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Description  |
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is related to the following co-pending patent
applications:
Application Ser. No. 07/990,588 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, pending;
Application Ser. No. 07/991,628 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,335,276 issued on Aug. 2, 1994;
Application Ser. No. 07/993,547 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, now Ser. No.
08/285,604 pending;
Application Ser. No. 07/991,013 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, pending;
Application Ser. No. 07/992,384 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, pending;
Application Ser. No. 07/992,291 filed on Dec. 15, 1992, abandoned.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to communication and information storage and
processing systems and more particularly to communication devices with
processors, expanded memory capability, and visual displays for enhanced
communication and information storage and processing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The communication industry is rapidly changing and offers a wide variety of
new products and services. The number of different services and the volume
of information available to consumers and business users continues to grow
on almost an exponential basis. At the same time, rapid improvements are
being made in telephone equipment and communication systems. The cellular
telephone, facsimile machine, and modem, that are offered for sale today,
may be obsolete within a short period of time. Several companies are
proposing elaborate communication networks using telephone wires,
satellites, fiber optic cables, radio waves and advanced electronic
devices which will allow worldwide communication from a telephone.
Significant problems associated with the rapidly expanding number of
different information services and data bases and the different types of
new equipment include the wide variety of media formats, the lack of
interchangeability both in hardware and software, and the need for
continuous operator training. Frequently, highly valuable information can
become obsolete and of no value if it is not quickly and easily understood
by the user. Also, each information service and each new piece of
equipment generally has a different format for presenting information to
the user or for accepting information from the user. The lack of
standardization in equipment, format display, operating procedures, and
input/output devices results in substantially limiting the scope,
accessibility, and value of potentially available information.
Special purpose radio transmitters and receivers are used for selected
information such as the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
weather reports or commercial information from the Dow-Jones news service.
These special information services frequently require a dedicated,
specifically tuned radio receiver and transmitter. These systems and their
related equipment are generally limited to the special service for which
they were originally designed and have highly restricted information
sources and formats.
Another problem is maintaining security of the data bases and allowing only
authorized access to selected information. Present telecommunication
systems tend to rely upon time consuming verification procedures with
identification numbers, code numbers, etc. to prevent fraud and use of
stolen equipment and information.
Another problem with present systems is that the transmission bandwidth for
today's telephone systems (audio, digital tone, and rotary pulses) is
insufficient for delivery of multi-media information to consumers in a
timely, coherent manner. Cellular and mobile phones have been available
for some time; however, they are generally limited to only audio input and
output. Cellular phones generally have a traditional mechanical or
electrical numerical keypad. In order to update a cellular telephone as
improved technology becomes available, the old cellular phone must be
replaced with a new cellular telephone.
Various devices for use with personal computers, e.g., Wizard.RTM. by
Sharp.RTM., are offered to improve user productivity. These devices
generally do not provide for two-way interactive communication with a
remote source similar to telephones. They generally require a multiple
wire cable between the personal productivity device and the personal
computer. They frequently require batch uploads and batch downloads of
data with no modem capability. The personal productivity devices generally
have an input and output capability limited to the available small keypad.
Audio input and output is generally not available and little or no graphic
information capability is provided.
While prior telephone systems have worked satisfactorily, as new
communication networks are established and information data bases rapidly
increase, a need for instant customer verification and identification will
become more important. Teaching consumers the operating procedures for new
equipment and new software packages presents a significant limitation to
full use and commercial success of these new communication and information
systems. It will also be necessary to send the maximum amount of
information in the shortest possible time period to allow more
communication over limited frequency spectrums.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a communication system with enhanced
capability for data handling (storage, retrieval, and transmission),
secure two-way communication when desired, and enhanced information
presentation along with an easy to operate and understand communication
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a communication system along with
equipment and methods for enhanced information storage, processing and
exchange is provided that substantially eliminates disadvantages and
problems associated with previous communication systems and methods.
A multiple purpose communication system is provided with personal
communication devices for enhanced exchange of information using the full
capabilities of the electromagnetic energy spectrum. The communication
devices include a touch-sensitive visual display which significantly
enhances the communication of visual and graphic information to and from
the user. The touch-sensitive visual display also provides the basis for
an intuitive user interface between the communication device and the
communication system. The communication devices incorporate
microprocessors and associated electronic circuits to provide a wide range
of communication capability while maintaining many of the user friendly
characteristics associated with conventional telephones.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hand-held communication
device is provided for use with either wireless (cellular or other
assigned frequencies) or standard telephone lines and telephone jacks. The
communication device may include a microphone and speaker for audio input
and output, a modem for high speed transmission of information in a
digital format, and a touch-sensitive visual display. Headsets may also be
provided as part of the audio output circuit. Application modules
containing a microprocessor and associated electronic circuits, and memory
components may be inserted into the communication device to perform
different communication and information transfer functions.
An important technical advantage of the present invention is that
communication capabilities and options of the system maybe greatly
expanded without requiring replacement of the basic personal communication
devices and without requiring extensive retraining of the user.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a multiple purpose
communication system is provided with communication devices having three
broad categories of applications:
resident applications and core programs stored in a personal communication
device;
applications based on separate application modules; and
applications provided from external information services.
Core programs and applications contained within the communication device
may include modem capability, customized data and preferences for each
user, basic telephone and pager services, and utility programs to upload
and download the various application modules.
The separate application modules, used with each communication device, may
provide the following applications:
a personal profile for each user including telephone directory;
personal information--calendars, daily and weekly reminders;
communication security; and
expanded information storage and processing.
The application modules may also be used to provide applications for
outside services such as CompuServe, Prodigy, Dow-Jones news retrieval
service, weather service, city map locator and navigation service,
electronic and voice mail capabilities, and other on-line data base
services, and may have facsimile transmission capabilities.
An important technical advantage of the present invention is that separate
application modules are available to allow maximum use of the
electromagnetic energy spectrum. For example, one application module may
allow the communication device to operate at the required frequency and
with appropriate protocols for a conventional cellular telephone network.
Another application module may have the required frequency and protocols
to allow the communication device to function as a cordless telephone. In
the same manner, application modules may be provided to allow the personal
communication device to function in an industrial control environment, a
wireless broadcasting system, or for infrared communication such as found
in remote controlled televisions and video cassette recorders. The present
invention provides application modules with required frequency, protocols,
and in some cases a microstrip antenna to allow use of the associated
personal communication device in each of the available segments of the
electromagnetic energy spectrum. The present invention allows for simply
removing one application module and inserting another application module
to allow use of multiple communication networks by each personal
communication device.
The present invention has another significant technical advantages in that
a communication system is provided using personal communication devices
with enhanced information exchange and storage capability that may be
modified by inserting different application modules. Separate application
modules are provided for selected information transfer and communication
functions. The overall system may be quickly upgraded and modified by
changing the separate application modules without requiring modification
or change to the basic personal communication device. Therefore, the
communication system may be continually used and maintained at the leading
edge of technology by simply revising and updating the desired application
modules. Furthermore, the application modules may be carried in a small
container that allows easy transportation and storage while providing
maximum information capability and communicate network versatility.
The present invention has another significant technical advantage in that
the communication devices may perform a wide range of functions resulting
from the use of microprocessors and associated integrated circuits. These
functions include a modem for the high speed transfer of information and a
touch-sensitive visual display. The touch sensitive visual display
provides both enhanced information to the user and improves the ease and
reliability of operating the communication device. The interactive visual
display provides a user interface which intuitively integrates multiple
communication, information and control functions.
An additional technical advantage of the present invention is the use of
the personal communication device with application modules which respond
to voice commands and are voice activated. Functions that are carried out
with a keyboard on personal computers or the touch-sensitive visual
display of the personnel communication device may also be carried out
through recognition of selected voice commands. By including voice
recognition and voice activation within a selected application module or
the personal communication device as desired, improved security may be
obtained and enhanced communication functions provided. An application
module with a transponder incorporating the present invention may be
inserted into the communication device to allow a communication network
such as found in an airport or other building to recognize the presence of
and identify the communication device and the user. The user's voice
commands could then be recognized on the communication device and numbers
automatically dialed, such as telephone numbers presented on the visual
display for dialing or other selected information presented based on the
specific communication network and transponder. The numbers can be dialed
by either using the touch-sensitive visual display or spoken commands.
Authentication can be conducted by using personal identification numbers
through the touch-sensitive visual display or by voice recognition and the
use of passwords to activate various communication networks associated
with the personal communication device. Additionally, spoken commands may
be used to select different applications and programs for use with the
personal communication device.
The present invention has further technical advantages in that the audio
transmission from the communication device is substantially enhanced as
compared to conventional telephones, cellular telephones and mobile radio
systems. The communication device includes a digital signal processing
circuit which cancels ambient noise associated with the outgoing or
transmitted signal to remove ambient noise associated with the
transmitting environment. The digital signal processing circuit also
cancels ambient noise which is superimposed on incoming or received
signals to reduce the perception of receiving environmental noise along
with the received signal. The digital signal processing circuit includes a
filter network to remove stable sound pattern characteristics from the
transmission system. An important feature of the present invention is that
the microprocessor-based digital signal processing circuit allows
installation of algorithms and modification of the algorithm as changes
occur both in the receiving and transmitting operating environment. A
second microphone may also be provided in the communication device to aid
in cancelling ambient noise.
An additional significant technical advantage of the present invention is
improved security to prevent unauthorized interception of information
transmission, particularly with respect to mobile communication devices.
The communication system of the present invention allows encryption and
decryption to take place both within the communication device of the
individual user and between the communication device and a central data
base computer which maintains each user's account and billing files. The
encryption and decryption scheme may be hard wired into each communication
device as part of the resident applications. Or, the encryption device may
be provided as part of one of the application modules used with the
communication device. The encryption and decryption scheme may be voice
activated and installed at the central data base or central service
facility. The individual communication devices may contain a general
encryption circuit for voice verification with parameters of the user's
voice and the decryption scheme maintained at a central facility or within
each communication device. Any compatible communication device may be used
with the communication system rather than having each communication device
programmed for each specific user. Thus, the present invention allows for
secured transmissions when desired by the user without requiring the user
to carry a separate scrambler or other secure communication equipment.
Another technical advantage of the present invention is the integration of
communication functions such as information services, telephone, voice
mail, etc. with control functions such as operating televisions, video
cassette recorders, garage doors, etc. and with information storage
functions such as phone lists, business data, calendar schedules, etc.
This integration is accomplished by having a communication device which
accepts application modules to perform these various functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a communication system incorporating the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of a hand-held communication device
incorporating the present invention for use with the communication system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric drawing of a desk-top communication device
incorporating the present invention for use with the communication system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held communication device from
FIG. 1 in its first or closed position;
FIG. 5 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held device from FIG. 1 showing
installation of an application module;
FIG. 6a is a side view in elevation of the hand-held communication device
from FIG. 1 in its closed position;
FIG. 6b is a drawing in elevation of the hand-held communication device
from FIG. 1 in its standby position;
FIG. 6c is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held device from FIG. 1
in its telephone operating mode;
FIG. 6d is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held communicating
device from FIG. 1 in its fully functional operating mode;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit used to operate a
communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram for an electrical circuit used to operate a
communication device in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 9a is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display used with
communication devices of the present invention providing voice mail
applications;
FIG. 9b is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display from FIG.
9a used to provide a price list;
FIG. 9c is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display from FIG.
9a used to provide stock quotations;
FIG. 9d is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display from FIG.
9a used to provide map information; and
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for a typical electrical circuit used with an
application module incorporating the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, like numerals
being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
Communication system 20 is shown in FIG. 1 incorporating various components
and features of the present invention. The major components of
communication system 20 comprise central facility 22, one or more
independent information services 30 and 32, hand-held communication device
50, and desktop communication device 150. The principal components of
communication system 20 may be connected with each other by various
communication networks such as land lines 34, broadcast antennas 36 and
37, microwave antennas 38 and 39, or satellite 40 and its associated
satellite transmitters and receivers 41, 42, 43, and 44. Land lines 34 may
be conventional telephone wires and telephone cables or fiber optic
cables.
Central facility 22 preferably has one or more information data bases 24
and one or more mainframe computers 26. Communication system 20 may
include several central facilities 22 which are linked to each other via
land lines 34, satellite 40, microwave antennas 38 and 39, or other types
of communication networks. Antennas 36 and 37 may transmit and receive
information throughout the complete spectrum of radio frequencies
including commercial radio, cellular telephones, and other special
information exchange frequencies. Hand-held communication device 50 and
desktop communication device 150 may receive information from central
facility 22 via land lines 34 or various radio frequencies including a
satellite communication network.
Information services 30 and 32 may provide information to central facility
22 via satellite transmission, microwave transmission, broadcast antenna
37 or land lines 34. Central facility 22 may in turn make this information
available to communication devices 50 and 150 via any of the previously
mentioned communication networks. Information services 30 and 32 may also
provide information directly to communication devices 50 and 150. An
important feature of communication system 20 is the wide range of
flexibility in choosing specific communication networks for the exchange
of information and routing information to or from various sources and the
user. The present invention allows communication devices 50 and 150 to
receive information from a plurality of sources through a wide variety of
communication networks and still present the information to the user in a
standardized, familiar format. The present invention does not require a
different communication device for each information service or each
communication network.
Personal communication devices 50 and 150 incorporating the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Communication device 50 has the
general configuration of a hand-held cellular telephone comprising a
microphone 52, speaker 53, lid 54 which is connected to main body 56 by
pivot pin 58 and interactive visual display 60. Speaker 53 and microphone
52 are used to receive and transmit voice and other auditory information.
Communication device 150 has the general configuration of a desktop
telephone with handle 152 and associated micr | | |
