Performance enhancement and upgrade attachment for a handheld computer

• US 20040090473A1
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bryan Scott
• Original Assignee: Bryan Scott
• Inventors: Scott, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US10/291,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20040090473A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/864
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

The invention provides systems, devices, and methods for upgrading the operating system of a personal digital assistant (PDA). One system according to the invention includes memory having a first operating system embedded therein, and a port coupled to the memory via a bus, the port enabled to connect to a PDA port. One method according to the invention upgrades an operating system in a personal digital assistant (PDA) by detecting a PDA attachment whereby a PDA having an operating system is detected at being attached to a port, initiating a start-up condition, overriding the operating system in the PDA, and initializing the PDA using a second operating system.

Claims

1. A system for upgrading the operating system of a handheld computer, comprising:

memory having a first operating system embedded therein;

a port coupled to the memory via a bus, the port enabled to connect to a handheld computer port.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a processor coupled to the bus.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising volatile memory coupled to the bus.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising non-volatile memory coupled to the bus.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power source coupled to at least the memory.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the processor functions as a master co-processor.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the volatile memory is random access memory.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the non-volatile memory is flash-enabled read-only memory.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the port is adapted to couple power from a handheld computer to the bus.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the handheld computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the handheld computer is a smartphone.

12. A method of upgrading an operating system in a handheld computer, comprising:

detecting a handheld computer attachment whereby a handheld computer having an operating system is detected at being attached to a port;

initiating a start-up condition;

overriding the operating system in the handheld computer; and

initializing the handheld computer using a second operating system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the handheld computer is a personal digital assistant.

14. A method of upgrading an operating system in a handheld computer, comprising:

initiating a start-up condition in the handheld computer;

receiving an override command from a secondary device such that the operating system onboard the handheld computer is interrupted; and

delegating the operating system to a secondary device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the handheld computer is a personal digital assistant.

16. A method of upgrading an operating system in a handheld computer, comprising:

detecting a handheld computer attachment whereby a handheld computer having an operating system is detected at being attached to a port;

overriding the operating system in the handheld computer such that the operating system in the handheld computer is inoperable so long as the handheld computer is attached.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the handheld computer is a personal digital assistant.