Patent ID: RE42168

Claim:
A core computer unit comprising in combination a completely enclosed housing, internal core components in said housing, and an external core connector, said internal core components comprising , except for a display, all of the components of a conventional computer, including internal non-volatile mass storage means , I/O controller, video controller, and audio controller except for a display and power supply, all in electrical connection with said external core connector, said core computer unit having power connection means via said external core connector for electrical connection to an enclosure, without attachment to said enclosure said core computer unit is dormant and non-functional as a computer, said core computer unit not originally a component of a computer but a free standing unit originally not part of a computer, with said electrical connection said core computer unit supplying any desired computer function dictated by a plurality of different enclosures, said core computer unit devoid of any peripheral ports but having means to cooperate with said enclosure to supply a computer function to peripherals which are only in direct communication with said enclosure, said core computer unit having means to retain stored information even when separated from said enclosure, said stored information usable in said core computer unit with said plurality of different enclosures, said external core connectors having means adapted to cooperate with a connector in said enclosure to provide said electrical connection between said core computer unit and said enclosure, and wherein all of said internal core components in said core housing are completely enclosed therein and may not be removed, said core computer unit having means to be used interchangeably with a plurality of different type and of structured enclosures and not being a removable or replacement portion or component of a computer.