USB stacking devices and applications

• US 8,155,697 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Original Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C
• Primary Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US11/956,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20090156252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/573, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

A modular device formed with USB connectors. The USB can be used for connecting different kinds of devices, for example memories, user interfaces and the like. The USB devices can be piggybacked. In an embodiment, the USB devices can be located in a cavity formed inside the computer. Another embodiment forms a modular cellular telephone.

Claims

1. A telephone, comprising;

a first housing, having telephone electronics therein which allow communication over a wireless telephone system, said first housing including at least first and second connectors accessible from an outer surface of said first housing, wherein said first and second connectors are connectors of the same type;

a battery module, having a second housing that is physically separate from said first housing holding said telephone electronics, said battery module having a first battery connector that connected to said first connector of said first housing and said second housing in its entirety being held attached to said first housing when said first battery connector is connected to said first connector of said housing; and

a user interface module, including a capability to control receiving an entered address to be communicated with using said telephone electronics, said user interface module having a third housing that is physically separate from said first housing, said user interface module connected to said second connector of said first housing, and said second housing in its entirety being held attached to said first housing when said user interface module is attached to said first housing.

2. A telephone as in claim 1, further comprising a second user interface module that includes a wireless connectivity capability of a type of capability that is not obtained from said first housing, or from said battery module, or from said user interface module, and which is substituted for said first user interface module.

3. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein said telephone electronics include a part storing plug and play information for a plurality of telephone peripheral parts that connect to said connectors, and said telephone electronics uses said plug and play information to determine information that allows said telephone electronics to communicate with said modules.

4. The telephone as in claim 1 wherein said telephone electronics includes a display therein, and includes at least a portion of the housing which allows said display to be seen therethrough.

5. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein said battery module includes a second battery connector thereon, and a hub device that controls electronic communication between said first battery connector and said telephone electronics in said first housing, and another part coupled to said second battery connector.

6. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein said surface that is held attached includes holding one housing to another housing using friction on said connectors that connect said one housing to said another housing, where one connector is rigidly extending from said one housing, and another connector is inset in said another housing.

7. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein said first housing includes a communication hub therein, which controls electronic communication between said modules that are connected to said first and second connectors.

8. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors are on surfaces of said first housing that face orthogonally to one another, and where said battery module and at least one other module face in orthogonal directions.

9. A telephone as in claim 1, wherein one of said housings is held to another of said housings by surfaces of said connector.

10. A battery module comprising:

a first battery part having a housing, housing the first battery part;

a first USB connector, connected electrically to said battery part;

a second USB connector, connected electrically to said battery part; and

wherein at least one of said USB connectors provides access to the power provided by the first battery part, and wherein both of said first and second USB connectors electronically communicate between said first and second USB connectors,

wherein said first and second USB connectors comprise surfaces on said housing holding said housing of said first battery part to both first and second other housings when said first battery part is powering circuitry in said other housings,

wherein a first of said USB connectors is on a first surface of said housing, and a second of said USB connectors is on a second surface of said housing, facing in an orthogonal direction to said first surface, and where said first other housing is held to said housing in a first direction, and said second other housing is held to said housing in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction.

11. A module as in claim 10, further comprising a hub within said first battery part, connectable between said USB connector and another USB connector, said hub carrying out control of electronic communication.

12. A method comprising:

at a first time, first connecting first and second peripheral devices to a portable communication device, said connecting including holding surfaces of said first and second peripheral devices to a housing of said portable communication device;

controlling said portable communication device to carry out communication using said first and second peripheral devices, and using said first and second peripheral devices allow first and second functions associated with communication;

at a second time, different than said first time, second connecting a third peripheral device to said portable communication device, said second connecting including holding surfaces of said third peripheral device to said housing of said portable communication device; and

using said third peripheral device to allow a third function associated with communication, said third function being different than said first and second functions, wherein said first connecting and said second connecting all connect to a connector that is of the same type, wherein said holding surfaces are surfaces of at least first and second connectors that hold respectively, said first and second peripheral devices to a housing of said portable communication device, wherein said first and second connectors are on surfaces of said first housing that face orthogonally to one another, and where said first and second peripheral devices face in orthogonal directions relative to one another.