Personal digital assistant for connecting with a communtcations module

• US 6,646,873 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acer, Inc., Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Acer, Inc., Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Sung, Cheng-Hsin, Chu-Chia, Tsai
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong, Hung Van
• Application Number:
  US10/063,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20020142799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-687, 361/724-727, 312/223--22, 439/217-218, 439/929, 400/692-693
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers

Abstract

A PDA for connecting with selectively installed communications modules. Both communications modules have their own corresponding connector and fixing device connected electrically and mechanically between the PDA and the communications module. With the above modules, the PDA becomes a tool with extendable specific communication functions. The communications module can be either a GPS or a cellular phone handset'"'"'s communications module. They can be attached to a PDA to provide additional communication functions.

Claims

1. A personal digital assistant (PDA) for selectively connecting with a communications module, comprising:

a first housing having a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel formed on a first side of the first housing for displaying data;

a first engaging means formed on a second side of the first housing; and

a first connector disposed at one end of the first housing for transmitting power and data;

wherein the selectively communications module further comprises;

a second housing;

a second engaging means formed on the second housing for engaging with the first engaging means; and

a second connector disposed at one end of the second housing for connecting with the first connector so as to transmit data.

2. The PDA of claim 1 wherein the first engaging means is a slot, the second engaging means being a hook for engaging with the slot, the communications module further comprising a releasing button which is capable of being switched to release the hook from the slot.

3. The PDA of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of protrusions formed on the second side of the first housing, the communications module further comprising a plurality of apertures for mating with the protrusions.

4. The PDA of claim 1 wherein the first connector has 14 holes, the second connector having 14 pins for mating with the 14 holes.

5. The PDA of claim 1 wherein the communications module further comprises a switch for turning on or off the communications module.

6. A personal digital assistant (PDA) for selectively connecting with a global positioning system (GPS) module, the PDA comprising:

a first housing having a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel formed on a first side of the first housing for displaying data;

a first engaging means formed on a second side of the first housing; and

a first connector disposed at one end of the first housing for transmitting power and data;

wherein the GPS module further comprises;

a second housing;

an antenna rotatably fixed on the second housing;

a second engaging means formed on the second housing for engaging with the first engaging means; and

a second connector disposed at one end of the second housing for connecting with the first connector so as to transmit data.

7. The PDA of claim 6 wherein the first engaging means is a slot, the second engaging means being a hook for engaging with the slot, the GPS module further comprising a releasing button which is capable of being switched to release the hook from the slot.

8. The PDA of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of protrusions formed on the second side of the first housing, the GPS module further comprising a plurality of apertures for mating with the protrusions.

9. The PDA of claim 6 wherein the first connector has 14 holes, the second connector having 14 pins for mating with the 14 holes.

10. The PDA of claim 6 wherein the GPS module further comprises a switch for turning on or off the GPS module.

11. The PDA of claim 6 wherein the GPS module further comprises a hinge for rotatably fixing the antenna on the second housing.

12. A personal digital assistant (PDA) for selectively connecting with a cellular phone module, the PDA comprising:

a first housing having a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel formed on a first side of the first housing for displaying data;

a first engaging means formed on a second side of the first housing; and

a first connector disposed at one end of the first housing for transmitting power and data;

wherein the cellular phone module further comprises;

a second housing;

an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals;

a battery for supplying power to the cellular phone module;

a microphone for inputting sound signals;

a second engaging means formed on the second housing for engaging with the first engaging means; and

a second connector disposed at one end of the second housing for connecting with the first connector so as to transmit data.

13. The PDA of claim 12 wherein the cellular phone module further comprises a chassis connected to the second housing.

14. The PDA of claim 12 wherein the first engaging means is a slot, the second engaging means being a hook for engaging with the slot, the cellular phone module further comprising a releasing button which is capable of being switched to release the hook from the slot.

15. The PDA of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of protrusions formed on the second side of the first housing, the cellular phone module further comprising a plurality of apertures for mating with the protrusions.

16. The PDA of claim 12 wherein the first connector has 14 holes, the second connector having 14 pins for mating with the 14 holes.

17. The PDA of claim 12 wherein the cellular phone module further comprises a switch for turning on or off the cellular phone module.