Compact multifunction card for electronic devices

• US 6,945,461 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, Liang-Hien, Hien, Tg, Payne, Charlie, Becker, William G., Parker, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): St Cyr, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/823,449
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 235/451, 235/441, 235/492, 235/444, 235/486, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/451
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02

Abstract

An apparatus and method for enhancement of the functionality of electronic devices. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of an intermediary apparatus. The intermediary apparatus is adapted to be communicatively coupled with an electronic device. In the present embodiment, the apparatus is further comprised of a first module. The first module is comprised of a first electrical connector which is adapted to enable communication between the first module and the electronic device. The first module is further comprised of a second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between the first module and a second module. The first module is further comprised of an opening that is adapted to receive a second module. Additionally, the apparatus is further comprised of a controller adapted to control the communication between the first module and a second module, provided a second module is inserted into the first module.

Claims

1. An intermediary apparatus adapted to be communicatively coupled with an electronic device, said electronic device having an externally disposed accessible slot, said intermediary apparatus comprising:

a first module having an opening, said first module adapted to be communicatively coupled with said electronic device, said first module adapted to receive a second module, said first module comprising a wireless communication device that is operable to provide said electronic device with wireless communications functionality independent of said second module;

a controller coupled with said first module, said controller for controlling communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module, said second module comprising a compact memory device;

a first electrical connector coupled with said first module, said first electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said electronic device; and

a second electrical connector coupled with said first module, said second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module.

2. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first module is adapted to be inserted into said accessible slot of said electronic device.

3. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening of said first module is adapted to receive said second module.

4. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first module comprises a second compact memory device and said second module comprises a communication device.

5. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device is a Bluetooth wireless device.

6. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device is a modem.

7. The intermediary apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening of said first module has a size that is larger than said externally disposed accessible slot of said electronic device such that said first module enables said second module, said second module having a size which is larger than said externally disposed accessible slot of said electronic device, to be communicatively coupled with said electronic device.

8. A system having an electronic device and an intermediary apparatus, said electronic device having an externally disposed accessible slot, said intermediary apparatus communicatively coupled with said electronic device, said intermediary apparatus comprising:

a first module having an opening, said first module adapted to receive a second module, said first module comprising a wireless communication device that is operable to provide said electronic device with wireless communications functionality independent of said second module;

a controller coupled with said first module, said controller for controlling the communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module, said second module a compact memory device;

a first electrical connector coupled with said first module, said first electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said electronic device; and

a second electrical connector coupled with said first module, said second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said first module is adapted to be inserted into said accessible slot of said electronic device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said opening of said first module is adapted to receive said second module.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said first module comprises a second compact memory device and said second module comprises a communication device.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said compact memory device is a SD (secure digital) card.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said compact memory device is an MMC (multimedia card).

14. The system of claim 8 wherein said wireless communication device is a Bluetooth wireless device.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein said wireless communication device is a wireless modem.

16. The system of claim 8 wherein said opening of said first module has a size that is larger than said externally disposed accessible slot of said electronic device such that said first module enables said second module, said second module having a size which is larger than said externally disposed accessible slot of said electronic device, to be communicatively coupled with said electronic device.

17. In a system having an electronic device, wherein said electronic device having an externally disposed accessible slot, and an intermediary apparatus adapted to be communicatively coupled with said electronic device, a method for improved user interoperability comprising the steps of:

providing a first module comprising a opening, said opening adapted to receive a second module, said first module adapted to be inserted into said accessible slot of said electronic device, said first module comprising a wireless communication device that is operable to provide said electronic device with wireless communications functionality independent of said second module;

providing a first electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said electronic device;

providing a second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module, said second module a memory device;

providing a controller coupled with said first module, said controller adapted to control communication between said first module and said second module, provided said second module is inserted into said first module;

inserting said first module into said electronic device; and

inserting said second module into said first module.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said first module is adapted to be inserted into said accessible slot of said electronic device.

19. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said first module comprises a memory device and said second module comprises a communication device.