Portable computing, communication and entertainment device with central processor carried in a detachable handset
The present invention relates in general to portable processor based devices that provide computing, communication or entertainment functionality. More particularly, the present invention pertains to portable processor based devices operable while being held in its user's hand and providing communications, organizer and/or entertainment functions, such as cellular telephones, palm-sized organizers, and MP3 players, and to portable processor based devices providing general computing capabilities, such as laptop or handheld personal computers (PCs). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems that detachably mate a plurality of portable processor based devices to provide their combined functionality in an integrated structure.
1. A portable processing device comprising:
a detachable portable unit sized for handheld grasping and including a central processor and a plurality of first circuits, said processor controlling the operation of said first circuits, and said first circuits including at least a video interface, a communication interface and a data input interface;
a portable docking display unit dimensioned substantially larger than said detachable portable unit, said docking display unit including a first display and a plurality of second circuits, said plurality of second circuits not including a central processor and including a video interface, and a data input interface, and wherein said central processor controls the operation of at least one of said second circuits and said first display when said detachable portable unit is docked with said docking display unit;
and the docking display unit is fully operable only when the detachable portable unit is docked thereto.
2. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein control signals from the central processor are coupled by means of a first electrical connector provided on the detachable portable unit and said docking display unit further includes a second electrical connector for removably engaging said first electrical connector when said detachable portable unit and said docking display unit are docked.
3. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said detachable portable unit further includes at least one of a memory, a wireless communication circuit, a first microphone, a first speaker, and a power supply.
4. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein detachable portable unit includes a first speaker and microphone and said docking display unit further includes a second speaker and a second microphone.
5. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said docking display unit includes a first pen-input panel and said detachable portable unit includes a second pen-input panel.
6. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said docking display unit is mounted in a vehicle.
7. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a first keyboard and said docking display unit includes a second keyboard.
8. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a connection for an external headphone.
9. A device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes at least one of an optical transmitter and an optical transceiver.
10. A portable processing device comprising:
a detachable portable unit sized for handheld grasping and including an application processor and a plurality of first circuits, said processor controlling the operation of said first circuits, and said first circuits including at least a video interface, a communication interface and a data input interface;
a portable docking display unit dimensioned substantially larger than said detachable portable unit, said docking display unit including a first display and a plurality of second circuits, said plurality of second circuits not including an application processor and including a video interface, and a data input interface, and wherein said application processor controls the operation of at least one of said second circuits and said first display when said detachable portable unit is docked with said docking display unit;
and the docking display unit is fully operable only when the detachable portable unit is docked thereto.
11. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein control signals from the application processor are coupled by means of a first electrical connector provided on the detachable portable unit and said docking display unit further includes a second electrical connector for removably engaging said first electrical connector when said detachable portable unit and said docking display unit are docked.
12. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said detachable portable unit further includes at least one of a memory, a wireless communication circuit, a first microphone, a first speaker, and a power supply.
13. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein detachable portable unit includes a first speaker and microphone and said docking display unit further includes a second speaker and a second microphone.
14. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said docking display unit includes a first pen-input panel and said detachable portable unit includes a second pen-input panel.
15. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said docking display unit is mounted in a vehicle.
16. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a first keyboard and said docking display unit includes a second keyboard.
17. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a connection for an external headphone.
18. A device, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes at least one of an optical transmitter and an optical transceiver.