Replaceable cover for handheld computer

• US 20070163080A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lewis, Randall, Krieger, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0208 characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A handheld computer comprises a housing and a cover removably connected thereto by a universal hinge assembly. The universal hinge assembly includes a tubular member or arm having a proximal end fixedly (non-rotatably) secured to an edge of the cover and a distal end pivotally coupled to an edge of the cover. The pivotal coupling may comprise a ball and socket arrangement, a pin and slot arrangement, or any other type of coupling arrangement that enables universal pivoting movement and releasable attachment between the cover and the housing. The cover may include a cushion designed to abut a display screen mounted in the housing when the cover is in a closed position. A method of reconfiguring an encasement of a handheld computer having a cover releasably coupled thereto includes removing the first cover and replacing it with a second cover of a different type.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A removable cover assembly, comprising:

a hinge portion; and

a cover portion coupled to the hinge portion, the cover portion and the hinge portion being configured to be removably and adjustably attached to a portable computing device such that the cover portion may be positioned in at least a first position and a second position;

wherein the cover portion is configured to support the portable computing device at an inclined angle relative to a horizontal plane when the cover portion is positioned in the first position, the cover portion being at an angle relative to the horizontal plane when in the first position; and

wherein the cover portion is configured to cover at least a portion of a surface of the portable computing device when in the second position.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover portion is configured to slidably engage the portable computing device.

23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover portion is configured to cover a display of the portable computing device when in the second position.

24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover portion is configured to cover one or more user input devices of the portable computing device when in the second position.

25. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover portion is configured to substantially conform to the surface of the portable computing device in the second position.

26. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the hinge portion permits rotation of the cover portion about two axes.

27. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the hinge portion is configured to be located at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the portable electronic device.

28. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computing device.

29. A handheld computing device, comprising:

a housing;

a display coupled to the housing; and

a cover portion removably connected to the housing;

wherein the cover portion is positionable in a first position such that the cover portion supports the display at an inclined angle relative to a horizontal plane when the cover portion is at an inclined angle relative to the horizontal plane; and

wherein the cover portion is positionable in a second position such that the cover portion covers at least a portion of a surface of the housing, the surface containing the display.

30. The handheld computing device of claim 29, wherein the cover portion slidably engages the housing.

31. The handheld computing device of claim 29, wherein the display is visible when the cover portion is in the second position.

32. The handheld computing device of claim 29, wherein the cover portion comprises an elastomeric material.

33. The handheld computing device of claim 29, further comprising:

a processor configured to run at least one of an electronic calendar application and an email application.

34. The handheld computing device of claim 29, wherein the cover portion comprises a hinge.

35. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a housing including a front surface having a display, and a back surface opposite the front surface; and

a cover coupled to the housing, the cover having an inner surface;

wherein the housing is pivotally adjustable with respect to the cover about at least two axes to a first position and a second position such that the inner surface faces the front surface in the first position and the inner surface faces the back surface in the second position.

36. The mobile computing device of claim 35, wherein the display is a touch screen display.

37. The mobile computing device of claim 35, wherein the cover has an outer surface comprising an elastomeric material.

38. The mobile computing device of claim 35, further comprising:

a processor configured to run a wireless telephony application.

39. The mobile computing device of claim 38, wherein the processor is further configured to run at least one of an electronic calendar application and an email application.

40. The mobile computing device of claim 35, wherein the mobile computing device is a handheld computing device.