Integrated information appliance

• US 6,711,419 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Mori, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/615,366
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/66.1, 455/74, 455/90.3, 379/446, 379/447, 358/473, 358/474
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2472 with programmable function keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An integrated information appliance includes a central processing unit for executing an action in response to a user request, a storage for storing information for use by the central processing unit in responding to the user request, and a cradle which includes a scanning device for scanning an image and storing the scanned image in the storage. An information pad is removably mounted on the cradle. The information pad includes a screen display for displaying information to a user and for receiving information and requests from the user and a plurality of application buttons for sending a request to the central processing unit to perform a specific action.

Claims

1. An integrated information appliance comprising:

a central processing unit for executing an action in response to a user request;

a storage for storing information for use by the central processing unit in responding to the user request;

a cradle comprising an integrated scanning device for scanning an image and storing the scanned image in the storage; and

an information pad removably mounted on the cradle, the information pad comprising a screen display for displaying information to a user and for receiving information and requests from the user and a plurality of application buttons for sending a request to the central processing unit to perform a specific action.

2. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, further comprising a phone base station and a phone which receives communication signals from the phone base station.

3. The integrated information appliance of claim 2, further comprising a network connection means for converting information from the appliance to a form suitable for transportation over a network.

4. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, further comprising a printer connected to receive print requests from the central processing unit.

5. The integrated information appliance of claim 4, wherein the printer is coupled to the cradle.

6. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, further comprising a mounting member coupled to the cradle for mounting the cradle to a surface.

7. The integrated information appliance of claim 6, wherein the mounting member is a magnet.

8. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, wherein the information pad further includes a microphone for receiving voice input from the user.

9. The integrated information appliance of claim 8, further including voice recognition means for translating the voice input to commands executable by the central processing unit.

10. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises a fastening device engagable with a recess in a bottom surface of the information pad.

11. The integrated information appliance of claim 1, wherein, when the information pad is removably mounted on the cradle, a rear planar surface of the information pad is substantially parallel with a front planar surface of the cradle.

12. An integrated information appliance comprising:

a central processing unit for executing an action in response to a user request;

a storage for storing information for use by the central processing unit in responding to the user request;

a cradle comprising a scanning device for scanning an image and storing the scanned image in the storage;

an information pad removably mounted on the cradle, the information pad comprising a screen display for displaying information to a user and for receiving information and requests from the user and a plurality of application buttons for sending a request to the central processing unit to perform a specific action; and

a phone base station and a phone which receives communication signals from the phone base station, wherein the phone is detachably coupled to the information pad.

13. An integrated information appliance comprising:

a central processing unit for executing an action in response to a user request;

a storage for storing information for use by the central processing unit in responding to the user request;

a cradle comprising a scanning device for scanning an image and storing the scanned image in the storage;

an information pad removably mounted on the cradle, the information pad comprising a screen display for displaying information to a user and for receiving information and requests from the user and a plurality of application buttons for sending a request to the central processing unit to perform a specific action;

a phone base station and a phone which receives communication signals from the phone base station; and

a network connection means for converting information from the appliance to a form suitable for transportation over a network, wherein the central processing unit, the storage, the network connection means, and the phone base station are connected to a motherboard.

14. The integrated information appliance of claim 13, wherein the motherboard is electrically coupled to the cradle.

15. The integrated information appliance of claim 14, further comprising a power supply connected to the motherboard so as to supply electrical power to the appliance.

16. The integrated information appliance of claim 14, wherein the information pad includes a first communication port which cooperates with a second communication port on the cradle so as to establish a communication channel between the central processing unit and the information pad.

17. The integrated information appliance of claim 16, wherein the first communication port and the screen display are connected to an interface board.

18. The integrated information appliance of claim 17, further comprising a first wireless receiver/transmitter connected to the interface board and a second wireless receiver/transmitter connected to the motherboard, the first and second wireless receivers/transmitters providing wireless connection between the information pad and the central processing unit when the information pad is detached from the cradle.

19. The integrated information appliance of claim 18, wherein the information pad further includes a first battery pack connected to the interface board, the first battery pack for supplying power to the screen display when the information pad is detached from the cradle.

20. The integrated information appliance of claim 19, wherein the information pad further includes contact tabs for charging a battery pack in the phone.

21. The integrated information appliance of claim 17, further including a transmitter/receiver port connected to the interface board so as to allow the appliance to exchange information with an electronic device.

22. An integrated information appliance comprising:

a central processing unit for executing an action in response to a user request;

a storage for storing information for use by the central processing unit in responding to the user request;

a cradle comprising an integrated scanning device for scanning an image and storing the scanned image in the storage;

an information pad removably mounted on the cradle, the information pad comprising a screen display for displaying information to a user and for receiving information and requests from the user and a plurality of application buttons for sending a request to the central processing unit to perform a specific action;

a phone base station in communication with the central processing unit; and

a phone which receives signals from the phone base station.