Patent · US Expired

Detachable securement of an accessory device to a handheld computer

US6115248A · kind A · utility

108Cited by
19References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 1999
Grant dateSep 5, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 17, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T292/0832
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of this invention provide for coupling an accessory device to a back face of a handheld computer while electrically connecting to the handheld computer through a communications or output port. In one embodiment, the accessory device "piggy-backs" on the handheld computer so that the accessory device and handheld computer form a portable combination. An insertion coupling may be used to detachably secure the accessory device with the handheld computer. The insertion coupling used with embodiments of the invention is preferably a snap-in coupling having one or more biased members. The biased members may be contracted to engage an aperture on a back face of the handled computer. When released, the biased members secure the accessory device to the handheld computer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.