Portable wireless data device

• US 20040198438A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galleria Industrial Company
• Original Assignee: Galleria Industrial Company
• Inventors: Song, Li, Hu, Jia
• Granted Patent: US 7,171,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are provided which include a portable wireless data device. One embodiment of the portable wireless data device includes one or more physical pages. An array of inputs is embedded in the one or more pages. A wireless transceiver is operably coupled to the array of inputs. One or more text sections are provided on a face of the one or more pages.

Claims

1. A portable wireless data device, comprising:

one or more physical pages;

an array of inputs embedded in the one or more physical pages;

a wireless transceiver operable coupled to the array of inputs; and

one or more text sections located on a face of the one or more physical pages, at least one text section associated with an input in the array of inputs.

2. The data device of claim 1, wherein one or more input(s) in the array of inputs is concealed and unused.

3. The data device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver includes a dual interface radio frequency identification (RFID) chip operably coupled to the array of inputs.

4. The data device of claim 1, wherein the one or more text sections include text selected from the group of restaurant menu items, political office candidates, merchandise items, and medical questions.

5. The data device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes at least one visual indicator associated with an input in the array of inputs.

6. The data device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes an audio chip associated with an input in the array of inputs and operable to provide an audio summary.

7. The data device of claim 1, wherein the one or more text sections include a blank text section in which text can be physically handwritten.

8. The data device of claim 1, wherein the faces of the one or more physical pages are readily detachable from the embedded inputs and can be replaced by an other set of faces to physical pages to associate new text sections with the array of inputs.

9. The data device of claim 1, wherein the one or more physical pages are in the form of a sleeve-like envelope to receive paper sheets having text sections thereon.

10. The data device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes;

a processor operably coupled to the array of inputs and the wireless transceiver;

a memory operably coupled to the processor;

a display; and

a miniature battery power supply.

11. The data device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes an input section having one or more input keys operable for entering an identifier.

12. A wireless information gathering architecture, comprising:

a portable wireless data device, wherein the portable wireless data device includes;

an array of selection inputs within a sheet format housing, wherein the sheet format housing includes one or more sections of restaurant menu item selections as printed text thereon, and wherein at least one section of printed text is associated with a selection input; and

a transceiver operably coupled to the array of selection inputs; and

a remote terminal operable to receive radio frequency signals from the transceiver.

13. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the array of selection inputs are provided on a membrane switch substrate within the sheet format housing.

14. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the sheet format housing is a cellulose based housing.

15. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the remote terminal includes a portable remote terminal, wherein the portable remote terminal is further operable to print a receipt of selected restaurant menu items.

16. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the sheet format housing includes at least one area available to physically post labels to be associated with a selection input.

17. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency identification (RFID) component.

18. The architecture of claim 17, wherein the RFID includes a dual interface RFID having a contact interface and a wireless interface.

19. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the portable wireless data device includes a foldable format with a first interior face and a second interior face closeable upon one another, and wherein each interior face includes an array of selection inputs within a sheet format housing.

20. The architecture of claim 12, wherein the portable wireless data device further includes an audio functionality and one or more visual indicators associated with the array of selection inputs.

21. The architecture of claim 20, wherein the audio functionality is operable to provide audio information upon actuation of a selection input.

22. A method for wirelessly communicating data, comprising:

embedding an array of selection inputs on a substrate within one or more sheets, the one or more sheets having text sections thereon associated with at least one of the array of selection inputs; and

wirelessly transmitting signals representing one or more actuated inputs.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes;

interchanging a sheet cover over the embedded array of selection inputs; and

reprogramming a software application to register new information in response to new text sections associated with certain selection inputs.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes;

interchanging a sheet cover over the embedded array of selection inputs; and

reprogramming through a wireless transceiver in response to new information contained in new text sections associated with certain selection inputs.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes;

interchanging a sheet cover over the embedded array of selection inputs; and

reprogramming a microcontroller associated with the embedded array of selection inputs in response to new text sections associated with certain selection inputs.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes illuminating visual indicators on the one or more sheets in response to selection input actuation.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further includes providing audio information upon actuation of at least one input.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein wirelessly transmitting signals includes transmitting signals using a dual interface radio identification (RFID) device operably coupled to the one or more inputs.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes preventing further actuation of the one or more inputs upon receiving a stop entry signal.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes detecting a conflict of selections associated with the array of selection inputs.

31. A computer readable medium having instructions for causing a device to perform a method, comprising:

interfacing an array of selection inputs within a sheet format housing;

detecting actuation of one or more inputs in the array of selection inputs within the sheet format housing;

triggering visual indicators corresponding to the one or more actuated inputs; and

wirelessly transmitting signals representing the one or more actuated inputs.

32. The medium of claim 31, wherein interfacing an array of selection inputs within a sheet format housing includes interfacing an array of selection inputs within a cellulose based housing having one or more text sections thereon.

33. The medium of claim 31, wherein detecting actuation of one or more inputs in an array of selection inputs includes detecting actuation of one or more inputs associated with choices selected from the group of restaurant menu items, medical information, merchandise items, and political candidates.

34. The medium of claim 31, wherein detecting actuation of one or more inputs in an array of selection inputs includes detecting actuation of one or more inputs on a membrane switch substrate.

35. The medium of claim 31, wherein triggering visual indicators corresponding to the one or more actuated inputs includes providing information associated with the one or more actuated inputs to a display.

36. The medium of claim 31, wherein wirelessly transmitting signals representing the one or more actuated inputs includes wirelessly transmitting signals using a dual interface radio identification (RFID) chip operably coupled to the one or more inputs.

37. The medium of claim 31, wherein the medium further includes instructions to provide audio information upon actuation of at least one selection input.

38. The medium of claim 31, wherein the medium further includes instructions to prevent further registration of actuated selection inputs upon receiving a particular entry signal.