Modular Device and Methods Therefor

Abstract

A device ( 1400 ) includes an electronic device ( 100 ) with one or more processors ( 501 ), one or more memory devices ( 508 ), a display ( 101 ), and a first electrical connector ( 206 ). An electronic accessory module ( 600 ) includes a second electrical connector ( 806 ). A housing ( 1100 ) receives the electronic accessory module at a first end of the housing and receives the electronic device at a second end of the housing. The housing biases the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector together and couples to both the electronic device and the electronic accessory module to secure the electronic device and the electronic accessory module within the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 an electronic device comprising one or more processors, one or more memory devices, a display, and a first electrical connector;   an electronic accessory module, operable with the one or more processors of the electronic device, the electronic accessory module comprising a second electrical connector; and   a housing to:
 receive the electronic accessory module at a first end of the housing; 
 receive the electronic device at a second end of the housing; 
 bias the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector together; and 
 couple to both the electronic device and the electronic accessory module to secure the electronic device and the electronic accessory module within the housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , the electronic device comprising a wireless communication device to communicate with a network. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , the electronic accessory module comprising an imager operable with the one or more processors of the electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , the electronic accessory module comprising an audio transducer operable with the one or more processors of the electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , the electronic accessory module comprising a user interface operable with the one or more processors of the electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , the electronic accessory module comprising an energy storage device to deliver power to the one or more processors of the electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , the electronic accessory module one of an audio device, a fitness device, a scanning device, an imaging device, a user input device, a haptic device, a memory device, or a display device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , the one or more processors to send one or more of audio data, display data, or haptic data through the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector to the electronic accessory module. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , the one or more processors to receive one or more of image data, audio data, sensor data, or power through the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector from the electronic accessory module. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , the housing comprising a head bay at the first end of the housing and a toe bay at the second end of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , the display disposed along a front side of the electronic device, the front side defining a rabbet, the rabbet to engage the toe bay when the electronic device is disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , the electronic accessory module to engage the head bay when the electronic accessory module is disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , the housing comprising one or more sidewalls, at least one sidewall comprising a retention mechanism to retain the electronic device within the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more caps to attach to an exterior of one or more of the head bay or the toe bay. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , a rear side of the electronic device defining a rabbet, the electronic accessory module defining a complementary rabbet, the rabbet to engage the complementary rabbet when the electronic device and the electronic accessory module are disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , the first electrical connector disposed on a surface of the rabbet, the second electrical connector disposed on an end of the electronic accessory module. 
     
     
         17 . A device, comprising:
 an electronic device comprising one or more processors, one or more memory devices, a display, and a first electrical connector;   an electronic accessory module, operable with the one or more processors of the electronic device, the electronic accessory module comprising a second electrical connector; and   a first housing and a second housing, the first housing to receive a portion of the electronic device, the second housing to receive the electronic accessory module and another portion of the electronic device;   the first housing and the second housing to couple together to bias the first electrical connector against the second electrical connector and to secure the electronic device and the electronic accessory module within the first housing and the second housing.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , the first housing defining a first peninsular aperture, the second housing defining a second peninsular aperture, the display visible through the first peninsular aperture and the second peninsular aperture when the first housing is coupled to the second housing. 
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a device, the method comprising:
 inserting an electronic accessory comprising a first electrical connector into a first end of a housing,   toeing an end of an electronic device into a second end of the housing, the electronic device comprising a second electrical connector;   pivoting the electronic device to engage the first electrical connector with the second electrical connector; and   locking the electronic device into the housing to retain the electronic accessory in the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising attaching one or more caps to exteriors of one or more bays of the housing.