Patent ID: 7460170
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A computer assembly comprising: a host computer having an externally accessible device connector for receiving an expansion module; an expansion module, said expansion module including: a host connector configured to detachably attach to said device connector; an imaging module including a 2D image sensor; and a control circuit in communication with said imaging module, wherein said control circuit captures frames of image data corresponding to image signals generated by said 2D image sensor; wherein said host computer includes a power source in electrical communication with said expansion module; and wherein said expansion module includes a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) integrated circuit (IC) and a sleep control system, said sleep control system comprising a switch coupled to said power source, said switch having closed contact state wherein power is supplied to all electrically powered components of said expansion module, and an open contact state wherein power is not supplied to said imaging module but is still supplied to said UART IC.