Universal infrared coupling device

• US 6,927,970 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Marappan, Kumar
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US10/631,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-687, 361724-727, 600/407, 710/64, 235/462.43, 235/462.45, 235/486, 235/454, 455/463, 455/466, 455/404
• US Class Current: 250/495.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence

Abstract

A handheld device cradle for holding a handheld device in a fixed position relative to the cradle includes a movable IR coupling transceiver selectively connected to a keyboard and selectively movable relative to the cradle to align with the IR port of a handheld device mounted on the cradle. A reflective element of the cradle apparatus is arranged to facilitate a satisfactory alignment of a handheld device with the cradle IR transceiver regardless of the location of the IR port on the handheld device. In an example, a full-sized keyboard is used to provide input to a handheld device which is mounted within the exemplary cradle apparatus to maintain IR port alignment between the cradle IR port and the handheld device IR port.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, said electronic device including an infrared (IR) port arranged to receive IR signals, said apparatus comprising:

means for holding the electronic device in place relative to said apparatus; and

a movable IR port, said movable IR port being selectively movable relative to said electronic device for positioning said movable IR port relative to said IR port of said electronic device whereby said movable IR port is enabled to transmit IR signals to said IR port of said electronic device, said apparatus further including means for selectively maintaining a position of said movable IR port relative to said IR port of said electronic device, said means for selectively maintaining comprises a flexible conduit capable of retaining a shape in which said flexible conduit is arranged.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable IR port is connected to a terminal port of said apparatus, said terminal port being arranged for connection to an external input system whereby input from said external input system is transmitted from said movable IR port to said IR port of said electronic device.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible conduit includes means connecting said movable IR port with said terminal port.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a reflective device positioned relative to said movable IR port and said IR port of said electronic device such that IR signals from said movable IR port of said electronic device such that IR signals from said movable IR port are reflected by said reflecting device to said IR port of said electronic device.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said external input system is a keyboard device.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said reflecting device is selectively adjustable to reflect IR signals from said movable IR port to said IR port of said electronic device.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said movable IR port is mounted on a movable arm, said movable arm being arranged to slide along a track of said apparatus to position said movable IR port at various positions along one dimension of said electronic device.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and further including means arranged for connection to a power supply for supplying power to electrical components within said apparatus.

9. A system comprising:

an electronic device capable of receiving infrared (IR) signals; and

an apparatus for holding said electronic device, said apparatus comprising;

means for holding said electronic device in place relative to said apparatus; and

a movable IR port, said movable IR port being selectively movable relative to said electronic device whereby said movable IR port is enabled to transmit IR signals to said IR port of said electronic device, said apparatus further including means for selectively maintaining a position of said movable IR port relative to said IR port of said electronic device, said means for selectively maintaining comprises a flexible conduit capable of retaining a shape in which said flexible conduit is arranged.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9 and further including a keyboard device connected to said apparatus whereby signals generated at said keyboard device are transmitted through said movable IR port of said apparatus to said IR port of said electronic device.