Importance

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Abstract

A portable computing device has a computer programmed to store and communicate information and a housing configured to house the computer. A communications device, provided in the housing, is controlled by the computer and configured to communicate information between the computing device and a remote computer. An antenna is carried by the housing and is configurable to electrically couple with the communications device for communicating radio frequency information with the remote computer. A signal coupling device is carried by the housing and is configured to removably mate in signal transmitting relation with an external antenna via a complementary mating signal coupling device. A switch provided with the device is constructed and arranged to selectively connect the communications device with one of the dedicated antenna and the external antenna. According to one aspect, this invention comprises a portable electronic communications device, comprising a radio frequency modem, wireless communications circuitry, and an antenna operable to communicate over a wireless communications link with one of a local area network and a wide area network; and a proximity detection device operable to detect proximity of the device with the local area network, the wireless communications circuitry responsive to detection of the device within suitable signal communication proximity with the local area network to couple the communications circuitry with the local area network.

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First Claim