Portable information device and system and method for downloading executable instructions from a computer to the portable information device

• US 5,664,228 A
• Filed: 08/09/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Mital, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US08/512,823
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 395/822, 395/833, 395/280, 395/287, 395/893, 235/380, 235/492, 360/133, 360/31, 361/686, 361/484
• US Class Current: 710/62
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual

Abstract

A system is provided to exchange information between a computer and a programmable portable information device (PID) using a standard memory drive, such as a 3.5" disk drive or a PCMCIA port. The PID has a protective encasing with a form factor that is physically compatible with the computer memory drive. In one embodiment, the portable information device has the form factor of a 3.5" memory diskette, while in another embodiment, the portable information device has a form factor of a PCMCIA card. The portable information device includes a keypad and a flat panel display provided on the exterior of the protective encasing, but within the form factor so as not to interrupt the insertion of the portable information device into the memory drive. The uniquely configured portable information device can be inserted into or removed from a standard computer memory drive. When inserted, communication between the portable information device and computer is automatically initiated. The PID receives executable instructions and/or data from the computer via the computer memory drive and transfers other data back to the computer in the same way. This permits the computer and PID to simultaneously update each other'"'"'s data with the most recent scheduling information. When removed, the PID has its own power supply and is operable to organize tasks, remind the user of important dates, and perform any other functions of a personal organizer. The user can enter information using the keypad, or read scheduling information on the flat panel display.

Claims

1. A portable information device configured to receive executable instructions from a computer via a PCMCIA port, the portable information device comprising:

a protective encasing having a form factor compatible with the PCMCIA port, the encasing being insertable into and removable from the PCMCIA port;

I/O connectors positioned at one end of the encasing to interface with corresponding connectors provided in the PCMCIA port of the computer;

an input mechanism accessible from an exterior of the protective encasing to permit a user to enter information when the encasing is removed from the PCMCIA port, the input mechanism being within the form factor of the protective encasing;

a memory provided within the protective encasing;

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and to the I/O connectors, the processor receiving executable instructions and/or data from the computer via the PCMCIA port when the encasing is inserted into the PCMCIA port, the processor loading the executable instructions and/or data into the memory; and

the processor also being coupled to receive the information entered by the user on the input mechanism when the encasing is removed from the PCMCIA port, the processor operating on the information according to the executable instructions stored in the memory.

2. A portable information device as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the input mechanism comprises a keypad having actuatable keys provided on the exterior of the encasing.

3. A portable information device as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the input mechanism comprises a touch screen display provided on the exterior of the encasing.

4. A portable information device as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a flat panel display mounted on the exterior of the encasing, but contained within the form factor of the protective encasing.

5. A portable information device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an audio sound generator operatively coupled to the processor, the audio sound generator generating audio sounds which are emitted from the portable information device.

6. A portable information device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a voice recognition mechanism operatively coupled to the processor to convert an audio vocal pattern of the user into electronic signals used by the processor, the voice recognition mechanism permitting the user to orally enter information.

7. A portable information device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an FM receiver operatively coupled to the processor to receive information via FM radio signals.

8. A portable information device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a battery to supply power to at least one of the processor, the transducer, and the memory.

9. A portable information device configured to receive executable instructions from a computer via a PCMCIA port, the portable information device comprising:

a protective encasing having a form factor compatible with the PCMCIA port, the encasing being insertable into and removable from the PCMCIA port;

I/O connectors positioned at one end of the encasing to interface with corresponding connectors provided in the PCMCIA port of the computer;

a memory provided within the protective encasing;

a flat panel display visible from an exterior of the protective encasing, the flat panel display being within the form factor of the encasing;

a processor operatively coupled to the memory, the I/O connectors, and the flat panel display, the processor receiving executable instructions and/or data from the computer via the PCMCIA port when the encasing is inserted into the PCMCIA port and loading the executable instructions and/or data into the memory, the processor performing operations according to the executable instructions stored in the memory when the encasing is removed from the PCMCIA port and outputting any resultant information to the flat panel display for display to a user.

10. A portable information device as recited in claim 9 wherein:

the flat panel display comprises a flat panel, touch screen LCD.

11. A portable information device as recited in claim 9 further comprising:

a keypad having actuatable keys provided on the exterior of the encasing, the actuatable keys being within the form factor of the protective encasing.

12. A portable information device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

an audio sound generator operatively coupled to the processor, the audio sound generator generating audio sounds which are emitted from the portable information device.

13. A portable information device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a voice recognition mechanism operatively coupled to the processor to convert an audio vocal pattern of the user into electronic signals used by the processor, the voice recognition mechanism permitting the user to orally enter information.

14. A portable information device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

an FM receiver operatively coupled to the processor to receive information via FM radio signals.

15. A portable information device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a battery to supply power to at least one of the processor, the transducer, and the memory.