US20080169943A1 - Integrated removable faceplate for portable computing system - Google Patents

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/770,979 filed Feb. 2, 2004 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/844,558 filed Apr. 27, 2001, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• As the components required to build a computer system have reduced in size, new categories of computer systems have emerged. One of the new categories of computer systems is the “palmtop” computer system. A palmtop computer system is a computer that is small enough to be held in the hand of a user and can therefore be “palm-sized.” Most palmtop computer systems are used to implement various Personal Information Management (PIM) applications such as an address book, a daily organizer and electronic notepads, to name a few. Palmtop computers with PIM software have been know as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Many PDAs have a small flat display screen associated therewith one or more buttons or keys that can be pressed by a user.
• In addition to PDAs, small flat display screens and push buttons have also been implemented within other portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, electronic pagers, remote control devices and other wireless portable devices.
• User convenience and device value are very important factors for portable electronic devices. Typically, portable electronic devices are employed while the user is on the run, e.g., in business meetings, on business travel, personal travel, in a vehicle, on foot, etc. Because the user may be occupied or busy while using the portable electronic device, the number of user steps or user tasks required in order to access information from an electronic device (or to store information into the electronic device) is crucial for producing a commercially successful and useful product. That is, the more difficult it is to access data from an electronic device, the less likely the user will perform those tasks to obtain the information. Likewise, the easier information is to obtain, the more likely the portable electronic device will be used to obtain that information and the more likely the portable electronic device will become a part of the user's everyday activities.
• Similarly, the more useful the device, the more the device will be used and acquired. Accordingly, the more the device can be flexible and specialized for particular uses that are important to users, the higher the likelihood that the device will be employed.
• One way to personalize or specialize a portable electronic device is to alter the appearance of its faceplate or front cover. Today, many cell phones offer removable faceplates which can be attached to the device. The faceplates have button holes that are adapted fit around existing buttons that are integrated with the cell phone body. The faceplates can alter the overall appearance (e.g., color, pattern, etc.) of the device to fit a user's taste or personal preference. These prior art faceplates, while altering the cosmetic appearance of the device, do not alter the functionality or placement of the underlying buttons which are integrated with the body of cell phone device.
• Other faceplates have been offered that not only provide cosmetic changes to the device, but also add some special key designations or key types to the existing buttons of the underlying device. However, the existing buttons of the underlying device are still needed. For instance, some faceplates provide mechanical buttons that are designed to contact and fit over the existing buttons on the device's body. When the mechanical button on the faceplate is depressed, so is the underlying device's button. The mechanical buttons of these prior art faceplates can alter the designations of the existing buttons or add new button types. For instance, a joystick key type (on the faceplate) can be added over a group of existing keys of the device's body. When the joy stick is moved, different keys of the key group are then activated. However, since these prior art faceplates make use of the existing keys of the device, they are limited in their potential key placements, key functionalities and key types. These faceplates may also add significant size and weight to the overall device since their keys are additive to the underlying keys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to the field of data entry devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to removable faceplates for a portable computer system or other portable electronic device.
• Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, e.g., a cell phone, portable computer system, PDA, electronic pager, etc., having a removable functional faceplate. The removable functional faceplate provides additional keys and key functionality that are in addition to any underlying keys of the electronic device (if it has any at all). For instance, removable faceplates can add extended keyboards, gaming controls, etc. The new keys and key functionality can be placed in any location on the faceplate and may be of any key type without restriction to the underlying keys of the electronic device (if it has any at all). Additionally, the functional faceplates may provide circuits which add functionality to the electronic device other than, or in addition to, new keys, e.g., increased memory capacity, increased power capacity, music playing capacity, measurement devices, etc. The faceplates are removable, and in one embodiment, designed to be readily removed and installed by the user. By providing the ability to add new keys to the faceplate, the present invention provides an electronic device that may be substantially customized for a particular user or for a particular and specialized use. The present invention provides these advantages and others not specifically mentioned above but described in the sections to follow.
• An integrated removable functional faceplate is described herein 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 predetermined positions of 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, adapted for email, paging, 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. In this case, one or more of the electrical contacts are adapted to receive data signals from this data generation device. Alternatively, the functional faceplate may also include an auxiliary power supply (e.g., battery, solar power, etc.). In this case, one or more of the electrical contacts are adapted to receive a power signal from this auxiliary power source.
• The removable integrated functional faceplate of the present invention permits a user to add additional specific functionality to its PDA, for instance gaming (e.g., controls, four way control, joystick, etc.) and email (e.g., a keyboard). In order to lessen the size and weight of the PDA, in one embodiment, the functional faceplates may become an integrated part of the PDA and not an add-on accessory. In one implementation, the faceplates may be molded in plastic and removably attached to the PDA via a hook and snaps combination, although any attachment mechanism can be used, e.g., rail and slot, screws, etc. It is appreciated that the faceplate does not need to be of the same size as the PDA, but could be larger depending on the type of use intended.
• More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention includes a faceplate for an electronic device comprising: a housing adapted to be removably secured onto the electronic device; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the housing and operable to mate with corresponding electrical contacts of the electronic device when the housing is secured onto the electronic device; and a plurality of buttons disposed on the housing and, when activated, for causing signals to be generated over the electrical contacts indicating which buttons were activated and when activated. Embodiments include the above and further comprising a code generation device responsive to activation of the plurality of buttons and coupled to the electrical contacts of the faceplate, the code generation device for generating the signals over the electrical contacts which indicate which buttons where activated and when activated.
• Embodiments include the above and further comprising an identification unit disposed on the housing and coupled to the electrical contacts of the faceplate, the identification unit for identifying the faceplate to the electronic device. Embodiments include the above and further comprising an auxiliary power supply disposed on the housing and coupled to the electrical contacts of the faceplate, the auxiliary power supply for supplying power to the electronic device.
• Embodiments include the above and further comprising a data signal generation device disposed on the housing and coupled to the electrical contacts of the faceplate, the data signal generation device for supplying data signals to the electronic device wherein the data signal generation device may be a music player or an environmental measuring device or a memory card or a global positioning system (GPS).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a logical block diagram of components of an exemplary portable computer system, e.g., personal digital assistant, that can be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2A is a front view of a portable computer system of one embodiment of the present invention having its removable faceplate removed thereby exposing its button bezel region which has multiple electrical contacts disposed therein.
• FIG. 2B is a front view of a portable computer system of another embodiment of the present invention having its removable faceplate removed thereby exposing its button bezel region which has multiple electrical contacts disposed therein along with some fixed-position integrated buttons.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of a portable computer system of another embodiment of the present invention having its electrical contacts mounted along the side edge of the device.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable computer system having its removable faceplate attached thereto in accordance with embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a portable computer system having snapped thereon a basic removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a portable computer system having snapped thereon a basic removable faceplate with a slot for receiving a removable memory device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable computer system having snapped thereon an extended removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the back side of a removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention having freely positioned buttons and specially located electrical contacts.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portable computer system having snapped thereon a gaming removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the back side of a removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention having an identification code installed therein.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portable computer system having snapped thereon a special function removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates the back side of a removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention having a data generation device installed therein.
• FIG. 12 illustrates the back side of a removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention having an auxiliary power source installed therein.
• FIG. 13 illustrates the back side of a removable faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention having a receiving slot (for a memory card) and associated chipset installed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In the following detailed description of the present invention, an integrated removable functional faceplate for a portable computer system or other intelligent device, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
Exemplary Portable Electronic Device Platform
• Although the functional faceplate of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of different electronic systems such as a pager, a cell phone, a remote control device, etc., one exemplary embodiment includes the integration of the faceplate with a portable electronic device or PDA.
• FIG. 1 illustrates circuitry of an exemplaryportable computer system100.Computer system100 includes an address/data bus99 for communicating information, acentral processor101 coupled with thebus99 for processing information and instructions, a volatile memory102 (e.g., random access memory RAM) coupled with thebus99 for storing information and instructions for thecentral processor101 and a non-volatile memory103 (e.g., read only memory ROM) coupled with thebus99 for storing static information and instructions for theprocessor101.
• Computer system110 also includes an optional data storage device104 (e.g., thin profile removable memory) coupled with thebus99 for storing information and instructions.Device104 can be removable.Device104 may also be an SDROM card reader or equivalent removable memory reader.
• Also included incomputer system100 ofFIG. 1 is analphanumeric input device106 which in one implementation is a handwriting recognition pad (“digitizer”) and may include integrated push buttons in one embodiment.Device106 can communicate information (spatial data and pressure data) and command selections to thecentral processor101. Thedigitizer106 records both the (x, y) coordinate value of the current location of the stylus and also simultaneously records the pressure that the stylus exerts on the face of the digitizer pad. The coordinate values (spatial information) and pressure data are then output on separate channels for sampling by theprocessor101. In one implementation, there are roughly 256 different discrete levels of pressure that can be detected by thedigitizer106. Since the digitizer's channels are sampled serially by the processor, the stroke spatial data are sampled “pseudo” simultaneously with the associated pressure data. The sampled data is then stored in a memory by theprocessor101 for later analysis.
• System110 ofFIG. 1 also includes an optional cursor control or directingdevice107 coupled to the bus for communicating user input information and command selections to thecentral processor101. In one implementation,device107 is a touch screen device (also a digitizer) incorporated withscreen105.Device107 is capable of registering a position on thescreen105 where the stylus makes contact and the pressure of the contact. The digitizer of106 or107 can be implemented using well known devices, for instance, using the ADS-7846 device by Burr-Brown that provides separate channels for spatial stroke information and pressure information.
• System100 also contains a flatpanel display device105 coupled to thebus99 for displaying information to the computer user. Thedisplay device105 utilized with thecomputer system100 may be a liquid crystal device, cathode ray tube (CRT), field emission device (FED, also called flat panel CRT) or other display device suitable for creating graphic images and alphanumeric characters recognizable to the user. Any of a number of display technologies can be used, e.g., LCD, FED, plasma, etc., for theflat panel display105. In one embodiment, thedisplay105 is a flat panel multi-mode display capable of both monochrome and color display modes.
• Signal communication device108, also coupled tobus99, can be a serial port (or USB port) for communicating with a cradle. In one embodiment, theserial communication interface108 is a serial communication port, but could also alternatively be of any of a number of well known communication standards and protocols, e.g., parallel, SCSI, Firewire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet, etc. In addition todevice108, wireless communication links can be established between thedevice100 and a host computer system (or another portable computer system) using aBluetooth wireless device360, aninfrared device355, aGSM radio device240, or a CDMA device, or a W-CDMA device or a 802.11 device.Device100 may also include awireless modem device240 and/or a wireless radio, e.g., a GSM wireless radio with supporting chipset. Thewireless modem device240 is coupled to communicate with theprocessor101 but may not be directly coupled toport108.
• In one implementation, the Mobitex wireless communication system may be used to provide two way communication betweensystem100 and other networked computers and/or the Internet, e.g., via a proxy server. In other embodiments, TCP protocol can be used or SMS can be used.System100 ofFIG. 1 may also contain batteries for providing electrical power.
• Also shown inFIG. 1 are a group of electrical contacts orpads220 that are disposed on the portable computer system and made available for mating with a removable faceplate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theseelectrical contacts220 are internally coupled tobus99. In one embodiment, these electrical contacts are exposed when the removable faceplate is removed from thedevice100. Depending on the particular embodiment, as discussed below, some of thepads220 are used to carry different signal types that may be generated from the faceplate, e.g., they are used (1) to carry code signals used by theprocessor101 to differentiate between which buttons are pressed on the faceplate and when; (2) to carry power; (3) to carry an identification code of the faceplate; and (4) to carry data signals from a data signal generation device on the faceplate.
Functional Faceplate of the Present Invention
• FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of aportable computer system100ain accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with its faceplate removed. In this example,system100amay be a hand-held computer system or PDA but could be any portable electronic device (e.g., pager, cell phone, etc.). Flatpanel display screen105 is located in the central portion. Arecess210 may be cut out for receiving a button region from a removable faceplate (not shown). Also shown are theelectrical contacts220 which are disposed within therecess210 in this embodiment and are exposed. There may be as few as twoelectrical contacts220 in accordance with the present invention. Theelectrical contacts220 are for mating with contacts from a removable faceplate. These electrical contacts orpads220 allow the removable faceplate to communicate signals with thedevice100a, e.g., button selection signals and other data, and/or power signals. In the example100ashown inFIG. 2A, there are no keys or buttons located on the face ofdevice100awith the faceplate removed. In this particular embodiment, thedevice100arequires a faceplate for full functionality.
• FIG. 2B illustrates anotherembodiment100bof the present invention.FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of aportable computer system100bwith its faceplate removed. As inFIG. 2A,electrical contacts220 ofFIG. 2B are also located withinregion210 ofdevice100b. In this example, there is somebasic button functionality230 ondevice100beven when the faceplate of the present invention is removed.Buttons230 are located withinrecess210 and are integrated within the body ofdevice100b. Any faceplate that is to be attached todevice100bwill generally have cut-outs to accommodate the existingbuttons230 and may also add other, additional, buttons which communicate usingpads220 as described further below.
• FIG. 3 illustrates anotherembodiment100cof the present invention. In this example,device100cis shown in side-view and itselectrical contacts220 are located along the side of thedevice100c. It is appreciated that the electrical contracts may be located withinregion210 of the device as well as along the edge of the device. Provided electrical contacts are located along the edge of the device, corresponding mating contacts would be required along the back side of the edge of any removable faceplate adapted for attaching todevice100c.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of afaceplate250, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and also aportable computer system100aadapted to receive thefaceplate250. In one embodiment, thefaceplate250 is removably attached todevice100aby pressure and by snap fitting hooks and mechanisms. In this way, thefaceplate250 can readily be removed fromdevice100aand replaced. The front side of thefaceplate250 is shown and is made of a housing (e.g., molded plastic) that bearsbuttons270 or “keys.”
• Thefaceplate keys270, in accordance with the present invention, may be placed in any location and are not limited in position to the locations of any keys that are integrated ondevice100a(if any). In the example shown inFIG. 4, thedevice100adoes not have any keys on its face. The front side offaceplate250 illustrates a cut-outregion260 for positioning arounddisplay105. When attached to thedevice100a, contacts (not shown) on the rear side of thefaceplate250 will come into physical contact withelectrical pads220 located on thedevice100a. In this way, thefaceplate250 may communicate with the electronics ofdevice100a. It is appreciated that the exterior ofdevice100amay include a recess of roughly the same area and size as thefaceplate250 and this recess may be used to accept thefaceplate250 therein. In this way, the overall size of the PDA with the attached faceplate is reduced and thefaceplate250 becomes integrated with thePDA100a.
• FIG. 5A illustrates oneexample device310ain accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example,faceplate250ais attached to and integrated withdevice100a. Thisfaceplate250ais roughly the same width and length as thedevice100abut could be larger in size. Thefaceplate250ais a housing that contains multiplestandard buttons270 for PDA access, e.g., six buttons are shown. Thisfaceplate250ais contemplated as being a basic or base faceplate that would be shipped with thePDA100a. Not shown are internal electrical contacts on the rear side of thefaceplate250athat make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the front side ofdevice100awhen the two components are snapped together. Thesecontacts222 are shown inFIG. 7. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, user selections ofbuttons270 are translated into coded signals which are generated over the electrical contacts and processed bydevice100a. Using these coded signals, thedevice100acan determine which buttons where pressed and when.
• FIG. 5B is analogous toFIG. 5A except theportable computer system310bhas snapped thereon a basic removable faceplate with aslot312 for receiving a removable memory device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates oneexample device320 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention using an extended faceplate integrated with thedevice100a. In this example, anextended faceplate250bis attached todevice100a. Thisfaceplate250bis roughly the same width asdevice100abut is longer in length to accommodate an extended keyboard. The faceplate is a housing that contains the sixstandard buttons270 for PDA access but also contains a fullalphanumeric keyboard280 which may be used for text entering. Also included arefunction keys272. Thisfaceplate250bcan be used by any user requiring the particular key layout shown to customize the device to their particular needs and work. Not shown are internal electrical contacts on the rear side of thefaceplate250bthat make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the front side ofdevice100awhen the two components are snapped together. In this embodiment, user selections ofbuttons270,272 or280 are translated into coded signals which are generated over the electrical contacts and processed bydevice100a. Using these coded signals, thedevice100acan determine which buttons where pressed and when.
• Importantly,faceplates250aor250bcan interchangeably be removed attached todevice100adepending on the user's needs. For instance, if a user performs a large degree of text data entering or responds to pages, he/she may want a pager-like interface with theirPDA100a. In this case,faceplate250bcan be used to customize thePDA100afor this particular use. However, if the user wants a smaller footprint, e.g., they are traveling, then faceplate250acan be used.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the rear or back side view offaceplate250a(and can also represent the rear side view offaceplate250b). According to this embodiment,mechanical buttons270a-270eare electrically connected to acode generation device410 via ribbon cable (or “flex circuits”)430aand430b. Themechanical buttons270a-270eare mounted onhousing420 and may be placed in any location on thehousing420 and are basically electrical switches with a mechanical key. In one embodiment, thehousing420 is made of a molded plastic or resin or a flexible metal material.
• Thecode generator device410 is disposed onhousing420 is connected toelectrical contacts222 via ribbon cable (“flex circuits”)430c. As discussed above,contacts222 are operable to come into physical contact withelectrical pads220 ofdevice100awhenfaceplate250ais attached todevice100a. Thecode generator410 is responsive to signals fromcables430aand430bwhich indicate which button is pressed and when. Thecode generator410 is capable of generating a unique digital or analog signal (button code) overcontacts222 indicating which button was pressed. It is appreciated that the button code is generated overcontacts222 simultaneously with the button being pressed. It is appreciated that many well known code generators could be used for this function, including numerous different types of digital and/or analog code generators.
• It is appreciated that the key or button layout offaceplate250ais very flexible in that keys or buttons can be placed in any position on thefaceplate housing420. Further, thesekeys270a-270ecan be made available to thedevice100aas a result of thecontacts222 which are positioned at predetermined locations for mating withcontacts220 ofdevice100a.
• FIG. 8 illustrates oneexample device330 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, afaceplate250cis attached to and integrated withdevice100abut is used with the PDA in such a way that it is held length-wise rather than width-wise. Thebuttons274 are then placed on the left and right sides to facilitate gaming. Thisfaceplate250cis roughly the same width but longer in length than thedevice100a. The faceplate is a housing that containsspecial buttons274 adapted for gaming applications (e.g., start, stop, reset, A/B, joystick, etc.). Thebuttons274 are also positioned in places to provide the best gaming experience possible. Not shown are internal electrical contacts on the rear side of thefaceplate250cthat make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the front side ofdevice100awhen the two components are snapped together. In this embodiment, user selections ofbuttons274 are translated into coded signals which are generated over the electrical contacts and processed bydevice100a. Using these coded signals, thedevice100acan determine which buttons where pressed and when.
• Importantly,faceplates250a-250ccan interchangeably be attached todevice100adepending the way in which the user wants to use thedevice100a. For instance, if a user plays games, he/she may want a game-like interface with thePDA100a. In this case,faceplate250ccan be used to customize thePDA100afor this particular use. Therefore, the removable integrated functional faceplates discussed herein permit the user to add additional specific functionality to their PDA such as gaming (oystick) and email (keyboard) or standard PDA use. Also, the faceplates of the present invention, when installed, become an integrated part of the PDA and are not necessarily an add-on accessory which potentially could add additional size to the device.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the rear or back side view offaceplate250cin block diagram form.Faceplate250cis similar tofaceplate250a(FIG. 7) except that the keys are laid out differently andfaceplate250cutilizes an optionalidentification code device450.Identification code device450 can be realized either using either electrical components or mechanical components.Identification code device450 is coupled to anelectrical contact222 and is able to communicate a code todevice100aindicating the identity or type of faceplate that it is. The identity code can help thedevice100ato interpret the coded signals generated by thecode generator410. Using theidentification code450, each faceplate adapted for coupling with thedevice100awould have its own ID code value. In one embodiment,identification code450 can be realized using a programmed memory cell.
• FIG. 10 illustrates oneexample device340 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that adds special functionality to the PDA in addition to buttons and button layouts. In this example, afaceplate250dis attached to adevice100aand adds global positioning system (GPS) functionality. Thisfaceplate250dis roughly the same size as thedevice100abut aGPS receiver510 is mounted on the housing of thefaceplate250d. The faceplate also containsstandard PDA buttons270 adapted for PDA applications. Not shown are internal electrical contacts on the rear side of thefaceplate250dthat make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the front side ofdevice100awhen the two components are snapped together. In this embodiment, user selections ofbuttons270 are translated into coded signals which are generated over the electrical contacts and processed bydevice100a. Using these coded signals, thedevice100acan determine which buttons where pressed and when. TheGPS device510 also communicates withdevice100ausing these contacts.
• Faceplates250a-250dcan interchangeably be attached todevice100adepending on the user's need. For instance, if a user needs GPS functionality, he/she may snap-onfaceplate250d. In this case,faceplate250dcan be used to customize thePDA100afor this particular use.
• FIG. 11 illustrates the rear or back side view offaceplate250din block diagram form.Faceplate250dis similar tofaceplate250a(FIG. 7) except thatfaceplate250dcontains a datasignal generation device460. The data signalgeneration device460 in this example is a GPS device, but could be any module. The data signalgeneration device460, includingdevice510, is coupled toelectrical contacts222 and is able to communicate data signals todevice100ain this fashion. GPS applications ondevice100acan then be used to present the data signals to the user. Other possible data signalgeneration devices460 could include environmental measuring devices, such as an electronic thermometer, an electronic light meter, an electronic wind meter, an electronic sound meter, an electronic color meter, etc. Anoptional identification circuit450 may also be employed.
• Using data signalgeneration devices460, the faceplates of the present invention can add significant optional features and capabilities to thestandard PDA unit100ain a flexible and readily user-installable fashion.
• FIG. 12 illustrates the rear or back side view of anotherfaceplate250ewhich adds an auxiliarypower supply module470 tohousing420.Faceplate250eis similar tofaceplate250dexcept thatfaceplate250econtains the auxiliarypower supply module470. The auxiliarypower supply module470 is useful for providing extra power todevice100afor applications that consume large amounts of battery power, e.g., music playing applications and related electronics, etc. The auxiliarypower supply module470 is coupled toelectrical contacts222 and is able to provide power todevice100ain this fashion. It is appreciated thatmodule470 may be a battery (replaceable or rechargeable) or may be a solar cell. Anoptional identification circuit450 may also be employed.
• FIG. 13 illustrates the rear or back side view of anotherfaceplate250fwhich is similar tofaceplate250dexcept the data signal generation device is a data storage device rather than a data measurement device. In this example, thedata storage device480 includes a memory slot to receive a memory card (e.g., flash, SDROM, Memory Stick, etc.), and associated chipset electronics. Thememory module480 is useful for providing additional removable storage capability for thedevice100a(e.g., providedunit104 is also a memory card slot) ormemory module480 can be used to provide removable memory storage functionality for adevice100anot already having such functionality. Thememory module480 is coupled toelectrical contacts222 and is able to provide memory storage (e.g., data) fordevice100ain this fashion. Alternatively,device480 could also be a music storage and playback device. Theidentification code device450 is optional.
• Other functionality that could be added byunit480 includes an expansion module connector or bus that is adapted for receiving standard sized electronic modules. Also possible are wireless communication devices, such as Bluetooth modules, IR modules, etc. Theunit480 could also be an expanded display screen. An such device would be coupled tocontacts222.
• According to the various embodiments of the present invention, theelectrical contacts222 may carry a number of different signal types. For instance, some contacts may be reserved for key code information relating to the buttons that were pressed. In addition, two contacts may be reserved to supplying auxiliary power to thedevice100a. Also, various contacts may be reserved for supplying an identification code todevice100ato indicate the faceplate type, e.g., standard PDA type, extended keyboard type, gaming type, GPS type, music type, etc. Other contacts can be reserved for supplying data signals (analog or digital) todevice100a.
• The preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integrated removable functional faceplate for a portable computer system or other intelligent device, is thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.

Claims (15)

1. A faceplate for an electronic device comprising:

a housing adapted to be removably secured onto said electronic device, wherein said housing includes a cut-out region for position around a display of said electronic device; and

a plurality of buttons disposed on said housing and adapted to be communicatively coupled to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device, wherein one or more of said plurality of buttons are configured to provide access to a functionality that is in addition to any functionality of said electronic device.

2. A faceplate as described inclaim 1 further comprising a code generation device, communicatively coupled between said plurality of buttons and said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device, for generating signals which indicate which buttons were activated and when activated.

3. A faceplate as described inclaim 1 further comprising an identification unit, communicatively coupled to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device, for identifying said faceplate to said electronic device.

4. A faceplate as described inclaim 1 further comprising an auxiliary power supply disposed on said housing and coupled to supply power to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device.

5. A faceplate as described inclaim 1 further comprising 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 to communicatively coupled said plurality of buttons disposed on said housing to said electronic device.

6. A faceplate as described inclaim 6 further comprising a code generation unit disposed on said housing and coupled between said plurality of buttons and one or more of said electrical contacts of said faceplate, said code generation device for generating signals over said electrical contacts which indicate which buttons were activated and when activated.

7. A faceplate as described inclaim 1 wherein said one of said plurality of faceplate types is selected from a group consisting of a PDA faceplate, an email faceplate, a gaming faceplate, a paging faceplate, a data generation device faceplate, a global positioning system faceplate, an environmental measurement faceplate, an electronic thermometer faceplate, a music player faceplate, a smart card faceplate, a memory card faceplate, an auxiliary power supply faceplate, a battery faceplate and a solar power faceplate.

8. A faceplate for a portable computer system comprising:

a housing adapted to be removably secured onto said portable computer system, wherein said housing includes a cut-out region for position around a display of said portable computer system;

a plurality of buttons disposed on said housing and adapted to be communicatively coupled to said portable computing system when said housing is secured onto said portable computing system; and

a data signal generation device disposed on said housing and adapted to be communicatively coupled to said portable computing system when said housing is secured onto said portable computing system, wherein said data signal generation device provides a functionality that is in addition to functionality provided by said portable computing system.

9. A faceplate as described inclaim 8 further comprising a code generation device, communicatively coupled between said plurality of buttons and said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device, for generating signals which indicate which buttons were activated and when activated.

10. A faceplate as described inclaim 8 further comprising an identification unit, communicatively coupled to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device, for identifying said faceplate to said portable computer system.

11. A faceplate as described inclaim 8 further comprising an auxiliary power supply disposed on said housing and coupled to supply power to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device.

12. A device comprising:

an electronic device comprising a device housing adapted to removably receive a plurality of faceplate types; and

a removable faceplate comprising:

a faceplate housing adapted to be removably secured onto said electronic device, wherein said faceplate housing includes a cut-out region for position around a display of said electronic device; and

a plurality of buttons disposed on said faceplate housing and configured as one of said plurality of faceplate types, wherein said plurality of buttons are adapted to be communicatively coupled to said electronic device when said housing is secured onto said electronic device.

13. A device as described inclaim 12 wherein said removable faceplate further comprises a code generation device, communicatively coupled between said plurality of buttons and said electronic device when said removable faceplate is attached to said electronic device, for generating said signals over said electrical contacts which indicate which buttons were activated and when activated.

14. A device as described inclaim 12 wherein said removable faceplate further comprises an identification unit, communicatively coupled to said electronic device when said removable faceplate is attached to said electronic device, for identifying said faceplate to said electronic device.

15. A device as described inclaim 12 wherein said removable faceplate further comprises an auxiliary power supply coupled to supply power to said electronic device when said removable faceplate is attached to said electronic device.

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