Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-08-07
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2781)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus access regulation
C455S011100, C455S556200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272575
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in general to portable personal communications devices and digital assistants, and more particularly, to such devices with enhanced functionality achieved by use of a plurality of interchangeable, communications or other functionally specific modules.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand-held computers or portable digital organizers, sometimes called personal digital assistants, have become cost-effective and useful as sources of information. One example of such a product is the PalmPilot personal digital assistant manufactured by 3Com, which includes various functionalities such as an address book, a date book, a basic calculator, expense reports, and games. This product may also be coupled to a personal computer for information transfer and back-up, and may incorporate a plug-in wireless modem for information transmission.
Many of the same individuals that have a need for portable digital assistants also carry many other devices, such as wireless telephones, cellular telephones, and pagers for communicating with remote sources. Other commonly carried electronic products include dictating and other recording devices, electronic game devices, cassette tape players, compact disk players, DVD players, or other sources of audible or visual programming.
As a consequence, a need remains for a singular device incorporating a plurality of communications and other functions, such that an individual could avail himself or herself of a variety of different communications functions without having to carry a plurality of completely separate products. It would also be desirable to provide such multiple functionality without duplication of hardware such as microprocessors and digital signal processors (“DSPs”). A flexible product preferably also would enable a user to combine communication and other functionally specific modules with a user friendly, common, multi-purpose base unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A modular digital assistant in accordance with the present invention includes a base unit and a plurality of finctionally specific modules. The modules are each removably engageable with the base unit for the purpose of carrying out a particular processing function associated with that module such as, for example, wireline or wireless telecommunications, data transmission, game playing, radio and/or television receiving, and electronic or smart card reading.
The base unit preferably includes control electronics, a user interface (such as an interactive touch screen display, a display unit, keys or a keyboard for entry of information or commands) and a connector for physical and electrical connection to an interchangeable module. Each of the modules incorporates a housing, a compatible connector element carried by the housing (for physical and or electrical connection to the base unit), and control electronics (such as hardware, memory, and software (program instructions) associated with a particular functionality). The control electronics for the base unit and for the modules, variously, could be custom hardware (such as an ASIC or a programmable array), programmable hardware, or both.
Each member of the plurality of modules is intended to provide a different communication or processing function. For example, modules could be provided to carry out wireline or wireless telecommunication.
The telecommunication module could include an internal speaker, microphone, and various filters for communication of audio, both incoming and outgoing. The control electronics of the telecommunication module could carry out number processing of selected directory numbers stored in the base unit, such as on hook, off hook, and DTMF dialing. A list of directory numbers can be displayed on the base unit. A directory number can be selected and then processed by the module to carry out standard dialing, off-hook or on-hook and other telephone-type functions.
The telecommunication module could carry a standard wireline connector as well as a transceiver for wireless communication. The module can also provide internet access and modem-type functions.
Yet another module could incorporate a card receiving slot and a card reader for sensing information prestored on various types of credit, debit or so-called smart cards. In addition to implementing financial or communications functions, based on the information stored on the respective cards, a game processor carried by the module could retrieve and present games stored on a card.
In response to reading information off of the respective cards, the module could cause the base unit to present one or more displays to the user in connection with the on-going function or transaction. A music processor could retrieve digitally encoded music from a respective card and present the music as audio via either a speaker on the module or by means of plug-in head phones. Video could be presented on the base unit's display.
Another module could incorporate or be solely comprised of a standard PCMCIA format card and interface (connector), which may include both additional hardware and software functionality for a given application. Such PCMCIA format modules may include, for example, modem functionality, cellular communication functionality, pager functionality, and/or game functionality.
Yet another module, such as a PCMCIA format module, can provide paging-type communication services. In-coming pages can be received via the module and presented on the base unit's display device. The user in this regard can receive not only telephone numbers but also text messages entered by the paging party or service.
In yet another aspect, a module can receive real time radio frequency (RF) or video signals for presentation as music or voice via a speaker in the module or plug-in head phones. Alternately, real time video can be presented on the base unit's display device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5550861 (1996-08-01), Chan et al.
patent: 5600800 (1997-02-01), Kikinis et al.
patent: 5740232 (1998-04-01), Pailles et al.
patent: 5742756 (1998-04-01), Dillaway et al.
patent: 5778256 (1998-07-01), Darbee
patent: 5983073 (1999-11-01), Ditzik
patent: 6049453 (2000-04-01), Hulsebosch
“HP 48sx Scientific Expandable” Hewlett Packagd, Editiion 4, Jul. 1990.
Beausoleil Robert
Chung-Trans X.
Gamburd Nancy R.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
LandOfFree
Modular digital assistant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Modular digital assistant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modular digital assistant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2454485