Re: [NTLK] multiple minidin ports in a stand idea

From: PCBman (pcbman_at_ix.netcom.com)
Date: Sat Aug 03 2002 - 09:52:21 EDT


----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoffrey Hall" <bypass_at_ozemail.com.au>
To: <newtontalk_at_newtontalk.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2002 8:58 AM
Subject: [NTLK] multiple minidin ports in a stand idea

> I was toying with the idea of drilling holes out of the newt case
> bottom and creating contacts and soldering wires for the ac adapter
> and minidin. The contacts go between
> the 2 elevated footpads on the same side as the port door (like on
> mobile phones).

An interesting idea Geoffrey. You might want to investigate a ready built
connector, though, if you want it to look good. They would have to be gold
plated to avoid contact corrosion.

> On the side of the stand/lamp
> I could create 4 minidin ports out connected in parallel to the
> minidin contacts in, and power input for the newt ac
> adapter. I would have a keyboard , printer, (+/- serial modem)and PC
> serial attached to the parallel minidins.

Unfortunately, you cannot connect multiple devices to the same serial port.
You would suffer data collision. (Yes, I know that there are serial
protocols that allow a multi-drop capibillity, but this is just
plain-vanilla serial RX-TX). The best you
could hope to acheive, without extensive modification, is to enjoy the
convienience of having all you peripherals plugged into the base and having
a switch that would select each one.

>
> When I needed to recharge, sync, print, type a document, etc, I could just
drop the
> newt onto the stand and it happens/connects instantly. Is this
> ***possible*** ????

You would need some more signals in order for an automatic connection. Pin
26 of the Newton interconnect plug is a wakeup pin. When this pin is pulled
low the Newt 'wakes up'.

In conclusion, I would think some more about this. Remember, this would
irreversibly change your Newt; possibly to the point of not being able to
sell it.
Also, to do just what you are proposing requires a lot more engineering than
you are perhaps aware at this time.

The idea is interesting though.

Regards,

PCBman

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