A method applicable to a host computer system having a system bus connected to a CPU, and a PCMCIA controller having status registers, means for supplying back off signals to the CPU and line buffers capable of being in a normal and high impedance state A multi pin connector is located in each card socket and connected to a line buffer Each connector has common address, data and control pins, power pins, ground pins longer than the data pins and card detect signal pins shorter than the signal pins The first step is to detect the commencement of an insertion or removal of a PCMCIA card to or from a socket by monitoring the ground and card detect signal pins After detection, commence termination of all CPU usage of common address, data and control lines by asserting a back off signal Next, determine if the usage is terminated by monitoring the status registers in the controller Next, place the common address, data and control lines in a high impedance state Next, detect that the PC card has been completely inserted or removed by monitoring the ground pins or the card detect signal pins Next, apply power to the PCMCIA card socket After a delay return the common address, data and control lines to their normal operating impedance level

Automatic computer card insertion and removal algorithm

A highly portable personal processor module (PPM) for use in a variety of docking stations, each of which can be connected to the personal processor via a standard connector, the personal processor and docking station when so connected defining a complete computer system, the personal processor containing a microprocessor, magnetic storage and memory, and the docking station providing at least a power supply, a cooling system for the PPM, a keyboard and a display. The personal processor is loaded with a user's personalized operating system and software so that the user can carry their preferred computing environment with them. The personal processor module also includes control software that reads and recognizes a type code provided by each docking station and configures the PPM accordingly. For the situation when the PPM cannot identify the docking station to which it is connected, the PPM provides a default configuration routine. The PPM also tracks the number of connections made to docking stations so as to determine the remaining life of the PPM's connector. The docking station includes a power coupling controller that locks the PPM into the docking station and will not allow power to be withdrawn from the PPM other than in response to a positive user command, thus preventing inadvertent data loss from the PPM's memory.

Personal processor module and docking station for use therewith

A PCMCIA credit card sized modem for use with a portable computer includes a modular data access arrangement (DAA). The modem includes a substantially rectangular modem frame configured for mounting within the case of the portable computer. The frame has a first end configured to interface with the computer. The second end includes an interface opening through which an interface module is inserted. The interface module includes the DAA. The interface module may be quickly and easily replaced to meet varying international telecommunication requirements.

Credit card-sized modem with modular DAA

A videoconferencing system for remotely controlling a peripheral device such as a VCR (20). A controller (10) controls the operation of the peripheral device by transmitting a conversion program to a converter (11G) via a network. The converter stores the conversion program in a memory and then uses the conversion program to convert subsequently transmitted network standard control signals into device specific control signals for controlling the peripheral device and also converts signals from the peripheral device into network standard control signals. The controller, or any other device in the network capable of using network standard control signals, may then remotely control and monitor the peripheral device by transmitting network standard control signals to the converter and receiving network standard control signals from the converter. The videoconferencing system thus allows a peripheral device to be remotely controlled and monitored by any device that is capable of transmitting and receiving network standard control signals.

Method for remotely controlling a peripheral device in a videoconferencing system

An electronic assembly for connecting to an electronic system is disclosed which includes, in one embodiment, a connector having a group of contacts, each contact having a mating portion and an interconnect finger. A first circuitry module includes a group of leads providing a signal path to electronic components contained therewithin, wherein each of the leads is coupled directly to an interconnect finger of a corresponding one of the group of connector contacts. A protective body is rigidly coupled to the first connector and is formed to encase the first circuitry module and to provide support and protection to the circuitry module. In another embodiment suitable for a PCMCIA card assembly, each of a group of leads of a leaded chip-carrier module is directly connected to interconnect fingers of the connector. All the electronic circuitry of the electronic assembly is contained within the leaded chip-carrier, which affords a manufacturing cost of the PCMCIA card assembly which is leveraged by semiconductor assembly advances rather than driven largely by traditional surface mount technology (SMT) on printed wiring boards (PWB).

Electronic assembly for connecting to an electronic system and method of manufacture thereof

A digital communications device with a removeable cartridge is disclosed for programming the functions and primary operations into a digital communications device as for example a modem. Examples of programmable functions include data transmission rates, interface protocols and/or full duplex mode of operation.

Kenneth P. Galano

Papers

Dcd with reprogramming instructions contained in removable cartridge