Stylus pen expansion slot

• US 7,209,113 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Park, Jeekyoung
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang; Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/142,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20030210223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,811 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/179, 345/184, 710/1, 178 1901- 1905
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer

Abstract

A hand-held computing system includes a housing with an elongated opening for receiving a nonelectronic input device. The elongated opening has an inside surface. At least two electrical contacts are positioned on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A connector includes at least two electrical contacts for electrically contacting the at least two electrical contacts on the inside surface of the elongated opening. A cable or other electrical connector places a peripheral computing device, battery or keyboard, in communication with the microprocessor within the housing of the personal data assistant.

Claims

1. A hand-held computing system comprising:

a housing having an elongated opening therein, the elongated opening being configured to receive a nonelectronic input device, the elongated opening having an inside surface, at least two electrical contacts being positioned on the inside surface of the elongated opening;

a cover portion configured to cover at least a portion of the housing;

a connection portion having an end which fits in the elongated opening and which has at least two electrical contacts which make electrical contact with the at least two electrical contacts on the inside surface of the elongated opening when the connection portion is positioned in the elongated opening, the cover portion being attached to the connection portion; and

a stylus holder mounted on the cover portion, the stylus holder being capable of receiving a stylus;

wherein the elongated opening of the housing has a blind end portion, and

wherein a first portion of the connection portion is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cover and the first portion of the connection portion is attached to the adjacent portion of the cover; and

wherein a second portion of the connection portion that is located adjacent to the end of the connection portion is free of attachment to an adjacent portion of the cover such that the second portion is insertable into the blind end portion of the elongated opening of the housing.

2. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 wherein the cover portion includes a keyboard.

3. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 wherein the cover portion includes a battery.

4. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 further comprising a display, wherein the housing has an opening therein, the display fitting within the opening in the housing, wherein the cover portion is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the display.

5. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 further comprising a display, wherein the housing has an opening therein, the display fitting within the opening in the housing, wherein the cover portion is dimensioned to cover the display.

6. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 wherein the stylus holder comprises an elongated loop.

7. The hand-held computing system of claim 1 wherein the cover portion further includes an edge and wherein the stylus holder is positioned proximate the edge of the cover portion.