Modular Keypad with Wireless Arrangement for a Mobile Device

• US 20080293367A1
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wulff, Thomas, Degiovine, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

Described is a mobile device comprising a base unit and a keypad detachably coupled to the base unit. The keypad includes an input arrangement and a first wireless arrangement operating in accordance with a first wireless protocol.

Claims

1. A mobile device, comprising:

a base unit; and

a keypad detachably coupled to the base unit, the keypad including an input arrangement and a first wireless arrangement operating in accordance with a first wireless protocol.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless arrangement includes at least one of a first wireless communications arrangement and a first RFID arrangement.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein only the first wireless arrangement is detachable and a housing of the keypad is fixedly attached to a housing of the mobile device.

4. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the first wireless arrangement includes a plurality of detachable components.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the entire keypad is detachable as a single removable unit.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a second wireless arrangement operating in accordance with a second wireless protocol.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the second wireless arrangement is one of a second wireless communications arrangement and a second RFID arrangement.

8. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the mobile device operates using the first and second wireless arrangements simultaneously.

9. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the first protocol is different from the second protocol.

10. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein a choice between operating using one of the base unit and the keypad is user-selectable.

11. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the mobile device automatically chooses between operating using one of the base unit and the keypad.

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the choosing is a function of a detection of a change in a network condition affecting the mobile device'"'"'s ability to operate wirelessly.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the input arrangement includes at least one of a touchpad, a keypad arrangement, a keyboard and a touch-sensitive display.

14. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first protocol is at least one of a WAN, a LAN, an RFID, a GPS, a GSM, a CDMA, an RFID and a Bluetooth protocol.

15. A mobile device, comprising:

a base unit including a first wireless arrangement; and

a keypad detachably coupled to the base unit, the keypad including an input arrangement and a memory storing a first wireless protocol.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein operation of the first wireless arrangement is controlled by reading the first protocol.

17. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the base unit includes a memory storing a second wireless protocol.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein a choice of operating the first wireless arrangement under one of the first and second protocols is user-selectable.

19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the mobile device automatically switches between the first and second protocols based on a determination of the mobile device'"'"'s ability to operate using at least one of the first and second protocols.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the determination is a function of a detection of a change in a network condition affecting an ability of the mobile device to operate wirelessly.

21. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the first protocol is one of a WAN, a LAN, an RFID, a GPS, a GSM, a CDMA, an RFID and a Bluetooth protocol.

22. A mobile device, comprising:

a base unit; and

a keypad detachably coupled to the base unit, the keypad including an input means and a first wireless means operating in accordance with a first wireless protocol.