Communications accessory and computing unit that operates therewith

• US 7,031,670 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: May, Gregory J
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bing Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/892,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20020197962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,758 Days
• Field of Search: 361/636, 361/640, 361/681, 361/683, 361/686, 455/66.1, 455/90.3, 455/575.1, 455/575.7, 343/700.R, 343/718, 343/720
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• 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: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An accessory for transmitting signals, includes a receptacle that accepts signals of a first format from a computing unit. The accessory also includes a converter, coupled to the receptacle, which converts the signals of a first format to signals of a second format. The accessory also includes an aperture, coupled to the converter, which transmits the signals of the second format. The aperture is also coupled to a resilient element that extends the accessory from a compressed state, wherein the extension influences transmission of the signals of a second format. The accessory may also receive signals as well.

Claims

1. An accessory for transmitting signals, comprising:

a receptacle that accepts signals of a first format from a computing unit;

a converter, coupled to said receptacle, which converts said signals of a first format to signals of a second format; and

an aperture, coupled to said converter, which transmits said signals of said second format, said aperture being further coupled to a resilient element that extends said accessory from a compressed state, said extension influencing transmission of said signals of a second format.

2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said signals of a first format are in accordance with a universal serial bus protocol.

3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said aperture is an antenna.

4. The accessory of claim 3 wherein said signals of a second format are in accordance with an IEEE 802.11B protocol.

5. The accessory of claim 3 wherein said signals of a second formatted are in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

6. The accessory of claim 3 wherein said antenna provides gain that is increased in some directions and decreased in other directions.

7. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising an infrared modulator coupled to said converter and said aperture.

8. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a projector, coupled to said converter, that projects images through said aperture.

9. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said resilient element is a spring.

10. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said accessory further comprises a latch which holds said resilient element in a compressed position.

11. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a lamp which illuminates when said accessory is in an extended position.

12. An accessory to a computing unit, comprising:

a converter which converts signals of a first format to signals of a second format;

an aperture coupled to said converter, which transmits said signals of said second format, and

a spring, disposed between said aperture and said converter for controlling coupling of said signals of said first format to said converter.

13. The accessory of claim 12 wherein said signals of said first format are formatted in accordance with a universal serial bus protocol.

14. The accessory of claim 12 wherein said aperture is an antenna.

15. The accessory of claim 14 wherein said antenna transmits signals formatted in accordance with an IEEE 802.11B protocol.

16. The accessory of claim 14 wherein said second format is in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

17. The accessory of claim 14 wherein said antenna provides gain that is greater in some directions and lesser in other directions.

18. The accessory of claim 12 further comprising an infrared demodulator coupled between said aperture and said converter.

19. The accessory of claim 12, further comprising a latch which hinders movement of said spring.

20. In a communications accessory, a method for transmitting information from a computer coupled to said communications accessory, comprising:

extending said communications accessory from a channel, said extension causing said communications accessory to become active;

said communications accessory receiving information using a first format;

said communications accessory converting said information to a second format; and

said communications accessory transmitting said information using said second format.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said first format is in accordance with a universal serial bus protocol.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said second format is in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein said second format is in accordance with an IEEE 802.11B protocol.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said transmitting step is accomplished by way of an antenna operating at a radio frequency.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein said transmitting step is accomplished by way of a source that transmits an infrared signal.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein said transmitting step is accomplished by way of transmitting optical information.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said optical radiation is displayed on an external surface.

28. The method of claim 20 wherein said extending action includes extending a spring from a compressed state.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein said extending action includes extending a resilient element from within said channel.

30. The method of claim 20 wherein said extending action is followed by unlatching said communications accessory, thereby actuating said communications accessory from a compressed to an extended position.

31. The method of claim 20 wherein said extending action permits power to couple to said communications accessory.

32. The method of claim 20 wherein said extending action permits said communications accessory to accept data from said computer coupled to said communications accessory.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said extending action additionally permits said computer transmit information to said communications accessory.

34. The method of claim 20 additionally comprising illuminating a lamp within said communications accessory.

35. In a communications accessory, a method for transmitting information from a computer coupled to said communications accessory, comprising:

extending said communications accessory from a channel, said extending action resulting in bringing a transmission line element to couple with an antenna;

said communications accessory receiving information encoded in a first format;

said communications accessory converting said information encoded in a first format to a second format; and

said communications accessory transmitting said information using said second format.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said first format is in accordance with a universal serial bus protocol.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein said transmitting step is performed using an antenna that operates at a radio frequency.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said second format is in accordance with an 802.11B protocol.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein said second format is in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein said antenna provides increased gain in certain directions and decreased gain in other directions.

41. An accessory that transmits signals, comprising:

means for receiving information in a first format;

means for converting said information from said first format to a second format;

means for transmitting information using said second format;

means for extending said accessory from a computing device, said means for extending said accessory influencing said means for transmitting.