Method, system, and computer peripheral for docking a handheld computer
In one embodiment, a computer peripheral, is provided with 1) a human input interface; 2) a first computer interface; 3) a data link to provide data connectivity between the human input interface and first computer interface; and 4) a docking port to substantially encase a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
Handheld computers are common electronic devices primarily functioning to provide a user with mobile computing services. Early handheld computers were limited to basic calendaring and phonebook applications. Now handheld computers are capable of nearly the same tasks as desktop or laptop computers, although memory capacity and processing speed may be limited.
Handheld computers are often used in conjunction with a docking station to synchronize data files with a host computer and recharge the batteries of the handheld computer. These docking stations facilitate the connection of the handheld and host computer. A cradle or wired plug provides the electrical and structural elements of the docking station to dock a handheld computer. Once docked, data connectivity is established between the host and handheld computer. Optionally, an electrical connection is established to recharge the handheld computer's batteries. Other handheld computers utilize infrared or radio, particularly cellular telephone signals, to perform data exchanges with a host computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a computer peripheral comprises: 1) a human input interface; 2) a first computer interface; 3) a data link to provide data connectivity between the human input interface and the first computer interface; and 4) a docking port to substantially encase a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
In another embodiment, a method for communicating with a handheld computer comprises: 1) docking a handheld computer with a computer peripheral, the docking A) communicatively connecting the handheld computer with the computer peripheral and B) substantially encasing the handheld computer within the computer peripheral; and 2) forwarding input signals from a human input interface of the computer peripheral to the handheld computer.
In another embodiment, a computer system comprises: 1) a handheld computer; and 2) a computer peripheral comprising, A) a human input interface, B) a computer interface to communicate with the handheld computer, C) a docking port having a form factor to substantially encase the handheld computer within the docking port while the handheld computer is engaged with the computer interface, and D) a data link, communicatively connecting the human input interface to the computer interface.
Other embodiments are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIllustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:
As a preliminary manner, it is noted that, in the following description, like reference numbers appearing in different drawing figures refer to like elements/features. Often, therefore, like elements/features that appear in different drawing figures will not be described in detail with respect to each of the drawing figures.
Computer peripherals provide a function to an attached computer. The function may be an alternate or auxiliary function of the computer (e.g., additional data storage, input/output devices), connectivity to other computers or computer systems (e.g., local area network, Internet, peer-to-peer direct connection), or other function. Computer peripherals provide functionality to the computer that may not be desired full-time. For example, a user may connect a laptop computer to computer peripherals, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) and full sized keyboard, to improve usability. The user may then disconnect such computer peripherals to improve portability.
In recent years, the handheld computer has become more powerful and capable of executing most software applications found on personal computers, although the handheld versions of many software applications may have dissimilar functionality due to the specifications of the handheld computer (e.g., reduced memory, reduced storage space, different input and output capabilities) when compared to a full-functioning personal computer.
Computers, such as handheld computers, are often used in conjunction with a docking station (e.g., cradles and/or cables) to connect the handheld computer to a host computer or peer computer. Connections to the host computer provide a means to synchronize data files, recharge batteries of the handheld computer, and communicate with other computers via the host computer's network connection. Peer-to-peer connections are generally limited to data transfer.
Handheld computers and computer peripherals provide users with the ability to perform a variety of computing tasks. A computer peripheral which is connectable to a handheld computer that is encased within the computer peripheral, provides options not available in the prior art. A handheld computer can be utilized as a stand-alone device and, if a user so desires, placed in a computer peripheral to encase the handheld computer. The user then interacts with the handheld computer via the computer peripheral.
Encasing a handheld computer within the computer peripheral is particularly well suited to those handheld computers not requiring the user's direct interaction with the handheld computer itself. For example, handheld computers for the visually impaired may not have a display screen and, therefore, not have their usability impaired while the handheld is encased within the computer peripheral. As another example, the human interface of a handheld computer is made redundant by the human interface of the computer peripheral, while the handheld computer is encased within the computer peripheral.
Data link 106 provides data connectivity between first computer interface 104 and human input interface 102. In one embodiment, human input interface 102 is a keyboard (e.g., QWERTY, non-English, or other similar keys). In another embodiment, human input interface 102 is a Braille keyboard. In yet another embodiment, human input interface 102 is an audio transducer (e.g., for speech input). In still another embodiment, human input interface 102 is a tactile input (e.g., touchpad). In simple forms, data link 106 may be a wiring harness, cable or printed circuit board. In more complex forms, data link 106 may comprise passive or active data translators or even a processor.
Wristrest 110 provides a surface to support a user's hand and/or wrist while the user is engaged with human input interface 102, such as when human input interface 102 is a keyboard or other tactile input device.
Dock 108 accepts a handheld computer to engage the handheld computer with first computer interface 104. Dock 108 has a form factor to accept the handheld computer. In a further embodiment, dock 108 has a form factor that restricts the handheld computer from entering dock 108, except when the handheld computer is correctly oriented to engage first computer interface 104.
In one embodiment, computer peripheral 100 includes a human output interface. In one further embodiment, the human output is audio output 502. In a second further embodiment, the human output is Braille display 514.
In a second embodiment, computer peripheral 100 includes a second computer interface to communicate with a computer other than a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface. In one further embodiment, the second computer interface is radio interface 504. Radio interface 504 may be implemented using various analog and digital protocols over a suitable bandwidth of the radio spectrum. Examples of radio interface 504 include BlueTooth™ and analog and cellular telephone protocols. In other further embodiments modem 508, Ethernet 510, and infrared port 512 are the second computer interface. Other computer interfaces, as are known in the art, may be incorporated to facilitate the communication with other computers.
The second computer interface, such as interfaces 504, 508, 510, 512, may provide actual connectivity to the other computer via computer peripheral 100 itself or in conjunction with a handheld computer docked to first computer interface 104. For example, a handheld computer may include a cellular telephone. A user operating a handheld computer via first computer interface 104 may utilize radio interface 504 in conjunction with functionality within the handheld computer (e.g., network authorization “smart card”, user identification, transmit/receive circuitry, antenna). In another example, Ethernet 510 may provide connection to another computer or network (e.g., LAN, WAN, Internet) via a cable physically attached to computer peripheral 100.
In a third embodiment, power supply 516 provides power to a handheld computer attached to first computer interface 104. Power supply 516 may provide operating power and/or recharge power for the batteries of a handheld computer attached to first computer interface 104. Power supply 516 is variously embodied to include an AC adapter, rechargeable and single-use batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, generators, or other electric power supply.
In another embodiment, method 700 includes a step for forwarding output signals from the handheld computer to the human input interface of the computer peripheral.
In another embodiment, method 700 includes a step for rotating a wristrest to select one of a plurality of dissimilar surfaces to support a human hand or wrist engaged with the human input interface.
In yet another embodiment, method 700 includes a step for, under control of the peripheral device, A) forwarding input signals from a computer other than the handheld computer to the handheld computer; and B) forwarding output signals from the handheld computer to the said other computer. In one further embodiment, the peripheral device controls the handheld computer's interaction with the other computer, such as when the handheld computer communicates using internal cellular telephone circuitry. In a second further embodiment, the peripheral device controls the handheld computer's interaction with the other computer via a connection within the computer peripheral (e.g., an Ethernet connection).
Claims
1. A computer peripheral, comprising:
- a human input interface;
- a first computer interface;
- a data link to provide data connectivity between the human input interface and first computer interface; and
- a docking port to substantially encase a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
2. The computer peripheral of claim 1, wherein the human input interface comprises a keyboard.
3. The computer peripheral of claim 2, wherein the keyboard is a Braille keyboard.
4. The computer peripheral of clam 2, further comprising, a wristrest rotationally extending from the computer peripheral.
5. The computer peripheral of claim 4, wherein the wristrest further comprises:
- a first contact surface operable to support a human hand or wrist during engagement with the keyboard when the wristrest is rotationally positioned in a first position; and
- a second contact surface operable to support a human hand or wrist during engagement with the keyboard when the wristrest is rotationally positioned in a second position.
6. The computer peripheral of claim 5, wherein the first surface has a surface area dissimilar to the surface area of the second surface, the surface area being the area usable to support a human hand or wrist during engagement with the keyboard.
7. The computer peripheral of claim 1, further comprising a human output interface.
8. The computer peripheral of claim 7, wherein the human output interface comprises an audio output interface.
9. The computer peripheral of claim 7, wherein the human output interface comprises a Braille display.
10. The computer peripheral of claim 1, wherein the docking port entirely encases a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
11. The computer peripheral of claim 1, further comprising a second computer interface to communicate with a computer other than a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
12. The computer peripheral of claim 1, wherein the first computer interface further comprises means to deactivate a human interface of a handheld computer while engaged with the first computer interface.
13. The computer peripheral of claim 1, wherein the docking port further comprises an interior form factor to restrict insertion of the handheld computer into the docking port except when the handheld computer is properly oriented to engage the first computer interface.
14. The computer peripheral of claim 1, further comprising a power supply operable to recharge a power supply of a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
15. A method for communicating with a handheld computer, comprising:
- docking a handheld computer with a computer peripheral, the docking 1) communicatively connecting the handheld computer with the computer peripheral and 2) substantially encasing the handheld computer within the computer peripheral; and
- forwarding input signals from a human input interface of the computer peripheral to the handheld computer.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, forwarding output signals from the handheld computer to the human input interface of the computer peripheral.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising, rotating a wristrest to select one of a plurality of dissimilar surfaces to supporting a human hand or wrist engaged with the human input interface.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising;
- under control of the computer peripheral, forwarding input signals from a computer other than the handheld computer to the handheld computer; and forwarding output signals from the handheld computer to the other computer.
19. A computer system, comprising:
- a handheld computer; and
- a computer peripheral comprising, a human input interface; a computer interface to communicate with the handheld computer; a docking port having a form factor to substantially encase the handheld computer within the docking port while the handheld computer is engaged with the computer interface; and a data link, communicatively connecting the human input interface to the computer interface.
20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the human input interface comprises a keyboard.
21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the human input interface comprises an audio interface.
22. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the human input interface comprises a Braille interface.
23. The computer system of claim 19, further comprising a second computer interface to communicate with a computer other than a handheld computer engaged with the first computer interface.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 22, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2007
Inventors: Michael Mulcahy (Silverthorne, CO), Marc Mulcahy (Superior, CO), Matthew Mulcahy (Superior, CO)
Application Number: 11/386,591
International Classification: G09G 5/00 (20060101);