Intelligent docking station integrated within a keyboard form factor for a handheld computer

• US 20040189602A1
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thrasher Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: Thrasher Associates LLC
• Inventors: Perales, Ramon, Scott, Bryan A.
• Application Number:
  US10/821,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189602A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/22 Detection of presence or absence of input display information or of connection or disconnection of a corresponding information source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2096 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a flat panel suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006; specific for a CRT G09G1/167

Abstract

The invention is an intelligent docking station integrated within a keyboard form factor that enables a user to input data into a handheld computer and access network connectivity.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a port integrated within a keyboard form factor;

the port adapted to couple with a handheld computer;

a processor maintained in the keyboard form factor, the processor coupled to the port;

a network interface coupled to the processor;

at least one keyboard key coupled to the processor;

the processor having memory; and

the memory stores code that enables the network interface and at least one keyboard key coupled to the processor to communicate with a handheld computer coupled to the port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the port is a Universal Serial Palm Connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is an embedded processor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the code is adapted to configure a network connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a keyboard processor coupled to the processor and to at least one keyboard key, the keyboard processor generates a unique character associated with a key when the key is articulated.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard form factor is a collapsible travel handheld computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard form factor is a PDA thumb board.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second port comprises a USB port.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handheld computer is a smart phone.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handheld computer is a personal digital assistant.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second port coupled to the processor and integrated with the keyboard form factor whereby the second port is adapted to communicatively couple with a mouse.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network connection is 802.11

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network connection is Bluetooth.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a port integrated within a keyboard form factor;

the port adapted to couple with a handheld computer;

a processor maintained in the keyboard form factor, the processor coupled to the port;

a network interface coupled to the processor;

at least one keyboard key coupled to the processor;

a second port coupled to the processor and integrated with the keyboard form factor;

the second port adapted to communicatively couple with an input device;

the input device comprising a mouse;

the processor having memory; and

the memory stores a code that enables the input device coupled to the second port to communicate with a handheld computer coupled to the port.

the code is adapted to display a mouse cursor on a handheld computer display.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second port is adapted to communicate with an input device via a short-range radio signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the short-range radio signal is an 802.11 signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the memory comprises a mouse interface that converts a mouse input value received on the second port into a signal representing that input value for a handheld computer coupled to the port.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a virtual communication driver (VCD) in communication with the memory, the VCD resident on a handheld computer.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the memory comprises a mouse interface that converts a mouse input value received on the second port into a signal representing that input value for a handheld computer coupled to the port.

20. A method in a computer system, comprising:

detecting a docking event on a first port integrated with a keyboard form factor, the first port also being coupled to a processor maintained in the keyboard form factor;

automatically enabling an input device coupled to a second port to communicate with a handheld computer coupled to the first port; and

displaying on the handheld computer a cursor whose position is controlled by the input device;

the input device comprising a mouse;

wherein

the first port and the second port are integrated within a keyboard.

21. The software system of claim 20 further comprising disabling the input elements of a handheld computing device that is coupled to the first port when a detect undocking act occurs.

22. The software system of claim 20 further enabling a sleep act after a detect undocking act occurs.