US 6,747,578 B1 · Integrated removable functional faceplate for portable computer system

Abstract

An integrated removable functional faceplate for a portable computer system. The removable functional faceplate employs specially located electrical contacts or pads that mate with similarly located electrical contacts mounted on the portable computer system, e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other electronic device. The electrical contacts of the functional faceplate carry signals that are responsive to the pressing of physical buttons which may be placed in any location on the functional faceplate. This allows individual faceplates to be developed that are specialized for a particular purpose, e.g., extended keyboards, adapted for gaming, adapted for music playing, etc. The functional faceplates may have specialized button types that are adapted for a particular use and are also located in custom positions that reflect the particular use employed. When the functional faceplate is removed from the portable computer system, it may have no buttons or it may provide a standard PDA button group. An identification circuit may be employed on the functional faceplate to indicate its button group and signaling characteristics. Alternatively, the functional faceplate may also include a data generation device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) or electronic thermometer, a music player, a smart card, etc. Alternatively, the functional faceplate may also include an auxiliary power supply.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A faceplate for an electronic device comprising:

a housing adapted to be removably secured onto said electronic device;
a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said housing and operable to mate with corresponding electrical contacts of said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device;
a plurality of buttons disposed on said housing and, when activated, for causing signals to be generated over said electrical contacts indicating which buttons were activated and when activated, and
a data signal generation device disposed on said housing and coupled to said electrical contacts of said faceplate, said data signal generation device for supplying data signals to said electronic device wherein said data signal generation device is a music player.

1 more element

A device comprising:

an electronic device having a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed within a recess, said electrical contacts coupled to an internal bus of said electronic device;
and
a removable faceplate for attaching to said electronic device, said faceplate comprising:
a housing adapted to be removably secured onto said electronic device and aligned with said recess;
a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said housing and operable to mate with said first plurality of electrical contacts of said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device;
a plurality of buttons disposed on said housing and, when activated, for causing signals to be generated over said electrical contacts indicating which buttons were activated and when activated, and
a data signal generation device disposed on said housing and coupled to said second plurality of electrical contacts of said faceplate, said data signal generation device for supplying data signals to said electronic device wherein said data signal generation device is a music player.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated removable functional faceplate for portable computer system

Life of this patent

Integrated removable functional faceplate for portable computer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21