Pocket video conference computer

• US 6,646,672 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wolfgang Feierbach
• Original Assignee: Wolfgang Feierbach
• Inventors: Feierbach, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/992,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.714, 348/14-1-, 348/14.1, 348/14.11, 348/14.12, 348/14.13, 455/556, 455/566, 455/575, 345/173, 345/169, 379/330, 379/428-1-4
• US Class Current: 348/14.02
• 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 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• 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: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• 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 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/20 including a rotatable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A portable, pocketbook-sized computer is provided with the features of a palmtop computer as well as video conferencing ability. A hinged design is provided so that the unit can fold shut. On one side, a computer unit is housed, including a full keyboard and a monitor, while the other side houses a mobile telephone unit, including a numeric keyboard and similarly sized monitor. The spine included a rotating camera. The units communicated so that the monitors can serve as video phone monitors, each showing one of the communicating parties. In a computer mode, both monitors can operate to display text on figures. Recessed character keys and raised operator keys enable rapid operation despite closely spaced keys. A ball-ended pen is provided for this purpose, sized to fall into one of the recesses at a time. Additionally, the pen is provided with wireless communication with the computer unit to silently alert the owner of incoming calls, or to use as a microphone.

Claims

1. A portable video conference computer comprising:

a computer unit having a monitor and an input mechanism comprising at least a first key group and a second key group,

a mobile telephone unit having a monitor and an input mechanism comprising at least third key group and a fourth key group, and

a digital camera,

wherein the computer unit, mobile telephone unit, and digital camera are connected and networked with one another, the computer unit, mobile telephone unit, and digital camera being integrated with a portable housing, the portable housing comprising a book-like frame having a spine and two covers, wherein the computer unit is affixed inside one cover, the mobile telephone unit is affixed inside the other cover, and a housing of the digital camera is affixed inside the spine.

2. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein the digital camera is provided within the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis.

3. The portable video conference computer of claim 2, wherein the axis of rotation of the camera is perpendicular to hinges between the spine and the covers.

4. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein the computer unit is provided with at least a microprocessor, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory, the capacity of the volatile memory being greater than the capacity of the non-volatile memory.

5. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein the first key group comprises an alphanumeric keyboard and the third key group comprises a numeric keypad.

6. The portable video conference computer of claim 5, wherein the fourth key group comprises keys controlling at least video and audio functions of the digital camera.

7. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein the computer unit and the mobile telephone unit are each provided with a cursor control touch pad.

8. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein the monitors and the input mechanisms are freely networkable and connectable.

9. The portable video conference computer of claim 1, wherein ports are provided for connection with external devices.

10. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein wireless capability is provided for connection with external devices.

11. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the computer unit and the mobile telephone unit are connected with flexible printed circuitry.

12. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein an accumulator capable of providing electric power is provided.

13. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a port is provided for connection with a power source.

14. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 13, wherein the power source is provided in a stand which serves to hold the communication computer is an opened configuration.

15. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 14, wherein the connection with the power source is carried out using:

the port and a pin on the stand.

16. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a switching signal displayed on both is monitors is provided for directing conversation during video communications.

17. The portable video conference computer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a wireless device is provided for signaling incoming calls.

18. A portable video conference computer comprising:

a computer unit having a monitor and an input mechanism comprising at least a first key group and a second key group, the first key group comprises an alphanumeric keyboard and the third key group comprises a numeric keypad,

a mobile telephone unit having a monitor and an input mechanism comprising at least third key group and a fourth key group, and

a digital camera,

wherein the computer unit, mobile telephone unit, and digital camera are connected and networked with one another and both the fourth keys of the alphanumeric keyboard and the keys of the numeric keypad are recessed with respect to the surface of the computer unit and the mobile telephone unit.

19. The portable video conference computer of claim 18, wherein the second key group and the fourth key group comprise keys which are both raised with respect to the surface of the computer unit and the mobile telephone unit and are spaced to permit operation with a human finger.