Palm, Incorporated

Palmone, Incorporated

Palmsource Inc.

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

Access Company, Ltd.

Eric Fuhs

Michael Cortopassi

Edward Endejan

Thomas Robinson

Wayne Hile

Daniel Philip Groebe

Troy Hulick

John C Byrne

Shawn Robert Gettemy

Francis James Canova, Jr

A handheld computer includes a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; and at least one light-emitting device that emits visible light as a visual indicator of an occurrence of a designated event. The processor is programmed to selectively activate the visual indicator in response to an occurrence of a designated event to provide the visual indicator to a user of the handheld computer. The processor is programmed to monitor for occurrence of two or more different types of designated events. The processor varies the visual indicator based on the type of the event for which occurrence is being signaled by that visual indicator, such that a different visual indicator is associated with each type of event for which the processor is programmed to monitor.

Method and apparatus for visual silent alarm indicator

An apparatus and method thereof wherein a portable computer system or personal digital assistant generates a visual signal in response to an occurrence of a programmed event. For example, the portable computer system can use a light emitting diode to visually signal an alarm at a specified time. The visual signal can be varied in order to indicate the type of event associated with the alarm. In one implementation, the visual signal blinks at a particular rate depending on the type of event. In another implementation, the visual signal blinks a prescribed number of times or according to a particular pattern depending on the type of event. When enabled, the visual signal is generated in lieu of an audible signal, thus providing to the user a silent alarm that does not disturb other people in proximity, such as in a meeting, a theater, or some other gathering.

A method and system for enabling personal digital assistants (PDAs) and protecting stored private data. Specifically, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a removable expansion card about the size of a postage stamp which plugs into a slot of a personal digital assistant. The removable expansion card, referred to as a personality card, is capable of storing all of a user's private information and data which is used within their personal digital assistant. By removing the personality card from the personal digital assistant, all of the user's private information and data may be removed from the personal digital assistant. Furthermore, the personal digital assistant may also be rendered totally or partially useless once the personality card is removed from it. There are several advantages associated with a personality card system in accordance with the present invention. For example, one of the advantages is that a user is able to restrict access to their stored private information and data by simply removing their personality card from their personal digital assistant. Furthermore, as personal digital assistants equipped with personality card slots become increasingly more common, a user will be able to continually carry around their personality card and enable a spare and locally available personal digital assistant with their private information when desired.

Method and system for enabling personal digital assistants and protecting stored private data

A method and system for coupling to a palmtop computer that supports both mobile computing and desktop use. A palmtop computer docking system is disclosed that includes a cable assembly and a base. The cable assembly includes a palmtop computer connection mechanism that is connected to a USB connector and that is connected to a power connection mechanism via an electrical cable. Power is provided via the power connection mechanism. The cable assembly is adapted to engage the base so as to produce a fully functional docking cradle. In operation, once the cable assembly is engaged with the base, the USB connector is then coupled to the desired computing device (typically either a portable computer or a full-size computer). The resulting docking cradle facilitates desktop use such as, for example, communication with a full size computer. The cable assembly can be removed from the base and can be used independently of the base for mobile computing.

Palmtop computer docking system with USB cable assembly

A connector assembly is provided for use with a handheld computing system. The connector assembly includes a first connector including a plurality of contact elements. The first connector is adapted to reside on a handheld computer. A first coupling structure resides on the handheld computer and includes a first aperture. A second connector includes a second plurality of contact elements. The second connector is configured to reside on a cradle for a portable computer and is matable to the first connector. A latch member is configured to extend from the cradle into the first aperture to couple the cradle to the handheld computer. The latch member may bias to engage the first aperture. The latch member is positioned relative to the first connector and the second connector to create a moment that directs at least a portion of the handheld computer towards remaining on the cradle.

Connector scheme for use with mobile devices and their accessory devices

Connector scheme for use with handheld computers and accessory devices

A portable computer system (e.g., a palmtop or hand-held computer system) with a universal interface module containing circuitry needed to connect with and operate a device such as a display device. The interface module is coupled between the display device and a printed circuit board (e.g., a central processing unit). The interface module can be coupled to the display device using a flexible circuit. In that case, the interface module is pivotable about the flexible circuit so that it can be positioned in different locations within the computer system, depending on space availability and the constraints of a particular computer system design. Thus, the combination of the interface module, the device, and/or the flexible circuit and can be universally implemented in different designs of portable computer systems, reducing development time and manufacturing costs.

Selectively relocatable and universal interface module with circuitry for a display screen

A connector assembly is provided for use with a handheld computing system. The connector assembly includes a first connector including a plurality of contact elements. A second connector resides on a cradle and includes a plurality of contact elements that mate with the contact elements on the handheld computer. A coupling structure is configured to extend from the cradle and to couple to the handheld computer. The coupling structure causes a portion of the handheld computer to bias into the cradle so as to direct the first connector to remain in contact with the second connector.

Connector system for use with handheld computers and accessory devices

A method and apparatus for backlighting a handwriting input area for a portable computing device. The portable computing device includes a display area for displaying alphanumeric data and other images. Underneath the display area is a digitizer input area by which users enter handwritten information into the portable computing device. The portable computing device contains handwriting recognition software which converts the handwritten information into alphanumeric data. Both the display area and the digitizer input area are both backlit to facilitate usage in poor lighting conditions.

Growing community of inventors

Crystal Lake, IL, United States of America

Eric Fuhs