Case with communication module having a double pin hinge for a handheld computer system

• US 6,445,577 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lunsford, Eric Michael, Moore, David, Madsen, Brent D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US09/665,492
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/680, 361/681-683, 361/726-727, 361/736, 361/755, 361/741, 361/747, 361/752, 361/748, 361/759, 361/786, 361/796-803, 361/816, 361/818, 361/825, 361/829, 361/784, 341/22, 345/168-172, 345/905, 235/145, 248/917, 248/176.1, 248/176.3, 248/346.03, 248/912, 400/489, 400/682, 400/691-693, 312/208.1, 312/206.4, 366/708.1, 174/35.R, 174/51, 379/433, 379/428, 379/434, 379/438, 455/90, 455/300, 455/30, 403/331, 307/89-91, 439/65-67, 439/341, 439/165.31, 206/320, 206/305, 211/13.1, 211/26, 211/26.1, 211/26.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer

Abstract

A case for a handheld computer system is described. In an embodiment, the handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant. The case has multi-functional capability. The case provides a protective housing for the personal digital assistant and includes a communication module which is integrated into the case for protection against damage, whereas the communication module transmits and receives data for the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication device. In an embodiment, the case includes a front cover and a back cover coupled to the front cover via a double pin hinge. The personal digital assistant is inserted between the front and back covers, whereas the front cover protects the front of the personal digital assistant while the back cover protects the back of the personal digital assistant. The double pin hinge allows the front and back covers to rotate to a generally back-to-back position and to rotate to a generally front-to-front position, facilitating approximately 360 degree rotation about the double pin hinge by the combination of the rotations of each of the front and back covers. Additionally, the communication module is integrated into the front cover. The back cover includes a connector which couples to a communication port located on the back of the personal digital assistant, whereas the connector couples to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the protective housing formed by the front and back covers.

Claims

1. A case for a handheld computer system comprising:

a hinge;

a first cover coupled to said hinge and having;

an outer surface having an opening;

a first thickness, and

a metallic member coupled to said opening, wherein said metallic member has a second thickness that is smaller than said first thickness;

a second cover coupled to said hinge, wherein said hinge allows each of said first and second covers to independently rotate relative to one another to form a protective housing for said handheld computer system; and

a communication module integrated into said first cover, said communication module configured to transmit and receive data for said handheld computer system.

2. A case as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electrical link having a first end coupled to said communication module and a second end terminating on said second cover such that to facilitate coupling a communication port of said handheld computer system to said electrical link, wherein a portion of said electrical link is passed through said hinge.

3. A case as recited in claim 2 further comprising a connector coupled to said second end of said electrical link, wherein said connector is configured to couple to said communication port of said handheld computer system.

4. A case as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical link comprises a flex circuit.

5. A case as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical link comprises a flat flexible cable (FFC).

6. A case as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical link comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

7. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said first cover further includes an outer first cover and an inner first cover coupled to said outer first cover so that to increase a section modulus of said first cover, and wherein said outer first cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner first cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

8. A case as recited in claim 7 wherein said outer first cover includes said opening, wherein said inner first cover includes a recess that extends away from said outer first cover and that is configured to occupy a space above a display device of said handheld computer system when said first and second covers form said protective housing for said handheld computer system positioned between said first and second covers, and wherein said communication module is positioned between said metallic member and said recess of said inner first cover to reduce a stack thickness formed by said outer first cover, said metallic member, said communication module, and said inner first cover.

9. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said second cover includes an outer second cover and an inner second cover coupled to said outer second cover so that to increase a section modulus of said second cover, and wherein said outer second cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner second cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

10. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said hinge includes a rod for inserting into a slot of said handheld computer system so that to couple said handheld computer system to said case.

11. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication module comprises a Bluetooth radio system.

12. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.

13. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second covers each includes an external side and an internal side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a fully open position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally external side to external side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a closed position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally internal side to internal side.

14. A case as recited in claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises a double pin hinge.

15. A case for a handheld computer system comprising:

a hinge having a first pivot pin channel and a second pivot pin channel;

a first cover coupled to said first pivot pin channel and having;

an outer surface having an opening;

a first thickness, and

a metallic member coupled to said opening, wherein said metallic member has a second thickness that is smaller than said first thickness;

a second cover coupled to said second pivot pin channel, wherein said hinge allows each of said first and second covers to independently rotate relative to one another to form a protective housing for said handheld computer system; and

a communication module integrated into said first cover, said communication module configured to transmit and receive data for said handheld computer system.

16. A case as recited in claim 15 further comprising an electrical link having a first end coupled to said communication module and a second end terminating on said second cover such that to facilitate coupling a communication port of said handheld computer system to said electrical link, wherein a first portion of said electrical link is passed through said first pivot pin channel, wherein a second portion of said electrical link is passed through said second pivot pin channel, and wherein a third portion of said electrical link is pass through a cavity of said hinge which is between said first and second pivot pin channels.

17. A case as recited in claim 16 further comprising a connector coupled to said second end of said electrical link, wherein said connector is configured to couple to said communication port of said handheld computer system.

18. A case as recited in claim 16 wherein said electrical link comprises a flex circuit.

19. A case as recited in claim 16 wherein said electrical link comprises a flat flexible cable (FFC).

20. A case as recited in claim 16 wherein said electrical link comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

21. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said first cover further includes an outer first cover and an inner first cover coupled to said outer first cover so that to increase a section modulus of said first cover, and wherein said outer first cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner first cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

22. A case as recited in claim 21 wherein said outer first cover includes said opening, wherein said inner first cover includes a recess that extends away from said outer first cover and that is configured to occupy a space above a display device of said handheld computer system when said first and second covers form said protective housing for said handheld computer system positioned between said first and second covers, and wherein said communication module is positioned between said metallic member and said recess of said inner first cover to reduce a stack thickness formed by said outer first cover, said metallic member, said communication module, and said inner first cover.

23. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said second cover includes an outer second cover and an inner second cover coupled to said outer second cover so that to increase a section modulus of said second cover, and wherein said outer second cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner second cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

24. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said hinge further includes a rod for inserting into a slot of said handheld computer system so that to couple said handheld computer system to said case.

25. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said communication module comprises a Bluetooth radio system.

26. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.

27. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said first and second covers each includes an external side and an internal side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a fully open position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally external side to external side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a closed position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally internal side to internal side.

28. A case as recited in claim 15 wherein said hinge comprises a double pin hinge.

29. A case for a handheld computer system comprising:

a hinge having a first pivot pin channel and a second pivot pin channel;

a first cover coupled to said first pivot pin channel;

a second cover coupled to said second pivot pin channel, wherein said hinge allows each of said first and second covers to independently rotate relative to one another to form a protective housing for said handheld computer system; and

a communication module integrated into said first cover, said communication module configured to transmit and receive data for said handheld computer system, wherein said hinge further includes a rod for inserting into a slot of said handheld computer system so that to couple said handheld computer system to said case.

30. A case as recited in claim 29 further comprising an electrical link having a first end coupled to said communication module and a second end terminating on said second cover such that to facilitate coupling a communication port of said handheld computer system to said electrical link, wherein a first portion of said electrical link is passed through said first pivot pin channel, wherein a second portion of said electrical link is passed through said second pivot pin channel, and wherein a third portion of said electrical link is pass through a cavity of said hinge which is between said first and second pivot pin channels.

31. A case as recited in claim 30 further comprising a connector coupled to said second end of said electrical link, wherein said connector is configured to couple to said communication port of said handheld computer system.

32. A case as recited in claim 30 wherein said electrical link comprises a flex circuit.

33. A case as recited in claim 30 wherein said electrical link comprises a flat flexible cable (FFC).

34. A case as recited in claim 30 wherein said electrical link comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

35. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said first cover further includes an outer first cover and an inner first cover coupled to said outer first cover so that to increase a section modulus of said first cover, and wherein said outer first cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner first cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

36. A case as recited in claim 35 wherein said first cover has:

an outer surface having an opening;

a first thickness, and

a metallic member coupled to said opening, wherein said metallic member has a second thickness that is smaller than said first thickness.

37. A case as recited in claim 36 wherein said outer first cover includes said opening, wherein said inner first cover includes a recess that extends away from said outer first cover and that is configured to occupy a space above a display device of said handheld computer system when said first and second covers form said protective housing for said handheld computer system positioned between said first and second covers, and wherein said communication module is positioned between said metallic member and said recess of said inner first cover to reduce a stack thickness formed by said outer first cover, said metallic member, said communication module, and said inner first cover.

38. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said second cover includes an outer second cover and an inner second cover coupled to said outer second cover so that to increase a section modulus of said second cover, and wherein said outer second cover forms an external surface of said protective housing and said inner second cover forms an internal surface of said protective housing.

39. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said communication module comprises a Bluetooth radio system.

40. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.

41. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said first and second covers each includes an external side and an internal side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a fully open position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally external side to external side, wherein said first and second covers rotate into a closed position in which said first and second covers are arranged generally internal side to internal side.

42. A case as recited in claim 29 wherein said hinge comprises a double pin hinge.