(12) United States Patent
`Canova, Jr. et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111 11111 1111111111 11111111
`US006388870Bl
`US 6,388,870 Bl
`May 14, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) HOUSING FOR A HANDHELD COMPUTER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Francis James Canova, Jr., Fremont;
`Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Redwood City;
`Traci Angela Neist; Dennis Joseph
`Boyle, both of Palo Alto; Robert
`Gregory Twiss, Portola Valley; Amy
`Aimei Han, Mountain View, all of CA
`(US); Elisha Avraham Tai, Nacabim
`(IL); Madeleine Francavilla, Santa
`Cruz, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/244,613
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 4, 1999
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.7 ............................ HOSK 5/00; H05K 7/00;
`G06F 1/16
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 361/683; 312/223.2; D14/341
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 361/681, 683,
`361/686; 345/901; 312/223.1, 223.2; D18/11;
`D14/341-347
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`. . . . . . . . . . . . 382/13
`Gombrich .. ... ... ... ... D18/382 X
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`Dao et al. ................... 345/179
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`4/1994 Tanaka ........................ 382/13
`* 2/1995 Sakaguchi et al. ......... D14/100
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`........... 382/187
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`..... 360/97.02
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`ing cycle count and improving code density", Dr. Dobb's
`Journal, vol. 20, No. 5, May 1995, pp. 70---75.
`Ruley, J. et al., "Handheld-to-Handheld Combat", Windows
`Magazine, No. 811, p. 55, Nov. 1997.
`Dayton, D., "FRx extends reporting power of Platinum
`Series", PC Week,vol. 8, No. 5, p. 29(2), Feb. 1991.
`Forbes, J. et al., "Palm PCs get a Big Hand (What's Hot)",
`Windows Magazine, No. 905, p. 96, May 1998.
`Penwarden, M., "More Muscle for HP's OmniBook", Win(cid:173)
`dows Magazine, No. 501, p. 110, Jan. 1994.
`Feigel, C., "IBM, Motorola preview embedded PowerPCs;
`403 and 505 processors combine strong performance with
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`Bursky, D., "Evolving DSP chips do more", Electronic
`Design, vol. 38, No. 23, pp. 51-59, Dec. 1990.
`
`Primary Examiner-Jeffrey Donels
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hickman Palermo Truong
`& Becker LLP; Van Mahamedi
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A handheld computer having a housing with a midframe
`construction is described. The housing includes a front shell
`and a back shell coupled to a midframe. The handheld
`computer also includes two accessory slots for a stylus or
`other devices on the left and right sides of the housing. The
`handheld computer also includes an infrared port which is an
`integral portion of the housing.
`
`30 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,452,371 A
`D366,463 S
`5,489,924 A
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`5,548,477 A
`5,550,715 A *
`5,555,157 A *
`5,564,850 A
`5,576,502 A
`5,615,284 A
`5,621,817 A
`5,630,148 A
`5,635,682 A
`5,638,257 A
`5,646,649 A
`5,657,459 A
`5,698,822 A
`5,737,183 A
`5,757,681 A
`5,914,708 A
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`5,810,461 A
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`5,821,510 A
`
`9/1995
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`7/1998
`8/1998
`9/1998
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`10/1998
`
`Bozinovic et al. .......... 382/187
`Ive et al. ... ... .. ... ... ... .. D14/345
`Shima et al.
`............... 345/173
`Ive et al. ... ... .. ... ... ... .. D14/411
`Tou et al. ................... 395/148
`Tagawa ...................... 345/173
`Kumar et al. ............... 361/680
`Hawkins
`Moller et al. .......... D14/100 X
`Nagaoka .. .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 401/37
`Fukushima, et al. .. ... 73/862.68
`Rhyne et al.
`............... 382/187
`Bozinovic et al. .......... 382/189
`Norris ........................ 395/750
`Cherdak et al.
`......... 178/19.01
`Kumar et al. ............... 361/680
`Iwata et al. ................. 345/173
`Yanagisawa et al.
`....... 361/681
`Haneda et al. ................ 178/18
`Kobayashi et al.
`......... 361/683
`Suzuki et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 708/107
`La Grange et al. ......... 345/179
`Banfield ..................... 428/100
`Robinson et al. ............. 400/82
`Ive et al. ................. 312/223.6
`Kambayashi et al. ....... 361/680
`Cohen et al.
`............... 235/375
`
`11/1998 Johnston et al. ............ 345/771
`5,831,613 A
`11/1998 Arai et al.
`.................. 382/187
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`............ 710/62
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`3/1999 Moller et al. ............... 345/179
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`* 4/1999 Haitani et al. ............. D14/100
`D408,021 S
`* 6/1999 Toyosato ................... D14/100
`D411,179 S
`* 6/1999 Tamaki et al. ............. D14/100
`D411,181 S
`6/1999 Hazzard ...................... 401/33
`5,913,629 A
`8/1999 Banfield ..................... 264/134
`5,942,177 A
`* 11/1999 Tai et al. ................... D14/100
`D416,001 S
`* 12/1999 Matsumoto ................ D14/100
`D417,657 S
`12/1999 Shawver .................. 148/309.1
`5,996,956 A
`12/1999 Sudo et al.
`................. 455/564
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`* 2/2000 Miyahara et al. .......... D14/100
`D420,987 S
`3/2000 Knighton et al. ........... 235/492
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`.......... 345/784
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`* 4/2000 Kawashima ............... D14/100
`D422,271 S
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`............... 361/686
`D424,533 S
`5/2000 Kandalepas ................ D14/342
`D426,236 S
`6/2000 Kim et al.
`................. D14/345
`6,102,721 A * 8/2000 Seto et al.
`.............. 361/686 X
`6,115,248 A * 9/2000 Canova et al. .............. 361/686
`6,151,206 A
`11/2000 Kato et al. .................. 361/681
`6,178,087 Bl
`1/2001 Cho et al. ................... 361/686
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`D440,542 S
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`
`* cited by examiner
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 14, 2002
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`Sheet 1 of 14
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`US 6,388,870 Bl
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`100
`
`130
`
`112
`
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`120----1----H+---
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`130
`
`130
`
`130
`
`FIGURE 1A
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`FIGURE 1B
`
`110
`
`---120
`
`130
`
`FIGURE lC
`
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`142
`
`FIGURE lF
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`US 6,388,870 Bl
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`113
`
`112
`
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`
`119 - -U - - -
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`FIGURE lE
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`US 6,388,870 Bl
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`114
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`117
`
`121
`
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`FIGURE2A
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`US 6,388,870 Bl
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`
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`
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`FIGURE2E
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`FIGURE2F
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`US 6,388,870 Bl
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`1
`HOUSING FOR A HANDHELD COMPUTER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`partially transmissive to infrared light and having a portion
`which acts as an infrared port.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`5
`
`10
`
`FIG. lA shows a perspective view of one embodiment of
`a handheld computer of the present invention.
`FIGS. lB-lF show top, front, side, back, and bottom
`views of one embodiment of a handheld computer.
`FIG. lG shows an exploded view of one embodiment of
`a handheld computer.
`FIG. 2Ashows a perspective view of one embodiment of
`a midframe.
`FIGS. 2B-2G show top, left side, front, right side, back,
`15 and bottom views of one embodiment of a midframe.
`FIGS. 3A-3C show front, cutaway, and close-up views,
`respectively, of an infrared port which is a portion of the
`midframe.
`FIG. 4A shows a stylus partially inserted into one of the
`accessory slots of the housing.
`FIG. 4B shows a stylus fully inserted into one of the
`accessory slots of the housing.
`FIG. SA shows a cover capable of being inserted into one
`of the accessory slots of the housing.
`FIG. SB shows the cover inserted into one of the acces(cid:173)
`sory slots of the housing.
`FIG. 6Ashows an input/output stylus about to be inserted
`into one of the accessory slots of the housing.
`FIG. 6B shows a close-up view of accessory slot contacts
`located within an accessory slot.
`
`30
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a handheld computer.
`More particularly, the invention relates a handheld computer
`having a housing with a midframe construction, two acces(cid:173)
`sory slots, or an integral infrared port.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Handheld computers, including personal digital assistants
`and palm-sized computers, provide the user with a wide
`variety of functions, such as a calendar, an address book, a
`task list, a notepad, and a calculator. These handheld com(cid:173)
`puters may be approximately the size of a stack of 3"x5"
`index cards, sufficiently compact to fit into a shirt pocket.
`Current handheld computers, such as the PalmPilot™
`from 3Com Corporation, typically have a housing which
`consists of a mating front shell and back shell which are
`coupled to each other with screws. The front shell and back 20
`shell enclose the components of the handheld computer.
`Typically, a main board is mounted on one of the shells.
`Assembly of current handheld computer is often labor(cid:173)
`intensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, the front shell
`and back shell need to be sufficiently structurally rigid to 25
`resist bending and twisting forces. Also, the main board may
`also need to be sufficiently thick to resist bending and
`twisting forces. As a result, these handheld computers may
`not be made as compact as desired due to the need for
`additional material.
`Current handheld computers also typically have a single
`storage or retention slot for a stylus or writing device. This
`storage slot is usually on one side or the other of the
`handheld computer, and thus cannot equally accommodate
`both left-handed and right-handed users.
`Current handheld computers also typically have an infra(cid:173)
`red port which is a port or window transmissive to infrared
`light. This port or window is usually installed in a hole or
`opening in the housing.
`What is needed is a handheld computer having a housing 40
`which allows for easy assembly of the handheld computer
`and minimizes the amount of material required for the
`housing, yet provides sufficient structural rigidity.
`What is also needed is a handheld computer capable of
`storing a stylus or writing device which can equally accom-
`modate the preferences of both left-handed and right-handed
`users.
`What is also needed is a handheld computer having a
`housing which simplifies the infrared port or eliminates the 50
`need to create a separate opening to install an infrared port.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`35
`
`45
`
`The handheld computer of the present invention uses one
`or more features which help make the handheld computer
`more compact and easier to manufacture. One of these
`features is a housing which uses a sandwich construction.
`Another of these features is the use of partially open
`accessory slots for a stylus and other accessories. These
`accessory slots only partially enclose the accessories, and
`allow the handheld computer to be made narrower compared
`to completely enclosed accessory slots. Yet another of these
`features is an integral infrared port which is part of the
`housing of the handheld computer. This integral infrared
`port simplifies assembly of the handheld computer by elimi(cid:173)
`nating the need for a separate window or port to be
`assembled with the housing.
`FIGS. lA-lG show a perspective, top, front, side, back,
`bottom, and exploded views, respectively, of one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a handheld computer 100. Handheld computer 100
`may run PalmOS™, Windows CE™, or any other suitable
`operating system. Handheld computer 100 is capable of
`55 running preprogrammed and/or installed applications, such
`as an electronic calendar and address book.
`Handheld computer 100 includes a housing 110, which
`may be made up of one or more subhousings or sections.
`Housing 110 supports, encloses, and/or protects the compo-
`60 nents of handheld computer 100. These components may
`include a display 120, user interface devices 130, input/
`output devices 140, a main board 150, battery 151, a flexible
`circuit 152, and an electrostatic discharge device 154. Hous(cid:173)
`ing 110 includes openings, lens, and/or ports for the com-
`65 ponents of handheld computer 100, such as for the display
`120, user interface devices 130, and input/output devices
`140. Housing 110 may also include at least one mounting
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed towards a handheld
`computer, comprising a housing including a midframe
`coupled to a front shell and a back shell. A substantial
`portion of at least one side of the midframe forms part of an
`exterior of the housing. The housing is capable of at least
`partially enclosing a plurality of components.
`The present invention is also directed towards a handheld
`computer, comprising a housing having a first and second
`elongate accessory slots associated with a left and right sides
`of the housing, respectively. The first and second accessory
`slots are capable of receiving and accommodating at least
`one removable accessory device.
`The present invention is also directed towards a handheld
`computer at least partially constructed of a material at least
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`device 119, which allows the attachment of optional acces(cid:173)
`sories such as a modem with a compatible mounting device.
`Mounting device 119 may be a combination of indentations
`and slots on the back of housing 110 designed to accom(cid:173)
`modate optional accessories.
`Display 120 may be an LCD display, active matrix
`display, touch-sensitive display, or other suitable display.
`Display 120 may be separated from housing 110 by one or
`more gaskets 121. Gaskets 121 absorb shock and allow a
`close fit between housing 110 and display 120. If display 120
`is a touch-sensitive display, gaskets 121 also act as a spacer
`to prevent housing 110 from inadvertently activating the
`touch-sensitive display.
`User interface devices 130 allow the user to input data and
`commands into handheld computer 100. User interface
`devices 130 may include a touch-sensitive display, digitizer,
`stylus, and one or more buttons. A touch-sensitive display is
`capable of receiving commands tapped or written on display
`120 with a finger, stylus, or other device. A digitizer is
`capable of digitizing handwritten input by the user on a 20
`touch-sensitive display and converting it to a computer(cid:173)
`readable form. A digitizer may be incorporated into display
`120.
`Buttons may be mechanical buttons, or implemented on a
`digitizer or touch-sensitive display. Mechanical buttons may
`be flat, convex, concave, or any other desired shape and
`texture. Mechanical buttons may be formed individually, or
`several mechanical buttons may be formed on a single strip
`for ease of manufacturing and installation. Buttons may be 30
`fixed or programmable to activate a variety of applications
`such as a calendar, an address book, a task list, a notepad, a
`menu, a calculator, a search program, and other applications.
`Buttons may also activate device functions such as scrolling
`functions, power, reset, and display adjustment. Scrolling 35
`functions allow the user to scroll across screens shown on
`display 120. Scrolling functions may be a implemented on
`a rocker switch designed to prevent both scroll up and scroll
`down buttons from being pressed simultaneously. Power
`allows the user to turn on and off handheld computer 100. 40
`Reset allows the user to reset handheld computer 100.
`Display adjustment allows the user to adjust parameters on
`display 120, such as brightness or contrast. Display adjust(cid:173)
`ment may be used alone or in conjunction with other buttons
`such as scroll up and scroll down buttons, or bring up a 45
`software implementation of display adjustment.
`Input/output devices 140 allow handheld computer 100 to
`communicate and exchange information with other elec(cid:173)
`tronic apparatus. Input/output devices 140 may include one
`or more infrared ports and external ports. An infrared port 50
`includes an infrared transmitter/receiver 153 positioned next
`to a window or port which is at least partially transmissive
`to infrared light. One embodiment of an infrared port is
`discussed further below. An external port includes one or
`more external contacts which may receive mating connec- 55
`tors in different fashions. For example, external port may
`receive peripheral connectors in a sliding fashion or a
`contact-only fashion. External ports may be located on any
`side or within an accessory slot 122 of handheld computer
`100. External ports may be integrated into housing 110, or 60
`may be manufactured as a separate connector assembly
`which is then assembled into handheld computer 100. An
`external port may also be used for recharging a rechargeable
`battery in handheld computer 100.
`Main board 150 may be a printed circuit board which 65
`includes integrated circuits and connections for display 120
`and other components. Main board 150 may include a
`
`4
`processor and memory. Main board 150 may also include
`transceivers, [ clicker buttons], and various connections to
`other components.
`Battery 151 provides power to handheld computer 100,
`5 and may be rechargeable or disposable, fixed or removable.
`Battery 151 may be a Li-ion (lithium ion), NiMH (nickel
`metal hydride), NiCd (nickel cadmium), alkaline, or any
`other suitable battery.
`Flexible circuit 152 may be used to connect main board
`10 152 to some or all of the other components of handheld
`computer 100. Flexible circuit 152 may be constructed of a
`thin, flexible material such as Mylar™ which allows hand(cid:173)
`held computer 100 to be made thinner than with a printed
`circuit board. Flexible circuit 152 may also be used to carry
`components, such as an infrared transmitter/receiver 153.
`Flexible circuit 152 may also act as a shield or cover to
`prevent the entry of dust and prevent optional accessories
`using or inserted through mounting device 119 from short
`circuiting any of the internal components of handheld com-
`puter 100.
`Electrostatic discharge device 154 may ground housing
`110 to main board 150 if some or all of housing 110 is made
`of a conductive material such as a metal. Electrostatic
`discharge device 154 prevents damage to components from
`electrostatic discharge between housing 110 and main board
`25 150 or other components, and prevents damage from exces(cid:173)
`sive voltage or current. Electrostatic discharge device 154
`may be an electrostatic discharge clip or other device made
`of a conductive material.
`
`Housing with Left and Right Accessory Slots
`In one embodiment of handheld computer 100, housing
`110 includes two accessory slots 112 which can accommo(cid:173)
`date different accessory devices designed for use with hand(cid:173)
`held computer 100, such as a stylus 400. Accessory slots 112
`are located on the left side and the right side of housing 110
`to equally accommodate the preferences of both left-handed
`and right-handed users. Accessory slots 112 may only par(cid:173)
`tially enclose accessory devices along the length of the
`accessory devices, and thus allow handheld computer 100 to
`be made narrower and thinner than with completely
`enclosed accessory slots. Accessory slots 112 may be sub(cid:173)
`stantially cylindrical. A portion along substantially the
`length of an accessory device may be exposed to the exterior
`of handheld computer 100. Accessory devices may be
`inserted end first into housing 110 at an open end of
`accessory slot 112. Accessory slots 112 may have a retaining
`device 113 to prevent accessory devices from accidentally
`falling out. Retaining device 113 may be a detent or notch
`which corresponds to a matching detent or notch on acces(cid:173)
`sory devices. Retaining device 113 may also be a door, clip,
`or other mechanism. Accessory slots 112 may also be
`designed to have an interference fit or a snap fit with
`accessory devices to prevent accessory devices from falling
`out. One end of housing 110 may be flared out, or be slightly
`wider than the rest of housing 110, and at least partially
`enclose the tip of an accessory device and act as a stop after
`an accessory device has been fully inserted into accessory
`slot 112. Accessory devices may also simply clip sideways
`into accessory slots 112.
`A method of manufacturing handheld computer 100 may
`include providing housing 110, forming an accessory slot
`112 on a left side of housing 110, and forming another
`accessory slot 112 on a right side of housing 110.
`Housing with Midframe Construction
`In one embodiment of handheld computer 100, housing
`110 is made up of a midframe 115 sandwiched between a
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`and thus housing 110. For example, if midframe 115 is made
`of an injection molded plastic, some or all of the features
`mentioned previously may also be injection molded in the
`same operation.
`A method for manufacturing handheld computer 100 may
`include providing housing 110 which includes midframe
`115, front shell 114, and back shell 116, coupling one or
`more components to midframe 115, and then coupling front
`shell 114 and back shell 116 to midframe 115.
`Housing with Integral Infrared Port
`In one embodiment of handheld computer 100, some or
`all of housing 110 may be constructed of a material which
`is at least partially transmissive to infrared light. A portion
`of housing 110, such as a portion immediately adjacent to an
`15 infrared transceiver housed within housing 110, may then
`allow transmission of infrared signals through housing 110
`and thus be used as an infrared port. Such a portion of
`housing 110 may be polished and/or made thinner relative to
`the remainder of housing 110, so as to enhance transmission
`20 of infrared signals through housing 110. For example, if
`housing 110 and thus the infrared port is injection molded,
`the tool may be polished to an SPI A-2 level on either or both
`the front and back of the infrared port to reduce transmission
`losses.
`FIGS. 3A-3C show front, cutaway, and close-up views,
`respectively, of an infrared port which is an integral part of
`midframe 115. Midframe 115 may be constructed of a plastic
`which is at least partially transmissive to infrared light. This
`plastic may also be opaque to visible light, so that the
`interior of handheld computer 100 cannot be seen. The
`infrared port may be any part of housing 110 exposed to an
`exterior of handheld computer 100, or it may be a portion of
`midframe 115 adjacent to infrared transmitter/receiver 153
`inside handheld computer 100. This portion of midframe
`115, shown in FIG. 3C as the shaded section, may be
`35 polished and made thinner than the remainder of midframe
`115 to enhance transmission of infrared signals. An infrared
`port of this design which is an unremoved portion of
`midframe 115 provides improved structural rigidity, as well
`as reduces part and assembly costs, as compared to an
`40 infrared port which requires a section of midframe 115 to be
`removed.
`A method for manufacturing a handheld computer 100
`may include providing housing 110, housing 110 being at
`least partially constructed of a material at least partially
`transmissive to infrared light, housing 110 capable of
`enclosing a plurality of components including infrared
`transmitter/receiver 153, and forming the infrared port in
`housing 110, the infrared port being a portion of housing 110
`adjacent to infrared transmitter/receiver 153.
`
`5
`front shell 114 and a back shell 116. Importantly, along with
`front shell 114 and back shell 116, one or more surfaces of
`midframe 115 form part of the exterior of handheld com(cid:173)
`puter 100. Midframe 115 may be as wide as front shell 114
`or back shell 116. Midframe 115 may be partially enclosed 5
`by one or both of front shell 114 and back shell 116.
`Midframe 115 holds in place one or more of the internal
`components of handheld computer 100. Midframe 115, front
`shell 114 and back shell 116 enclose and protect the internal
`components. Midframe 115, front shell 114, and back shell 10
`116 may be constructed of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic,
`or any other suitable material. Midframe 115, front shell 114,
`and back shell 116 may also be coupled together using one
`or a combination of screws, hinges, clips, other suitable
`fasteners, and adhesives.
`Adhesives may be adhesive sheets 117 formed into suit(cid:173)
`able shapes which roughly approximate the outline of mid(cid:173)
`frame 115, front shell 114, and back shell 116. Adhesives
`may also be hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive
`adhesives, or any other suitable liquid or solid adhesives.
`Together with the other components of handheld com(cid:173)
`puter 100, midframe 115, front shell 114, back shell 116
`provide most of the structural rigidity. However, the use of
`adhesives in the sandwich construction of housing 110
`prevents midframe 115, front shell 114, and back shell 116 25
`from sliding relative to each other when housing 110 is
`subjected to bending and torsional forces, thus significantly
`enhancing bending and torsional stiffness.
`FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of
`midframe 115.
`FIGS. 2B-2G show top, left side, front, right side, back,
`and bottom views of one embodiment of midframe 115.
`Midframe 115 may include one or both accessory slots
`112. Midframe 115 also includes engaging structures 118
`such as supports, tabs, posts, and clips which couple to
`corresponding component structures in the various
`components, or even the components themselves, of hand(cid:173)
`held computer 100. For example, midframe 115 may include
`posts which match up to holes in main board 150, as well as
`clips which match up with an edge of main board 150 to
`receive and hold in place main board 150. This may be
`accomplished using one or a combination of an interference
`fit, snap fit, or crush ribs, in which case no screws, glues, or
`other fasteners are necessary for installation of main board
`150 onto midframe 115. In similar fashion, some or all of the
`components of handheld computer 100 can be installed onto
`midframe 115 before front shell 114 and back shell 116 are
`fastened to midframe 115 to substantially enclose the com(cid:173)
`ponents and complete assembly of handheld computer 100.
`Midframe 115 may also at least partially form some or all
`of the various openings, lens, and/or ports for display 120,
`user interface devices 130, and input/output devices 130. For
`example, midframe 115 may include openings to accommo(cid:173)
`date one or more user interface devices 140 such as a power 55
`button and a display button. As another example, midframe
`115 may include external ports to accommodate external
`contacts for connecting handheld computer 100 to other
`electronic apparatus. As yet another example, midframe 115
`may include a lens or window for allowing infrared 60
`transmitter/receiver 153 inside handheld computer 100 to
`communicate with other electronic apparatus outside hand(cid:173)
`held computer 100.
`Some or all of the features which may be found in
`midframe 115, such as accessory slots 112 and engaging 65
`structures 118, may be formed as integral parts of midframe
`115, thus reducing the complexity and cost of midframe 115
`
`45
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`50
`
`Housing Alternative Embodiments
`In other embodiments of handheld computer 100, housing
`110 may be made up of one, two, or three or more subhous(cid:173)
`ings or sections. For example, housing 110 may be made up
`of two opposing shells, in which half of each accessory slot
`112 may then be formed. As another example, front shell 114
`and midframe 115 may actually be formed as one continuous
`section of housing 110, with back shell 116 being a second
`section of housing 110. As yet another example, midframe
`115 may only extend partially along the length of housing
`110, or midframe 115 may be comprised of two or more
`continuous or noncontinuous sections. Other combinations
`and housing designs are possible.
`
`Accessory Devices
`Many different accessory devices may be designed to be
`used with handheld computer 100. These accessory devices
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`may be attached the back of handheld computer 100 using
`mounting device 119, or they may be attached using one or
`both of accessory slots 112. Examples of accessory devices
`include docking devices, modems, printers, and cellular
`phones.
`FIG. 4A shows a stylus 400 partially inserted into one of
`the accessory slots 112 of housing 110. FIG. 4 B shows stylus
`400 fully inserted into one of the accessory slots 112 of
`housing 110. Where display 120 is a touch-sensitive display
`or incorporates a digitizer, stylus 400 may be used to enter 10
`instructions and handwritten characters. Stylus 400 may be
`stored in either one of accessory slots 112 to equally
`accommodate the preferences of both left-handed and right(cid:173)
`handed users.
`FIG. SA shows a cover 500 capable of being used with 15
`one of the accessory slots 112 of housing 110. FIG. SB
`shows cover 500 used with one of the accessory slots 112 of
`housing 110. Cover 500 includes an elongate member 502
`coupled to an edge of a cover panel 504. Elongate member
`502 fits into either accessory slot 112, which allows cover 20
`panel 504 to fold over the front of handheld computer 100.
`Cover 500 thus protects display 120 and some or all of user
`interface devices 130 of handheld