Personal data assistant with remote control capabilities

• US 6,195,589 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ketcham, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ziemer, Rita
• Application Number:
  US09/036,850
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 700/28, 700/1, 700/6, 700/17, 700/40, 700/83, 706/11
• US Class Current: 700/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

Abstract

An adapter having a housing is configured for removable attachment to a conventional PDA. The adapter is electrically coupled with the PDA and includes a light source configured to selectively emanate a light beam that can be modified into a digital signal. The digital signal can be received by a photo detector on computer for facilitating a download of data from the PDA to the computer. Software loaded in the memory of the PDA corresponds to predetermined remote-controllable devices. By inputting to the PDA the desired remote-controllable device and desired function, the light source emits a pulse signal that signals the remote-controllable devices to perform the desired function.

Claims

1. An adapter removably attached to a PDA for operating a remote-controllable device, the adapter comprising:

(a) an interface connector configured to removably electrically couple with the PDA,

(b) a micro controller electrically coupled with the interface connector;

(c) a light source configured to emit a light beam; and

(d) means for converting the light beam from the light source into a digital signal, the digital signal being selectively transmitted to operate the remote-controllable device, wherein the means for converting the light beam comprises an LCD positioned in the path of the light beam, the LCD being operable between an on position which blocks the light beam and an off position which allows the light to pass therethrough.

4. An adapter as recited in claim 4, wherein the digital signal corresponds to data stored within the PDA.

2. An adapter as recited in claim 4, wherein light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

3. An adapter as recited in claim 4, wherein the means for converting the light beam comprises switching circuitry for turning the light source on and off.