Modular protective housing with peripherals for a handheld communicatons device

• US 20070223182A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Doczy
• Original Assignee: Solution Technologies, Inc. (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Inventors: Little, Kirk, Swan, Harris
• Granted Patent: US 7,663,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/730
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03

Abstract

A peripherals device for coupling with a handheld communication device includes an interface to the handheld communication device and a processor for performing functions complementary to the communications device. According to another embodiment, the peripherals device includes a conformal cavity for receiving a handheld communications device in a secure fashion. According to yet another embodiment, the peripherals device includes a data collection device for collecting data and using the interface for sending the collected data to a remote processor for further processing. The data collection device can include an image reader, a barcode reader, a signature capture device, an optical character recognition. In yet another embodiment, there is a power subsystem that powers the peripherals device and the handheld communications device. The power system has a low power state to conserve energy. In another embodiment, the peripherals device comprises a plurality of processors that automatically reconfigure themselves to work with the communication device to which the peripherals device is connected.

Claims

1. A modular housing for a handheld communication device comprising:

an input for receiving information;

a processor for processing the information;

circuitry, coupled to the processor, for providing a plurality of functions complementary to the handheld communication device; and

an interface between the processor and the handheld communication device for providing a communication link with the handheld communication device.

2. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a conformal cavity for holding the portable communication device and for redirecting forces on the housing such that the forces are redirected around the device not through it.

3. The modular housing of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an I-beam cross section structure modified to accommodate the communication device.

4. The modular housing of claim 1 wherein the input comprises an interchangeable sensor clip that houses one of a plurality of interchangeable sensor devices.

5. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a touch screen overlaying the display of the communication device wherein the touch screen creates events that can be used to control the functions of the communication device.

6. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a global positioning system.

7. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a set of case interlocks to share the forces of an impact on the housing such that during an impact the interlocks are driven together.

8. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a replaceable cradle connector to allow the housing to include any of several I/O devices all having the same form factor such that any of the I/O devices can be used within the same cradle connector.

9. The modular housing of claim 1 further comprising a power subsystem comprising a host battery and logic for detecting a charge level of the host battery and of a guest device battery in the handheld communication device, and for directing current from the host battery to the guest device battery when the charge level of the guest device battery is below a threshold.

10. The modular housing of claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a mechanical connection.

11. A peripherals device for a handheld communication device comprising:

an input for receiving information;

a plurality of processing resources configured to perform a plurality of functions; and

an interface between the processor and the handheld communication device for providing a communication link with the handheld communication device,

wherein the processing resources comprise logic for detecting a guest configuration of the handheld communication device when a connection is made to the handheld communication device and for reconfiguring the processing resources so that the processing resources become interoperable with the guest configuration.

12. The peripherals device of claim 11 wherein the input comprises an information collection device for collecting information locally and an electrical interface for receiving the information and converting it to a data structure processable by the processing resources.

13. The peripherals device of claim 11 wherein the input comprises an image acquisition device.

14. The peripherals device of claim 13 wherein the image acquisition device comprises a bar code reader or scanner.

15. The peripherals device of claim 13 wherein the image acquisition device comprises a digital camera.

16. The peripherals device of claim 13 further comprising a signature capture device.

17. The peripherals device of claim 11 further comprising a global positioning system.

18. The peripherals device of claim 11 further comprising a power subsystem comprising a host battery and logic for detecting a charge level of the host battery and of a guest device battery in the handheld communication device, and for directing current from the host battery to the guest device battery when the charge level of the guest device battery is below a threshold.

19. The peripherals device of claim 11 wherein the electrical connection provides power and data interchange.

20. An intelligent host for a handheld communication device comprising:

an input for receiving information;

a system circuit board comprising a processor and associated electronics for processing the information received;

an interface for coupling to the handheld communication device to communicate with the communication device; and

a housing comprising a conformal cavity for receiving the handheld communication device.

21. The intelligent host of claim 20, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of parts, each with force management interlocking connectors.

22. The intelligent host of claim 21, wherein each part comprises a shape that directs impact on its surface into the interlocking connections.