another magnet
positioned in
another device, so that when the two are put in contact a magnetic force
attracts the two
separate devices.
7 - Power and data splitter
8 - Battery, circuits and apparatus
9 - Power and data output port
- Integrated port system
11 - Cable for non-modular attachment
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the preferred embodiment the present invention seeks to provide a computer
that can
be magnetically attached to another computer. This method of attachment is
very useful
as it creates the opportunity for two or more units to work as one. The units
may be
networked wirelessly or through a cable, but the preferred means of attachment
is via
magnetic connectors that are integrated into the units for both receiving and
sending
power and data. Integrating these connectors into the unit rather than using
cables to
connect one device to another creates a set of devices that can be easily
assembled
together and perceived as a larger device which can be perceived as a
practical
replacement for desktop computing systems.
To provide an example imagine a family of four that each have their own
portable tablet
devices with a screen l Ox 10 inches in diameter. Throughout the day they each
take their
device to work or school, however when they get home they connect their units
and
watch a movie together on a 40x40 inch screen. Another scenario is a group of
three kids
in the back seat of a car each with their own portable cellular phone unit.
These screens
are frequently too small to comfortably watch a video i.e. 2x5in, however if
three units
were connected to watch a movie on their long trip they could create a screen
6x15 inches
in size, which would make the experience more enjoyable.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the modular display units
will be
integrated with one or more magnetically connecting ports that do not require
cables. A
cable will be used to supply a first device with power. These ports will
transfer power,
data and electrical signals, such as audio and visual content and will rely on
magnetic
force to maintain contact. In United States Patent #7,841,776 B2 to DiFonzo et
al.,
circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can
supply both
power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single
connection
are described. In the preferred embodiment it is methods such as these that
are used to
transfer power and data. One of the main differences between the system
described in
United States Patent #7,841,776 B2 to DiFonzo et al. is that the ports in the
present
invention are integrated into the device, so that when brought into contact
with one
another they will magnetically attach and transfer electrical signals along
with the power
and data required for screen sharing, power and data splitting and audio/video
content
transfer.
The magnetic element on one or both of the integrated connecting ports can be
a magnet,
which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may
also be
used. The magnetic element on a port that may not include a magnet is composed
of
ferromagnetic material. When the electrical signaling transferring ports are
brought into
proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement,
whether
another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an
electrically
conductive relationship.
Another element and benefit of the present invention is that only one
electrical outlet is
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required to charge numerous devices if they are connected together. Power can
flow
through each unit, charge the batteries and run the unit. Power and data
splitters are
integrated into the computer units for power and data transfer to each
additional unit.
This avoids numerous cable requirements and will free up the power outlets
that would
have been required to charge and/or power each extra individual unit.
The BOSS guitar pedal company, which is owned by Roland Corp. have a system
for
their effects pedal units wherein a first tuner foot pedal is plugged into the
wall, but each
additional pedal is connected to the first by externally attaching two or
three extra cables
to each unit. Each additional pedal receives power from the outlet through the
tuner
pedal, which can supply power for up to seven BOSS compact effects pedals. The
present invention improves upon this system by integrating both the male and
female
connecting ports into the computerized devices so that no cables are required.
The
present invention also provides a means to securely hold the units together
through
magnetism. Also in the present invention each unit will contain a battery for
storing
power.
Another element of the present invention is the collection of circuits,
apparatus, and
methods that provide a power and data transfer system that can supply both
power and
data to more than one computerized unit or mobile computing device. This can
be
achieved using only a single connection. Sharing or splitting the data and
power signals
achieves this. As an example it is common in the art to split a signal to
deliver content or
power to more than one device. In the present invention power and data are
delivered to
a first computerized unit using methods found in the art that include
circuits, apparatus,
power and data splitters, but also includes a method for sending power and
data to one or
more outgoing ports of each computerized unit such that when a second
computerized
unit is attached to the first, power and data are supplied to the second,
third, fourth, fifth,
etc. units as well. This cycle continues, as each device is equipped with one
or more
incoming and outgoing data and power ports.
In the preferred embodiment a connecting system such as that found in Patent
No. US
7,841,776 B2 to DiFonzo et al. will be used to supply the present invention
with data and
power, however in addition to this numerous data splitters and power dividers
will be
built into the computerized unit to enable it with the ability to supply one
or more
additional computerized devices with power and data from the first, second,
third, etc.
Some of the main innovative elements of the present invention provided in this
modular
computerized unit include:
1. The ability of the unit to magnetically attach to another similar or
identical unit.
2. The integration of both male and female ports into the unit so that when
two or
more units are attached side by side the ports become functional and do not
require external cables.
3. The integration of one or more data splitters into the computerized unit.
4. The integration of one or more power splitters into the computerized unit.
5. A computer screen that displays content very close to at least one of the
edges of
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the visual display, so that when two or more units are engaged without an
external
cable the content can be displayed in a screen sharing situation where there
is very
little or no interruption in the displayed content.
6. The ability to charge more than one computerized unit with only one cable
attachment.
7. The ability to share data quickly and easily between more than one
computerized
unit without the use of cables, wi-fi or through the air transmission methods.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
In alternative embodiments the methods of the present invention will also be
used for
attaching desktop and laptop style computers together as well as digital
display signage
for things such as advertising campaigns and roadside digital screens and the
like.
In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention the described
modular
attachment method will be used in the attachment of musical instrument effects
pedals.
By providing musical instrument effects pedals with an integrated power and
data
transferring system that uses magnetism for attachment and does not require
external
cables the set-up of a system of effects units for musical instruments can
more easily and
neatly be achieved.
As an example we could have a tuner pedal that is plugged into an electrical
outlet
powering itself and also delivering a power supply for each additional pedal.
In this
alternative embodiment the additional pedals are magnetically attached to each
additional
pedal in the line and are fitted with the ability to use the power and data
for their own
operation and also to transfer power and data into each additional unit for
the purpose of
supplying the additional units with power and data and so on.
Effects units are electronic devices that alter how a musical instrument or
other audio
source sounds. Some effects subtly "color" a sound, while others transform it
dramatically. Effects are used during live performances or in the studio,
typically with
electric guitar, keyboard and bass. While most frequently used with electric
or electronic
instruments, effects can also be used with acoustic instruments, drums and
vocals.
Examples of common effects units include wah-wah pedals, fuzzboxes and reverb
unit.
In another alternative embodiment the magnetic components that hold the units
together
will be separate from the locations where power and data transfer occur. This
means that
magnets will hold the devices in a desired position, but that contacting
components of the
ports may occur elsewhere on the device.
In yet another alternative embodiment one or more cables are provided to each
unit so
that in instances when it is not desired to have the units located directly
side by side, but
it is desired to maintain a connection the ports of the present invention
offer up both
possible options. This cable would have means capable of receiving outgoing
power
and/or data and means capable of also delivering incoming power and/or data to
the
