Personal digital assistant expansion module

• US 6,765,789 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Yang, Yu-Chun
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US10/389,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20040105221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-687, 361/724-727, 361/818, 607/60, 710/102, 700/91, 248/918-922, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular

Abstract

An expansion module of a personal digital assistant is described. The expansion module provides an easy expansion environment and interface for the personal digital assistant. The expansion module has a connecting interface, a network device, a storage device, a power module, and an input/output interface. The connecting interface transmits information between the personal digital assistant and the expansion module. The network device provides a network connecting environment. The storage device provides a larger storage capacity for the personal digital assistant. The power cord provides an external power source and recharge function. The input/output interface connects more external devices. The expansion module further has a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse so that the personal digital assistant inserted in the expansion module is like a personal computer. The expansion module further has a processor to control the expansion module and transform data to fit each input/output interface requirement.

Claims

1. A personal digital assistant expansion module for a personal digital assistant comprising:

a connecting interface coupling with the personal digital assistant to transmit signals between the personal digital assistant expansion module and the personal digital assistant;

a network connection device coupling with the connecting interface to provide a network environment for the personal digital assistant;

a storage device coupling with the connecting interface to storage and provide data for the personal digital assistant;

a power module coupling with the connecting interface to provide an external electrical power to the personal digital assistant expansion module and the personal digital assistant, and recharge a battery of the personal digital assistant; and

an input/output interface coupling with the connecting interface to connect with an external device for the personal digital assistant.

2. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a hard disc.

3. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 2, wherein the external device is a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a hard disc, an optical disc drive or a printer.

4. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the connecting interface further comprises a processor to transfer data specifications within the personal digital assistant expansion module, the personal digital assistant and the input/output interface.

5. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

6. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is a personal system/2 (PS/2) interface.

7. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is a blue tooth interface.

8. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is an interface obeying IEEE 1394 specifications.

9. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is an interface obeying IEEE 802.11x specifications.

10. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the input/output interface is an infrared (IR) interface.

11. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 1, wherein the external device is a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a hard disc, an optical disc drive, a plotter, a printer or a combination thereof.

12. A personal digital assistant expansion module for a personal digital assistant comprising:

a connecting interface coupling with the personal digital assistant to transmit signals between the personal digital assistant expansion module and the personal digital assistant;

a processor coupling with the connecting interface to control the personal digital assistant expansion module and transform input/output datas;

a network connection device coupling with the processor to provide a network environment for the personal digital assistant;

a storage device coupling with the processor to storage and provide data for the personal digital assistant;

a power module coupling with the processor to provide an external electrical power to the personal digital assistant expansion module and the personal digital assistant, and recharge a battery of the personal digital assistant;

an input/output interface coupling with the processor to connect with an external device for the personal digital assistant;

a monitor coupling with the processor to display working statuses of the personal digital assistant;

a keyboard coupling with the processor to input the data for the personal digital assistant; and

a mouse coupling with the processor to control cursor positions of the personal digital assistant and choose icons on the monitor.

13. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the storage device comprises a hard disc.

14. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 13, wherein a storage capacity of the hard disc is larger than a storage capacity of the personal digital assistant.

15. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

16. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is a personal system/2 (PS/2) interface.

17. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is a blue tooth interface.

18. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is an interface obeying IEEE 1394 specifications.

19. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is an interface obeying IEEE 802.11x specifications.

20. The personal digital assistant expansion module of claim 12, wherein the input/output interface is an infrared (IR) interface.