Portable telephone apparatus which can be connected to an external apparatus without using an adapter

• US 5,566,226 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaka, Masahiko, Nishiyama, Kohei, Mizoguchi, Tamiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maung, Nay Aung
• Application Number:
  US08/450,472
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 379/52, 379/53, 379/58, 379/59, 379/110, 379/357
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

For use in combination with a data processing apparatus (50) which is provided with a card connecting portion for connecting a card-shaped device therewith, a portable telephone apparatus (20) has a card-shaped portion which can be connected to the card connecting portion instead of the card-shaped device. The data processing apparatus is for processing a datum. When the card-shaped portion is connected to the card connecting portion, the datum can be transferred between the data processing apparatus and the card-shaped portion. Therefore, the portable telephone apparatus enables the data processing apparatus to carry out communication relating to the datum.

Claims

1. A portable telephone apparatus having a function for use in combination with a data processing apparatus which is for processing a datum, said data processing apparatus including a card connecting portion which is for connecting a card-shaped device therewith to enable said datum to be transferred between said data processing apparatus and said card-shaped device, said portable telephone apparatus comprising:

a card-shaped portion for being connected to said card connecting portion instead of said card-shaped device, said card connecting portion enabling said datum to be transferred between said data processing apparatus and said card-shaped portion when the card-shaped portion is connected to said card connecting portion; and

communication carrying out means connected to said card-shaped portion for carrying out communication relating to said datum.

2. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said card-shaped device being formed in accordance with a predetermined standard, wherein said card-shaped portion is formed in accordance with said predetermined standard and is connected to said card connecting portion and said communication carrying out means.

3. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said card connecting portion having an insertion hole which is for being inserted with said card-shaped device in a predetermined direction when said card-shaped device is connected to said card connection portion, wherein said card-shaped portion is connected to said card connecting portion with being inserted into said insertion hole in said predetermined direction.

4. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said card connecting portion including a processing side connector within said insertion hole, wherein said card-shaped portion comprises:

a card-shaped case having an outer peripheral surface which is equal to that of said card-shaped device in size of a sectional plane perpendicular to said predetermined direction, said card-shaped case being inserted into said insertion hole when said card-shaped portion is connected to said card connecting portion; and

a telephone side connector held to said card-shaped case for being electrically connected to said processing side connector when said card-shaped case is inserted into said insertion hole.

5. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a body case which is connected to said card-shaped case for containing said communication carrying out means therein.

6. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said card-shaped case is movable relative to said body case.

7. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said card-shaped case has a first and a second end portion which are opposite to each other in said predetermined direction, said telephone side connector being held to said first end portion, said second end portion being pivotally connected to said body case.

8. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a display portion electrically connected to said communication carrying out means and placed on said body case; and

a key portion electrically connected to communication carrying out means and placed on said body case.

9. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a display portion electrically connected to said communication carrying out means and placed on said body case; and

a key portion electrically connected to said communication carrying out means and placed on said card-shaped case.

10. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a display portion electrically connected to said communication carrying out means and placed on said card-shaped case; and

a key portion electrically connected to said communication carrying out means and placed on said card-shaped case.

11. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said display portion and said key portion are mechanically coupled to each other.