Abstract:
The invention relates to a peripheral unit system that provides a universally usable system for adding peripheral functions to off-the-shelf handheld host devices of variable size and configuration. The system and methods according to the invention allow adaptation to variably sized handheld host devices without the need to customize the peripheral unit to the host device. The invention provides added functionality such as increased ruggedness and durability, while providing an integrated system in association with a handheld host device, to provide the convenience of a one-piece form-factor, without sacrificing universality of the solution. The peripheral unit comprises a housing having a portion configured to engage with a handheld host device of various sizes and electrical configurations. An attachment mechanism is associated with the housing, being used to selectively secure the housing to the handheld host device to form a one-piece apparatus suitable for handheld use. The attachment mechanism is secured to the host device by selective adjustment of the size to adapt to a host device. In addition, the peripheral unit may provide a universal connection to at least one electrical connector of the host device, to provide added input-output functions to the operation of the combined system.

Description:
This application is a U.S. national stage of PCT International Application No. PCT/IB2005/051479 filed on May 5, 2005, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/568,477, filed May 5, 2004, which are both hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to devices and systems to provide added functionality to off-the-shelf handheld computing devices or host devices. The systems and methods of the invention may provide added protection to the host device against mechanical shock, and/or may add peripheral functions to the host device when combined therewith. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a number of commercially available products that provide computing functionality in a handheld device, which may be termed a “host device.” Such host devices may include examples such as portable digital assistance (PDA) cell phones and smart phones, as well as various other handheld computing devices, which may or may not have wireless communication capabilities. Although such devices perform a variety of computing and other tasks, they are generally limited in terms of functionality, and it would be desirable to provide additional functionality in conjunction therewith, using the computing power of the host device in performing other functions in a selective fashion. For example, it would be desirable to provide the ability to add peripheral functions such as bar code scanning, radio frequency identification (RFID) reading, key-entry, wireless communications, telecommunications, and network communications as examples. 
     It is also noted that in commercially available host devices of this type, the form-factor of the devices varies significantly from one device to the next. Differing form-factors for the handheld devices makes it difficult to adapt a peripheral device to a variety of variably sized or configured handheld host devices, such that any peripheral systems are generally customized or configured specifically for a particular handheld computing device. In addition to variable size and form-factor of such devices, the configuration of the devices is also variable, such as with respect to electrical or communication connectors associated therewith. Although devices within a group of host devices generally have standard electrical connectors, such as Compact Flash (CF) socket and USB connector, the relative positions of such connections generally vary from one device to the next. Again such variation generally requires any peripheral devices to be specifically constructed for mating with a particular host device. 
     Thus, in order to cope with the variations in the form-factor described above from one host device to the next, peripheral units are tailored to a specific host device, being customized for use with the specific host device. Examples of some currently available solutions are (a) custom-fitted peripheral units such as a Dual-Slot Card Expansion Pack for iPaq PDA devices, both offered by Hewlett Packard® of Palo Alto, Calif. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,497 of Hanson et. al.; (b) CF card based peripherals such as In-Hand Scan Card from Socket Communications of Newark, Calif.; (c) cable-connected peripheral units such as Digital Wireless Stereo Music Adapter model SF250 from Akron Resource Inc of Arcadia, Calif.; (d) Universal Mount Kit for PDA devices offered by Seidio Inc of Houston, Tex. 
     As will be evident from a review of known attempts at providing peripheral functions in association with such host devices, the custom-fitted solutions have drawbacks, in that such systems must be constantly reengineered as new models of host devices are introduced into the market. This delays market introduction of such peripherals, and adds to the cost thereof. Further, with CF card peripherals for example, such systems have an oversized module portion which are prone to damage when impacted due to a fall or bumping into external objects during use. Alternatively, if the peripheral unit is connected by a loose-cable connection such connections are cumbersome for handheld use, because they eliminate the one-piece configuration of the handheld host device. Attempts at providing side grips employed in universal cradle mounts are also bulky and fail to provide means of holding a host device in a secure manner for use in handheld operations. 
     Based upon the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a peripheral unit which can adapt to variably sized and configured handheld host devices, to be selectively combined with a host device to result in a one-piece, handheld configuration. It would also be desirable to provide a peripheral unit which can provide added protection to a host device combined therewith, against mechanical shock or other external forces to which the combined system may be subjected. It would be a further advantage to provide a peripheral unit which can add highly desirable input/output functions, such as bar code scanning, RFID reading, key-entry, wireless communications, telecommunications, and/or network communications for examples. 
     Based upon the foregoing, the present invention provides a peripheral system and methods which overcome the limitations of the prior art, and provide these distinct advantages as well as other objectives and advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Based upon the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a peripheral unit system that will eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and provide a universally usable system for adding peripheral functions to off-the-shelf handheld host devices of variable size and configuration. The system and methods according to the invention allow adaptation to variably sized handheld host devices without the need to customize the peripheral unit to the host device. It is a further object of the invention to provide added functionality such as increased ruggedness and durability, while providing an integrated system in association with a handheld host device, to provide the convenience of a one-piece form-factor, without sacrificing universality of the solution. 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a peripheral unit to provide additional functionality when combined with an off-the-shelf, handheld host device. The unit comprises a housing having a portion configured to engage with a handheld host device of various sizes and electrical configurations. An attachment mechanism is associated with the housing, being used to selectively secure the housing to the variable handheld host device to form a one-piece apparatus suitable for handheld use. The attachment mechanism is secured to the host device by selective adjustment of the size to adapt to a host device. In addition, the peripheral unit may provide a universal connection to at least one electrical connector of the host device, to provide added input-output functions to the operation of the combined system. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the peripheral unit provides an attachment mechanism having at least two arms and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the arms attach to the handheld host device on opposing sides thereof, with the adjustment mechanism adapted to move at least one of the arms with respect to the other arm, for selective engagement with the host device. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a further reading of the Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       First preferred embodiment of the current invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Second preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 5  and the third embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention showing both a peripheral unit and a charging cradle. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view an assembly of the exemplary device shown mounted on the backside of an off-the-shelf host unit. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a left side view the assembly shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the second embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, having an adhesive-coated portion 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views of the third embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, having a handle. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top perspective view and right side view of the fourth embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, having a keyboard that also serves as a lid over the display screen of the handheld host unit. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram representation of an embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary device according to the invention, wherein the capabilities and functions of the invention can be understood. In this embodiment, the peripheral unit  10  has a housing or main body portion  11 , and an attachment system or mechanism  21 . The housing  11  may be configured to be thin and have a long axis, which will make it suitable for engagement with variably sized and configured handheld host computing devices. Such host devices may include PDAs, smart phones, cell phones or any other handheld computing device. The housing  11  is shaped and sized to mate with such variably sized handheld host devices in an unobtrusive manner, due to the small size and slim configuration thereof. At the same time, the housing  11  provides support for added functionalities, as will be hereinafter described with reference to various embodiments. There are electrical or other connections provided in association with the housing  11 . In the configuration as shown, the peripheral unit  10  may be used to add a bar code scanning functionality to a handheld host device, such as a laser bar code scanner, having scanner housing portion  17 . A ribbon cable  14  may be interchangeably used to connect the scanner via a CF card  15  provided at a top portion of housing  11 . In this configuration, the CF card  15  is easily connected to a connection port on the host device, provided at a top portion thereof. Other connecting cables may be used for other standard connection ports. The housing  11  may also be configured to have charging contacts  18  positioned to be selectively connected to matching contacts  32  associated with a charge cradle  30 , as an example. The peripheral unit, whether engaged with a host device or not, may be seated in the charge cradle  30  for charging of a peripheral power source provided in housing  11 . Such a power source may then operate added functions such as the bar code scanning system, but may also be used for charging of a battery supply associated with the host device. In this regard, an interchangeable DC jack  16  may be provided for selective connection to the host device. For full functionality, the DC jack  16  may be selectively changed, so a suitable connector for any particular host device may be used. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the unit  10  may be selectively engaged to a host device  100 . The unit  10  is securely engaged to the host unit  100  by means of the attachment mechanism  21 , to form a one-piece apparatus suitable for handheld use. The attachment mechanism  21  is selectively secured to the host device  100  by selective adjustment of the size thereof to adapt to any particular host device  100  with which it may be used. In this embodiment, the attachment mechanism  21  comprises at least two attachment arms  12  provided on opposing sides of housing  11 . The extent of the arms  12  extending away from housing  11  is selectively adjustable, with a maximum extent accommodating the variable sizes of handheld host computing devices  100  as described. In the embodiment shown, multiple arms  12  are provided, such as adjacent to the top and bottom portions of housing  11 , and each of the arms  12  terminates with a coupling hook member  13 . In this embodiment, the hook members  13  are shaped to securely engage the side edges of any variably sized or configured handheld host unit  100 , by means of the arcuate engaging surfaces  13   a  associated therewith. The arcuate surfaces  13   a  are sized to extend around the variable thickness edges of various host devices  100 . The arcuate configuration of surfaces  13   a  will then engage the front and back corners of the side edges of host device  100  for positive securement to the host device  100 , regardless of its particular size or shape. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the handheld host device  100  may have the peripheral unit engaged on a back portion thereof, with the low profile housing  11  not adding significantly to the housing configuration of the handheld host device  100 . When unit  10  is engaged with host device  100 , the integral one-piece system produced thereby provides an easily used handheld configuration, wherein any functions of the host unit  100  may be accessed or performed, and any added functionality provided by unit  10  may also be accessed or used. The added functionalities of unit  10  are also integrated in association with host device  100 , with computing and processing capabilities provided by the host device processor and/or a separate processor provided in unit  10 . As shown in this embodiment, the DC jack  16  may be selectively coupled to the device  100  to supply power thereto from a battery supply provided in unit  10 . The ribbon cable  14  is selectively coupled to the host device  100 , to selectively couple the scanner provided in housing  17  for operation in conjunction with host computing device  100 . In this embodiment, to add the functionality of laser bar code scanning, a trigger  27  may be provided in association with housing  11  for selective actuation of the scanner associated therewith. The full integration of peripheral systems associated with unit  10  in conjunction with host device  100 , provides a fully functional one-piece system for handheld use as desired. 
     In this embodiment, the arms  12  may be adjustably supported in conjunction with housing  11 , to accommodate variably sized host devices  100 . Any suitable adjustment mechanism may be used in accordance with the invention, and the example shown in this embodiment is merely a possible design choice thereof. Other suitable arrangements would occur to those skilled in the art. As shown in this embodiment, each of the arms  12  may have supporting elements  23  having a threaded aperture to which a screw  24  or the like may be selectively engaged. As should be recognized, upon rotation of screw  24 , the arms  12  will adjust relative to one another, to accommodate any variably sized host device  100 . 
     In conjunction with various functionalities that may be provided with unit  10 , the housing  11  and attachment mechanism  21  also provide resistance against shock impact on host device  100 , if the integrated assembly is dropped or bumped into an external object. The side edges, as well as back surface of the device  100  are protected by the unit  100  and associated attachment mechanism  11 . In addition, the unit  10  may be provided with additional protective features, such as a cable cover  19  provided for covering connection of DC cable  16 , and/or a ribbon cable cover  31  for protecting the connection of CF card  15  to device  100  as an example. The cable covers  19  and  31  protect the connections from getting bumped or otherwise damaged, and also prevent the cables from becoming tangled into other objects during use. 
     In this embodiment, it should be noted in  FIG. 4B  that the main-body portion  11  can be positioned laterally by sliding along the arms  12  until the CF card termination  15  is aligned with a corresponding CF socket on the handheld host unit  100 . The main-body portion can be fixed in that position by screwing in the bolt  24  into the threaded element  23  until the arms  12  and the hooks  13  are pulled in tight, thereby securing the peripheral unit  10  to the off-the-shelf handheld host unit  100 . Similarly, the position of the main-body portion  11  can be adjusted longitudinally along the length of the handheld host unit  100  until a desired engagement is obtained. For example, in the correct position of the peripheral unit  10 , there should be no undesired interference between external components of the handheld host unit  100  and the external components of the peripheral unit  10  such as the arms  12 , the hooks  13 , the scanner housing portion  17 , the charge-cable cover  19 , and ribbon-cable cover  31 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a low profile housing  11  may have an adhesive coated portion  25  for selective engagement to a host device  100 . The adhesive coated portion  25  may be initially covered with a user-removable coversheet  26 , for selective attachment to any portion of a host device  100  after removal thereof. Alternatively, a hook and loop fastening system may be used, with a portion provided on housing  11  and a portion on device  100 . A ribbon cable  14  having a CF card or other suitable connection may be provided similarly to the embodiment as shown previously. A holster  41  may be provided for use as a wand holder or other suitable holder for a scanning device as an example. Multiple inlet/outlet or communication ports  15  may be provided in association with housing  11  for selective coupling to a handheld host unit  100 . Thus, added functions provided in association with unit  10  are combined with the host device  100  while forming a one-piece integrated system for handheld use. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the third embodiment in accordance with the present invention, whereby the peripheral unit  10  also includes a handle  42 , which can be attached to the main-body portion  11  in multiple positions, including a position pointing away from the main-body portion  11  as shown in  FIG. 6A , and a position pointing along the main-body portion as shown in  FIG. 6B . In this embodiment, the main-body portion  11  is securely attached to an off-the-shelf handheld host unit  100  via a pair of flanges  22 . The scanner housing portion  17  is positioned completely under the handheld host unit  100 . Alternatively, the scanner housing portion  17  can be positioned along the main-body portion as shown in the first embodiment in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . In other respects, this embodiment may operate in ways similar to that in earlier embodiments described above. 
     Alternatively in this embodiment, an RFID reader may be provided in association with the peripheral unit  10 . This can be achieved by providing interconnections as described in  FIG. 8  for a RFID reader  173 , a peripheral unit processor  119 , auxiliary battery  117 , and power supply circuit  116 . For example, a suitable RFID reader is available as an OEM module model ALR-9930 from Alien Technologies of Morgan Hill, Calif. The RFID reader can be packaged into the handle  42  along with the said auxiliary battery and the said power supply circuit. The said peripheral unit processor and the RFID antenna can be packaged in the main-body portion  11 . 
     A further embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , wherein the peripheral unit  10  according to the invention provides additional functionalities. In this embodiment, the peripheral unit  10  includes a keyboard module  33 , which is selectively coupled in a low profile adjustable manner to the host device  100 . In this embodiment as an example, the keyboard module  33  is hingedly connected to the host device  100  by means of a pair of hinge-arms  34 . The hinge-arms  34  are selectively retained by the housing or main body portion  11  of unit  10 , such as shown in  FIG. 7   b . To further facilitate functionality, the housing  11  may include multiple notches  35  or the like, where the hinge-arms  34  are selectively retained, thereby positioning the keyboard module  33  in a desired position relative to the front surface of the host device  100 . As an example, the user may selectively position the keyboard module  33  to substantially cover the display screen of the off-the-shelf handheld host device  100  of various sizes. For use, the keyboard module  33  may be flipped or moved between an open position as shown in  FIG. 7   a , and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 7   b , where the display of device  100  is protected. The keyboard module  33  may be provided with a keypad  39  on a side thereof, and keyboard contacts  37  for selective connection to a keyboard connector  36  provided in unit  10 . As an example, the configuration may allow suitable connection between the keyboard contacts  37  and keyboard connector  36  when the keyboard module  33  is in the open position. To further facilitate functionality, the keyboard module  33  may be held in position when in the open position, with the assistance of frictional force between a keyboard groove  38  and one of a set of keyboard retention ridges  43  carried on a surface of the end portion  29  of housing  11 . It should be noted that for proper operation of the keyboard module  33 , the mechanical arrangement of the keyboard retention ridges  43  will be a duplicate of the arrangement of the notches  35 . This technique will ensure that there will be a properly positioned keyboard retention ridge  43  to mate with the keyboard retention groove  38 , regardless of which notch  35  is used to assemble the peripheral unit  10  in association with the handheld host unit  100 . Other suitable adjustment mechanisms to allow selective positioning of keyboard module  33  would also occur to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated in the invention. Also as shown in this embodiment, a pair of flanges  22 , having an arcuate engaging portion may be used for selective engagement of the housing  11  in association with device  100 . 
     In another embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, a different scheme of providing the keyboard capability can be used. For example, a technique described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,257 of the inventor of the present invention, can be used instead of the keyboard method described above, and this patent is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In the case of the employment of the &#39;257 patent, the keyboard module will go through a planar motion between the open and closed positions instead of flipping over as described above for the fourth embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 8 , various aspects and functions which may be implemented in the peripheral unit  10  according to the invention are described. As shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 8 , a peripheral unit  10  may have one or more functionalities provided in association with peripheral unit, to be integrated and used in a combined fashion with those capabilities and functions of a handheld host unit  100 . 
     The handheld host unit  100  is shown to be interconnected to the peripheral unit  10  via various suitable connections, such as a ribbon cable  14  and compact flash (CF) interface circuit  121  as shown. Other suitable connections compatible with those standard connections associated with the handheld host unit  100  are contemplated. These connections are in turn connected to a peripheral unit processor and multiplexer  119  as an example. The peripheral unit processor and multiplexer  119 , may in turn be connected to a variety of peripheral devices for adding functionality to the combined system with handheld host unit  100 . As examples, the peripheral unit may include systems and functions selected from the group of scanning systems, such as a bar code scanner  171 , or the like, a digital camera  172 , RFID reader with antenna  173 , magnetic strip card reader  111 , smart card reader  112 , disk drive memory  113 , portable printer  114 , communication circuit  118 , and/or keyboard module  33 . If a scanning device is provided, a trigger  27  or like actuator may be provided. These are only examples of possible peripheral devices which may be combined with peripheral unit  10  to add functionality to the handheld host unit  100 . The peripheral unit  10  may also include an auxiliary battery  117 , regulated by a power supply circuit  116 , which may supply power to the components of the peripheral unit  10 , and can also serve as backup power for the handheld host unit  100  by means of the DC jack  16  as previously described. Other desired functionalities may also be incorporated into peripheral unit  10 , such as a heating element  115 , enabling the use of the combined system with unit  10  and device  100  in extremely cold environments. Alternatively, other arrangements may be used for enhancing use in other environments. 
     All of these or other functional components which may be integrated into the unit  10  are readily available in the marketplace, and those skilled in the art should understand these and other types of devices and functions in accordance with the invention. Such embedded components will be integrated into unit  10  instead of being externally connected to a host device  100 . Further, one or more of these components may be implemented, and although shown as having electrical connection to the peripheral unit processor and multiplexer  119 , wireless connection is also contemplated. Thus for example, the keyboard module  33  may be wirelessly coupled for operation in association with host device  100 . Thus, the peripheral unit  10  may be tailored for an application, where only one or more of the functional components may be used, such as for bar code scanning, or to include a smart card reader  112  and/or magnetic strip card reader  111 , depending upon the application for use. All these variations are contemplated within the invention. 
     Although the present invention has been described above in detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Accordingly, the scope and content of the present invention are to be defined only by the terms of the appended claims.