Portable messaging and scheduling device with homebase station

• US 20010028311A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transnet Capital Fund, LLC
• Original Assignee: Khyber Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Kumar, Rajendra
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.56
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 19/00 Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations

Abstract

A portable device (10) for selective message recordation and playback and scheduling includes a portable unit (11) and an optional homebase station (12). Portable unit (11) includes a housing (15), unit controller (20), tactile input mechanism (40), audio processor (60) and video processor (80). Portable unit (11) allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and their selective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audible or visual stimulus. A selectively detachable stylus (51) may be removed to engage a touch panel (50) for making operational selections and entering information. Optional homebase station (12) may include a variety of features for supporting and supplementing those of handheld unit (11), such as a floppy drive (112) message memory, input keys (114), a battery charging circuit (115) and an external communication circuit (117).

Claims

1. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising:

a unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt pocket including;

an image scanner for scanning printed material and creating a signal;

a processor for controlling the receipt of said signal, storing said signal, and non-sequentially selectively recalling said signal;

display means for receiving information from said processor and from said image scanner; and

,

a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said unit.

2. A device, as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

3. A device, as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and close positions.

4. A device, as set forth in

claim 3

, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

5. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising:

a handheld unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt pocket including;

audio input means for receiving and recording an audio message and generating a representative audio message signal;

memory means for storing said audio message signal;

processor means for controlling the receipt of said audio message signal, storing said audio message signal, and non-sequentially selectively recalling said audio message signal;

audio output means for receiving said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message signal and for playing back said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message;

a handheld housing for carrying said audio input means, said memory means, said processor means, said audio output means; and

,

a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said handheld unit.

6. A device, as set forth in

claim 5

, wherein said portable -station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

7. A device, as set forth in

claim 6

, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and close positions.

8. A device, as set forth in

claim 7

, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

9. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising a unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt pocket including:

writing means for receiving a plurality of written messages and generating written message signals;

memory means for digitally storing a written message;

processor means for controlling the receipt and digital storage of said written message signals and non-sequentially and selectively recalling for playback of one of said written messages;

display means positioned beneath said writing means for receiving and displaying the non-sequentially and selectively recalled written message through said writing means;

a handheld housing for carrying said writing means, said processor means and said display means; and

,

a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said unit.

10. A device, as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

11. A device, as set forth in

claim 10

, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and close positions.

12. A device, as set forth in

claim 10

, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

13. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising a handheld unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt pocket including:

audio input means for receiving and recording an audio message and generating a representative audio message signal;

memory means for storing said audio message signal;

processor means for controlling the receipt of said audio message signal, storing said audio message signal, and non-sequentially selectively recalling said audio message signal;

audio output means for receiving said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message signal and for playing back said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message; and

,

a handheld housing for carrying said audio input means, said memory means, said processor means, and said audio output means,

said handheld housing having a first end and a second end, and carrying said audio input means in proximity to said first end and carrying said audio output means in proximity to said second end.

14. A device, as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein said handheld unit further includes a wireless communication circuit, said handheld housing carrying said wireless communication circuit.

15. A device, as set forth in

claim 14

, wherein said wireless communication circuit is a cellular telephone communication circuit.

16. A device, as set forth in

claim 15

, further including a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said unit.

17. A device, as set forth in

claim 16

, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

18. A device, as set forth in

claim 17

, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and close positions.

19. A device, as set forth in

claim 18

, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.