Abstract:
A handheld device cradle for holding a handheld device in a fixed position relative to the cradle includes a movable IR coupling transceiver selectively connected to a keyboard and selectively movable relative to the cradle to align with the IR port of a handheld device mounted on the cradle. A reflective element of the cradle apparatus is arranged to facilitate a satisfactory alignment of a handheld device with the cradle IR transceiver regardless of the location of the IR port on the handheld device. In an example, a full-sized keyboard is used to provide input to a handheld device which is mounted within the exemplary cradle apparatus to maintain IR port alignment between the cradle IR port and the handheld device IR port.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to infrared coupling systems and more particularly to a coupling apparatus and method for coupling handheld computing devices to keyboard devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Handheld organizers and other handheld computer systems or handheld personal computers (PCs) have become a mainstay device for professionals to organize and process information with regard to day-to-day activities. Data input to such devices is tedious when a stylus is required. A foldable keyboard is a better option for data input but a full-sized foldable keyboard takes up desk space and generally a keyboard designed for use with one organizer or handheld computer system is not suitable or compatible for use with other systems. The sockets for handheld PCs are so unique that a single adapter could not be used to communicate keystrokes to various handheld devices. 
   The alternative to the use of hardwired ports is to use infrared (IR) to communicate keystrokes to handheld devices. However, for IR coupling, alignment of IR ports is critical. If there is misalignment of either the handheld device IR port or the keyboard IR port, relative to each other, the coupling is broken and there can be no transmission or reception of IR signals between the devices. Further, every handheld device which includes an IR port has the IR port in a different location on the device casing. Some IR ports are located on the top of the device, some are placed on the sides or even on the bottom of the device. Because of the different locations of the IR ports on the various handheld devices, positioning of the handheld devices relative to the coupled device (such as a keyboard) has been critical. Moreover, in order to position the IR port of the handheld device correctly with respect to an IR port of another device such as a keyboard, frequently the handheld device has to be placed in a position where it is difficult if not impossible to see a display screen on the handheld device while inputting keystrokes on a coupled full-sized keyboard. 
   Thus, there is a need for an improved methodology and system for enabling improved IR coupling between handheld devices and other external input and output devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a handheld device cradle for holding a handheld device in a fixed position relative to the cradle. In an exemplary embodiment, a movable IR coupling transceiver is selectively connected to a keyboard and selectively movable relative to the cradle to align with the IR port of a handheld device mounted on the cradle. A reflective element is implemented to facilitate a satisfactory alignment of a handheld device with the cradle IR transceiver regardless of the location of the IR port on the handheld device. In an example, a full-sized keyboard is used to provide input to a handheld device which is mounted within the exemplary cradle apparatus to maintain IR port alignment between the cradle IR port and the handheld device IR port. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system which may be used in an exemplary implementation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a variation of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  in which the IR port of a handheld device is located in a different position; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of various components of the IR coupling system; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back view of the hand held device cradle; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of a reflective mirror used in one embodiment of the hand held device coupling system; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating the various mechanical, electrical and light path relationships utilized in the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the various components used in an exemplary embodiment of the hand held device cradling system; and 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system including the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   It is noted that circuits and devices, including electrical, mechanical and light sensitive devices, which are shown in block form in the drawings, are generally known to those skilled in the art, and are not specified to any greater extent than that considered necessary as illustrated, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention. 
   The various methods discussed herein may be implemented within any communication device capable of receiving and transmitting signals including infrared or “IR” signals, utilized in computer-based applications including personal digital assistants or PDAs, or other hand held devices (HHDs). In the present disclosure such devices include, but are not limited to, cellular and other wireless devices, personal digital assistant devices, laptop and hand held personal computers. The present discussion will be directed to a hand held device coupled to a full-sized keyboard although it is understood that the principles involved in the present invention may be applied, inter alia, to all of the above noted receiving and transmitting devices and systems. 
   Every hand held device or hand held computerized system (hereinafter collectively referred to as “hand held devices” or “HHD”) has an infrared (IR) port located at a different position on the HHD. In accordance with the present invention, a cradle is provided for holding the HHD in a fixed position and includes means for fixedly aligning an IR port of the cradle with the IR port of the HHD to enable a fixed positional alignment and transmission of IR signals between the cradle and the HHD. The cradle also includes, in one example, means for connecting the cradle with a keyboard such that keystrokes or other input can be entered into the keyboard and a user can see the results of the entered keystrokes on a display portion of the HHD. In one embodiment, a reflective mirror is implemented to reflect IR signals between the cradle and the HHD. In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , these signals are transmitted directly. 
   In  FIG. 1  there is shown an exemplary system in which the present invention may be implemented. The illustration shows a keyboard  101  connected to a holding or cradle device  105  which is arranged to hold an HHD  107  shown in phantom. The HHD  107  includes an IR port  109 . The cradle  105  also includes an IR port  113  which is arranged at the end of a flexible conduit  111 . The flexible conduit  111  is of any type capable of bending into a desired position and maintaining that position until manually moved to another position. Flexible conduit  111  is similar to and may comprise flexible conduits or “necks” used in high intensity lamps and/or other reading lamps where the area being illuminated is determined by maneuvering the neck of the high intensity lamp so that the projected light is illuminating the material being read. Similarly, in the present example, the neck  111  is maneuvered such that the IR port  113  of the cradle device  105  is aligned with the IR port of the HHD  107 . After the IR ports  109  and  113  are aligned, a communication link is established and IR signals may be transmitted and received between the two ports. The “stiffness” of the neck or flexible conduit maintains the proper alignment until the neck is manually moved to another position or the HHD  107  is removed from the cradle  105 . The design of the cradle itself is shown only schematically in  FIG. 1 , it being understood that the cradle can take many forms to accomplish its mission of holding the HHD in a permanent position relative to the cradle  105  so that the IR ports  109  and  113  can be properly aligned. The cradle design can be a relatively open design to support the HHD and still enable IR port access and alignment no matter where the IR port happens to be located on any HHD. Once the ports are properly aligned, a user is enabled to enter keystrokes on the keyboard  101  and watch the display portion of the HHD  107  to see that the proper keystrokes are being entered. 
   In  FIG. 2 , a different HHD  201  is illustrated where the IR port  203  of the HHD  201  is located at the top of the HHD  201 . In that case, the flexible conduit  111  of the cradle  105  is manually manipulated to the position shown at the top of the HHD  201  such that the IR port of the HHD  201  is properly aligned with the IR port  113  of the cradle  105 . Again, the alignment is maintained by the flexible conduit  111  until manually moved to a different position. By using the flexible conduit  111 , a user is enabled to type on the keyboard  101  and watch the display of the HHD and the two IR ports will not become accidentally misaligned. 
   In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , instead of a flexible neck, a sliding, rotating action in combination with a reflective mirror is used to accomplish the same purpose of steady-state or fixed IR port alignment. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a cradle base  301  includes an upper support member  303  for holding an HHD  305  in a fixed position relative to the cradle. The HHD  305  includes an IR port  307  which is arranged on the side of the HHD 305 . The cradle includes a movable arm  308  to which is attached an IR port  309 . A reflecting mirror  311  is also attached to the rotating arm  308  by a flexible connector  310 . The flexible connector  310  is adjustable for connecting the mirror  311  and the port housing or movable arm  308 . The distance between the reflective mirror  311  and the IR port  309  is adjustable by means of a sliding arrangement. The angle at which the mirror  311  faces the IR port  309  is also adjustable. This arrangement enables the cradle to work with any HHD irrespective of the location of the IR port on the HHD. The mirror  311  may be rotated such that IR signals from the IR port  307  of the HHD  305  are transmitted from the IR port  307  and reflected by the mirror  311  onto the IR port  309  of the cradle. The mirror  311  may be rotated to accommodate alignment with the IR port of the HHD  305  no matter how thick the HHD  305  is. The movable arm  308  may also be moved vertically and rotated using a variety of known bracket devices (not shown for clarity) to facilitate IR port alignment no matter where the IR port of the HHD is located on the HHD. The bracket for example may be similar to brackets commonly used with cell phone holders which allow rotation as well as up and down movement of a cell phone holder. 
     FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the cradle without the HHD  305 . The cradle base  301  includes an opening  405  to receive power cables to supply power for the power requirements of the electronics within the cradle. The electronics for the cradle include processing means for translating keystroke-generated signals into IR signals for transmission over the IR coupling to the HHD. In the present example, the cradle electronics are conveniently housed within the housing of the rotating arm  308  and power is supplied through a metallic lining  407  to provide power to the IR port  309 . At the other end of the arm  308  is, in the present example, a PS/2 port  411  which is also supplied power through the lining  407 , and connects to the keyboard. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates schematically, a top view of the reflections of the IR signals between the IR port  506  of the cradle arm  501  and the IR port  508  of a HHD  507 . As shown, a reflecting mirror  505  is mechanically coupled  503  to the cradle arm  501 . The mirror  505  is manually adjusted by a user such that IR signals from the IR port  506  are directed  511  to the mirror  505  and re-directed  509  to the IR port  508  of the HHD  507 . The mirror adjustment is a final adjustment for alignment after the movable arm  501  has been conveniently positioned relative to the location of the IR port on the HHD such as to enable a final adjustment of the mirror  505  and the IR alignment of the ports  506  and  508  via the mirror  505 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates the relative connection relationships among the keyboard  601  which is connected electrically to a HHD cradle  603 , which in turn, is arranged to mechanically hold  605  the HHD  607  and also communicate with the HHD  607  through an IR coupling  609 . It is noted that the keyboard  601  may also be coupled to the cradle  603  using an IR coupling rather than being hard-wired as shown. 
   In  FIG. 7 , an exploded view of the HHD cradle device is illustrated. The cradle in the present example includes a power inlet  703  connected to a metallic lining  705  to provide power to the ports. Also shown is a slot  707  in which the movable arm housing  709  will move up and down and also rotate to the desired position. At one end of the port housing or movable arm  709  is a PS/2 port  711  and at the other end is the IR port  713  of the cradle assembly. A reflective mirror  717  and holder  719  are arranged to slide along the length of the port housing. The right side of the movable arm also includes a slot or grove  715  to enable the mirror holder to slide therein. A metallic ring  721  is electrically connected to the metallic lining  705  and arranged to allow for power conduction to the circuits within the port housing or movable arm  709 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , an exemplary system which includes the present invention, shows a holding apparatus  801  which is arranged to hold an electronic device  813  such as a HHD in place relative to the holding apparatus. The holding apparatus includes a PS/2, USB or other external port  803  which in the example is connected to a keyboard  805 . Port  803  is connected to a Conversion and Control circuit  807  which is also housed in the holding apparatus  801  and effective to convert and control signal flow between the keyboard  805  and the electronic device  813 . The Conversion and Control circuitry is arranged for selective connection to a power source  808  as hereinbefore described in FIG.  4 . The Conversion and Control circuit is connected to the movable IR port  809  which communicates with a corresponding IR port  811  of electronic device  813 . 
   The method and apparatus of the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment as disclosed herein. The disclosed methodology may be implemented in a wide range of embodiments to accomplish the desired results as herein illustrated. Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary form as set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.