The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 20, 1996
Ronald L. Smith, Temple, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a solution to the dual problems of mobility and portability associated with using a portable telephone in combination with a portable computer in a telecommunications environment. The invention comprises a coupled portable telephone( )/interface module ( ) that may be directly coupled to a portable computer ( ). The interface module ( ) portion of the invention includes a first interface ( ) for coupling to an interface ( ) on a portable telephone ( ) and a second interface ( ) for coupling to an interface ( ) on a portable computer ( ). The interface module ( ) facilitates a direct connection between a coupled portable telephone ( )/interface module ( ) and a portable computer ( ). When the second interface ( ) is directly connected to the interface ( ) on a portable computer, the interface module ( ) electrically couples the portable telephone ( ) to the portable computer ( ) thus eliminating the need for a cable or tethered connection between the portable computer ( ) and portable telephone ( ). In one embodiment of the invention, the interface module ( ) is constructed to fit within a cavity ( ) in the portable computer ( ). In another embodiment of the invention, the interface module portion of the coupled interface module/portable computer ( ) facilitates a physical connection to the portable computer ( ) by a latching mechanism when full inserted into the computer ( ).