Accessory module for handheld devices

• US 20030071791A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wong, Yoon Kean, Hanson, William Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

An accessory module or accessory display device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The device includes an interface configured to be coupled to a handheld computer through an interface slot. The module may be flexibly hinged to the interconnect interface, permitting the coupling of the module to a variety of host devices. The module includes memory configured to store information customized to the user.

Claims

1. A display module for a handheld computer, comprising;

a display housing;

a display incorporated into the display housing;

an interface housing;

an interface configured to be removably coupled to the handheld computer, the interface being incorporated into the interface housing; and

,

a memory.

2. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the memory includes Secure Digital (SD) memory.

3. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to be coupled to a slot in a housing of the handheld computer.

4. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through electrical interconnects.

5. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through an optical data link.

6. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the display module is powered by an internal battery.

7. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the display module is configured to receive power from a host device through the interface.

8. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface housing is foldably connected to the display housing.

9. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 8, wherein the display module is configured to be received by a host device when the interface housing is folded behind the display housing.

10. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 8, wherein the host device is selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

11. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 8, wherein the host device is a wearable device.

12. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the display module further comprises a processing circuit selected from the group consisting of:

ASIC, microcontroller, microprocessor.

13. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 12, further comprising at least one input/output device.

14. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the at least one input/output device is selected from the group consisting of:

touch screens, buttons, dials, switches, and electro-audio transducers.

15. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 6, wherein the display module operates to display information when not coupled to a host device.

16. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the display module is configured to be coupled to a host device, the host device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

17. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, further comprising a display controller for controlling the display.

18. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store and retain data customized to the user.

19. An accessory module for a portable electronic device comprising:

an accessory housing;

an interface for making electrical connection between the accessory module and a host device; and

,

an interface housing for supporting the interface,

wherein, the interface housing is hinged to the accessory housing such that the interface housing can fold behind the accessory housing and the interface housing can unfold to extend for insertion into an interface slot in a portable electronic device.

20. The accessory module for a portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the display module is configured when folded to be received within a cavity provided within a host device, the host device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

21. The accessory module for a portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the hinge includes a plurality of detents.

22. The accessory module for a portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the interface housing is configured to fit a secure digital (SD) slot.

23. A portable display module for coupling to a host device, comprising:

a display housing;

a display coupled to the display housing;

an interface housing;

an interface configured to be removably coupled to the host device, the interface being incorporated into the interface housing; and

,

a memory.

24. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the memory includes Secure Digital (SD) memory.

25. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the interface is configured to be coupled to a slot in a housing of the handheld computer.

26. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through electrical interconnects.

27. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through an optical data link.

28. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the display module is powered by an internal battery.

29. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the display module is configured to receive power from a host device through the interface.

30. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the interface housing is foldably connected to the display housing.

31. The portable display module of claim 30, wherein the display module is configured to be received by a host device when the interface housing is folded behind the display housing.

32. The portable display module of claim 30, wherein the host device is selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

33. The portable display module of claim 30, wherein the host device is a wearable device.

34. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the display module further comprises a processing circuit selected from the group consisting of:

ASIC, microcontroller, microprocessor.

35. The portable display module of claim 34, further comprising at least one input/output device.

36. The display module for a handheld computer of claim 35, wherein the at least one input/output device is selected from the group consisting of:

touch screens, buttons, dials, switches, and electro-audio transducers.

37. The portable display of claim 28, wherein the display module operates to display information when not coupled to a host device.

38. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the display module is configured to be coupled to a host device, the host device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob/pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

39. The portable display module of claim 23, further comprising a display controller for controlling the display.

40. The portable display module of claim 23, wherein the memory is configured to store and retain data customized to the user.