Portable communications device

• US 6,941,158 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pace Micro Technology PLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Entwistle, Paul, Tibbs, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US09/848,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20010041589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/418, 455/419, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 455/90.2, 379/441, 379/447, 345/169, 345/180, 345/183, 345/1.1, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/556.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1639 the display being based on projection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence

Abstract

A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of the data and storage of the data in the device. The device (2) is provided with a display screen (16) for the display of the visual data and/or speakers for the sounding of the audio data. The device (2) allows for the selected communication of the visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link. The device (2) is of such size so as to be hand held and portable and can be located in a holder (10). The holder (10) can be provided with lighting means (12) to improve viewing of the display screen of the device and/or magnification means to allow data to be magnified and projected on a further surface (20) for viewing and/or audio means to allow for the generation of sound from received audio data.

Claims

1. A device which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of said data and storage of said data in the device, said device comprising:

a display screen for the display of said visual data and/or speakers for sounding of said audio data wherein said device allows for the selected communication of said visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link, said device being of such size so as to be hand held and portable;

a holder for storing said device when not in use and/or to allow said device to operate; and

magnification means provided on said holder for magnification of material displayed on said display screen and for projection of material against a further surface for viewing.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means to allow input of data into said device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar code reader, a voice synthesizer, a key pad, a mouse or a pen to touch the display screen.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said holder is provided with a light source which is directed, when said device is placed in said holder, to provide improved lighting of said display screen of said device.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said light source provided in said holder is in an off position or unlit condition until said device is placed onto said holder which acts to enable said light source.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein light guide means are provided between said holder and said device, the light guide means serving to guide light emitted from said light source in said holder onto said display screen.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said light guide means are perspex or fibre optic guide means.

7. A device according to claim 3 wherein when said device is placed in said holder, said light source is not enabled until the same is switched on by the reception of said device by incoming data.

8. A device according to claim 3 wherein the display of said device is provided with bark lighting in addition to said light source of said holder.

9. A device according to claim 3 wherein said light source is permanently switched on.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said holder is provided with means for charging a power source of said device.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein means are provided on said device to allow magnification of material displayed on the display screen of said device and for projecting the material against a further surface for viewing.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the data which is provided to generate material to be displayed on said display screen is passed to said magnified means in said holder, processed and projected onto said further surface.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein said magnified means includes a magnifying lens in said holder.

14. A device according to claim 11 wherein the data to be displayed is processed in a magnified condition.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein said further surface onto which the magnified data is displayed may be selected from the group consisting of a wall, door, ceiling and cupboard.

16. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is not required to be located in said holder in order for said holder to generate the magnified material on the said further surface.

17. A device according to claim 1 wherein said holder is provided with a data link which allows said holder to receive data either directly from a remote location, or by said device and transferred by said device to said holder, whereupon said holder, when activated allows the projection and magnification of the material.

18. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device for which said holder is magnifying material in respect thereof is an electronic device having a display screen.

19. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is a mobile phone.

20. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is provided in engagement with said holder, in addition to connection between a power cell in said device and a power charger, there is provided a connection between audio reproduction means in said device and at least one speaker provided in connection with said holder.

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein audio data decoded via said device is generated for listening via the speaker.

22. A device according to claim 20 wherein said device or holder includes an amplifier to allow the audio to be amplified sufficiently for generation via the speaker.