Portable messaging and scheduling device with homebase station

• US 6,961,004 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transnet Capital Fund, LLC
• Original Assignee: Khyber Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Kumar, Rajendra
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/883,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20010028311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.25, 340/825.22, 340/309.4, 340/7.54, 369/25.01, 700/14, 708/112, 710/62
• US Class Current: 340/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 19/00 Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations

Abstract

A portable device (10) for selective message recordation and playback and scheduling includes a portable unit (11) and an optional homebase station (12). Portable unit (11) includes a housing (15), unit controller (20), tactile input mechanism (40), audio processor (60) and video processor (80). Portable unit (11) allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and their selective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audible or visual stimulus. A selectively detachable stylus (51) may be removed to engage a touch panel (50) for making operational selections and entering information. Optional homebase station (12) may include a variety of features for supporting and supplementing those of handheld unit (11), such as a floppy drive (112) message memory, input keys (114), a battery charging circuit (115) and an external communication circuit (117).

Claims

1. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising a handheld unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying a substantially within a shirt pocket including:

audio input means for receiving and recording an audio message and generating a representative audio message signal;

memory means for storing said audio message signal;

processor means for controlling the receipt of said audio message signal, storing said audio message signal, and non-sequentially selectively recalling said audio message signal;

audio output means for receiving said non sequentially selectively recalled audio message signal and for playing back said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message;

a touch panel;

a handheld housing for carrying the touch panel, audio input means, the memory means, the processor means and the audio output means; and

wherein said non-sequential selective recall of an audio message is accomplished by engagement with said touch panel.

5. The device of claim 1 further including a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said handheld unit.

6. A device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

7. A device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and closed positions.

8. A device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

19. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said engagement is accomplished using a detachably mounted stylus.

20. A device as set forth in claim 1 further including a display means for indicating the presence of at least one stored audio message signal.

21. A device as set forth in claim 20 in which said display means is positioned beneath said touch panel.

22. A device as set forth in claim 1, further including a homebase station for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from said handheld housing, said handheld housing means and said homebase station in selective operative communication.

23. A device as set forth in claim 22 in which said homebase further includes a communication circuit for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from external sources.

26. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said handheld unit further includes a wireless communication circuit, said handheld housing carrying said wireless communication circuit.

2. A personal organizer and messaging device, comprising a handheld unit dimensioned for handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt pocket including:

audio input means for receiving and recording an audio message and generating a representative audio message signal;

memory means for storing said audio message signal;

processor means for controlling the receipt of said audio message signal, storing said audio message signal, and non-sequentially selectively recalling said audio message signal;

audio output means for receiving said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message signal and for playing back said non-sequentially selectively recalled audio message;

a handheld housing for carrying the audio input means, the memory means, the processor means and the audio output means; and

further comprising writing means for receiving a written message and generating a written message signal; and

in which said processor means digitally records said written message, and non-sequentially selectively recalls for playback said written message; and

display means which displays said recalled written message.

3. A device, as set forth in claim 2, further including a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station being in selective engagement with said handheld unit;

wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display being visible from said first side, and said second side including a cradle receiving said unit; and

wherein said portable station housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and closed positions.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2, further including a homebase station for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from said handheld housing, said handheld housing means and said homebase station means in station means in selective operative communication.

9. The device of claim 2 further including a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said unit.

10. A device, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

11. A device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and closed positions.

12. A device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

13. A device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said handheld unit further includes a wireless communication circuit, said handheld housing carrying said wireless communication circuit.

14. A device, as set forth in claim 13, wherein said wireless communication circuit is a cellular telephone communication circuit.

15. A device, as set forth in claim 14, further including a portable station including an auxiliary display, said portable station in selective engagement with said unit.

16. A device, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said portable station includes a housing having a first side and a second side, said auxiliary display visible from said first side, and said second side includes a cradle receiving said unit.

17. A device, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said housing includes a first housing component carrying said auxiliary display, and a second housing component including a plurality of keys, said first housing component and said second housing component movable between open and closed positions.

18. A device, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said housing further includes a hinge, and said first housing component and said second housing component open and close about said hinge.

24. A device as set forth in claim 2, in which said display means is positioned beneath said writing means for receiving and displaying said non-sequentially and selectively recalled written message through said writing means.

25. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which said writing means is a touch panel.