GB2394579A - Editing in a personal information device in the form of a PCMCIA card with a PCMCIA I/O port - Google Patents

Abstract

A personal information device, comprising: ```a housing in the form of a PCMCIA card; ```a PCMCIA I/O port at one end of the housing and adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer; ```an input device within the housing and accessible by a user for receiving user-supplied information, said input device including an edit button; ```a memory in said housing adapted to receive and store therein application code and said user-supplied information: ```a flat panel display within or on said housing and visible to said user for displaying information thereto; and ```a controller coupled to said memory, said controller being operable to execute the application code stored in said memory, to control the flat panel display, and to receive the user-supplied information received by said input device, said controller, when executing the application code, being adapted to enter an edit mode upon user depression of the edit button, and said controller, when in said edit mode, being adapted to edit the user-supplied information stored in the memory in response to other user-supplied information received by the input device.

Description

GB 2394579 A continuation (74) Agent and/or Address for Service: J A Kemp

& Co. 14 South Square, Gray's Inn, LONDON, WC1R 5JJ, United Kingdom

I,-- 2394579

.,i ::... -...DTD: . I PERSONAL INFORMATION DEVICE

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION::

.;. The present invention relates to a personal inforrnaion device. e.g. , an electronic organizer. and method for allowing easy editing of the data on the personal information device.; ! O Recently. there has been a trend lo develop and utilize compact and pocket-size electronic devices. such as compact computers (notebook; computers), compact electronic, personal organizers, compact electronic dictionaries. compact electronic encyclopedias, and so on. As such devices become smaller in size, various problems result. including a reduction in the ease -.: of their operation due to, for example. reduced-sized keys. reduced-sized displays and/or reduced number of keys thereon...DTD: Recent developments have attempted to overcome this problem as well as other problems that are inherent in compact and pocket-sized electronic devices. For example. many compact electronic personal organizers are now equipped to comrnurLicale with a personal computer.

wherein a user enters v arious data. e.g.: telephone numbers. appointments, etc., into the computer which then transmits or downloads that entered data lo the compact electronic personal organizer for storage therein. This technique provides two advantages over previous devices. Data is more easily entered with a full sized keyboard than v ith a reduced-size keypad. Data is entered only once to utilize organizer programs running on both the personal computer and the compact electronic personal organizer.

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I Nubile the above-meMioned and other developments have produced more user friendly.

: easier to use and more sophisticated compact organizers. there still is a need for a personal -::: information device. e.g.. an electronic personal orgaruzer. that is yet smaller in size than existing . . devices and easier to use.

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5 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a personal information device, comprising: a housing in the form of a PCMCIA card; I i 1 a PCMCIA l/O port at one end of the housmg and adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer; 10 an mput device within the housing and accessible by a user for receiving user-supplied :. information. said input device incinding an edit button;. I a memory in said housing adapted lo receive and store therein application code and said.

. user-supplied information: . 15 a flat panel display within or on said housing and visible to said user for displaying information thereto; and.

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a controller coupled to said memory;. said controller being operable toexecute the application code stored in said memory. to control the flat panel display. and tO receive the user-

supplied information received by said input device, said controller. when executing the application code. being adapted to enter an edit mode upon user depression of the edit button. and Saud controller! when in said edit mode. being adapted to edit the user-supplied information stored 10 in the memory in response tO other user-supplied information received by the input device.

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The following detailed description. given by we, of example and not intended lo 1imIT the

present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompan.ving drawings. wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which: FIGS. I is a schematic illustration of personal information device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2A-21 are exemplary displays of the various organizer features of personal: 1 0 information device I O; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of personal information device 10 Fig. 4 is a data strucmre of dual-ported memory 7 15 Fig. 5 is an alternative data structure of dual-ported memory 22; Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a docking station 50 having personal information device 10 coupled thereto.; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of docking station 50; 1 ,. Fig. 8 is a schematic illustranon of the coupling of personal information device 10 via ti dockin station SO to a host computer; _ Fig. 9 is an exemplary schematic illustration of a wallet 70 having personal information device 10 inserted therein; Fig. 10 is another illustration of wallet 70,; Fig. I I is a further illustration of wallet 70 having personal intorrnation device I O inserted O therein: Figs. 1 HA and I SIB are schematic diararns of exemplary induction circuits of wallet 70 and personal information device 10: and Fig. 13 schematically illustrates the operation of the touch-pad of wallet 70 )

1,i,, it,.,; The personal information device of the present invention is a micro-sized device that has the form of a PCMCIA card and that includes therein an LCD display screen and navigation burtons. As will be discussed. the personal information device (PID) provides various organizer or other types of features to a user and may be inserted within a PCMCIA port (also Identified as a PC-card slot) of a personal computer for downloading of various information from the computer to the personal information device. Also. and as will be discussed. the personal 10 information device may cornrnunicae with a personal computer via a docking station. The . personal information device of the present invention. as described herein, is an electronic personal.organizer havin, q various organizer features and functions and, thus, is also identified 15 herein as an organizer. However. the personal information device of the present invention may embody functions and features that are not considered to be so-called organizer functions and.

thus, the present invention is not to be limited to electronic organizers Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an exemplary illustration of the personal 30 information device lO ofthe present invention. As shown, personal information device 10 has a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) compatible form factor and includes a fla: panel display 12, for example, an LCD display screen, various buttons 14 and a PCMCIA port 16. Display 12 and buttons 14 are within the form factor of the PCMCIA card 5 and, thus, personal information device 10 having such display and buttons may be inserted into the PChlCIA port of a personal computer. During 'standard" operation of the personal information device, that is. when the device is not coupled to a computer. various organizer features are provided to a user. For example, and as shown on display 12 of the exemplary O illustration of Fig. 1. the various organizer features may be provided in the form of a menu having selectable entries therein. In the exemplary embodiment. the various organizer features df personal information device 10 include a schedulelappointment calender. a telephone directory, a to do list. a memo holder, various time clocks and user customization, with each organizer function having a respective icon on the displayed menu. Using the appropriate input buttons 14, the user selects any one of the displayed icons to implement the corresponding organizer feature. and upon selection of an organizer feature, a sub-menu or other display is -6

1 provided. -. Figs. a-9f are exemplar displays of the six exemplars orgaruzer features that may be selected. FiL,. 2a is displayed upon selection of the calendar icon in the main menu of Fig. I. Fig.; 2b is displayed upon selection of the card file (or Rolodex) icorL Fig. tic is displayed upon . selection of the to do" list icon Fig. Ed is displayed upon selection of the memo icon and Fig. . Be is displayed upon selection of the clock icon. Fic, Of represents a user customization menu and is displayed upon selection of the toolkit icon.

I O In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as specifically shown in Fig. 1. buttons 14 includes a main menu or homet, burton 14a. a view burton 14b. an edit button 14c, a select button 14d, art up/left cursor movement button 14e and a down/right I cursor movement button I if In general. depression of home burton 1 4a operates tO display the "home screen (Fig. I), that is, returns the user to the home screen from any other displayed screen. Depression of view button 14b causes a menu of currently available options to be displayed. Depression of edit button 1 4c causes entry into and exit from the edit mode of the 0 present invention, as further discussed below. Depression of select button 1 4d operates tO select an option. Depression of up/left button 1 4e or downlright button 1 4f causes the cursor to move in the appropriate direction. For example, when the home page (Fig. I) is displayed, the user can press button 1 4e or 14f until a desired selection is displayed and then press select button 1 4d. at 2: which time, a particular organizer fear.tre is displayed (e.g., shown in Figs. 2A - OF).

In accordance with the present invention, pressing edit burton 1 4c causes entry Into an edit mode in which events, contacts, to do items quicknotes, etc. can be created, deleted or modified.

To create a calendar event, the user initially enters the calendar mode (i.e., displays the calendar 0 shown in Fig. A) by selecting the calendar shown in the home page of Fig. 1. The user then presses edit burton lo to enter the edit mode at which time a calendar edit menu is displayed.

such as shown in Fig FIG. The user selec s (if not already highlighted) the new event option and presses select burton 14d. Optionally, another menu then is displayed allowing the user tO indicate whether the new even'. is a recurring event. an all-day event. an annual event. and so on.

Then. an entry display is shown. such as shown in Fig. OH wherein the user utilizes the up/left and downright buttons 1 4e. 1 4f along with select burton 1 4d to enter text and other infer nation -7

1 to describe the event. Further menus and submenus may also be displayed providing other selections pertinent to the entry of a new event. For example, specific information regarding recurring events, such as days/wedc, etc., may be requested in submenus. Upon completion of . 5 the event, edit button 1 4c is pressed.

In accordance with the present invention, a previously entered event may be edited (follow-up YiSit set, revised, rescheduled' canceled, etc.) by first selecting the event to be edited (when displayed within the calendar mode) and then pressing edit button 1 4c. An edit menu then 10 - is displayed, such as shown in Fig. 2I. The desired selection is highlighted utilizing cursor movement buttons 1 4e, 1 4f and then selected by pressing select button 1 4d. Further submenus . pertinent to the selected option are provided to allow a follow-up event to be entered, to allow . the selected event to be revised in time, description, etc., or to cancel the currently selected event.

The above-discussed ability to edit the calendar feature by allowing entries to be added, edited, updated and canceled utiliz ng only a few buttons, including an edit button, also is applied to the other organizer features including the telephone directory, the "to do" list," the memo 20 holder, time clocks and user custoruzation. For example, telephone and address entries can be; added, edit or deleted by entering the edit mode (e.g., by pressing edit button 14d) white viewing the telephone and address book. Menus and submenus appropriate to the edit mode within the of. telephone and address entries are similar to those mentioned above, except the requested 25 information is pertinent to telephone and address data.

As previously discussed, a single edit button along with cursor movement buttons and an entry select button allows the user to revalue entries, revise entries and delete entries without the need to attach the PID of the present invention to a personal computer. Also, edit button 1 4c of 30 the present invention allows the user to add an entry within a desired organizer function and further allows the user tO modify and cancel that entry, as previously described.

The "ReDroerammin" Feature Personal information device 10 also includes, the capability of receiving "reprogramming" data from a personal computer coupled thereto and reprograrmning itself utilizing the downloaded data so as to provide new applications to the user and/or to update the software currently stored in the personal information device. The -8

1 dowrdoaded applications may include organizer ar d/or other applications and features for the end-user, as well as diagnostic code that is generally utilized during the production of the application and reprogrnmrning code itself. As will be discussed, the downloading of data and 5 reprogramming of the personal information device of the present invention is herein identified collectively as the "reprogramming" feature of the personal information device.

Referring to the block diagram of personal information device 10 shown in Fig. 3, personal information device 10 includes a processor (CPU) 20, a dual-ported memory 22, a work 10 memory 24, a flash memory 26 and PCMCIA port 16. Although not shown in Fig. 3, personal information device 10 further includes display 19, buttons 14, previously discussed. and a battery! for supplying power to the various components. Dual-ported memory 22 is accessible to processor 20 and also to a computer via a bus 30 and PCMCIA port 16 when coupled to personal information device 10. Processor 20 is coupled to work. memory 24, flash memory 26 and dual-

ported memory 22 via a bus 28. As shown in Fig. 3, work memory 24 and flash memory 26 are not externally accessible. Also, various control signals are provided between processor 20 and 20 the attached computer via lines 32 and PCMCIA port 16.

Personal information device 10 is operable to commurucate with a host computer in one A: of two ways. When the host computer includes a PCMCIA port or slot and since personal information device 10 is a PCMCIA card' the personal information device may simply be 25 inserted into the computer's PCMCIA port. Insertion of personal information device 10 into the computer's PCMCIA port is identified herein as the direct connection method. If however, the host computer does not include a PCMCIA port, the docking station of the present invention is utilized to couple personal information device 10 to the computer. As will be discussed, the 30 docking station includes a PCMCIA slot into which personal information device 10 is inserted and a serial connector for cormection lo the serial port of the computer.

The reprogramrrung feature of the present invention is carried out in three stages, a downloading stage, an installation stage and a reprogramming stage, and is discussed below with the assumption that the host computer includes a PCMCIA slot into which personal information : device 10 is inserted. The first or downloading stage involves the downloading of code from a computer to the personal information device. When personal information device 10 is inserted

i::::--: I:::::::;::::::;:::.:::::::: :::: --: :: :: I into the PCMCIA port of a host computer and when appropriate application code in the computer ..: is executed. application and reproamrnino code is downloaded to dual-ported memor 323 under the control of the host computer. The application code. the reprogramming code and a special 5 data. string. which is used to facilitate the installation stage, are stored in duaiporred memory 29.

The application code, reprograrnrrung code and special data string are collectively identified as - the reproorarnrnino data The second or installation stage involves the transferring to worI memory 24 of the reprogramrr.ung code contained in the reprogramming data stored in dual I O ported memory 22. The progIarnming code is transferred so that processor 20 can safely execute it. The final or reprogramming stage involves the execution of the programrrung code stored in worl; memory 20 which. in turn. programs flash memory 26, as discussed below. Upon completion of the reprogramming stage, the reprogramming code passes execution to the newly: installed application code in the f ash memory.

The Downloading Stage : During the downloading stage, the reprogramming data is downloaded from the attached 20 Lost computer and stored in dualported memory 22. In.the direct connection method that is, . when personal information device I O is inserted into the PCMCIA port of the host commuter, the host computer addresses dual-porred memory 22 as it would during normal communications with '.

. personal information device I O and stores the reprogramming data in dual-ported memory 22.

25 When a docking station is used. serial communication device driver software within processor 20 utilizes several pins of PCMCIA connector 16 as serial communications lines. and using an established protocol, the driver stores the reprogramming data (serially transmitted discussed below) in dual-ported memory 22.

The reprograrnrning data is stored at the address locations in dualported memory 22 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. As shown, a "Code Lipdate" string of the reprogramming data is stored at a pre-defined address location, the reprogramming code is stored at another pre-defined address location following (or nor pre-defined location but immediately following) the code update siring. and the new application code (also called flash application code) to be installed into flash memory 26 is stored at a further pre-defined address location following (or not pre- defined location but immediately following) the reprogramming -10

I code. As previously mentioned. the code update string (special data stringy identifies that the . dare stored in dual-ported memory " is for reproora:TLming of flash memory 26 and is utilized: during the installation stage.

WI.ule a particular data structure of dual-pored memory 22 is shown in Fig. 4. other structures are possible. For example, Fig. discloses a structure wherein a reprogramming . header stored at a pre-defined address location identifies the address locations at which the reprogra riming data and the new application code are stored. In this structure, greater flexibility I O is achieved by utilizing (e.g., during downloading) only that memory of dual-ported memory 29 that is necessary. For example, user data that is stored in dual-ported memory 99 (prior tO the initiation of the reprogramming feature) mat. be retained (i.e., not overwritten during the 1: downloading, stage) for future use by the application software.

Still yet other data structures are possible. For example, the reprogramming and !. application code may be stored in blocks throughout the memory instead of in contiguous memor. Incas instance, dual-pored memory 99 is divided into blocks of pre-defined size with 20 each bloc); beginning with a respective block header. A1SO, the fragmented code in dual-ported memory 22 can be referenced by an expanded reprogTamg header or by a scan of each block :,.. header for a special string. ' The Installation Stage 95 When the reprograrruning data is stored in dualpored memory 22, the installation stage begins wherein the reprogramming code is transferred by processor 90 to work,rnemory 4. As . previously mentioned. work memory 24 is not accessible via PCMCIA connector 16. Thus. worI; memory 74 is protected from subsequent downloading of dare (write operationsj by the host 30 computer thereby providing the desired result that the reprogramming code stored in word; memory 24 cannot be overwrir. 2en by the host computer during its execution.

The installation stage does not begin until personal information device 10 card is removed from the computer!s PCMCIA slot. The disconnection of personal information device from the host computer causes an interrupt co processor 20 (via lines,2) which. in Quinn. initiates a routine within processor 20 that controls processor 20 to determine if reprogramming data has been newly downloaded into -1 1

1 cum-pored memory ". If the Code Update7' strides is stored at the predefined address within dual-ported memory Ad. processor 20 transfers (installs) the reproerarnming data stored in dual ported memory 27 to work memory 24. at which time. the installation stage is complete.

-. Altematively, processor 90 periodically polls dual-ported memory 99 to determine if reprogramrung data is newly downloaded, for example, by polling for the "Code Update" string. Upon determination that new reprogramming data has been downloaded, processor 20 transfers the new reprogramming' data to work memory 74. In 1 (I this embodiment, installation of reprograrnning data into work memory 24 and the subsequent proerarurning of the flash memory (in the next stage) can occur while personal information device l 0 is still coupled to the host computer.

15 The Reprogramming Stage Upon installation of the reprorarnrning data into work memory 24, processor 20 passes execution to the reprogramming code stored in work memory 94 to begin the reprogramming stage. The reprogramming code, also called the reprOOorarnrning application, carries OUt a multi 20 step process of first diagnosing the new application code stored in dual-ported memory 29, then erasing flash memory 26. and finally prog,ramrning flash memory 26 with the new application code stored in dual-ported memory 22.

Initially, the reprogramming application ascerTaurS the integrity of the newly downloaded 25 application code. This may be achieved in any number of ways including, for example, performing a checksum of the application code. Other diagnostic techniques arewell l;nown in the an and therefore are not discussed herein. If the reprogramming application ascertains errors in the application code. it may attempt to correct those errors if the application code also includes :0 appropriate error correction code. If the application code is faulted and not correctable. then the . reprogrnrning feature of personal information device I O terminates thus preserving the older application code stored in flash memory 26. In an alternative embodiment. the diagnostic step 3S is skipped.

In addition to diagnosing the newly downloaded application code, the status of the power source (i.e.. battery) is verified tO determine if the power source can provide enough power for the personal information device tO erase flash memory 26 and subsequently reprogram flash - 1 7

i memory 26 (discussed below). If the power source measures below a predetermined threshold.

there it is likely that the reprogramming, feature cannot be performed to completion and. thus. the reprourarnming feature is terminated at this point ( i.e.. before the flash memory is erased) thereby preserving the older application code stored in flash memory 76.

The reprogramming application carries out an erasing operation of flash memory 26 However. since the projzrarnrning algorithm and proeralllJerase block size that are utilized to erase a flash memory is dependent on the type of flash device that is included within personal information device 10. the reprograrrLmine code controls processor 90 to query flash memory 26 for a device ID stored therein. Upon ascertaining the device ID of flash memory 26. the reprojgramrning application proceeds with the erasing ofthe flash memory. Since the procedures I for erasing various types of flash memories are well known in the art. further description thereof

is not provided herein. Altemarively, an aulo-erase type flash memory may be utilized thus obviating the need for the reprogramrnung application to carry OUI a separate erase function.

When flash memory 26 is fully erased (alternatively, partially erased). controller 20 20 programs flash memory 26 by transferring thereto the application code stored in dual-ported memory 29. Once flash memory 26 is programmed with the new application code, the reprogramming feanIre of personal information device 10 is complete, al which tithe, processor 20 passes execution to the newly installed flash code. In the presently discussed embodiment.

25 the newly installed flash code generally will represent user organizer features including, for example. telephone/address boot;. memos. and so on. Of course. the flash code may be diagnostic code that is useful for the development of organizer functions and/or other ropes of functions. 30 The above-described reprogramming feature is carried out, as previously discussed, by inserting personal information device in within the PChlCIA port of a personal computer, downloading reproerarnming data from the computer to dual-ported memory 22 of personal inforrnarion device 10. removing personal information device 10 from the computer s PCMCIA 3: port. transferring the reprogramming code within the downloaded dare to wore; memory 24.

executing the reprocrararning code within word; memory '4 which. in turn. re-programs flash memory 26 with the downloaded application code stored in the dual-ported memory, and upon i,

\ completion of reproaramc, flesh memory 76. passing execution to the application code stored in flash memory 26.

In another example, the above-listed "steps", except the last step of passing execution to the application code. is considered to be a single pass wherein a multiple number of "passes" are required to fully repro Warn the flash memory.

In this example flash memory 26 may be rather large in size relative to the size of dual : ported memory 22. wherein each 'mass causes a different portion of flash memory 26 to be 1 0 programmed...DTD: : When personal irormation device I O is inserted into the PCMCIA port of host personal . computer a partial amount of reprogramming data (also identified as a first set of reprogramming data) is downloaded from the computer to dual-pored memory 92. The downloaded first set of reprogramming data includes 'first reprogramming code and "first" application code. Personal information device 10 then is removed from the PCMCIA port of the host computer, at which time. the "first" reprogramming code is transferred to worl; memory 24. The first" 20 reprogramming code stored in work memory 24 is executed which, in turn, causes flash memory 26 to be partially reprogrammed (and erased. if necessary) with the "first" application code stored in dual-ported memory 22. The completion of this "first" reprogramming of flash memory 26 is said to complete the first pass.

: 05 After the first pass. a second pass is initiated when the user reinserts personal information device 10 into the PCMCIA port of the same host computer. at which point, a second set of reprogramming data (including a second reprogramming code and a second application code) is downloaded from the computer to dual-poned memory 20. Personal information device 10 then 30 is again removed from the PCMCIA port of the host computer, at which time, the second reprogramming code is transferred to work memory ?4 and e:cecuted which causes flash memory ?6 to be again partially reprogrammed (end erased.ifnecessary) with the secondapplicationcode stored in dual-ported memory ". If necessary. third, fourth and even more passes may be carried 3: out if necessary. Upon completion of all the necessary passes, execution is passed to the application code stored in flash memory 26.

In the above-discussed "multiple pass example, flash E -14

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. .... I. memory 26 is large in size relative 10 the other memory components within personal inforrnallon device 10. Eiv providing for multiple reprogramming passes. it is possible to reprogram a large memory (i.e the flash memOrY) utilizing a smaller dual-parted memory as well as asmallerwork: ..... 5. memory.- -

The Doc;,no Station ,. The personal information device 10 may connect IO a host computer via a docking station. Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration ofa docking station 50 I 0 having personal information device I O coupled thereto. Generally, docking station 50-is utilized : when the host computer does not Include a PCMCIA port. As shown in Fig. 6, docking station 50 includes a main body 5;', a cable 54 and a serial connector 56 attached to the end of cable 54.

Body 59 of 'he docking station is shaped in such a manner so that personal information device 10 may be slidable therein. Docking station 50 also includes a PCMCIA connector 6 (ludden in Fig. 6) to which PCMCIA connector 16 of personal information device 10 may be coupled.

During its use. docking station 50 receives personal infommation device 10 in t'rie manner _ #:. 20 shown in Fig. 6 and is coupled to the host computer s serial port via serial connector 56. In another embodiment, docking station includes an appropriate cormector, in place of senial .. . . connector 56. that is adapted to couple to the host computer's parallel port or to another ItO port of.the computer. Referring IO the blocl; diagram of Fig. 7, docking station 50 includes serial 05 connector 56. PCMCIA connector 6 , a buffer memory (RAM) 58 and a processor (CPU) 60.

Alterr.ativels the buffer memory may be contained within processor 60 itself.

Processor 60 (alternatively, memory 5 8) includes stared therein docking station executable code for cam ing Out the baud rate conversion of the present invention. The executable code.

30 also identified herein as the baud rate conversion program or code, provides for a fast and effecdve transfer rare between personal information device 10 and the host computer In the preferred embodiment. the baud rate conversation proerarn carries OUT the fastest serial transfer raise that is possible between the personal ir formation device and the host computer. Generall'! the personal information device of the present invention is capable of faster serial communication than typical personal computers. For example. the personal information device may have a baud rate of 67.1 875K baud while typical personal computers have a fastest baud rate of 57.6K baud.

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Even so. it is desirable for the personal information device I O to be able to interface with any type of personal computer and, thus. the baud rate conversion program .. 5 allows for such interfacing Without baud rate conversion. the host computer and personal information device would have to communicate at the highest common baud rate of, for example, 9600 baud.

The docking station in combination with the personal information device and the host 10 computer may operate in a first mode in which baud rate conversion is carried out in docking station 5Q, or In a second mode in which baud rate conversion is not carried out and the host computer and the personal information device are "instructed" to communicate at their lughest common baud rate The application software being executed by the host computer may determine in which of these modes the devices are to operate. In such case, to select the; slow speed mode (i.e., no baud rate conversion), the host computer transmits a zero byte at 1 9.7K baud (or less), and to select the "fast" speed mode, the host computer transrrlits a "FF"'at its fast speed 20 of, for example, 5 7.6K baud. In the slow speed mode, the serially transmitted data simply passes .. through docking station 50 (i.e., processor 60 simply provides the received serial data as an output). In the fast speed mode, docking station 50 carries out baud rate conversion in the manner discussed below 25 When docking station 50 carries out baud rate conversion . cornmuIucation between docking starion50 end persona! information device 10 ofthe present invention is always carried out at the personal information device's fastest communication speed of. for example, 67.1 875K baud (hereinafter 67.7K), and cornrnunicarion 30 between docking station 50 and the host computer is carried Out at the computer s fastest communication speed (or a suitably high speed) of, for example, 57.6K baud Thus, and referring to Fig. 8, when data is transmitted flora personal ir;formarion device I O to the host computer, data is first sent from personal information device L O to docking station 50 at the baud rate "A" of 67.2K baud. and then transmitted from docking station 50 to the host computer at the baud rate "C" of 57.6K baud. For transmissions originating from the computer. data is transmitted from the computer lo docking station 50 at the baud rate -16

: : -: : i:': -::-: - -::V : a:::: :: a: ::'::: l:::: -;:-:; - '- ':: - : :: i: :i::::::: : :::: :: I "C" of 57.6K baud and then transmitted from docking station:0 lo personal information device .... 10 at the baud rate; 'B" of 67.9K baud. While the "A" and 'B" baud rates are the same! communication to docking station SO from personal inforrnaton device 10 is distinuishedirorn . ... j communication to personal information device 10 from docking station 50 because the bit . structure of the transmitted data is different thereber,veen. as discussed below.; The 'processor 60 of docking station SO (in accordance with the baud rate conversion program) Counts! instruction cycle times of the individual instructions being executed within the baud rate conversion program and, at the proper times. inputs and\or outputs bits to\from personal information device 10 and the host computer.

That is. each bit of each framed byte, transmirted\received by docking station 50 follows a I i previously transmittedireceived bit by a predetermined amount of time since both the transmitting and receiving baud rates are known. and since the amount of rime for an instruction cycle within processor 60 is known, the time at which a bit is transmitted or received is defunable in terms of instruction cycles. In the given example, to maintain the 57.6K baud rate, a bit must be 90 transmitted or received every 17.36 instruction cycles (for the particular oscillator utilized by - processor 60), and to maintain the 67. 1 875K baud rate, a bit must be transmitted, or received every 14.9 instructions cycles. As discussed herein, a "framed byte" generally includes data bits . (e.g! 8 data bits) and other bits to facilitate serial corrununication (e.g., start, parity and stop bits).

33 Table I shown below provides a docking station input/output (receipt/transmission) schedule of each bit of a respective framed byte that originates from personal information device 10 and that is supplied tO the host computer. Moreover. to facilitate proper baud rate conversion of data supplied tO docking station 50 at the 67. 18751; baud JO rate from personal information device 10 to the slower S 7.6K baud rate of data transmitted from docking station 50 to the host Computer, personal information device 10 transmits for each framed byte an additional two bits (an additional parity bit and an additional stop bit) that are subsequently not utilized by docking station 50 and thus not transmitted to the host computer.

Additional bits are transmitted from personal information device I O to docking station SO so as to effectively slow down the overall byte transfer rate. In the present embodiment. 19 bits are transmitted at the 67. 1875. baud rate by personal inEorrnation device I Q and include: a start bit.

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1 8 data bits. a panty bit and 1 stop bits. 1 he Docking station. in tom, transmits to the host computer 10 bits: a start bit. 8 data bits and a stop bit.

TABLE I: Personal Information Device to Computer -1nputlOutout Schedule Instruction Cycle Receive from PiD 10 Transmit to Computer 7 receive start bit 9 send start bit 99 receive data bit O (15).

96 senddatabitO(17) 3 7 receive data bit I ( 15) ' ' ' 44 send data bit I ( 18) -

10 59 receive data bit (15)' 61 send data bit 2 (17) 67 receive data bit 3 (15) 78 send data bit 3 (17) 89 receive data bit 4 ( 15) ' 96 send data bit 4 (18) 97 receive data bit 5 (15) 112 send data bit 5,(16) 1: l 13 receive data bit 6 ( 16) 191 receive data bit 7 (14) 131, ' send data bit 6 ( 19) : dnc receive parity bit (dnc) 148 send data bit 7 (17) duc receive 15' stop bit (due) 165 send Stop bit (17) 20 doc receive 2 stop bit (due) at.-,.,. duc: do not care.

:. 'r Referring to Table 1, a start bit is received from personal information device 10 at instruction cycle 7 which, in turn. causes a start bit to be transmitted to the computer at inswucion cycle 9. Processor 60 of the docking station then polls its serial input port at !:. : instruction cycle 20 to receive data bit 0, and docking station 50 transrr.uts data bit O to the computer at instruction cycle 96. The number of cycles that have passed from the previous input/output is shown in parenthesis in Table 1. As shown, there are between 14 to 16 cycles between the occurrence of two successive inputs from personal information device 10. which reflects the l 4.9 instruction cycles per bit at the 67. 9K baud rate, and there are between 16 to 19 cycles between the occurrence oftwo successive OUtpUtS to the host computer. which reflects the 35 17.36 instruction cycles per bit at the 57.6K baud rate. Furthermore. Table I does not identify the instruction cycles at which the parity and stop bits are received primarily since the times of reception of these bits are unimportant to the times at which bits are output to the computer.

Finally. received dare bits are temporally buffered within docking station 50 when necessary so -18

: it: ': :: :: :-::

:: :::: I:; : I::::::::

:::::::: :: : ;:

: t: ' : ' '' i' '. " ' ' ' ' i': : ' that they may be supplied out at the appropriate instruction cycle... ..

When data is transmitted from the host computer via docking stanon SO to personal. ' information device 10. the baud rate Of the transmitted data is increased from the computer s ': '.:

transmission baud rate of 57.6K baud to the personal information device's reception baud rate -

of 67.1875E: baud 1Table 2 shown below provides a docking station input/our,put (receipt/rransmission) schedule of each bit that originates from the host computer and that is supplied to personal information device 10. In addition, to facilitate -A 10 a proper decrease. in baud rate, docking station 5Q adds an additional bit IO each framed byte supplied by the host computer. In the present embodiment, the host computer supplies to the docking station 10 bits: a start bit, 8 data bits and a stop bit, which I O bits have the same structure as the 10 bits supplied to the host computer during personal irlforTnation device to computer:. -A ' communications discussed above, The docking station transmits to the personal information device 11 bits: a start bit, 8 data bits, a parity (set) bit and a stop bit. The parity bit in the preferred embodiment is sunply a set bit, but may be a reset bit or an actual parity bit.

. 20 l TABLE If; Computer to PersoDal loforTn:tion Device-IDPUUOUTPU Schedule | ' instruction Cvcle Receive from Computer Transmit to PID 10, a,,' -

4-11 Receive start bit..

26 receive data bit 0 send start bit. '' 4 receive data bit I (17),, 4' send data bit O (is).

61:. send data bit I (14) 69 receive data bit 2 (19) - ',: 77 send data bit 2 (16) 78 receive data bit 3 (16) 99 send data bit 3 ( I S) 30 ' receive data bit 4 (17) send data bit 4 (14) 1 13 receive data bit 5 ( 18) 1'1 send data bit (IS) 1306 receive data bit 6 ( 17) send data bit 6 (I Sj 148 receive data bit 7 ( 18) 151 send data bit 7 (13) 35 165 receive stop (17).

l 167 send pears (set)(I6! Referring to Table 2. a start bit is received from the host computer sometime between iristruction cycle 4 and I I, and then data bit O is receive at instruction cycle 96. The data bit is . :. -19

i::;:;: i: r:::: I::::: : i:;::::::::: i:::::;:::::::::::: ::: ::: :::: :

:: i:::: I::: :: :::;: ::

:::, : I buffered and a start bit is trartsmlted to personal information device i O at nstrucion cycle 3 9.

Data bits I - 7 and the Slop bit are received by doclcin sIation 50 at the instructiOn cycles . . :.: indicated in the table, and data bits O - 7 are transmuted from docking station 50 to persooal 5 - information device I O at the inswc'.ion cycles indicated. Finall.. a parity (set) bit is supplied to : personal inforrnaton device 10 at instruction cycle 167, and thereafter a stop bit is transmitted to personal information device 10. In the preferredembodiment. the values ofthe parity and stop .. . bits are the same and thus. the output, remains the same to supply the stop bit after the parity (set) O bit The docking station as discussed above, uses instruction cycles to determine when bits are to be input or output to a connected device. Alternatively, a timer is utilized wherein the baud rate conversion program provides for receiving or outputting a respective bit at a time that is a function of the ... timer value and the baud rate at which the data is input or output. If the timer is reset after receiving/oupuumg each bit, then the timer value itself identifies the passage of time after 20 reception/transnussion of the previously input/output bin If the timer is not reset, then bits are received/output at predetermined timer values. One or more timers may be utillz,efd. In one embodiment,. a first timer is provided for received bits and a second timer is utilized for output bits. , 5 As discussed above, the personal information device of the present invention. whether or not used in combination witch the docking station of the preseM invention. includes therein the capability of re-programming its own flash memory with new/revised application code. The reprogramming feature of the present invention provides for safe reprogramming by utilizing a 30 separate work memory that is no' accessible lo the host computer for reprogramming purposes and by providing a mechanism for verifying that newly downloaded application code is error free prior to the reprogramming of the flash memor In addition, the PCMCIA card design of the personal information device is perfectly suited formobile use but with advantageously powerful organizer capability The personal infomnation device s reprogram ning feature further provides for easier development of application code. Finally, the docking station allows the personal infomnaIion device to interface with a host computer the; does not include . -90

:;::::;:::.:::::::::;:::::::::::::::;: it: if: :: I: 1: -at: - -: :: -::: ::::: A::: - -:: #:

::: : : I therein a PCMCIA port. end: filcher provides the-advanlaveous feature of allowing the host computer to cornrnunicale with the personal information device at its fastest baud rate.: The Wallet -. -

:.: 2. A Flexible wallet. e.g., a leather wallet. may be.

,. used in combination with the above-descubed personal information device. as well as with other similar types of devices. Fig 9 is an exemplary schematic illustration of wallet 70 having personal information device 10 inserted therein. As shown. wallet 70 includes bottom and top 10 halves 79, 74 (or left. right halves. etc.) that may be openedlclosed (represented by arrows 'A"j: in a wallet" like manner. Bottom half 70 includes a touchpad 80 and optionally may include a serial connector 89 to which a cable 90 may be coupled (to be discussed). Top half 74 may .. : include a device holder 76 that operates to hold a personal information device when inserted therein in the direction shown by arrow 'B". Altemativelv, the device holder may be a strap or other suitable device that holds the personal information device in place.

Referring to Fig. 10. which illustrates wallet 70 without the personal information device :,0 coupled thereto. top half 74 of wallet 70 includes contact pins 84 which operate io make contact with appropriate opposing surfaces on the back of personal information device 10 for electrical Connection thereto. Contact pins 84 are electrically connected to touchpad 80 and operate as the inputloulput terminal of touchpad 80. In one example! and as will 35 be discussed. personal infomnation device 10 via contact pins 84 provides a source of power to louchpad 80. Contact pins 84 also function as an output to personal infortnarion Device l O by supplying a signal thereto that represents the user input on touchpad 80.

Wallet 70 further includes hooks 86 that assist in holding device 10 once inserted, guiders 0 88 that operate to guide device 10 into wallet 70 for proper insertion therein. and a snap 89 that maintains wallet 70 in its closed position (with bortom and top halves 72. 74 touching).

When personal information device 10 is inserted within wallet 70. such as shown in both Figs. 9 and I I. both the display and the input buttons of device 10 are readable\accessible to the user. and wallet 70 operates to allow a user to input dale and other information into device 10 in a number of ways. In operation. personal information device 10 detects when it is coupled to wallet 70 in any appropmare fashion. for example. by polling its electrical surfaces (that are -'1

: : :1 ::: :

::: t:: Hi::::: I::: ::: :. i;:: - : ':::::::::::::: :;: ::: : i : am:::::::: ::::: :::;::::: I:;: ::: : ::: :: : : I imended lo make contact with contact pins 84) for input thereto. by means of an interrupt, or; other method that is known in the art. When cormection to wailer 70 is detected: personal information Device 10 generally provides to the user ail of the functions and features that are provided when not cormected to wailer 70. but further provides various additional features including, for example, those features that are provided to the user via the host compute. as previously discussed. Such features include telephone/address book entries. note entries.

: appointment entries, and so on., 10 In a preferred example contact pins 8 as well as opposing electrical surfaces on the personal information device are not utilized and, instead.

. rurnunication between wallet 70 and personal information device 10 is carried out by the use of eiectrrnagnetiC induction. Cornmumcation vie electro-magnetic induction is contactless and, thus. external components are unnecessary for wallet 70 to provide data to personal information device 10 and for personal information device 10 to provide data tO wallet 70. In this preferred embodiment, one coil (not shown) is provided within the personal inforrna,,ion iievice and one 20 coil (also not shown) is provided, for cxarnple, on a rigid board such as a small PC board within the tOp half 74 of the wa.let. The PC board within the top half of the wallet may irclude the, necessary circuitry to couple the wallet s coil to touchpad 80. -..DTD: :As is appreciated COrQmuniCa7.ion between wallet 70 and personal information device 10 via electro-magnetic induction provides various advantages over hard-wired or electrically coupled communication (e.g., via pins 84). Pins are susceptible too wear and breakage. and communication between the devices is prone IO errors when the me,ral surfaces are not clean Moreover, exposed electrical con,,acus often present an electro-static discharge (ESD) problem 30 and generally require that there be a tight physical and aligned connection between the devices to ensure proper contact.

When wallet ? and personal information device 10 are designed to communicate via electromagnetic induction. and not by direct electrical contact, wallet 70 requires its own power source (e.g., battery) The input device (i.e.. touchpad 80) of wallet 70) remains "off' (i.e.. essentially unpowered), so as to maximize battery life.

unless an attached personal information device is on. Wallet 70 is on" (i. e.. the input device of . ,

it,: ' -,,: i, I::: Hi:::;:::::: :: :::: t::::. :::::.: :: i::; I::: :: :: : :: I:

: :.: : I the wallet is powered) when the attached personal inorrnation device is on. To "wake up'' wallet 70.personal information device 10 sends a so-called wake" sigrmi-which is. for exarnple.a burst i: 2 on a 1 0KHz carrier signal! via the induction coils to the wallet. When the circuitry within wailer 5 70 detect The 10KHz signal. iouchpad 80 is automatically turned on. In a preferred example' he personal information device is designed to send a so-called "stay awake'' signal periodically (e.g., every 5 seconds. every 30 seconds. every 60 seconds,' etc.) and wallet 70 is . designed lo remain awake if the stay awalce signal is received periodically. If wallet 70 doesn't 10 receive the stay awake signal within a predetermined time period, the input device (i.e the . touchpad) of wallet 70 is. de-powered. In this instance, battery life of the wallet is preserved if, ' the personal information device is turned off or if the personal ulformation device is removed from wallet 70. Once turned on. wallet 70 transfers data serially to personal information device 10 using, for example. bursts on an 80 KHz carrier. The received signal is converted within personal information device 10 to the appropriate data. ' Figs. IDA and I9B schematically, illustrate exemplary circuits that can be utilized within F.. 20" wallet 70 and personal information device 10, respectively. The touchpad 80 hardware may be - coupled to a small microcomputer to drive the wallet's coil. and in order to wake the wallet (i.e touchpad 80). a bandpass filter (alternatively, a rnicroconroller) filters out all but the 10KHz 't . signal used by the personal information device to signal that it is on. Within personal 25 information device 10. circuitry to drive device 1 0's induction coil to signal that device 10 is on may be built into the ASIC of the personal inforrnaion device. Also circuitry is built into the ASIC to convert the 80 ECHz signal into serial data. A bandpass filter is utilized to filer out all but the 80 KHz signal. S ince the particular operations of the circuits shown in Figs. I PA and I 7B SO are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. a detailed description of the operation of these

exemplary circuits is omitted herein. Of course. other known. appropriate circuits may be ulilized. In the wallet 70, touchpad 80 may be sill;screened with a complete i;evboard. such as shown in Figs. I O and I i, and thus all entries' that can be made via a computer keyboard can be made via the keyboard on touchpad 80.

Touchpad 80 may be a pressure-sensitive type display. However. in the preferred example me,

- ::::::::: ::

:: :::;:::::: :::::::::: i:::::::::::::::;::::::;:::;:: ::. At;: .:::: i. ::::::: ::::::::;::: ' -.! . '.,.

1 'touchpad 80 is a Clue GlidePoint touchpad which is based on; . electrical capacitance and which does not.require pressure or direct contact. Such touchpad; contains a two-laver gTid of electrodes which are connected to an Integrated circuit mounted on the reverse side of the. touchpad. the first (upper) layer containing vertical electrode steps and the .. second (lower) layer containing horizontal electrical strips. Murual capacitance from each of the.: i: horizontal electrodes to each of the vertical electrodes. and which is modified by the presence of:: a human finger. is measured by the touchpad s integrated circuit. Fig. I schematically illustrates I O the operation of the touchpad. Upon detection of thc.h unan finger, touchpad 80 supplies as an output (via contacts 84 or electro-magnetic inductions the coordinates of the ftuger position and. : . the personal information device identifies the selected key as a function of the supplied coordinates. Alternatively. touchpad 80 supplies as an output a signal representing a data value that identifies the selected key (e.g., I = "A", 2 = "B". etc.).

Wallet 70 advantageously allows a user tO enter all necessary information into personal information device 10 without rhea need for a host 20 computer As shown in Figs. 9-11, wallet 70 is compact and conforms to the shape of personal information device 1 O thus allowing one tO easily utilize wallet 70 in. combination with personal information device 10 at all times.

Touchpad 80 may be replaced 25 with a touch-sensitive (pressure sensitive or alternatively, non-pressure sensitive) display that is operable tO display an image (display) thereon in accordance with a signal(s) (i e.. data? supplied from personal information device l O. thereto via contact pins 84 or electro-magnetic induction.

In this example, the display on the touch-sensitive display varies in accordance with the user 30 selected function to facilitate ease of use of that particular function. For example, upon user selection of the appointment schedule feature, personal information device 10 supplies to wallet . 70 an appropriate signal (i.e.. data) so that a calendar is displayed by the touch-sensitive display of wallet 70 and the user simply selects (i.e., touches) that day/date at which an appointment is to be scheduled. Upon selection of the desired day/date, the display of wallet ? may then be controlled by personal information device 10 to display different times of the day (e.g., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., etc.) for selection by the user. Flat panel display 1 of personal information device 10 -74-

: :: a::'v,4:::: : : : : i:::::::: - l::: ;; it: ::: : ! I may. during each step mentioned above. provide instructions to the user as well as any other information to facilitate ease of use of the device. Wallet 70 mav include a buffer memory for storing therein the display dale supplied from personal information device 10. Allemativelyt the . ... 5 memory within wallet 70 may be a non-vola.ile memory having pre-stored therein data pertaining .. to plural displays and thus the display data mentioned above that is supplied from person .. information device 10 may simply identify which of the pre-slored displays wallet 70 is to provide to the user.

10 in accordance with a further,; example of wallet 70 touchpad! ' . ,. 80 provides for user input via drawing with a finger or stylus (i.e., "inking"). The drawn input representing, for example, a memo or note. may be stored as a graphic within personal . information device 10. Alternatively, personal information device 10 includes appropriate recognition software that converts the drawn infor',nation info text data that is then stored in memory.,, | In accordance with ye: another example jof wallet 70 itop half 2.0 74 of wallet 7G includes a PCMCIA connector, for example! within holder 76 shown in Fig. 9, to which the PCMCIA connector of personal information device 10 may be directly coupled. In this embodiment, wallet 70 generally will not require contact pins 84 or electr4-magnelic Air induction technology. The various power and data signals are supplied via the respective 95 PCvlCIA cormeclors of wallet 70 and personal information device 10. The operation of wallet 70 having a PCMCIA connector may be similar to those examples Previously discussed.

Referring bacl; to Fig. 9r and as previously mentioned. wallet 70 may include a serial connector 89 to which a cable 90 may be coupled for the purpose of interfacing personal 0 information device 10, when inserted into wallet 70! to a host computer. Cable 90 may include attached thereto a serial connector or other type of connector, (not shown) that may be connected to the serial or other port of the host Computer. Cable 90 may even be attached to a PCMCIA card that can be inserted into the PCMCIA port of the host computer: Still further. cable 90 may be attached lo a device that functions in a manner similar to that of docl;ing station 50. previously discussed, to carry out baud rate conversion. When wallet 70 has inserted therein personal information device 10 and is also coupled to a host computer! for example, via cable 90. any and

:: :: : -.:

:: i:: :.:: all of the previously discussed features Ray be performed. including the downloading of repro Cramming data from the host computer to personal inforrnano. device 10 andlor the dov.Tdoadingofuser-enered data (e.g., appointment information addressitelephone irforma'ion.

etch. In addition the added capability, of uploading data from personal inforrnaion device 10 may be provided since personal irlformarion devicemay include information therein the'. is Entered thereto via wallet 70 and that is not reflected in the host computer.

. - Serial comer or 82 of 10 wallet, 70 may be coupled via cable 90 (or other suitable cable) to any one of a number of peripheral devices including, for example. a modem, a facsimile machine, another personal inforrnaion device. embodying the present. invention and so on. The application code within: personal irdorrnarion device 10 inserted vi,hin wallet 70 provides the appropriate signals to the 13. . attached Peripheral device...DTD: :... While the present invention has been particularly shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the 0 scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

For exernple, although the present discussion is directed tO a device to be used as a rnicro-sed I,: - personal organizer, the present invention is not limited solely thereto and may applied ?0 devices that perform other functions. Various other devices include pagers, mobile telephones, electronic . 25 maps. safety devices, classroom trainings devices, etc.? as well as other dayices that may be incorporated within a PChlCIA card or other equivalent and which may be interfaced with a ... personal computer for downloading of application code and reprogrararrung code thereto.

i' -96

Claims (3)

1. A personal information device. comprising: a housing in the form of a PCMCIA card; 5 a PCIvICIA I/O port at one end of the housing and adapted to be coupled to a PCNICIA port of a computer; an input device within the housing and accessible by a user for receiving user-supplied information! said input device including an edit button; 10 a memory m said housing adapted lo receive arid store therein application code and said usersupplied information: a flat panel display within or on said housing and visible to said user for displaying information thereto; and a controller coupled to said memory. said controller being operable to execute the 15 application code stored in said memory, lo control the flat panel display, and to receive the user supplied information received by said input device, said controller, when executing the application code, being adapted tO enter an edit mode upon user depression ofthe edit button. and said controller, when in said edit mode. being adapted to edit the usersupplied information stored in the memory in response to other usersupplied information received by the input device.

20 -

2. The personal information device of claim 1, wherein said input device further includes an option selection button and an entry button, said controller controls said flat panel display to display previously entered user-supplied entries and selects one of the displayed previously emered user-supplied entries in accordance with user depression of the option selection button, and said controller is adapted to add to said memory a user-supplied entry received by the input device after the edit button is pressed when no displayed user-supplied entry is user selected, and is adapted to edit information stored in the memory pertinent to the selected on;e of the displayed previously entered user-supplied entries in accordance with a user-supplied emry received by the 30 input device after the edit button is pressed when said selected one of the displayed previously entered user-supplied entries is selected.

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3. The personal information device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said memory is comprised I of first and second memories, said first memory being directly accessible by the computer via the PCMCIA I/O port when the PCMCIA I/O port of the personal information device is 5 coupled to the computer, said first memory being adapted to receive and store therein reprogramming data having reprogramming code therein supplied from the computer, said second memory not being directly accessible to the computer; and said controller being adapted to transfer to the second memory the reprogramming code stored in the first memory only after the personal information device is disconnected from the computer.

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