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.

1. A method of expanding capabilities of a palmtop  mobile computer with a memory expansion module, comprising:
 coupling the memory expansion module to a processor within the palmtop  mobile computer;  
 coupling the memory expansion module to an expansion port of the palmtop  mobile computer; and  
 coupling a sled device to the palmtop  mobile computer, so that the sled device is coupled directly to the memory expansion module and to a communication port of the palmtop  mobile.  
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion memory module comprises a Secure Digital (SD) compliant memory module. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion memory module comprises a SmartMedia compliant memory module. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion memory module comprises a memory stick compliant memory module. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sled device comprises a music player; and further comprising:
 at said sled device, directly accessing music stored on the expansion memory module.  
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the music player comprises an MP3 music player. 
     
     
       7. A palmtop  mobile computer having enhanced expansion, comprising:
 a central  processor connected to a bus;  
 an expansion memory operatively coupled to the bus to provide the central  processor with access to the expansion memory;  
 a communication interface operatively coupled to the bus to provide the central  processor with communication with devices outside the palmtop  mobile computer; and  
 a connector, operatively coupled to the communication interface and to the expansion memory, to permit an external device to communicate with the central  processor via the communication interface and to permit the external device to directly access the expansion memory.  
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a memory interface connected to the bus and adapting the expansion memory for access over the bus. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the expansion memory comprises one of a Secure Digital (SD) compliant memory module, a SmartMedia compliant memory module and a memory stick compliant memory module. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the external device comprises a sled device. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the sled device comprises a music player wherein said sled device directly accesses music stored on the expansion memory. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the music player comprises an MP3, music player. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector comprises one of a circuit board edge connector and a bullet style connector. 
     
     
       14. An expansion device for a palmtop  mobile computer, the palmtop  mobile computer having a central  processor, an expansion memory, a communication interface and a palmtop  mobile-side connector, the palmtop  mobile-side connector being operatively coupled to the communication interface and to the expansion memory, the expansion device comprising:
 an expansion device-side connector suitable for mating with the palmtop  mobile-side connector;  
 an expansion device-side communication interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for communicating with the communication interface of the palmtop  mobile computer; and  
 a memory interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for directly accessing the expansion memory of the palmtop  mobile computer.  
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the expansion memory comprises one of a Secure Digital (SD) compliant memory module, a SmartMedia compliant memory module and a memory stick compliant memory module, and wherein the memory interface directly accesses the expansion memory. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the external device comprises a sled device. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the sled device comprises a music player wherein said sled device directly accesses music stored on the expansion memory. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the music player comprises an MP3 music player. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the palmtop  mobile-side connector comprises one of a circuit board edge connector and a bullet style connector. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the expansion device-side communication interface comprises at least one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an Ethernet interface, a Serial interface and a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI).