Claims
- 1. An electronically-enabled encasement for a handheld computer, the encasement comprising:
an encasement portion configured to cover at least a portion of the handheld computer, including a front surface of the handheld computer providing access to a display; a spine engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer to detachably couple the encasement with the handheld computer; and at least one electronic component embedded in the encasement portion.
- 2. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the spine is slideably engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer, the encasement portion being dimensioned to encase the handheld computer when the spine is engaged to the handheld computer.
- 3. The encasement of claim 1, further comprising a connector capable of mating with a serial connector of the handheld computer to allow communication between the electronic component and the handheld computer.
- 4. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of a wiping-style connector, a pogo-style connector and a dual style connector.
- 5. The encasement of claim 3, further comprising circuitry in the encasement that connects the connector to the electronic component of the handheld computer.
- 6. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the encasement portion comprises a front portion that is extendable over the display surface of the handheld computer, and a back portion that is extendable over the back surface of the handheld computer.
- 7. The encasement of claim 6, further comprising ajoint to movably couple the front portion to the back portion.
- 8. The encasement of claim 6, wherein the joint is formed from a flexible material.
- 9. The encasement of claim 8, wherein the flexible material enables the front portion to wrap around and allow the exterior surface of the front portion to contact an exterior surface of the back portion.
- 10. The encasement of claim 9, wherein the joint is a wrap-around hinge that enables the front portion to wrap around the back portion.
- 11. The encasement of claim 6, wherein the electronic component is embedded in the front portion of the encasement portion.
- 12. The encasement of claim 11, wherein the encasement further comprises a connector that is embedded in the back portion of the encasement and is capable of mating with a serial connector of the handheld computer to extend communication of the handheld computer to the electronic component.
- 13. The encasement of claim 12, further comprising a second connector accessible from a back surface of the back portion of the encasement to mate with another connector of an accessory device.
- 14. The encasement of claim 13, wherein the second connector enables the handheld computer to synchronize with another computer when the encasement is coupled to the handheld computer.
- 15. The encasement of claim 14, further comprising a processor capable of executing synchronization functions.
- 16. The encasement of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism coupling the back portion of the encasement portion with the handheld computer to secure stable mating between the connector in the encasement and the serial connector of the handheld computer.
- 17. The encasement of claim 6, further comprising a mechanical coupling that enables the front portion and the back portion to be retained in a closed position.
- 18. The encasement of claim 17, wherein the mechanical coupling is a male velcro element positioned on the front or the back portion and a female velcro element positioned on the other of the front and the back portions.
- 19. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is selected from the group consisting of wireless modem, voice recorder, digital camera, keyboard, cell phone, solar cell, rechargeable battery, GPS system, recharger, memory, connector for multi-media cards, memory stick, accessory cartridge, compact flash card and phone card.
- 20. The encasement of claim 1, further comprising one or more batteries.
- 21. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the encasement includes a radio frequency communication component.
- 22. The encasement of claim 21, wherein the radio frequency communication component is adapted to operate in a Bluetooth medium.
- 23. The encasement of claim 21, further comprising an RF antenna.
- 24. The encasement of claim 1, wherein the encasement includes memory.
- 25. The encasement of claim 24, wherein the memory stores information for the handheld computer.
- 26. An electronically-enabled encasement for a handheld computer, the encasement comprising:
an encasement portion configured to at least a portion of the handheld computer, including a front surface of the handheld computer providing access to a display and a back surface; a spine engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer to detachably couple the encasement with the handheld computer; a radio frequency mechanism integrated into the encasement portion; and an electrical coupling that extends communication between the radio frequency mechanism and the handheld computer.
- 27. The encasement of claim 26, further including an RF antenna embedded in the encasement portion.
- 28. An electronically-enabled encasement for a handheld computer, the encasement comprising:
an encasement portion configured to cover at least a portion of the handheld computer; and a communication port on the encasement that extends communications through another communication port of the handheld computer to the handheld computer.
- 29. The encasement of claim 28, further comprising a coupling engageable with the handheld computer to detachably couple the encasement with the handheld computer.
- 30. The encasement of claim 29, wherein the coupling includes a spine, the spine being engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer to detachable couple the encasement to the handheld computer.
- 31. The encasement of claim 28, wherein the coupling snugly fits the handheld computer with the encasement.
- 32. The encasement of claim 28, wherein the communication port of the encasement is a connector capable of mating with a serial connector of the handheld computer to extend communication to the handheld computer.
- 33. The encasement of claim 28, further comprising cable embedded in the encasement that connects the communication portion on the encasement to the handheld computer.
- 34. The encasement of claim 28, wherein the encasement portion comprises a front portion that extends over the display surface of the handheld computer, and a back portion that extends over the back surface of the handheld computer.
- 35. The encasement of claim 34, further comprising ajoint to moveably couple the front portion to the back portion.
- 36. The encasement of claim 28, wherein the communication port is an infared port or a radio frequency port.
- 37. The encasement assembly of claim 28, further comprising at least one electronic component embedded in the encasement portion.
- 38. The encasement of claim 37, wherein the electronic component is selected from the group consisting of wireless modem, voice recorder, digital camera, keyboard, cell phone, solar cell, rechargeable battery, GPS system, battery recharger, memory, connector for multi-media cards, memory stick, accessory cartridge, compact flash card and phone card.
- 39. The encasement of claim 37, further comprising a serial connector capable of mating with another serial connector of the handheld computer to extend communication of the electronic component to the handheld computer.
- 40. A method for attaching electronic peripherals to a handheld computer, comprising:
providing an encasement which comprises
an encasement portion configured to at least a portion of the handheld computer, including a front surface of the handheld computer providing access to a display and a back surface, a spine slidably engageable with an accessory slot of the handheld computer to detachably couple the encasement with the handheld computer, an RF antenna embedded in the encasement portion, a plurality of electronic peripherals embedded in the encasement portion, and a connector that extends communication of the electronic component to the handheld computer; and sliding the spine into an accessory slot of the handheld computer.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/502,169, filed Feb. 11, 2000, entitled “Encasement For a Handheld Computer” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-795); Application Ser. No. 09/451,630, filed Nov. 30, 1999, entitled “Cover For A Handheld Compute” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-354); Application Ser. No. 09/271,057, filed Mar. 16, 1999, entitled “Dual Action Stylus For A Handheld Computer,” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-740); Application Ser. No. 09/244,440, filed Feb. 4, 1999, entitled “Handheld Computer” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-719); Application Ser. No. 09/246,781, filed Feb. 4, 1999, entitled “Handheld Computer” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-721); and Application Ser. No. 09/244,613, filed Feb. 4, 1999, entitled “Handheld Computer” (Attorney Docket No. 25216-722); all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for this application.
Continuation in Parts (6)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09502169 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09451630 |
Nov 1999 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09271057 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09244440 |
Feb 1999 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09246781 |
Feb 1999 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09244613 |
Feb 1999 |
US |
Child |
10043552 |
Jan 2002 |
US |