Computers integrated with a cordless telephone

• US 6,289,213 B1
• Filed: 02/14/1996
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pence, William Edward, Greier, Paul Francis, Mok, Lawrence Shungwei, Flint, Ephraim Bemis
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US08/601,390
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/420, 455/557, 455/561, 455/563, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/5.1, 455/6.3, 455/550, 455/462, 455/403, 455/66, 370/392, 348/552, 379/142, 379/93.25, 379/93.05
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a computer system that has at least two computers which are connected via cordless telephone. The handset of the cordless telephone is integrated with a portable computer and the base station of the cordless telephone is integrated with a regular desktop or desk-side computer. The hand-held computer includes a microprocessor, a display, storage, a keypad to enter data, a microphone to receive voice data and speak to play voice data, and an antenna to communicate with the base station. The base station includes receiver and transmitter and an antenna, signal controller and the means for acting to a telephone system. The apparatus can be adapted for use with a television and a VCR.

Claims

1. An apparatus offering a high degree of functionality comprising:

a first hand held computer;

said hand-held computer comprising;

a microprocessor;

a display coupled to said microprocessor;

storage coupled to said microprocessor;

a key pad coupled to said microprocessor;

a modem coupled to said microprocessor;

a digitizer coupled to said microprocessor;

a signal controller coupled to said microprocessor;

a first switch coupled to said signal controller;

a second switch coupled to said signal controller;

said modem coupled to said first switch and said second switch;

a speaker coupled to said first switch;

a microphone coupled to said second switch;

an antenna;

a receiver coupled to said first switch and said antenna; and

a transmitter coupled to said antenna and said second switch;

a second main computer having a television associated therewith, said television having a monitor with a screen;

a base station;

said base station comprising;

a receiver;

a transmitter;

an antenna;

a signal controller;

a second modem;

a speech recognition unit;

a third switch;

a fourth switch;

a data access arrangement;

said second modem is coupled to said third switch and said fourth switch;

said signal controller is coupled to said third switch and said fourth switch;

said receiver is coupled to said third switch, and said transmitter is coupled to said fourth switch and to said antenna;

said base station being adapted for wireless communication to said first hand held computer and a direct electrical connection to said second computer;

said base station has means for communication on a telephone line;

said first hand-held computer has wireless means for communication with said base station; and

said second main computer has means for direct electrical communication with said base station;

said first hand held computer being in the proximity of said television so that signals transmitted by said first hand held computer can be received by said base station and processed by said second main computer and as a result appear on said screen on said monitor of said television.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first means is a wireless means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first means is a direct electrical connection.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second computer coupled to said signal controller and said modem.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including a speech recognition unit coupled to said first switch, said second switch and said second computer.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base station is contained within a portable container.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said portable container is a carrying case.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first computer includes a television screen.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 further including a VCR coupled to said television screen.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, further including a VCR coupled to said television.

11. An apparatus offering a high degree of functionality compising:

a digital assistant;

said digital assistant comprising;

a microprocessor;

a display coupled to said microprocessor;

storage coupled to said microprocessor;

a key pad coupled to said microprocessor;

a modem coupled to said microprocessor;

a digitizer coupled to said microprocessor

a signal controller coupled to said microprocessor;

a first switch coupled to said signal controller;

a second switch coupled to said signal controller;

a base station;

said base station comprising;

a receiver;

a transmitter;

an antenna;

a signal controller;

a second modern;

a speech recognition unit;

a third switch;

a fourth switch;

a data access arrangement;

a VCR;

a television having a monitor with a screen;

said pocketable digital assistant is wirelessly coupled to at least one of said television, said VCR and said base station;

said base station is coupled to said VCR;

said VCR is coupled to said television.