Patent ID: 6279049
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a receiving unit receiving a first electronic device, transmitting power to the first device, and conveying data to and from the first device, said receiving unit further comprising a plurality of bays including a first bay, said plurality of bays respectively receiving a plurality of additional devices including the first electronic device, said first bay receiving the first electronic device;a control unit being coupled to said receiving unit and controlling the first device in accordance with a device control signal;an input unit being coupled to said control unit and having a display system and a plurality of keys, said input unit generating said device control signal according to said keys being input by a user and then transmitting said device control signal to said control unit, said display system of said input unit displaying a status of said plurality of keys and a plurality of control commands available to the user; andan interface unit coupling a computer system with said receiving unit and enabling the data to be conveyed between the computer system and the first device received by said receiving unit;said display system of said input unit further comprising a plurality of display windows including a first display window, said plurality of display windows respectively displaying said status of said plurality of keys and said plurality of control commands available to the user, said first display window selected from among said plurality of display windows indicating that said first bay receives the first electronic device.