Portable computing, communication and entertainment device with central processor carried in a detachable portable unit

Abstract

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 (PC's). 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 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 user input interface;   a 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 user 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.   
   
   
       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 device, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the docking display is configured as a clamshell unit with first and second portions, having the said auxiliary display in the first portion and an auxiliary keyboard in the second portion. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary display and the auxiliary keyboard face one another when the clamshell unit is in the closed position. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the docking display includes a recessed portion in which the portable unit is docked, wherein the portable unit when docked, is positioned on the back of one of the portions of the clamshell unit. 
   
   
       14 . A portable processing device comprising:
 a detachable portable unit;   a central processor carried by the detachable portable unit;   a display carried by the detachable portable unit and connected to the central processor unit;   a power supply for powering the detachable portable unit;   a plurality of first circuits interconnecting the central processor and the display and the power supply;   a power jack for receiving power to charge the power supply;   a docking display unit dimensioned substantially larger than said detachable portable unit and configured to enable connection to the detachable portable unit therewith, 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 user interface comprising at least one interface selected from the group consisting of a video interface, a keyboard interface, a communication interface, a pen-input interface, an audio interface or combinations thereof;   a power jack carried by the docking display unit and connecting to said power supply of the detachable portable unit when connected thereto.   
   
   
       15 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said central processor controls 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 control signals from the central processor are coupled by means of a first electrical connector provided on the detachable portable unit and said portable docking display unit further includes a second electrical connector for removably engaging said first electrical connector when said detachable portable unit and said portable docking display unit are docked. 
   
   
       16 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       17 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein detachable portable unit includes a first speaker and microphone and said docking display unit further includes a second speaker and a second microphone. 
   
   
       18 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said docking display unit includes a first pen-input panel and said detachable portable unit includes a second pen-input panel. 
   
   
       19 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said docking display unit is mounted in a vehicle. 
   
   
       20 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a first keyboard and said docking display unit includes a second keyboard. 
   
   
       21 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes at least one of an optical transmitter and an optical transceiver. 
   
   
       22 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said detachable portable unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver. 
   
   
       23 . A device, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the docking display is configured as a clamshell unit with first and second portions, having the said auxiliary display in the first portion and an auxiliary keyboard in the second portion.