Thin electronic reference device

• US 20050146506A1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FEP Holding Company
• Original Assignee: Franklin Electronic Publishers Incorporated (Saunders Acquisition Corp.)
• Inventors: Leib, Gary, Lee, Pang, Goszyk, Kurt A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,227,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard

Abstract

An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a main body that houses a display and a keyboard section. The main body is thin enough to be able to fit between the pages of the book. The top of the device is slightly larger than the main body and the battery is not housed in the main body.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing body, having a display section and a keyboard section;

a processor located in said housing body;

a conduit coupled to said housing body to allow an electrical connection to an external power source;

said display section being capable of displaying data and said keyboard section is capable of allowing a user to input data into said apparatus; and

said housing body being thin enough to fit between pages of a closed book.

2. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said conduit is thicker than said thickness of said housing body.

3. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein said conduit is thin enough to fit between pages of a closed book.

4. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing body has a substantially uniform thickness.

5. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard section is comprised of a flexible material.

6. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said display section is comprised of a rigid material.

7. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing body is comprised of a flexible circuit board.

8. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery housing connected to said housing body through said conduit.

9. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing body does not damage a closed book'"'"'s spine when placed inside said closed book.

10. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 6, wherein said conduit is comprised of said rigid material.

11. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising memory storage connectable to said processor.

12. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 11 wherein said memory storage is separable from said apparatus.

13. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 8 wherein said battery housing has dimensions sufficient to hold said device from slipping out of a closed book.

14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said conduit spans the top of said housing body.

15. A portable electronic device comprising:

a main housing;

said main housing comprising;

(1) a processor capable of performing functions on data;

(2) data keys electrically connected to said processor that are capable of inputting data to said processor; and

(3) a display electrically connected to said processor that is capable of displaying said data;

a power source housing connected to said main housing through a conduit; and

said main housing being thin enough to fit in between pages of a closed book.

16. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is capable of performing dictionary functions.

17. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is capable of performing calendar functions.

18. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is capable of performing game functions.

19. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is capable of performing calculator functions.

20. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is capable of creating and storing a user list.