Wireless local area communication and networking system

• US 6,970,678 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NetAirus Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Ditzik
• Inventors: Ditzik, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US10/397,884
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/556, 455/557, 455/568, 455/575, 455/572, 455/90, 455/569, 455/15, 455/16, 455/3.05, 455/403, 455/422, 455/462, 455/463, 455/465, 455/550, 455/552.1, 455/566.1, 364/705.05
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• 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 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• 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 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A small light weight modular microcomputer based computer and communications systems, designed for both portability and desktop uses. The systems make use of a relative large flat panel display device assembly (2), an expandable hinge device (10), battery power source (9), keyboard assembly (16), and wireless communications devices (32, 51). The systems are capable of bi-directional realtime communications of voice, audio, text, graphics and video data. Both wire-based or wireless communications methods and devices are implemented. Wireless communications devices may include one or more telephone-like handsets (14) and/or earset (34). The wireless communication devices may include one or more antennae (32). Systems can be configured in a portable arrangement similar to conventional notebook computers, but can be quickly and easily disassembled and re-assembled for office desktop uses. Systems may consist of a base computer unit (100) comprising wireless communication devices may act as a relay station relaying voice and other data between the handset or earset and external wide area communications networks. The system may be capable of performing, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, conventional notebook computer, desktop computer functions.

Claims

1. A method for local area base unit communication comprising the following steps in any order:

a) transmitting first data via wireless communication means to a local portable handset unit a relatively short distance away;

b) receiving second data via wireless communication from the local portable handset unit a relatively short distance away;

c) relaying the second data between the local portable handset unit and an external wide area data network by the local area base unit by selectively using wire based or wireless communication, wherein the transmission power level required to relay the second data from the local area base unit to the external wide area network is higher than the transmission power level required to transmit the second data from the local portable handset unit to the local base unit;

d) wherein the local base unit comprises an electronic microprocessor and said first and second data includes data formatted for e-mail.

2. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which the local area base unit operates substantially as a notebook computer.

3. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which said portable handset unit functions substantially as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

4. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which the local area base unit is adapted to communicate with an earset unit.

5. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which the local area base unit is adapted to communicate among multiple handset units or earset units.

6. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which the local area base unit is adapted to access the Internet, allowing a user of the local portable handset unit access to the Internet.

7. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, in which said second data includes voice and/or audio data.

8. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmit and receive power of the local area base unit wireless communication with said local portable handset unit is significantly less than required if the local portable handset unit were adapted to wirelessly communicate with the external wide area data network directly.

9. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, wherein the local area base unit is powered by a battery.

10. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, wherein the local area base unit is a network access point device.

11. A method for local area base unit communication as recited in claim 1, wherein the local area base unit is adapted to wirelessly communicating with multiple local portable handset units.

12. A method for base unit communication comprising the following steps in any order:

a) transmitting first wireless digital data to a portable mobile unit a relatively short distance away so as to result in a local communication;

b) receiving the second wireless digital data from the portable mobile unit a relatively short distance away so as to result in a local communication;

c) adapting said transmitting and receiving first and second wireless digital data to function as a device to device wireless communication function, and

d) controlling said base unit via a microprocessor and associated functions to relay the second wireless data from the portable mobile unit to a wide area wireless communication network, wherein said second wireless data includes data formatted for e-mail data communication and wherein the second wireless data is transmitted from the portable mobile unit to the base unit at a relatively low electrical power level compared to the power level required to relay the data from the base unit to the wide area wireless communication network.

13. A method for base unit communication as recited in claim 12, wherein selectively either the base unit or the portable mobile unit is adapted to a wirelessly communicate with the wide area wireless communication network, wherein the wireless wide area communication network is the Internet.

14. A method for base unit communication as recited in claim 12, wherein the base unit is adapted to a wire or cable communication with the wide area wireless communication network, wherein the wireless wide area communication network is the Internet.

15. A method for base unit communication as recited in claim 12, further including a plurality of portable mobile units which are adapted to device to device communication.