Abstract:
A handheld computer is provided that includes a first module combined with one or more modules. The first module includes a housing having one or more coupling surfaces, with each coupling surface including a coupling mechanism. A second module is coupleable to the first module. The second module includes a third coupling surface having a second coupling mechanism for mating with the first coupling mechanism. The third coupling surface is positioned on the second module so as to abut at least partially against the second coupling surface when the first coupling mechanism is mated with the second coupling mechanism.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/570,362; filed on May 12, 2000 now U.S. Pat No. 6,381,126, issued on Apr. 30, 2002. The aforementioned application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to covers for handheld computers. In particular, the present invention relates to a handheld computer cover formed from deformable material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Handheld computers, sometimes referred to as personal digital assistants (PDAs), are mobile information management devices. While these devices come in various shapes and designs, they generally are small and made to be carried on a user. The user often operates the handheld computer several times a day for short durations. A typical use for the handheld computer is to retrieve or enter one data item. 
     Due to their mobile nature, handheld computers are susceptible to damage. To avoid damage, some handheld computers incorporate covers, which can protect the display and/or other components of the handheld computers. Other handheld computers use attachable covers and encasements. In general, the covers are intended to protect one panel of a handheld computer. Encasements protect two panels at the same time. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary handheld computer  200 . The handheld computer  200  may correspond to a PALM m100 organizer (manufactured by PALM INC). Other types of handheld computers include devices that operate the MICROSOFT POCKET PC operating system, such as the HP JORNADA(manufactured by HEWLETT-PACKARD). Still further, other types of handheld computers include intelligent cell phones. 
     With reference to FIG. 7, handheld computer  200  includes a front panel  212 . A display  230  is provided on the front panel  212 . A plurality of application buttons  216  are provided on front panel  212 , just beneath the display  230 . 
     Covers for PDA&#39;s such as shown above are typically formed from rigid materials, such as plastic, metal or titanium. Other PDA&#39;s may use covers or encasements formed from leather or vinyl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a cover is formed from a rigid frame combined with a deformable layer. The deformable layer is shaped to cushion regions of the handheld computer when the cover is employed. The rigid frame gives the cover some strength and support. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals are intended to refer to similar elements among different figures. 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a cover for a handheld computer. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cover. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the cover. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a cover attached to a handheld computer, with the handheld computer shown in phantom. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cover in an extended position about the handheld computer, with the handheld computer shown in phantom. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a handheld computer configured for use with an attachable cover, under an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a handheld computer, suitable for an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention describe a cover for a handheld computer. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. 
     A. Overview 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a cover for use with a handheld computer. The cover is at least partially formed from a deformable material such as an elastomer. The cover includes features to enable it to attach to a handheld computer so as to protect components of the handheld computer. 
     In an embodiment, a cover for a handheld computer includes a rigid frame, a coupling mechanism, and a deformable layer. The rigid frame has a first dimension measured along a lengthwise axis of the handheld computer. The deformable layer has a second dimension measured along the lengthwise axis of the cover. The second dimension is larger than the first dimension. The coupling mechanism is configured to detachably connect the cover to the handheld computer. 
     As used herein, a dimension is a length, or width of an object measured along a particular axis. The first dimension may correspond to a length of the cover where the rigid member extends, and the second dimension may correspond to a length of the cover having the deformable layer. 
     The cover is detachably connected to the handheld computer because a user can manipulate its coupling mechanism to connect the cover to the handheld computer, and to detach the cover from the handheld computer. 
     Among some advantages provided by embodiments of the invention, a majority of the cover&#39;s exterior material is padded by the deformable layer. In particular, a region of the cover is padded with no interior rigidity. Another region of the cover may also include a thicker cross-section comprising additional material for the deformable layer. 
     The cover protects a front panel of the handheld computer, but the deformable layer avoids unwanted pressure from damaging or activating the handheld computer. In particular, portions of the cover with added cushion characteristics are positioned over areas of the handheld computer where a display and buttons are provided. Portions of the cover having added cushion characteristics include the region of the cover having no internal rigidity, and regions of the cover having added thickness. The padding provided by the deformable layer in these portions dampens forceful contact that can damage the display. One or more of these regions may also dampen unwanted contact that may actuate one of the buttons on the handheld computer. 
     B. Detailed Description of Cover and Handheld Computer 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a cover  100  for a handheld computer  200 . The cover  100  includes a top edge  102  and a bottom edge  104 . An attachment panel  105  extends from the top edge  102 . The attachment panel  105  includes a coupling mechanism to enable the cover to detachably connect to handheld computer  200 . The front view shows a front surface  115  of cover  100 . The front surface  115  is intended to form an exterior of cover  100  when the cover is attached to handheld computer  200  and used to protect the handheld computer&#39;s front panel  212 . 
     The cover  100  extends along a lengthwise axis Z. A display opening  112  is provided on cover  100 . FIG. 1 shows an interior of cover  100  having a rigid frame  130 . The cover  100  may be formed from a combination of rigid frame  130  overlaid by a deformable layer  140 . In particular, deformable layer  140  may envelope all or a majority of rigid frame  130 . Therefore, rigid frame  130  may be primarily interior on cover  100 , while deformable layer  140  forms a majority of the cover&#39;s exterior. The term majority means more than 50%. 
     In an embodiment, rigid frame  130  extends a first length L 1  along the lengthwise axis Z. The deformable layer  140  extends a second length L 2  along the lengthwise axis. The length L 2  is greater than L 1 . In one embodiment, L 2  corresponds to more than 90% of the overall length of cover  100 , measured from attachment panel  105  to bottom edge  104 . The deformable layer  140  extends into a region  145  that does not contain rigid frame  130 . A length of region  145  is L 2 −L 1 . Therefore, a thickness of region  145  contains only deformable material, with no internal rigidity, so as to provide added cushion characteristics to cover  100 . The region  145  may correspond to where cover  100  protects the display, and/or overlays the buttons  216  (FIG. 7) of handheld computer  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the length of region  145  (L 2 −L 1 ) corresponds to a majority of the cover&#39;s overall length (L 2 ). Thus, L 2  may be at least 50% greater than L 1 . In one application, L 2  may be more than 100% greater than L 1 . 
     The rigid frame  130  maybe assembled to attachment panel  105 . The rigid frame  130  is unitarily constructed. The term unitarily formed means that the component is formed during a single manufacturing process. For example, rigid member  130  may be unitarily formed as a result of a molding process that creates it. The rigid frame  130  may be formed from rigid plastic in the molding process. Alternatively, materials such as metals may be used to form rigid frame  130 . 
     Furthermore, rigid frame  130  and deformable layer  140  may each be unitarily combined. That is, deformable layer  140  is combined with rigid member  130  using a manufacturing process that causes the two components to be formed into one item. In particular, deformable layer  140  may be molded onto rigid frame  130  after the rigid frame is formed, so that deformable layer  140  envelopes rigid member  130 , and is inseparable from the rigid member without damage. To this end, a suitable material for deformable layer  140  is an elastomer. 
     Alternatively, deformable layer  140  may be attached to rigid member  130  using glue or traditional coupling mechanisms, such as fasteners. Specific examples of materials that could alternatively be used for deformable layer  140  include deformable plastic, rubber, thick leather or fabric, vinyl, a material with a sponge or foam core, or other materials and material combinations that provide a cushion characteristic to cover  100 . 
     The rigid frame  130  may be partially exposed in some regions of front surface  115 . A display opening  112  may be formed on a segment of cover  100 . The display opening  112  may be formed by rigid frame  130 . A perimeter  116  of display opening  112  exposes rigid frame  130 . In addition, a strip  132  or other region adjacent to attachment surface  105  may be exposed. 
     A non-opaque material  122  may be provided in the opening  112 . The non-opaque material  122  may correspond to glass or translucent plastic. In one embodiment, the non-opaque material  122  may be press fitted into the opening  112 . 
     A button opening  122  is provided on the cover towards bottom edge  104 . The button opening  122  is positioned to enable one of the buttons  216  (see FIG. 7) of handheld computer  200  to be accessible when the cover  100  is resting on front panel  212  of the handheld computer. One of the buttons  216  on front panel  212  may be exposed to enable a user to actuate the handheld computer. 
     A width of cover  100  is variable over the length L 2 . In one embodiment, the width of cover  100  increases near where button opening  122  is located. The width of cover  100  may correspond to W 1  where cover  100  is to overlay the display  230  (FIG.  7 ). The width of cover  100  may correspond to W 2  where cover  100  is to overlay the buttons  216  (FIG. 7) of handheld computer  200 . 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of cover  100 . A back surface  125  of cover  100  is configured to rest adjacent to the front panel  212  of cover  100  when the cover is used to protect the front panel  212 . The back surface includes a padded region  150 . The padded region  150  may be provided on a portion of cover  100  corresponding to portions of L 1  and L 2 . Thus, the padded region  150  is a segment that extends over portions of rigid frame  130  (shown in phantom). In one embodiment, padded region  150  extends a majority of L 2 . 
     The padded region  150  may be formed from an extra thickness of material used for deformable layer  140 . For example, padded region  150  may correspond to where deformable layer  140  has extra elastomer material. Alternatively, padded region  150  may correspond to where additional material, such as foam core, is provided to protrude from back surface  125 . 
     By enabling the padded region  150  to extend from back surface  125 , features of handheld computer  200  are better protected against unwanted contact. In particular, padded region  150  maybe dimensioned to fit into a recess of the handheld computer&#39;s front panel  212  where the display  230  (FIG. 7) resides. In this way, additional protection can be provided to the display  230  (FIG.  7 ), which is vulnerable to sharp contact. 
     FIG. 2 also shows a coupling mechanism for attaching cover  100  to handheld computer  200 , under an embodiment of the invention. The coupling mechanism may correspond to a pair of clips  162 ,  162 , which insert into corresponding openings of handheld computer  200 . An example of a coupling mechanism for use with an embodiment of the invention is described in detail by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/570,362, hereby incorporated by reference. The coupling mechanism enables cover  100  to be attached and detached to handheld computer  200  by a user. The cover can be moved about a top of handheld computer  200 . One position of cover  100  is adjacent to the front panel  212  of handheld computer  200 , with front surface  115  forming the exterior of cover  100 . Another position of cover  100  is adjacent to a back panel  222  (FIG. 5) of handheld computer  200 , with rear surface  125  forming the exterior of cover  100 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of cover  100 . As shown, an overall length of padded region  150  corresponds to the length L 3 , measured along the lengthwise axis Z. The length L 3  may encompass all or portions of L 1 . 
     The deformable layer  140  may also include a bent segment  155  near the bottom  104 . The bent segment  155  may be used to match a contour on the surface of the handheld computer&#39;s front panel  212 . 
     In an embodiment, a coupling mechanism for cover  100  includes attachment panel  105 , a bridge  155 , and clips  162 . The bridge  155  connects clips  162  to attachment panel  105 . The bridge  155  is pivotally connected to attachment panel  105 . The attachment panel  105  is contoured to reach over a top of handheld computer  200 . In particular, attachment panel  105  may be arced to reach over the top of handheld computer  200 . The clips  162  extend downward from attachment panel  105 . The shape of attachment panel  105  facilitates motion of cover  100  between positions against the front panel  212  and back panel  222  of handheld computer  200 . The clips  162  can be pivoted into an engaged position using bridge  155 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a cover attached to a handheld computer, with the handheld computer shown in phantom. The front surface  115  of cover  100  forms an exterior for the combination of cover  100  and handheld computer  200 . The cover  100  is configured so that display opening  112  and non-opaque material  122  are positioned over the display  230  (FIG. 7) of handheld computer  200 . One or more of the buttons  216  of handheld computer  200  may extend from button opening  122 . 
     The cover  100  may be shaped to overlay all of the handheld computer&#39;s display  230  (FIG.  7 ), and all of the handheld computer&#39;s buttons  216  (FIG. 7) except for one or more exposed buttons. The buttons  216  exposed by opening  116  may be configured to switch handheld computer  200  into an active state. 
     The attachment panel  105  connects into a top housing segment  204  of handheld computer  200 . The top housing segment  204  may include a midframe, contained between exterior shells of handheld computer  200 . Openings  264  (FIG. 6) to receive the coupling mechanism may be provided on the top housing segment  204 . 
     A decorative groove  223  may be provided on front panel  212  of handheld computer  200 . The groove  223  may trace a geometry that at least partially surrounds the display  230  (FIG. 7) and buttons  216  (FIG. 7) of handheld computer  200 . The general shape of cover  100  may match the geometry of the groove  223 . The cover  100  may be dimensioned so that groove  223  is visible as an outline of the cover&#39;s perimeter, when the cover is positioned adjacent front panel  212  of handheld computer  200 . 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of cover  100  in an extended position about the handheld computer  200 . The cover  100  is shown in an intermediate position, between resting against front panel  212  (FIG. 4) and back panel  222  (FIG. 5) of handheld computer  200 . From the rear, front surface  115  of cover  100  is moved over the top housing surface  204  of handheld computer  200  so as to be interior on cover  100  when adjacent to back panel  222 . 
     The attachment panel  105  is contoured about top housing surface  204 . The clips  162  can secure into openings  264  (FIG. 6) of handheld computer  200  (FIG.  4 ). The bridge  155  enables cover  100  to pivot about top housing segment  204 . As such, cover  100  can be moved from the front panel  212  to the back panel  222 . When in the extended position, clips  162  are extended vertically into openings at the top housing segment  204  of handheld computer  200 . 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified front view of a handheld computer that is configured to attach to a cover, under an embodiment of the invention. The handheld computer  200  includes openings  264  in the top housing surface  204  to receive clips  162 . The openings  264  may be formed into a midframe of the handheld computer&#39;s housing. 
     C. Alternative Embodiments 
     While embodiments of the invention describe cover  100  pivotally connected to the top edge of handheld computer  200 , other embodiments may provide for other connection configurations. In particular, cover  100  may be connectable to one of the sides of the handheld computer  200 . Alternatively, the cover  100  may be connectable to a bottom of the handheld computer  200 . 
     The cover may also be permanently attached to the handheld computer, rather than detachably connected. Thus, one embodiment contemplates that the cover  100  is fixed to the handheld computer so as to not be detachable. 
     D. Conclusion 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.