DE102006011538A1 - Connecting mechanism for e.g. smart phone, has docking devices to hold personal digital assistant or smart phone, and housing in which monitor, keyboard, mouse, touchpad, compact disc-reading and writing device and battery are integrated - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a monitor, keyboard and docking devices (9, 12) that are utilized for holding and connecting a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone. Touch screen of the PDA or the smart phone is provided for digitalizing of symbols produced on the PDA or the smart phone, where the touch screen is utilized as a touch pad. The monitor, keyboard, mouse, touchpad, compact disc-reading and writing device and charge battery are integrated in a housing. A PDA/smart phone insertion slot is provided for connecting the PDA with a docking station for the PDA.

Description

Territory of invention

The The present invention relates to an apparatus with the Goal, the function and display options of a conventional PDA or smartphones through the use of multiple external components, which are summarized in a constructive unit to improve thus the PDA or the smartphone in a similar way as a notebook computer can be used.

description of the prior art

The Technology used today in PDAs and smartphones has a level achieved on which these devices almost all of conventional PCs run known applications can. This refers to their ability Applications such as the Office package (ie Word, Excel, Outlook) and even process multimedia applications. PDAs have different integrated interfaces for communication with external devices such as Screens, keyboards, hard drives, etc. These are interfaces Bluetooth, IRDA, USB, WiFi and various docking adapters for the Communication for use. This wide range of possibilities left PDAs become one of the preferred platforms of mobile working, but due to their compact size they will never be able to to replace the PC or notebook, even if expected in the future Capacity increases a standard that processes the same software as in the PC. This problem is solved with the present patent.

Full description

The The device described in this patent consists essentially of from an integration and presentation case, which has five basic elements to enhance the functionality of the PDA / Smartphone, as well as a special insertion slot for convenient recording of the PDA or smartphones.

In the housing is a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or a touchpad Data storage device, a CD reader and writer (or a similar one Device, such as. a DVD-ROM / RAM reader / burner) and a rechargeable battery integrated. So is the use of the device in the mobile sector, as it is known from notebooks, possible, and also the connection of external ones devices is possible.

The casing may vary in shape depending on the field of application, in its Standard application is similar However, it is the case a classic notebook. The PDA can be easily integrated in introduced the shaft which, by utilizing their optimal man-machine-device functionality, all the functionalities to the Transfer device components become.

The This claimed connections and connectors are optional and can depend on the purpose of the device used (such as, for example Bluetooth, Wifi, IRDA or PS2 not always necessary).

Of the Main claim of this patent is the integration of all mentioned parts using a defined architecture in a single housing as well the PDA / Smartphone slot, which makes the simple connection of the PDA very similar as with the well-known docking stations (Cradles) for PDAs possible.

This allows the integration of the PDA without requiring an external CPU by the to disposal standing data connections of the PDA. Here differs the functionality of this Invention of inventions such as WO 2005081140, in which an external Processor is used.

So the PDA becomes the heart of the facility and handles all higher levels of software, by using his full potential and his outputs in a similar way Way like a notebook and its inputs via well-established interfaces offers.

by virtue of the fact that the PDA is not connected to an external processor is, are the files processed and stored in it and Databases always consistent. The entire laborious synchronization process deleted as well as any related problems. Standard backup software can help secure the PDA data like a classic PC backup policy be used. The PDA can be removed at any time from the facility and with the entire current database as an independent unit be used.

description the connections used

These Description refers to a device with a slot for the Toshiba E800, in this invention due to its features with common Interfaces as a pilot device was selected. The following versions can be complete or partially applied to any PDA, regardless of the operating system used here and only dependent on the existence of the described connections.

Docking connector

Of the Docking connection is used the transmission the user data for connecting a external VGA displays and to provide the USB host function. For this reason, an adapter is integrated in the insertion slot. The external display can be connected directly to the adapter. The USB signal is routed to a port replicator. From the port replicator go several cables to internal devices such as hard drive, CD drive or optional internal USB devices from. Furthermore, passes he signals the signal in the housing lying USB ports, which the connection additional external USB devices enable. The port replicator allows so the fixed connection of one or more data devices or other supported internal and external devices. Unfortunately support Today's PDAs only the simultaneous connection of only one single device. This is annoying, However, no fundamental obstacle, since each connected device only one Extension of the functionality contained in the PDA. The connected standard equipment is the hard disk for storing larger amounts of data (such as in multimedia applications). When decoupling the hard disk, e.g. to connect a CD drive or a camera, offers the internal memory (or one to the later described connections connected memory extension) the necessary functionality.

IrDA

The Essentially, IrDA interface is used to connect a keyboard and a mouse. The integration in the housing can be like with notebooks respectively.

SD card interface

The applications the SD interface are diverse. She can be considered secondary USB interface for connecting internal devices. Alternatively, you can they as a connection of one Plug in the housing of the device to be shipped. It can also be used to extend PDA functionality be, according to their original provision, e.g. with a memory card or a GPS receiver.

Flash card interface

The applications The flash card interface is versatile Firstly, to connect the hard disk of the device to the PDA or to extend the PDA functionality, ie according to their original Determination, e.g. by connecting one GPS receiver a Bluetooth adapter or Wifi adapter.

Audio output (headphones)

• A.) in das Gehäuse integrierten Lautsprechern
• B.) einem Line-Ausgang zum Anschluß eines externen Verstärkers
• C.) einem Kopfhöreranschluß zum Anschluß eines Kopfhörers (Headset)

verbunden werden.The audio output (headphone) is connected to an amplifier, which also contains a port replicator. This can with

• A.) built into the housing speakers
• B.) a line output for connection of an external amplifier
• C.) a headphone jack for connecting a headset

get connected.

microphone

• a.) einem im Gehäuse integrierten Mikrophon
• b.) einem im Gehäuse integrierten Mikrophonanschluß zur Anbindung externer Geräte wie einem Headset

verbunden ist.The microphone is used as an analog interface. It is positioned in close proximity to a small speaker that is similar to the speakers used in headphones. This speaker is connected to a small amplifier, which in turn with

• a.) A microphone integrated in the housing
• b.) a built-in microphone housing connection for connecting external devices such as a headset

connected is.

WiFi

According to his intended use.

touchscreen

Of the PDA can be mounted with the display up in the housing; in the housing is a corresponding Recess provided. The touchscreen can do so according to his Determination can be used or as an additional input device in parallel to mouse or keyboard, for example to digitization on it made drawings.

display

The Display may be older PDAs, which have no VGA output or no connectivity external displays, used as an analogue connection become. In this case, a camera or sensor pad will do so arranged the display that the Information of the display can be recorded.

• a.) ein VGA-Signal, das direkt an das Display des Gerätes weitergeleitet wird;
• b.) ein USB-Signal, das an den USB-Portreplikator weitergeleitet wird, um die Kamera für die Aufnahme von Bildern oder Videos zu nutzen, wie es zum Beispiel bei Videokonferenzen oder ähnlichen Anwendungen notwendig ist. Falls diese Anwendung nicht benötigt wird, kann das Display je nach gewählter Stellung des PDAs im Gehäuse zur Darstellung von Informationen genutzt werden.

The camera produces

• a.) a VGA signal, which is forwarded directly to the display of the device;
• b.) a USB signal that is routed to the USB port replicator to use the camera to capture images or videos, such as video conferencing or similar applications. If this An is not needed, the display can be used depending on the selected position of the PDA in the housing for displaying information.

power supply

The Power is used to charge the PDA while the PDA is as described located in the facility.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth interface (in T.E.800 optional, standard in T.E830) can be used as an alternative variant for connecting keyboard or mouse become. If this option is not used, the interface can their usual purpose used according to become.

function keys

ever after the chosen one Position of the PDA in the housing can the function keys, when connected to the PDA, their destination according to the control the programs used in the PDA are used.

description the drawing

1

data storage like CD-ROM drive

2

data storage like a hard drive

3

(from) speaker

4

USB Port Replicator

5

optional CFII facility

6

optional SD device

7

amplifier

8th

rechargeable battery

9

Docking facility (VGA signal, USB signal, power supply)

10

Connections like USB plug

11

Connections like Microphone, Headphone, SD, CFII connections

12

Docking facility for the SD and CFII slot, the headphones and the microphone

power lines are not indicated in the drawing. The position of the objects in the drawing does not represent the actual position in the housing. The positioning of the components may be due to functional and design factors change. The horizontal arrangement of the PDA is desired, but not mandatory necessary.

Claims (7)

A connection device consisting of a monitor, a keyboard and a docking device for recording and connecting a PDA or smartphone. A connection device according to claim 1, which integrated one or more further components, such as e.g. a hard disk or alternative storage devices such as memory cards, one Mouse or a touchpad, a CD drive or similar device, speakers, port replicators, Amplifier, connecting devices such as USB, PS / 2, RCA, or microphone connectors, rechargeable batteries, Charging devices, signal lamps or additional components such as a GPS receiver, GPRS / WAP transceiver, LAN / WLAN / Bluetooth adapter, TV / Radio receiver in analog or digital technology, a camera or a power supply. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the docking facility offers the possibility of the PDA or the smartphone in just a few seconds to all the required interfaces to join and remove it, taking advantage of the needed items of the PDA like the display, the touch screen, the function keys, the SD card slot and the flash card slot by insert one to the PDA geometry matched Plug-in and connector is maintained. A connection device according to claim 3, which is integrated in seats of transport equipment or in tables. A connection device according to claim 3, wherein the touch screen of the PDA or smartphone for digitizing of drawings made on it is used by these device modules is connected. A connection device according to claim 3, wherein the touch screen of a PDA is used as a touchpad. A connection device according to claim 3, wherein a camera or a sensor pad for recording display information of the PDA or the smartphone is used to external these Display of the device to use.