Portable communications device

• US 20010041589A1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pace Micro Technology PLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Entwistle, Paul, Tibbs, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1639 the display being based on projection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence

Abstract

A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of the data and storage of the data in the device. The device (2) is provided with a display screen (16) for the display of the visual data and/or speakers for the sounding of the audio data. The device (2) allows for the selected communication of the visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link. The device (2) is of such size so as to be hand held and portable and can be located in a holder (10). The holder (10) can be provided with lighting means (12) to improve viewing of the display screen of the device and/or magnification means to allow data to be magnified and projected on a further surface (20) for viewing and/or audio means to allow for the generation of sound from received audio data.

Claims

1. A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of said data and storage of said data in the device, said device (2) provided with a display screen (6) for the display of said visual data and/or speakers for sounding of said audio data characterised in that said device (2) allows for the selected communication of said visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link, said device (2) being of such size so as to be hand held and portable.

2. A device according to

claim 1

characterised in that the device (2) can be provided in a holder (10) to store the device when not in use and/or to allow the device to operate.

3. A device according to

claim 1

characterised in that the means to allow input of data into the device can include any or a combination of a bar code reader, a voice synthesiser, a key pad (4), a mouse or a pen (5) to touch the display screen.

4. A device according to

claim 2

characterised in that the holder (10) is provided with a light source (12) which is directed, when the device (2) is placed in the holder (10), to provide improved lighting of the display screen (6) of the device.

5. A device according to

claim 4

characterised in that the light source (12) provided in the holder is in an off position or unlit condition until the device (2) is placed onto the holder (10) which acts to enable the light source (12).

6. A device according to

claim 4

characterised in that light guide means (14) are provided between the holder (10) and the device (2), the light guide means (14) serving to guide light emitted from the light source (12) in the holder (10) onto the display screen (6).

7. A device according to

claim 6

characterised in that the light guide means (14) are perspex or fibre optic guide means.

8. A device according to

claim 4

characterised in that when the device (2) is placed in the holder (10), the light source (12) is not enabled until the same is switched on by the reception of the device (2) by incoming data.

9. A device according to

claim 4

characterised in that the display of the device (2) is provided with back lighting in addition to the light source (12) of the holder (10).

10. A device according to

claim 4

characterised in that the light source (12) is permanently switched on.

11. A device according to

claim 2

characterised in that the holder (10) is provided with means for charging the power source of the device (2).

12. A device according to

claim 1

characterised in that means are provided on the device (2) to allow magnification of material displayed on the display screen of the device and for projecting the material against a further surface (20) for viewing.

13. A device according to

claim 12

characterised in that the material displayed both on the display screen (6) and on the further surface (20) is in a magnified form.

14. A device according to

claim 12

characterised in that the magnification means are provided on the holder (10) of the device (2) for display on the further surface (20).

15. A device according to

claim 14

characterised in that the data which is provided to generate the material to be displayed on the display screen (6) is passed to the magnified means in the holder (10), processed and projected onto the further surface (20).

16. A device according to

claim 14

characterised in that the magnified means includes a magnifying lens in the holder (10).

17. A device according to

claim 12

characterised in that the data to be displayed is processed in a magnified condition.

18. A device according to

claim 12

characterised in that the further surface (20) onto which the magnified data is displayed is a wall, door, ceiling and/or cupboard.

19. A device according to

claim 14

characterised in that the device (2) is not required to be located in the holder (10) in order for the holder to generate the magnified material on the said further surface (20).

20. A device according to

claim 19

characterised in that the holder (10) is provided with a data link which allows the holder (10) to receive data either directly from a remote location, or by the device (2) and transferred by the device to the holder, whereupon the holder, when activated allows the projection and magnification of the material.

21. A device according to

claim 14

characterised in that the device for which the holder is magnifying material in respect thereof is any electronic device having a display screen.

22. A device according to

claim 21

characterised in that the device is a mobile phone.

23. A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of said data and storage of said data in the device, said device provided with a display screen (6) for the display of said visual data and/or speakers for sounding of said audio data, said device allowing for the selected communication of said visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link, said device for location in a holder (10) and characterised in that said holder includes a light source (12), which light source is directed, when the device is placed on said holder, to provide improved lighting of the display screen (6) of the device.

24. A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of said data and storage of said data in the device, said device provided with a display screen (6) for the display of said visual data and/or speakers for sounding of said audio data, said device allowing for the selected communication of said visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link, said device for location in a holder (10) and characterised in that said device (2) and/or holder is/are provided with magnification means to allow the material for display on the display screen of the device to be magnified and projected against a further surface (20) for viewing.

25. A device for the input of data, the processing of data, storage of same in the device and selected communication of said data to a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver and then via a communications link, said device provided for location in a holder and characterised in that the said device includes therein processing means to allow audio data received from a remote location to be decoded and an audio service provided.

26. A device according to

claim 25

characterised in that when the device is provided in engagement with the holder, in addition to connection between a power cell in the device and a power charger, there is provided a connection between audio reproduction means in the device and at least one speaker provided in connection with the holder.

27. A device according to

claim 26

characterised in that audio data decoded via the device is generated for listening via the speaker.

28. A device according to

claim 25

characterised in that the device or holder includes an amplifier to allow the decoded audio to be amplified sufficiently for generation via the speaker.