Coupled portable telephone/interface module

• US 6,597,924 B1
• Filed: 02/20/1996
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGREE, TRACY MICHELLE
• Application Number:
  US08/603,665
• Time in Patent Office: 2,709 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/558, 455/559, 455/556, 455/550, 455/90, 455/346, 455/349, 379/446, 379/438, 379/447, 379/450, 379/433.05, 439/217, 439/218, 439/221, 439/224, 439/650, 439/502, 439/638, 439/649, 439/946.2, 439/945
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

The present invention provides a solution to the dual problems of mobility and portability associated with using a portable telephone in combination with a portable computer in a telecommunications environment. The invention comprises a coupled portable telephone(16)/interface module (40) that may be directly coupled to a portable computer (62). The interface module (40) portion of the invention includes a first interface (44) for coupling to an interface (34) on a portable telephone (16) and a second interface (58) for coupling to an interface (68) on a portable computer (62). The interface module (40) facilitates a direct connection between a coupled portable telephone (16)/interface module (40) and a portable computer (62). When the second interface (58) is directly connected to the interface (68) on a portable computer, the interface module (40) electrically couples the portable telephone (16) to the portable computer (62) thus eliminating the need for a cable or tethered connection between the portable computer (62) and portable telephone (16). In one embodiment of the invention, the interface module (40) is constructed to fit within a cavity (76) in the portable computer (62). In another embodiment of the invention, the interface module portion of the coupled interface module/portable computer (60) facilitates a physical connection to the portable computer (62) by a latching mechanism when full inserted into the computer (62).

Claims

1. A telecommunications apparatus, comprising:

a portable telephone having an interface; and

an interface module removably connected to said portable telephone along one and only one surface of said portable telephone, said interface module having a first interface directly connected to said portable telephone interface; and

a second interface, coupled to said first interface, said second interface facilitating a direct physical and electrical connection to a computer interface.

2. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said portable telephone, comprises:

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver;

a microprocessor coupled to said transceiver;

a power source coupled to said microprocessor;

a telephone interface coupled to said processor;

a keypad coupled to said telephone interface;

a microphone and speaker coupled to said telephone interface; and

an interface coupled to said microprocessor.

3. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 2, wherein said portable telephone is a cellular telephone.

4. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 2, further including a modem coupled to said microprocessor.

5. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first interface includes a connector and said portable telephone interface includes a connector that mates with said connector on said first interface.

6. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second interface includes a connector and said computer interface comprises a connector that mates with said connector on said second interface.

7. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interface module further comprises a protective case housing said first and said second interfaces.

8. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first and second interfaces are on opposing surfaces of said protective case.

9. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 7, wherein said interface module further includes an attachment mechanism for securing said interface module to said portable telephone when said first interface is connected to said portable telephone interface.

10. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 9, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises flexible arms for engaging corresponding receptacles in said portable telephone.

11. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 7, wherein said interface module further includes guide pins for engaging corresponding guide receptacles in said portable telephone.

12. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 7, wherein said interface module further includes a mechanism on said protective case that facilitates attachment of said interface module to said portable computer.

13. A telecommunications apparatus, comprising:

a portable telephone having an interface; and

an interface module removably connected to said portable telephone along one and only one surface of said portable telephone, said interface module having a first interface directly connected to said portable telephone interface; and

a second interface, coupled to said first interface, said second interface facilitating a direct physical and electrical connection to a computer interface, said interface module comprising a microcontroller coupling at least one electrical contact on said first interface to said second interface.

14. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interface module further includes an antenna lead coupling at least one electrical contact on said first interface to said second interface.

15. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interface module further includes leads coupling electrical contacts on said first interface to electrical contacts on said second interface, said leads facilitating the transfer of power signals between said first and second interfaces.

16. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interface module further includes a lead coupling an electrical contact on said first interface to an electrical contact on said second interface, said lead facilitating the transfer of voice signals between said first and second interfaces.

17. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interface module further includes a lead coupling an electrical contact on said first interface to an electrical contact on said second interface, said lead facilitating the transfer of data signals between said first and second interfaces.

18. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interface module further includes a lead coupling an electrical contact on said first interface to an electrical contact on said second interface, said lead facilitating the transfer of voice and data signals between said first and second interfaces.

20. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein said microcontroller is a digital signal processor.

19. A telecommunications apparatus, comprising:

a portable telephone having an interface; and

an interface module removably connected to said portable telephone alone one and only one surface of said portable telephone, said interface module having a first interface directly connected to said portable telephone interface; and

a second interface, coupled to said first interface, said second interface facilitating a direct physical and electrical connection to a computer interface, said interface module comprising a microcontroller coupling at least one electrical contact on said first interface to said second interface and a codex circuit coupling an electrical contact on said first interface to said microcontroller.

21. A telecommunications apparatus, comprising:

a portable telephone having an interface; and

an interface module removably connected to said portable telephone along one and only one surface of said portable telephone, said interface module comprising;

a first interface removably connected to said portable telephone interface;

a second interface, coupled to said first interface for facilitating a direct physical and electrical connection to a computer interface;

a protective case enclosing said first and second interfaces; and

an attachment mechanism, adjacent first interface, for securing said interface module to said portable telephone when said first interface is connected to said interface on said portable telephone.