Mobile device expansion system

• US 7,200,702 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lerner, Matthew R., Nuttall, Michael, Keely, Leroy B., Ohta, Seiya, LeFors, Jon, Stoddard, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Auve; Glenn A.
• Application Number:
  US11/060,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20060190652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules

Abstract

An expansion device is provided for expanding the functionality of a mobile electronic device while in a mobile mode and/or in a desktop mode. The expansion device may be a media slice that provides multimedia functionality to a mobile electronic device. The media slice may be configured to receive an electromechanical interface from the mobile electronic device and to replicate the electromechanical interface for connecting to another expansion device, such as to a docking station or a port replicator. The expansion device and the mobile electronic device may be connected via a latch mechanism that easily couples and de-couples the devices. An expansion system is also provided that includes a support stand for providing orientation and support features for a computing device and/or an expansion device.

Claims

1. An expansion unit for providing expanded functionality to a mobile computer while bridging a connection from the mobile computer to a docking device, the expansion unit comprising:

a first peripheral device providing expanded functionality to the mobile computer when electrically connected to the mobile computer;

a first connector permitting the mobile computer to interface with the first peripheral device when the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the mobile computer;

a second connector electrically connected to the first connector and permitting the mobile device to interface with the docking device via the first and second connectors when the second connector is electrically connected to the docking device; and

wherein the expansion unit is a computing device operating independently of the mobile computer while in a stand-alone mode disconnected from the mobile computer and providing expanded functionality to the mobile computer when connected thereto, the expansion unit further comprising;

a storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for operating the computing device in the stand-alone mode;

an input device connector for interfacing with an input device;

a video adaptor for providing display information to a monitor; and

a processor in communication with the storage medium, the input device connector, and the video adaptor, the processor configured to perform steps comprising;

receiving user input via the input device connector;

executing instructions stored in the storage medium; and

providing display instructions to the video adaptor.

2. The expansion unit of claim 1, wherein the expansion unit comprises a media slice, the first peripheral device comprises a media player, and the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions for operating the media player independently of the mobile computer while in the stand-alone mode.

3. A media slice for a portable computer, the media slice comprising:

a media player;

an audio speaker in communication with the media player;

a first connector configured to connect with an expansion connector of the portable computer and to permit the portable computer to interact with the media player;

a second connector configured to replicate the expansion connector of the portable computer, the second connector electrically connected with the first connector to enable an expansion device connected to the second connector to interface with the portable computer while the portable computer is connected to the first connector; and

wherein the media player is configured to play media in a stand-alone mode while disconnected from the computer and to provide media player functionality to the personal computer when connected thereto, the media slice further comprising;

a storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for operating the media player;

a processor in communication with the storage medium and the media player; and

an input device for receiving media player instructions from a user.