Hand-held telephone with computer module

• US 6,259,932 B1
• Filed: 02/02/1998
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Constin Design GmbH
• Original Assignee: Constin Design GmbH
• Inventors: Constien, Hans-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Armstrong, Darnell R.
• Application Number:
  US08/982,504
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/557, 455/575, 455/90, 455/558, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0295 Mechanical mounting details of display modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A portable computer and telecommunications equipment unit has the functions of a mobile telephone and a computer in a single apparatus. Both functions can be used in an optimum manner either separately or simultaneously. The modular computer and telecommunications equipment is approximately the size of an elongated wallet and has a top module with a telecommunication system. The outer face of the top module carries a telephone keyboard and a telephone display, and its inner side carries a flat display that acts as a computer display. The equipment further has a second underlying module that contains a computer. The top and underlying modules are pivotably interconnected by a hinge. Additional modules that constitute functional extensions or additional energy supply units may be mounted on or in the second module.

Claims

1. A hand-held telephone with an integrated computer member having a cordless telecommunication unit and a personal computer with a keyboard and a computer display, the device having at least two flat, elongated members which are joined to on another in a movable way so that in the closed position their inner surfaces are adjacent, the keyboard and the computer display being arranged on the inner surfaces of these two members and the outer surface of one of the members comprise a keyboard for operating the telecommunication unit, the computer module being situated in one member of the device and the telecommunication unit together with the keys for operating the telephone in a second member, a microphone and a speaker being on one of the outer surfaces of the body, the inner surface of the first member having a display for the personal computer and on the outer surface of the first member there is a second display for the telecommunication unit and that the second member containing the personal computer can be extended by additional members, in the closed position, the outer surfaces of the device having at least two member form one unit without any of its parts jutting out.

2. The hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the keys for operating the telecommunication unit and/or the second display for the telecommunication unit are arranged in such a way that the keys for operating the telecommunication unit and the second display are arranged in lines and columns so that the lines form a right angle with the long side of the housing of the device.

3. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein a power module is either integrated into the member containing the computer or is adjusted to it.

4. Hand-held telephone according to claim 3, wherein the power unit is adjusted to the member containing the personal computer and that the outer surfaces of these two members form one unit without any part jutting out.

5. Hand-held telephone according to claim 3, wherein the power unit comprises an accumulator.

6. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the member containing the personal computer and/or other members comprise power storage modules, data storage modules, data processing modules, radio- or tv-tuning modules, additional send/receipt units for the usage of the telecommunication unit, disk or hard disk drives, chip card readers or magnetic card readers, PCMCIA-slots for memory cards, plug connections for parallel and/or serial interfaces and/or other interfaces.

7. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the members are connected with one another by hinges, spring catches or others.

8. Hand-held telephone according claim 7, wherein a fixed or movable antenna is integrated into the hinge.

9. Hand-held telephone according claim 1, wherein a fixed antenna is completely integrated into the member comprising the telecommunication unit.

10. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the member containing the personal computer comprises a switch for activating the hands free call function as well as a switch allowing the user to communicate after the dial tone and a volume regulator for adjusting the volume.

11. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunication unit comprises a mobile radio telephone.

12. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard for the personal computer and the computer display can be used to operate and control the telecommunication unit.

13. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the computer display represents a touch screen.

14. Hand-held telephone according to claim 1, wherein the lines and columns of the computer keyboard and the computer display are arranged on the inner surfaces of two members being situated opposite to one another in such a way that the lines of the computer keyboard and the computer display form a right angle with the long side of the members.