Palmtop computer expansion using shaped 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 computer with a memory expansion module, comprising:
 coupling the memory expansion module to a processor within the palmtop computer;   coupling the memory expansion module to an expansion port of the palmtop computer; and   coupling a sled device to the palmtop computer, so that the sled device is coupled directly to the memory expansion module and to a communication port of the palmtop computer.   
     
     
       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 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 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 computer, the palmtop computer having a central processor, an expansion memory, a communication interface and a palmtop-side connector, the palmtop-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-side connector;   an expansion device-side communication interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for communicating with the communication interface of the palmtop computer; and   a memory interface connected to the expansion device-side connector for directly accessing the expansion memory of the palmtop 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-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). 
     
     
       21. A method of accessing a storage medium of a device including a processor, said method comprising:
 communicating with said device; and   accessing said storage medium without use of said processor.   
     
     
       22. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said accessing comprises:
 accessing said storage medium based on at least one rule.   
     
     
       23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein said rule comprises allowing either said processor or other than said processor to access said storage medium at any given time. 
     
     
       24. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said accessing comprises:
 participating in an arbitration with said device to acquire access to said storage medium while denying said processor access to said storage medium; and   based on said arbitration, accessing said storage medium.   
     
     
       25. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein said arbitration comprises a handshake exchange. 
     
     
       26. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein said arbitration comprises a semaphore exchange. 
     
     
       27. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said communicating comprises:
 communicating via a communication interface comprising at least one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an Ethernet interface, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), IEEE 1394 interface, a serial interface, a parallel interface, and a wireless communication interface.   
     
     
       28. A method of accessing a storage medium of a device including a processor, said method comprising:
 enabling access to said storage medium without use of said processor; and   controlling said access to said storage medium.   
     
     
       29. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein said controlling said access comprises:
 controlling said access with at least one rule, wherein said rule comprises allowing either said processor or other than said processor to access said storage medium at any given time.   
     
     
       30. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein said controlling said access comprises:
 controlling said access with arbitration to acquire access to said storage medium while denying said processor access to said storage medium.   
     
     
       31. The method as recited in claim 30 wherein said arbitration comprises a handshake exchange. 
     
     
       32. The method as recited in claim 30 wherein said arbitration comprises a semaphore exchange.