Method and apparatus for determining position using a handheld personal computer and a cradle

A cradle for handheld personal computer comprising:

• a) a housing adapted to receive a handheld personal computer, said housing having a main body, a first projecting member projecting proximate one the end of said main body, and a second projecting member projecting proximate the other end of said housing, said first projecting member and said second projecting member adapted to flex with regard to said main body such that a handheld personal computer can be inserted between said first projecting member and said second projecting member, said housing comprises plastic that is selectively flexible so as to allow said first projecting member to flex relative to said main body and said second projecting member to flex relative to said main body;
• b) a connection mechanism disposed in said housing such that said connection mechanism extends from said first projecting member, said connection mechanism disposed such that, upon the insertion of a handheld personal computer into said cradle, said connection mechanism is electrically coupled with said handheld personal computer;
• c) a position determination system disposed in said housing for determining position;
• and
• d) a controller for controlling the operations of said cradle, said controller coupled to said connection mechanism and coupled to said position determination system, said controller adapted to communicate with a handheld personal computer such that, upon the insertion of a handheld personal computer into said cradle, position determined by said position determination system is coupled to said handheld personal computer.

A method for determining position using a handheld personal computer comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting a handheld computer that includes a display device into a cradle adapted to receive said handheld computer, said cradle adapted to electrically couple to said handheld computer, said cradle including a position determination system and a controller, said cradle further including a cavity that is adapted to receive a handheld personal computer such that a handheld personal computer can be disposed within said cavity so as to securely couple the handheld computer to said housing;
• b) turning on said handheld computer;
• c) determining position upon receiving operator input indicating that position is to be determined;
• and
• d) generating a display on said display device that indicates the position determined in step c).