3com Corporation

Agio International Company, Limited

Foremost Groups, Inc.

Foremost Group, Inc.

Sunlite Casual Furniture

Michael Collins

Brent Delbert Madsen

David Moore

E Michael Lunsford

Jenel Durbin

John Wheeler

Matt Martin

William Surface

Table

Chair

A case for a handheld computer system is described. In an embodiment, the handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant. The case has multi-functional capability. The case provides a protective housing for the personal digital assistant and includes a communication module which is integrated into the case for protection against damage, whereas the communication module transmits and receives data for the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication device. In an embodiment, the case includes a connector which couples to a communication port located on the back of the personal digital assistant, whereas the connector couples to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the case. In an embodiment, the connector comprises a latching connector which electrically couples to the communication port and which couples to the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the latching connector couples to the back cover of the case such that the latching connector can be rotated about a pivot axis to a latched position and to an unlatched position. When the latching connector is rotated to the latched position, the latching connector latches to the back cover and couples (electrically and physically) to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the case. When the latching connector is rotated to the unlatched position, the latching connector unlatches from the back cover, uncouples (electrically and physically) from the personal digital assistant, and rotates through an opening in the back cover to a position outside the case.

Case with communication module having a latching connector for a handheld computer system

A case for a handheld computer system is described. In an embodiment, the handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant. The case has multi-functional capability. The case provides a protective housing for the personal digital assistant and includes a communication module which is integrated into the case for protection against damage, whereas the communication module transmits and receives data for the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication device. In an embodiment, the front cover of the case includes an inner front cover and an outer front cover. Moreover, the outer front cover includes an opening or window. A metal plate is coupled to the opening. The metal plate has a thickness that is smaller than the thickness of the outer front cover. In an embodiment, the communication module is positioned between the metal plate and the inner front cover, whereas the metal plate protects the communication module from damage and reduces the stack thickness of the combination of the outer front cover, metal plate, communication module, and inner front cover. Additionally, the metal plate is a passive radiator. The communication module includes an antenna for radiating energy, whereas the antenna is positioned under the passive radiator. The performance of the antenna system formed by the antenna and the passive radiator is optimized by the appropriate selection of the length and width of the passive radiator.

Case with communication module having a passive radiator for a handheld computer system

Case for a handheld computer system

Glider

Growing community of inventors

Brigham City, UT, United States of America

Michael Collins