US 2003/0153355 A1 · Input-output device with universal phone port

Abstract

A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An input/output device for use with a portable phone, comprising:

a) a processor;
b) one or more input components electrically connected to the processor and adapted to enter data;
c) one or more output components electrically connected to the processor and adapted to display or audibly output data;
d) a housing with the processor, the input components, and the output components mounted to or generally enclosed within the housing;
and
e) a phone interface having a support member and at least one phone port, wherein the support member is formed on the housing and adapted to support the portable phone and the phone port is electrically connected to the processor and adapted to communicate with the phone when supported by the support member, wherein the phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and wirelessly receives data to be displayed or audibly output by the output components.

3 more elements

An input/output device for use with a portable phone, comprising:

a) a processor;
b) one or more input components electrically connected to the processor and adapted to enter data, wherein the input components include one or more function buttons;
c) one or more output components electrically connected to the processor and adapted to output data, wherein the output components include a display screen;
d) a data storage device electrically connected to the processor and having browser, email, and wireless application protocol programming stored therein;
e) a housing with the processor, the input components, the output components, the data storage device, and the support member mounted to or generally enclosed within the housing, wherein the housing is sized and shaped for being held in a user's hand while in use;
and
f) a phone interface having a support member and at least one phone port, wherein the support member is formed by one or more walls defining a slot or a channel in the housing and is adapted to support the portable phone, and the phone port is disposed on one of the walls of the slot and is electrically connected to the processor and adapted to communicate with the phone when supported by the support member, wherein the phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and wirelessly receives data to be displayed or audibly output by the output components.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Input-output device with universal phone port

Life of this patent

Input-output device with universal phone port

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27