Abstract:
A portable, digital electronic device ( 10 ) is disclosed which comprises a host unit ( 20 ), including a display ( 21 ), and a keyboard module ( 40 ) connected to the host unit ( 20 ) and including at least one group of keys ( 41, 42, 43 ). The keyboard module ( 40 ) is moveable between at least two allowable positions with respect to the host unit ( 20 ), wherein a first allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the keyboard module ( 40 ) substantially covering the display ( 21 ), and wherein a second allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the display ( 21 ) being at least partially exposed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
       [0001]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,477 issued on Aug. 20, 1996 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
         [0002]     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/491,049 filed on Jul. 30, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0003]     Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of handheld computers or devices such as, for example, portable digital assistants or PDA for short, smart phones, e-mail devices, and cell phones. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to portable handheld devices which enable a user to enter data through an attachable keyboard.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The handheld computer industry has created PDA devices for data entry via a touch-sensitive on-screen panel. PDA devices are handheld devices with information input means and personal information management (PIM) software such as to-do lists, contact lists, and appointments. PDA devices have significant processing capabilities related to performing the desired functions.  
         [0005]     One example of such a device is the PocketPC model Axim from Dell Computer Corporation of Austin, Tex. PDA devices accept data through a stylus in the form of written input as well as through on-screen keyboards. However, many users prefer the conventional keys with tactile feedback for data input. For that reason, some manufactures provide such keys in addition to the pen-input capability described above. An example of such a device is PDT- 8100  from Symbol Technologies Inc. of Holtsville, N.Y. However, the addition of the keyboard, along with the display, adds significant length to the device, thereby making the device too large for many applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,477 teaches a special keyboard lid that adds key-entry capability without increasing the length of the device. However, such an accessory is prone to damage in case of accidental drops or impact against another object.  
         [0006]     Yet another drawback of the prior art, especially when applied to harsh environments of vertical applications of barcodes, is that the display screen is exposed to the elements when the unit is not in use.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there is a need for a PDA device that provides additional means of user input, in particular a tactile keyboard. The PDA device, described above, needs to be durable like an average cell phone. Also, it must have an increased protection against accidental impacts on the display. Lastly, it is desirable that the new PDA device can be implemented by employing readily available off-the-shelfPDA devices without requiring complex development of customized products.  
         [0008]     Portable data entry devices are known for use in automatic identification systems, such as the bar code industry as an example. Portable data entry devices such as bar code scanners, radio frequency identification devices, and key-entry based hand held computers are used for applications such as inventory tracking, in store order entry, package delivery, route sales, or the like. Various dedicated products have been developed for this purpose, such products including a bar code scanning system, a radio frequency identification system, a data processing system, and communications features. Although such devices provide desired attributes of portability along with data capture and communication capabilities, the devices are expensive and relatively inflexible in their operation.  
         [0009]     Compared with portable data entry devices, PDA devices have the benefit of the economies of scale. Therefore PDA devices are less expensive, more compact, and offer higher performance in several areas by employing new technologies at a faster pace. Consequently, it would be advantageous to employ PDA devices for portable data entry applications. However, PDA devices lack several key features essential to many of the portable data entry applications, such as barcode scanners, keyboards with numeric and/or alphabetic characters, wireless communication systems, and radio frequency identification readers.  
         [0010]     Another key feature missing in the PDA devices is ruggedness, which is essential when the user is mobile during the use of the device. (In contrast, the users of PDA devices are generally stationary during the actual use of the device). Additionally, PDA devices are not configured with a form factor to allow simple portable data entry in the variety of different environments in which portable data entry devices are used.  
         [0011]     Some manufacturers of the barcode industry have attempted to solve these problems by licensing the internal electronic assemblies of the PDA devices from their suppliers and packaging them with portable data entry features in custom designed cases. Examples of such products are models SPT-1500 and SPT-1700 from Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, N.Y. However, this process is time consuming and requires expensive re-engineering, which has to be repeated with the introduction of each new PDA. Also, since the resulting devices are produced in smaller volumes, significant benefits of using the PDA technology are lost.  
         [0012]     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     An embodiment of the present invention provides a portable, digital electronic device comprising a host unit having a display and a keyboard module connected to the host unit and having at least one grouping of keys. The keyboard module is moveable between at least two allowable positions with respect to the host unit, wherein a first allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the keyboard module substantially covering the display, and wherein a second allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the display being at least partially exposed.  
         [0014]     An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for using a portable, digital electronic device. The method comprises attaching a keyboard module of the device to a host unit of the device. The keyboard module includes at least one group of keys and the host unit includes a display. The method further comprises moving the keyboard module between at least two allowable positions with respect to the host unit, wherein a first allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the keyboard module substantially covering the display, and wherein a second allowable position of the at least two allowable positions results in the display being at least partially exposed.  
         [0015]     These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable, digital electronic device, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate cross-sectional views, taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , showing several exemplary positions of a keyboard module of the portable device of  FIG. 1  with respect to a host unit of the portable device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of the exemplary embodiment of the portable, digital electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary end module of the portable device of  FIG. 1  along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable, digital electronic device, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 6-7  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a nub and rail mechanism of the device of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing both a host unit and a keyboard module.  FIGS. 2A, 2B , and  2 C are cross-sectional views taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , showing the keyboard module in a closed position in  FIG. 2A , a partially open position in  FIG. 2B , and a fully open position in  FIG. 2C .  FIG. 3  is an end view of the exemplary device.  FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an end-module along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 5-7  show an alternative embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable, digital electronic device  10 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The device  10  includes a host unit  20 , a keyboard module  40 , and an end module  30 . For example, the host unit  20  may comprise a commercially available, off-the-shelf PDA having associated PDA functionality. On the front side, the host unit has a display  21 . Two rails  31  are mounted on the end-module  30 , oriented one on each side of the keyboard module  40 .  
         [0024]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate cross-sectional views, taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , showing several exemplary positions of the keyboard module  40  of the portable device  10  of  FIG. 1  with respect to the host unit  20  of the portable device  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of the exemplary embodiment of the portable, digital electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0025]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the end module  30  also includes a flexible metal strip  33 , which is connected to a retaining bracket  34  that fits around the top end of the host unit  20 . An adjusting screw  35  helps tighten the strip  33  and the bracket  34  around the host unit  20  and hence securing the end module housing  38  (see  FIG. 4 ) to the host unit housing  25  (see  FIG. 1 ). The keyboard module  40  has a matching groove  44  mounted on each side, which mates with and slides along the rails  31  from a closed position shown in  FIG. 2A , through a partially open position shown in  FIG. 2B , to an open position shown in  FIG. 2C . In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the matching grooves  44  may be mounted on the end module  30  which is attached to the host unit  20 , and the rails  31  may be mounted on the keyboard module  40 .  
         [0026]     In accordance with further alternative embodiments of the present invention, the matching grooves  44  may be an integral part of the keyboard module  40  (e.g., a molded part of the housing of the keyboard module  40 ), the host unit  20 , or the end module  30 . The rails  31  may be an integral part of the keyboard module  40 , the host unit  20 , or the end module  30 . Other alternative combinations are possible as well.  
         [0027]     The end module  30 , rails  31 , flexible metal strip  33 , retaining bracket  34 , adjusting screw  35 , and matching grooves  44  constitute a holding mechanism, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0028]     The end module  30  includes an electrical connector  32  on the top side, which mates with mating connectors  45 ,  46  and  47  when the keyboard module  40  is in a closed position shown in  FIG. 2A , a predetermined partially open position shown in  FIG. 2B , and a completely closed position shown in  FIG. 2C , respectively. This arrangement allows the host unit  20  to sense the position of the keyboard module  40  and thereby adapt the content of display  21  in accordance with the position of the keyboard module  40 . The end module  30  is in electrical communication with the host unit  20  via an electrical interface (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the electrical interface may be a connector on the bottom of the host unit  20  mated with an electrical connector on the top of the end module  30 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an alternative, the end module  30  is in communication with the host unit  20  via a wireless interface (not shown). Alternatively, the electrical connector  32  may be mounted directly on or be an integral part of the front of the host unit  20 .  
         [0029]     As an example, when the keyboard module  40  is in the closed position, the host unit  20  may turn off or go into a standby mode. When the keyboard module  40  is in a partially open position, the host unit  20  may use only a predetermined top portion of the display  21  as an active user interface. This may be useful in a handset mode and in an e-mail mode requiring intensive thumb keying of e-mail messages.  
         [0030]     The electrical connector  32  and the mating connectors  45 ,  46 , and  47  constitute at least part of a position sensing mechanism. The host unit  20  knows which mating connector ( 45 ,  46 , or  47 ) is active (i.e., which mating connector is engaged with the electrical connector  32 ). The position sensing mechanism outputs a position signal to the host unit  20 . For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the connected mating connector ( 45 ,  46 , or  47 ) passes a position signal from the keyboard module  40  to the host unit  20  via the electrical connector  32 . The position signal may be, for example, a simple digital logic level or a 2- bit binary code. Other position signals are possible as well.  
         [0031]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector  32  and the mating connectors  45 ,  46 , and  47  also carry electrical power to operate the keyboard module  40  and carry input and output signals between the keyboard module  40  and the host unit  20 . In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard module  40  communicates with the host unit  20  via a wireless input/output link (not shown). Also, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard module  40  includes its own power source such as, for example, a battery.  
         [0032]     The grooves  44  are designed to be flexible so that, when subjected to an otherwise damaging impact, the rails  31  come out of the grooves  44 , thereby releasing the keyboard module  40  from the host unit  20  and preventing possible damage to the device  10 . This situation will arise when the portable electronic device  10  is dropped or collides with another object when the keyboard module  40  is protruding outward as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary end module  30  of the portable device  10  of  FIG. 1  along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The end module  30  of the current invention also includes a charging adapter configuration, which can be best seen in  FIG. 4 . A charging jack  26  is found in a majority of host units in the market such as Axim model Pocket PC devices made by Dell Computer Corporation of Austin, Tex. The jack  26  of the host unit  20  is connected via a plug  37 , which in turn is connected to another jack  39  included in the end module  30 . Such a configuration allows for a charger (not shown) of the host unit  20  to be used to charge the batteries (not shown) of the portable digital electronic device  10 . The charge jack  26  is also connected to charger contact-pair  36 , which can be used in conjunction with a charging cradle (not shown).  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable, digital electronic device  110 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  FIGS. 6-7  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a nub and rail mechanism of the device  110  of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
         [0035]     In such an embodiment, instead of the groove and rail mechanism described above, a rail and an angled oval nub mechanism may be used such that, at a certain orientation of the keyboard module  140 , the keyboard module  140  can be moved freely while the nub  139  travels along the associated rail  131 . This mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , where keyboard module  140  includes angled oval nubs  139 , one on each side, which move along the rails  131 . The nubs  139  prevent the keyboard module  140  from detaching from the host unit  120  as the keyboard module  140  is being moved with respect to the host unit  120 . However, the keyboard module  140  releases from the host unit  120  when the device  110  is subjected to an impact that may otherwise damage the device  110 .  
         [0036]     When a desired position of the keyboard module  140  is reached, the keyboard module  140  is pressed down, thereby causing the tightening of the angled oval nubs  139  under the rails  131 . With such a mechanism, the keyboard module  140  may also be flipped and closed as a lid with the keys facing inside toward the display  121 .  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the keyboard module  40  includes a portion  41  having navigation keys such as a cursor control key and keys for starting a scanner. There is another portion  42  having an arrangement of keys in the popular typewriter arrangement, also referred to as the QWERTY arrangement. Yet another portion  43  has an arrangement of keys substantially like the arrangement found in cell phones.  
         [0038]     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the current invention, the keyboard module  40  may include an entirely different arrangement of keys, for example an arrangement substantially similar to those found in barcode-based portable data entry devices such as model PTC-960 (not shown) from Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, N.Y. Other key arrangements are possible as well, corresponding to various application of the portable device  10 .  
         [0039]     For example, the keyboard module  40  may be used for portable data entry into the host unit  20  for use as an automatic identification system such as a bar code scanner, a radio frequency identification device, and a key-entry device. Such applications may include, for example, inventory tracking, in store order entry, package delivery, route sales, or the like.  
         [0040]     In accordance with various embodiment of the present invention, the portable digital electronic device  10  conforms to one of a hand-held form factor and a tablet form factor.  
         [0041]     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.