Information communications device

• US 20020049080A1
• Filed: 08/22/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pace Micro Technology PLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pace Micro Technology PIC
• Inventors: Thompson, Peter
• Application Number:
  US09/935,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049080A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An information communications device (2) is provided which includes a power supply for operation of the device and means for receiving and/or storing data in the device. Processing means are provided for processing the received and/or stored data and audio and/or visual means are provided for communicating data to a user/audience. The device further includes sensing means (12) to signal to the device the presence of a person in the locality of the device, and on receipt of the signal, the device activates/deactivates one or more functions of the device accordingly. The device can be portable.

Claims

1. An information communications device (2) including a power supply for operation of said device, means for receiving and/or storing data in said device, processing means for processing said received and/or stored data and audio and/or visual means for communicating data to a user/audience characterised in that the device includes sensing means (12) to signal to the device the presence of a person in the locality of the device, and on receipt of said signal, said device activates/deactivates one or more functions of the device accordingly.

2. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the device (2) is portable.

3. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensing means (12) detects movement in the locality of the device (2).

4. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the processing means of said device (2) receives a signal from the sensing means (12) and the processing means subsequently initiates a change in the operational mode of the device (2).

5. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensing means (12) is located on the device (2).

6. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensing means (12) is located on a cradle or holder (4) of the device (2).

7. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that range over which the sensing means (12) operates is determined by the broadcaster and/or user.

8. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that a timer is provided on or connected to the device (2) and said timer communicates with the sensing means (12) so that if no movement is detected in the locality of the device for a pre-determined period of time, one or more functions of the device are activated/deactivated.

9. A device according to claim 8 characterised in that if no movement is detected in the locality of the device (2), the device is moved from an on condition to an off or standby condition.

10. A device according to claim 8 characterised in that the pre-determined period of time is set by the manufacturer or user.

11. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the user is able to switch the sensing means (12) of the device (2) on or off.

12. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the device (2) receives information from a remote location and/or sends information to a remote location via a communications link.

13. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that if the device (2) receives a message for a user, the device stores the message until a person is detected within the locality of the device and the device then emits an indication that a message is waiting.

14. A device according to claim 13 characterised in that the indication is an audible signal.

15. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the sensing means includes any of passive infra-red detection, microwave Doppler detection or charged coupled device/complementary metal oxide semiconductor imaging detection.