Battery charging/data transfer apparatus for a handheld computer
US5465038A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S320/25
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A battery charging/data transfer structure is provided for use in conjunction with a handheld computer to charge its battery and serve as an infrared data exchange interface between the handheld computer and a data input/output device such as a desktop computer. The structure includes a support housing having an inset well area configured to receive and releasably hold a portion of the handheld computer in a docked orientation. With the handheld computer in this docked orientation a battery charging contact member in the well area contacts a charging area on the received computer portion and transfers battery-charging electrical energy thereto. Additionally, a first I/R data transceiver in the docked computer is optically coupled, via a first interface window structure in the well area and a partially transmissive mirror structure in the housing, to a second I/R data transceiver disposed within the housing and connected to the data input/output device, thereby permitting infrared data exchange in either direction between the input/output device and the docked computer. A second interface window structure on the support housing, in conjunction with the partially transmissive mirror …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.