Handeld, portable electronic computing and communication device and methods for using the same

• US 20040082361A1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bala Rajagopalan
• Original Assignee: Bala Rajagopalan
• Inventors: Rajagopalan, Bala
• Application Number:
  US10/688,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20040082361A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

This invention describes a portable computing and communication device comprising a display, a touch-panel and game control input mechanisms, an optical and/or magnetic mass storage system, volatile and non-volatile primary memory, wireless data communication, power management, a compact software operating system and other software applications, and methods for using the same.

Claims

1. A handheld, portable electronic computing and communication device comprising:

a a compact housing, a processor, read-only and random-access primary memory, optical and/or magnetic mass secondary storage mechanism, a large touch-sensitive primary LCD, an auxiliary LCD, a battery-backed random access memory module, game control buttons for intuitive two-handed operation, high-speed serial/audio-in/audio-out/DC-in interfaces, audio and video codecs, interfaces for a wireless data communication transceiver and external game controller, battery power supply and power management logic;

a a software operating system with a well-defined application programming interface (API), a web browser application, other software applications and personal information stored in non-volatile primary memory;

a a graphical user interface for accessing personal information, commanding the execution of software applications present in primary memory or secondary storage, and for configuring and controlling the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein

a when used as an audio player, the primary LCD and other unused electronics are shut down and the auxiliary LCD is used for displaying information pertaining to the audio being played;

a when in the “

stand-by”

mode, the primary LCD and other unused electronics are shut down and the auxiliary LCD is used for displaying notification messages pertaining to device status, incoming communication requests, presence of nearby users, etc.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the operating system or a built-in software application

a allows users with the knowledge of a pre-configured password to set a numeric or textual access level value that is protected from modification by other users;

a when the execution of a software application contained in the optical or magnetic storage medium is attempted, reads rating information embedded in the medium or the application, maps it to an access level value, compares this value with the value stored in the device, and blocks the execution of the application if the comparison indicates an impermissible access level;

a records the identity of all the applications executed and the Universal Resource Locators (URL) of all the Internet sites accessed in non-volatile memory;

a allows the recorded information to be viewed and removed only by users with the knowledge of a pre-configured password.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein wireless communication is used to

a broadcast the pre-configured identity of the user periodically (if so desired by the user) in a uniquely recognizable message and receive similar messages broadcast by other instances of the devices so as to automatically discover the identities of other users within wireless range;

a permit textual and audio communication between a pair of users who detect each other'"'"'s presence automatically;

a control a software application executing in the device by another instance of the application executing remotely;