Accessory module for handheld devices

• US 7,280,100 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wong, Yoon Kean, Hanson, William Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/975,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,189 Days
• Field of Search: 345/903, 345/905, 345156-179, 345/1.1, 345/1.3, 235/462.44, 235/380, 710/62, 349/149, 455/566, 455/557, 455/575, 455/558, 439/638, 395/882, 353/122, 348/734
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

An accessory module or accessory display device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The device includes an interface configured to be coupled to a handheld computer through an interface slot. The module may be flexibly hinged to the interconnect interface, permitting the coupling of the module to a variety of host devices. The module includes memory configured to store information customized to the user.

Claims

1. An electronic module, comprising;

a display housing;

a display supported by the display housing;

an interface housing;

a processor coupled to the display;

a power supply coupled to the processor;

an interface configured to be removably coupled to a handheld computer, the interface being incorporated into the interface housing; and

,

a memory coupled to the processor,

wherein the interface housing is hinged to the display housing such that the interface housing can fold behind the display housing and be used to couple to the handheld computer when in the fully-folded position, wherein the display is visible when the interface housing is in the fully-folded position and the interface is coupled to the handheld computer.

2. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the memory includes Secure Digital (SD) memory.

3. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to be coupled to a slot in a housing of the handheld computer.

4. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through electrical interconnects.

5. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with a host device through an optical data link.

6. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises an internal battery.

7. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is configured to receive power from a host device through the interface.

8. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the processor is selected from the group consisting of:

ASIC, microcontroller, microprocessor.

9. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 8, further comprising at least one input/output device.

10. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 9, wherein the at least one input/output device is selected from the group consisting of:

touch screens, buttons, dials, switches, and electro-audio transducers.

11. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 6, wherein the electronic module operates to display information when not coupled to a host device.

12. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is configured to be coupled to a host device, the host device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

13. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, further comprising a display controller for controlling the display.

14. The electronic module for a handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store and retain data customized to the user.

15. An accessory module for a handheld electronic device comprising:

an accessory housing;

a display supported by the accessory housing;

a processor supported by the accessory housing;

an interface for making electrical connection between the processor and a host device; and

,

an interface housing for supporting the interface,

wherein, the interface housing is hinged to the accessory housing such that the interface housing can fold behind the accessory housing, the interface housing can unfold to extend for insertion into an interface slot in the handheld electronic device, and the interface can be used to couple to the host device when in the fully-folded position, wherein the display is visible when the interface housing is in the fully-folded position and the interface is coupled to the host device.

16. The accessory module for the handheld electronic device of claim 15, wherein the accessory module is configured when folded to be received within a cavity provided within a host device, the host device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

17. The accessory module for the handheld electronic device of claim 15, wherein the hinge includes a plurality of detents.

18. The accessory module for the handheld electronic device of claim 15, wherein the interface housing is configured to fit a secure digital (SD) slot.

19. A portable electronic module for coupling to a host handheld device, comprising:

a display housing;

a display coupled to the display housing;

an interface housing;

an interface configured to be removably coupled to the host handheld device, the interface being incorporated into the interface housing;

a processor coupled to the interface and the display;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a power supply coupled to the processor;

wherein the interface housing is configured to fit a secure digital (SD) slot, wherein the interface housing is hinged to the display housing such that the interface housing can fold behind the display housing and be used to couple to the host handheld device when in the fully folded position, wherein the display is visible when the interface is in the fully folded position and the interface is coupled to the host handheld device.

20. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the memory includes Secure Digital (SD) memory.

21. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with the host handheld device through electrical interconnects.

22. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the interface is configured to exchange data with the host handheld device through an optical data link.

23. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the power supply comprises an internal battery.

24. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the electronic module is configured to receive power from the host handheld device through the interface.

25. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the handheld host device is selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob or pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

26. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the host handheld device is a wearable device.

27. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the processor comprises a processing circuit selected from the group consisting of:

ASIC, microcontroller, microprocessor.

28. The portable electronic module of claim 27, further comprising at least one input/output device.

29. The portable electronic module of claim 28, wherein the at least one input/output device is selected from the group consisting of:

touch screens, buttons, dials, switches, and electro-audio transducers.

30. The portable electronic module of claim 23, wherein the display module operates to display information when not coupled to the host handheld device.

31. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the electronic module is configured to be coupled to the host handheld device, the host handheld device being selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephone, game, toy, e-book, electronic projection device, camera, key fob/pendant, MP3 player, control for home, control for vehicle, remote control for entertainment system, digital sports assistant, pedometer, information technology equipment, and watch.

32. The portable electronic module of claim 19, further comprising a display controller for controlling the display.

33. The portable electronic module of claim 19, wherein the memory is configured to store and retain data customized to the user.