Wireless phone with removable personal information manager

• US 6,240,302 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Harrison, Dana C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Congvan
• Application Number:
  US09/087,557
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90, 455/550, 455/566, 455/575, 455/556, 455/557, 455/558
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A communications system includes a wireless telephone having a PC card rotatably and electrically coupled therewith. The PC card has a Type Two form factor. The system further includes a discrete, independently operably PIM. The PIM comprises a housing having a display screen mounted thereon and encloses electronic circuitry. The housing bounds a card slot. The card slot is configured to removably receive the PC card such that the wireless telephone is electrically coupled with the PIM when the PC card is received within the card slot.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

(a) a discrete, independently operable wireless telephone electrically and physically connected directly to a substantially rigid electronic card having a connector formed thereon; and

(b) a discrete, independently operable handheld computing device, the handheld computing device comprising a housing having a screen mounted therein and enclosing electronic circuitry, the device further including a slot capable of operably receiving the connector formed on the card thereby physically and electrically coupling the wireless telephone directly to the handheld computing device in a manner such that the handheld computing device and the wireless telephone form a substantially integral handheld unit, the handheld computing device for storing and retrieving operational data for operation of the wireless telephone and for displaying receive data received by the wireless telephone.

2. A communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic card includes a printed circuit board with a central processing unit.

3. A communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless telephone is digital.

4. A communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the handheld computing device is loaded with software for selectively transferring data between the handheld computing device and the wireless telephone.

5. A communication system comprising:

(a) a wireless telephone;

(b) a PC card having a connector conforming with the electrical and physical parameters of the PCMCIA standard and that is directly mounted to and electrically coupled with the wireless telephone; and

(c) a discrete, independently operable handheld computing device, the handheld computing device comprising a housing having a screen mounted thereon and enclosing electronic circuitry, the housing including a card slot configured to removably receive at least a portion of the PC card such that the wireless telephone is electrically coupled with the handheld computing device when the PC card is received within the card slot, the handheld computing device for storing and retrieving operational data for operation of the wireless telephone and for displaying receive data received by the wireless telephone.

6. A communication system as recited in claim 5, wherein the PC card has a Type Two form factor.

7. A communication system as recited in claim 5, wherein the PC card is rotatably mounted to the wireless telephone.

8. A communication system as recited in claim 5, wherein the PC card houses a modem.

9. A communication system as recited in claim 5, wherein the handheld computing device is configured to receive signals from the wireless telephone and display them on the screen thereof.

10. A communication system comprising:

(a) a wireless telephone;

(b) a PC card that is directly connected to the wireless telephone in a manner so as to be at least partially ratable with respect to the telephone; and

(a) a discrete, independently operable handheld computing device, the handheld computing device comprising a housing having a screen mounted therein and enclosing electronic circuitry, the housing including a card slot configured to removably receive at least a portion of the PC card such that the wireless telephone is electrically coupled with the handheld computing device when the PC card is received within the card slot, the handheld computing device for storing and retrieving operation of the wireless telephone and for display receive data received by the wireless telephone.

11. A communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein the PC card complies with the physical parameters prescribed by the PCMCIA.

12. A communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein the PC card and the handheld computing device each have an independent central processing unit.

13. A communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein the handheld computing device has electrical contacts mounted on the outside thereof.