CUSTOMIZABLE MODULAR MULTI-FUNCTION COMMUNICATION DEVICE
First Claim
1. An information input module that is matable with a portable information delivery module to form a unitary modular multi-functional communication device, the portable information delivery module including delivery module circuitry and a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors communicating with the delivery module circuitry, the portable information delivery module having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, and the portable information delivery module including a display communicating with the delivery module circuitry to present information to a user, comprising:
- a housing containing input module circuitry that facilitates communication of information between the information input module and the portable information delivery module, the housing including opposing major surfaces at least one of which includes an opening that is sized to accept placement of the portable information delivery module, the opening defined by an inner boundary that encompasses the perimeter of the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening;
an input device supported by the housing and in communication with the input module circuitry, the input device being operable to generate user-produced command signals for transmission to the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening; and
a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members and matable with the receptacle of the portable information delivery module, the connecting member configured to assume, in response to a securing force, a mated condition in which the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening in the information input module and the electrical contact members make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate transmission of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module, the user-produced command signals including signals in which the portable information delivery module responds by producing information for presentation on the display for observation by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A configurable modular communication device is composed of an information delivery module and an information input module that are matable to each other. The information delivery module is a single base unit that can work with a touchscreen keypad or a number of modular keypad or other information input attachments. The information input module enables a user to change the look of the modular communication device according to personal taste and enhances its functionality to fit the exact occasion and mode of use. The information delivery module acts on its own as the navigation key and provides on its display screen menu (including an on-screen touch sensing keypad) user access to all functionality including telephone, PDA (personal digital assistant), camera, clock, GPS, and MP3 music player. User-controlled navigation takes place on or in the vicinity of the display screen, whether by hard or soft key actuation.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An information input module that is matable with a portable information delivery module to form a unitary modular multi-functional communication device, the portable information delivery module including delivery module circuitry and a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors communicating with the delivery module circuitry, the portable information delivery module having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, and the portable information delivery module including a display communicating with the delivery module circuitry to present information to a user, comprising:
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a housing containing input module circuitry that facilitates communication of information between the information input module and the portable information delivery module, the housing including opposing major surfaces at least one of which includes an opening that is sized to accept placement of the portable information delivery module, the opening defined by an inner boundary that encompasses the perimeter of the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening; an input device supported by the housing and in communication with the input module circuitry, the input device being operable to generate user-produced command signals for transmission to the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening; and a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members and matable with the receptacle of the portable information delivery module, the connecting member configured to assume, in response to a securing force, a mated condition in which the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening in the information input module and the electrical contact members make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate transmission of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module, the user-produced command signals including signals in which the portable information delivery module responds by producing information for presentation on the display for observation by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable information delivery module that is matable with an information input module to form a unitary modular multi-functional communication device, the information input module including input module circuitry and a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members communicating with the input module circuitry, and the information input module including an opening and an input device communicating with the input module circuitry and generating user-produced command signals, comprising:
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a body having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, the body sized and configured for placement in the opening of the information input module, and the body containing delivery module circuitry to produce information for delivery to a user; a display supported on one of the opposing major surfaces of the body and communicating with the display module circuitry to present at least some of the information to the user; and a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors communicating with the delivery module circuitry and matable with the connecting member of the information input module, the receptacle assuming a mated condition with the connecting member in which the electrical conductors make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical contact members of the connecting member to thereby facilitate transmission of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module, the portable information delivery module responding to the user-produced command signals by producing the information that is presented on the display. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A modular multi-functional communication device that is customizable in aesthetic appearance, operational function, or both, by selectable substitution of modular components, comprising:
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a portable information delivery module including a display and associated display module circuitry communicating with the display, the display module circuitry producing information for presentation on the display for observation by a user, the portable information delivery module having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, and the portable information delivery module having a receptacle with a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors; and an information input module including an input device that is operable in response to user-produced command signals to which the portable information delivery module responds by producing the information for presentation on the display, the information input module including a housing having opposing major surfaces at least one of which includes an opening that is sized to accept placement of the portable information delivery module for releasable electrical and mechanical connections, the opening defined by an inner boundary that encompasses the perimeter of the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening of the information input module, the information input module including a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members, the connecting member being matable with the receptacle of the portable information delivery module and configured to assume, in response to a securing force, a mated condition in which the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening and the electrical contact members make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate communication of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification