United States Patent
`
`[193
`
`May
`
`in}
`
`[45]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`5,043,721
`
`Date of Patent:
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`[541 PAGING ACCESSORY FOR PORTABLE
`INFORMATION/COMPUTING DEVICES
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Gregory J. May, Corvallis, Oreg.
`
`[73] Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo
`A110, Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 454,662
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 18, 1989
`
`H04B 7/00
`Int. C1.5
`[51]
`.
`.........................
`[52] U.S.Cl. ............................ 340/825.44;340/311.1-,
`364/705.01; 364/705.05
`[58] Field of Search ........................ 340/311.1,825.44;
`364/7050], 705.05, 705.06, 705.07, 708, 709.01;
`379/56, 57, 90, 93, 96, 100, 110; 455/66, 89, 90,
`128, 346, 348, 351, 344, 347; 368/10; 358/84
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1976 Sebestyen ............................ 455/351
`3.976.995
`. 364/70505
`4,306.294 12/1981 Hashimoto et al.
`4,548,510 10/1985 Levine ............
`368/72
`
`
`4.696.054
`9/1987 Tsugei et al.
`455/89
`
`. 64/70505
`4,748,574
`5/1988 Tuchto
`4,750,036 6/1988 Martinez ............................... 358/84
`
`Nomura el al.
`4,779,138 10/1988
`4.872.005 10/1989 DeLuca et al.
`4,903,222
`2/1990 Carter et a1.
`4.935.745
`6/1990 Mori et al.
`.....
`4,955,084
`9/1990 Umetsu er a1.
`
`..............
`
`.. 364/70505
`368,110
`.. 364/708
`.. 455/89
`...... 455/347
`
`
`
`..
`
`Primary Examiner—Donald J. Yusko
`Assistant Examt‘ner—Dervis Magistre
`
`[57}
`ABSTRACT
`A paging accessory (10) for portable computing devices
`(12) such as calculators, electronic notebooks, calendars
`or the like. The paging accessory (10) includes a board
`(14) on which are mounted a receiver (32) for receiving
`page signals and a microprocessor (34) for identifying
`and decoding a page signal intended for the accessory
`(10). The board (14) includes connectors (16) for insert-
`ing the accessory (10) into a port (15) of a portable
`computing device (12). Alternatively, receiver (32) may
`be incorporated directly into a device (12). The device
`(12) is programmed to compare information in its mem—
`ory. For example,
`it can compare a received phone
`number against a list of phone numbers to identify the
`person to be called in response to the page.
`
`17 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`HOST DEVICE 12
`
`21
`
`
`
`PAGlNG
`
`ACCESSORY 10
`
`14
`
`1 MODEM 22
`
`
`
`
`
`‘
` ‘I‘I‘I‘...
`
`
`“II“““““
`
`
`
`‘I“I‘I‘1\““‘
`
`I‘IIIIII‘L.I“‘
`
`“-‘-‘““fl““
`
`
`
`‘
`
`.
`
`ACCESSORY -
`PORT 15
`
`KEYBOARD 1-8
`
`EXHlBlT
`Petitioner - Kyocem
`
`PX 1015
`
`Kyocera PX 1 015_1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,043,721
`
`21 FIG. 1 HOST DEVICE 12
`
`11 . != :==1 =!.lt-20
`
`t
`
`... ...
`
`PAGING
`ACCESSORY10
`
`f MODEM22
`
`-,
`I , ......... ...
`I
`_..
`...,
`' ' ACCESSORY
`
`PORT 15
`
`KEYBOARD 18
`
`FIG. 2
`
`16
`\
`
`40
`
`30 32
`
`RF/IF/DEMOD
`
`35
`
`34
`
`)J.. PROC.
`
`c
`0 ~c:=:;:::==~:;:::=~
`TOHOST ~
`DEVICE
`E
`c
`·r
`OR
`s
`
`22
`42
`t----.,,.--------.1
`
`RAM
`
`38
`
`43
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,043,721
`
`FIG. 3
`20
`.-----..1 LED DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`•~-...
`
`12
`
`/
`
`60
`
`64
`
`DISPLAY AND
`INTERFACE DRIVERS
`,..-----tlllo4 COMMUN !CATIONS ~~
`INTERFACE
`
`)..A PROC.
`
`54
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`ACCESSORY
`PORT 15
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`5,043,721
`
`FIG. 4
`HOST DEVICE 12
`
`ACCESSORY10
`
`COMPARE PAGE
`INFORMATION (PHONE NUMBERS,
`APPOINTMENTS, ETC.) AGAINST
`INFORMATION IN MEMORY
`
`STORE
`INCOMING
`PAGE IN
`BACKUP
`MEMORY
`80
`
`SET STATUS
`FLAGS THAT
`PAGE WAS
`RECEIVED
`
`GO TO STANDBY
`(LOW POWER STATE)
`
`114 112
`
`INCORPORATE PAGE
`INFORMATION
`INTO NORMAL
`OPERATION OF HOST
`
`NORMAL CALCULATOR/
`INFORMATION MANAGER/
`COMPUTER OPERATION
`ROUTINES
`
`108
`
`83
`
`84
`
`-T
`I
`,_....;~HOST~-C-AN-FO~R~C--E-W~AK~E~U~P:-:-T:-:-0---, I
`
`I
`CHECK.FOR MISSED MESSAGES
`OR PERFORM CONTROL COMMANDS I
`~~====~----~·
`116
`I
`I ·
`I
`
`SEND PAGE ON COMMAND
`AS SCHEDULED WHEN
`CONNECED TO PHONE LINE
`
`MODEM22
`
`I
`118 I
`I
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_4
`
`

`

`1
`
`PAGING ACCESSORY FOR PORTABLE
`INFORMATION/COMPl.JTING DEVICES
`
`5,043,721
`
`2
`nected from the portable computing device, which
`otherwise may be a power source.
`Another feature of the paging accessory is an ability
`to alert the user when a page signal is received. The
`5 paging accessory may include audio means for signal(cid:173)
`ling the reception of a page signal while the accessory is
`disconnected from the portable computing device. If
`the paging accessory is connected, however, and the
`computing device is off, the control means may be pro(cid:173)
`grammed to alert the portable computing device to
`power up when a page signal is received by the acces-
`sory so that the computing device can receive the page
`message within the signal.
`For sending text messages, the paging accessory may
`include a modem for transmitting page signals from the
`portable computing device. The correctness of an origi(cid:173)
`nal page message may be checked by adapting the ac-
`cessory to receive the original page signal. The message
`with the received signal may then be compared against
`the original message to determine the correctness of the
`original message or to identify that the page was sent. ·
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORA WINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paging accessory
`according to the invention, illustrating its relationship
`to a conventional portable computing device.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the paging accessory of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computing device for·
`use with the paging accessory.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the programmed·
`operation of the paging accessory and of the portable
`computing device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to portable computing devices,
`such as calculators, electronic information managers or
`electronic schedulers, which are usually carried on the
`person or otherwise kept close at hand. More particu- 10
`larly, this invention relates to a paging accessory for
`portable computing devices. This accessory, which
`couples to the portable computing device or may be
`incorporated directly therein, provides paging capabil(cid:173)
`ity without the need for an additional, separate pager to 15
`be carried about.
`Portable computing devices, such as calculators, are
`sized to be conveniently carried. For technical, sales
`and business persons especially, the small size is an
`important feature because of the need to keep such a 20
`device close at hand during the work day. Other porta(cid:173)
`ble computing devices, such as electronic notepads,
`information managers or electronic schedulers, are now
`being developed that keep track of appointments en(cid:173)
`tered by the user. These devices, collectively referred 25
`to herein as portable computing devices, will also be
`sized so that they may be kept on the person.
`One desirable feature that such portable computing
`devices lack is paging. Presently, personal paging re(cid:173)
`quires a separate pager that must be carried in addition 30
`to the portable computing device. Not only is this in(cid:173)
`convenient, but such pagers have the further drawback
`that they only permit the receiving, but not the sending,
`of text messages. Currently, sending a text message to a
`pager requires one to call an operator for assistance or 35
`to have access to a keyboard adapted for sending a text
`message.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide 40
`paging capability in a portable computing device.
`Another object of the invention is to provide such
`capability in an accessory that may be coupled to a
`conventional portable computing device to take advan- 45
`tage of components present in the device.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide
`paging transmission capability that also takes advantage
`of existing components of the portable computing de(cid:173)
`vice.
`In accordance with the invention, a paging accessory
`for a portable computing device includes a receiver for
`receiving a page signal and a base for mounting and
`interconnecting the receiver and other components of
`the paging accessory. The base includes connectors for 55
`connecting the accessory to a portable computing de(cid:173)
`vice, such as a calculator, to transmit signals between
`the paging accessory and device. In one embodiment,
`the accessory may also include a control means for
`decoding a received page signal. The accessory control 60
`means is programmed to communicate the page signal
`to the control means of the portable computing device
`for storage or display by the device.
`The paging accessory in another embodiment may
`also include memory for storing received page messages 65
`and a battery for providing power to the accessory.
`This power enables the accessory to receive and store
`page messages in memory while the accessory is discon-
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a paging acces(cid:173)
`sory 10 according to the invention. The paging acces(cid:173)
`sory 10 is designed for connection to a host device, such
`as a conventional portable computing device 12, to
`provide the device with paging capability. The acces(cid:173)
`sory may take the form of a plug-in card, module or
`other equivalent unit that may be connected to suitable
`accessory port 15 of the device 12. The components of
`the accessory 10, to be described, are mounted and
`interconnected on a base, such as a supporting board 14.
`The board 14 includes means, such as connectors 16, for
`connecting the accessory 10 to the computing device
`12. Through such connectors 16, signals including in(cid:173)
`structions, data and power may be transmitted between
`50 the accessory 10 and computing device 12. The portable
`computing device 12, as will be described, contains
`typical computing components,
`including control
`means, memory, a keyboard 18, a display screen 20
`contained within a housing 21, and possibly a speaker
`(not shown). The computing device also contains the
`accessory port 15 having one or more receptacles, such
`as slots for accepting the connectors 16 of a board 14.
`The paging accessory 10 has a number of advantages
`over a conventional, stand-alone pager. One readily
`apparent from FIG. I is size. Because the paging acces(cid:173)
`sory 10 can be connected to the device 12, it can utilize
`the power, memory, speaker and display screen 20 of
`the device 12 and, if desired, the control means. A
`stand-alone pager, in contrast, must have its own power
`sour.ce, memory for messages and its own display screen
`or speaker to alert the user.
`•
`FIG. 1 also shows an optional modem 22 that may be
`mounted on the board 14. The modem 22 allows use of
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_5
`
`

`

`25
`
`3
`the keyboard 18 to send pages in the form of text mes(cid:173)
`sages. This is a second advantage over conventional
`pagers, which only receive but cannot send messages.
`With the modern option, a user may plug into a local
`phone line to transmit page messages from the portable 5
`computing device 12. As an alternative, the modern 22
`may be contained within the portable computing device
`12 or otherwise connected to it in a conventional means
`such as an RS 232 port.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one of many possible 10
`embodiments of the paging accessory 10. Page signals
`intended for the accessory 10 are received by an an(cid:173)
`tenna 30 and associated receiver 32 that may include
`suitable RF, IF and demodulating stages. Accessory
`control means, such as a microprocessor 34 and associ- 15
`ated circuitry, can communicate with the receiver 32 to
`accept the demodulated page signal. Utilizing RAM 33
`and ROM 35, the microprocessor 34 is programmed to
`decode the received page signal and to communicate
`the decoded signal to the portable computing device 12 20
`through a bus 36. Bus 36 may be a serial or parallel bus.
`Power is provided to the accessory 10 through a power
`path 38 from the device 12. To conserve power, the
`microprocessor is programmed to be in a standby
`power mode much of the time. It turns on periodically
`to look for a page signal and then stays on for the
`needed time if the accessory is receiving a page signal.
`Such time division multiplexing is known in the art.
`FIG. 2 also shows paging ROM 42 that is connected 30
`to bus 36. This memory, which may be mounted to the
`board 14 or to another board, contains page handling
`instructions for the control means of the computing
`device 12. These instructions are not typically stored in
`the ROM of the device 12 because many of the portable 35
`computing devices 12 may never be used with an acces(cid:173)
`sory 10 for paging.
`For more than this basic capability, the accessory 10
`may include other components. Additional backup
`memory 40 and a power source, such as battery 46, can 4o
`be added. Memory 40 is sufficiently large to store page
`messages received while the accessory is disconnected
`from the portable computing device 12. Battery 46
`provides the necessary power. Audio means, such as a
`beeper 44, may be provided for signaling the reception 45
`of a page signal by the disconnected accessory. To
`maintain power to accessory 10, a power circuit 43
`switches to battery 46 from power path 38 when the
`device 12 is disconnected from port 15. Alternatively,
`power can be completely shut off to accessory 10 by so
`actuating a switch 47 thereon. The switch 47, when
`disconnecting the microprocessor pin from the ground,
`signals the processor to shut off power and to isolate
`itself from the bus 36. Modern 22 may also be included
`in the accessory 10 and connected to bus 36 for trans- 55
`mitting page messages from the portable computing
`device. The housing 21 of the device 12 may also be
`utilized as the antenna 30 to minimize the size and cost
`of the paging accessory 10. Other potential antennas
`include the device 12 shielding or traces within the 60
`device 12.
`Additional capability can be added through further
`programming of the microprocessor 34. For example,
`the microprocessor may be programmed to "wake up"
`a turned off portable computing device upon the recep- 65
`tion of a page signal. This "wake up" signal may be sent
`along a wake up/interrupt path 45, as shown in FIG. 2,
`directly to the control means of the device 12.
`
`5,043,721
`
`4
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable computing
`device 12 that includes the accessory port 15. The de(cid:173)
`vice 12 is otherwise of conventional design and may be
`a calculator, electronic calendar, electronic notebook,
`etc., that shares the disclosed or equivalent structure.
`The components of the device 12 include the display
`screen 20 and keyboard 18, as well as control means,
`such as a microprocessor 52 with its associated circuitry
`(not shown). Other components well known in the art
`include a bus 54, RAM 56 for storing data, ROM 58 for
`storing instructions and a communications interface 60,
`such as an RS 232 port. The interface 60 would connect
`to modern 22 if the modern were associated with the
`device 12 rather than the accessory 10. If desired, the
`paging instructions for paging accessory may be stored
`in other memory, such as ROM 58 or other memory,
`eliminating the need for ROM 42. Coupled between the
`display screen 20 and microprocessor 52 are display
`interface and drivers 62. Power is provided through
`power circuit 64 connected to a battery 65 or some
`other power source, such as AC.
`For operation of the device 12 in response to recep(cid:173)
`tion of a page signal, the paging accessory 10 is con(cid:173)
`nected to accessory port 15 and buses 36 and 54 are thus
`joined. Assume accessory 10 has received a page signal.
`Microprocessor 34 identifies and decodes the page sig(cid:173)
`nal. Processor 34 then wakes up the host device 12 and
`sends the page message, the information. to the device.
`The information may be stored in RAM 56. Depending
`on the programming of the microprocessor 52, several
`options are possible. The microprocessor 52 may com(cid:173)
`pare the page information against other information
`stored in memory while signalling to the user that a
`page has been received. This is a third advantage of the
`present invention over conventional pagers, which lack
`this capability. For example, the page information may
`be a phone number to be compared with a list of phone
`numbers in memory to identify the person to be called
`in response to the page signal. This contrasts with just
`displaying the phone number, as conventional pagers
`do. Or the page information may be a requested ap(cid:173)
`pointment to be compared with a list of appointments
`stored in memory to determine if such appointment
`could be scheduled. If so, the device 12 would then
`signal the user for approval of the appointment request.
`The microprocessor 52 may also be programmed to
`alert the user to a page signal and then either immedi(cid:173)
`ately display its message or display it only in response to
`a user prompt. With a modern 22 available either with
`device 12 or as part of accessory 10, processor 52 may
`also be programmed to check the correctness of pages
`sent via the device 12. Receiver 32 is adapted to receive
`pages sent from device 12, and processor 52 may then
`compare the received message with the original mes(cid:173)
`sage sent from device 12 to verify its correctness or that
`it was, in fact, sent. Several page messages may also be
`stored in RAM 56, called up as a group by the user and
`erased selectively, as with conventional pagers. In
`short, microprocessor 52 may be programmed to pro-.
`vide any feature of a conventional pager, as well as
`additional ones mentioned above, which are beyond
`such a pager's capability.
`It should be understood that, alternatively, the paging
`capability of accessory 10 may be incorporated directly
`into the device 12. This requires mounting receiver 32
`within the portable computing device.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of the
`programmed operation of the microprocessor 34. It
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_6
`
`

`

`5,043,721
`
`6
`5
`skilled in the art could produce these features without
`further illustrates a portion of the programmed opera-
`the need for additional illustration.
`tion of the microprocessor 52 on the host device 12 in
`Having described and illustrated the principles of my
`response to a received paging signal. Initially, micro-
`invention with reference to a preferred embodiment, it
`processor 34 turns on periodically as part of its opera-
`tion to determine if the accessory 10 is receiving a page 5 should be apparent that the invention can be modified in
`(112-114 loop). Upon detection of an incoming page
`arrangement and detail without departing from such
`signal, the microprocessor 34 initializes a counter to 0,
`principles. For example, the control means within the
`puts the accessory in a high power mode and starts a
`accessory 10 need not be a programmed microproces-
`timer (70). This timer, if it times out, moves the acces-
`sor, but can be hard-wired logic capable of performing
`sory 10 from the high power mode back into a standby 10 the desired functions. Alternatively, microprocessor 34
`power mode after a predetermined time (112). The
`may be dispensed with and its responsibilities taken over
`predetermined time is sufficient to enable reception of a
`by microprocessor 52 or other control means within the
`legitimate page signal while preventing the accessory
`host device 12. The illustrated embodiment should,
`from being locked in a high power mode for too long.
`therefore, be considered as an example only and not as
`The processor 34 immediately alerts device 12 that a 15 a limit on the scope of the invention. My invention
`includes any embodiment as may come within the scope
`page signal has arrived, causing the device to wake up
`(72). A loop counter is then incremented and checked
`and spirit of the following claims.
`(74, 75) for determining if the device 12 has responded
`I claim:
`(76). It might not respond, for example, if the accessory
`1. A paging accessory for a portable computing de-
`10 is disconnected from the device 12. In that event, the 20 vice, comprising:
`page signal is stored in the accessory memory (78) and
`a receiver for receiving a page signal including infer-
`a status flag that a page signal was received is set (80).
`marion comprising a phone number or textual mes-
`Additionally, as described, an audio alarm may sound.
`sage;
`The device 12, if connected, may be off or in normal
`a base for mounting and interconnecting components
`operation (83). As part of its normal operation, it may be 25 •
`of the paging accessory including the receiver, the
`programmed to periodically wake up to check for
`base including connectors for connecting the ac-
`missed messages or perform certain commands (84).
`cessory to a portable computing device to transmit
`Processor 34 alerts device 12 that a page has been re-
`signals between the paging accessory and device,
`ceived by generating a wake up interrupt signal (85).
`the portable computing device having control
`Host device 12 then responds when ready to receive the 30
`means, memory and a display screen;
`message (86). The accessory 10 then identifies itself to
`accessory memory connected to the base for storing
`the device 12 (88) and determines if it, the accessory, is
`paging instructions for the control means of the
`currently receiving the page (90). If not, the processor
`portable computing device and for storing a plural-
`34 checks if previously stored, "old" pages are present
`ity of received page signals; and
`for transfer to the device 12 (92) and transfers such 35
`accessory control means connected to the base and in
`messages (94). If there are no old page messages, micro-
`communication with the receiver for decoding a
`processor 34 may wait for commands from the device
`received page signal intended for the accessory, the
`12, if any, for a period of time (96). If the accessory is
`accessory control means being able to communi-
`currently receiving a page (90) on the other hand, the
`cate the decoded page signal to the portable com-
`message is immediately passed to the device 12 (94). 40
`puting device,
`The device 12 then receives the message (97) and stores
`the control means of the portable computing device
`it in its memory (98). The message is then displayed,
`being adapted to read the accessory memory to
`depending on whether the device 12 is busy or pro-
`obtain the paging instructions for communicating
`grammed not to display until a predetermined time (100,
`with the paging accessory.
`102). In either event, device 12 acknowledges receipt of 45
`2. The paging accessory of claim 1 wherein the acces-
`the message (104). It may then compare the information
`sory control means comprises a microprocessor.
`within the page against other information in its memory
`3. The paging accessory of claim 1 including audio
`(106) for purposes already described. It can also incor-
`means for signalling the reception of a page signal while
`porate the page information into the normal operation
`·the accessory is disconnected from the portable com-
`of the host (108) before continuing with its normal, 50 puting device.
`4. The paging accessory of claim 1 including a
`nonpaging operations (84).
`The processor 34 notifies the device 12 when the
`modem for transmitting page signals from the portable
`page signal is complete (110) and places the accessory in
`computing device.
`the low power standby mode to conserve power (112).
`5. The paging accessory of claim 1 wherein the porta-
`It remains in that mode until it wakes up as part of its 55 ble computing device includes a housing which couples
`to the accessory to provide an accessory antenna for
`periodic operation to determine if it is receiving another
`page signal (114).
`receiving page signals.
`The modem 22 in the present embodiment is con-
`6. The paging accessory of claim 1 including memory
`trolled by the processor 52 of the device 12. As shown
`for containing page handling instructions for the porta-
`in FIG. 4, processor 52 may be programmed to send out 60 ble computing device.
`7. A paging accessory for a portable computing de-
`an intended page signal whenever it senses a connection
`to a phone line (116). In this way, a page message may
`vice, comprising:
`be entered via keyboard 20 and is automatically sent
`a receiver for receiving a page signal including infer-
`whenever the phone line is connected to the modem 22
`mation comprising a phone number or textual mes-
`sage;
`(118).
`FIG. 4 is intended only to illustrate the basic paging
`a base for mounting and interconnecting components
`operations of the accessory 10 and device 12. Other
`of the paging accessory including the receiver, the
`features are described sufficiently herein, such that one
`base including connectors for connecting the ac-
`
`65
`
`Kyocera PX 1015_7
`
`

`

`5,043,721
`
`7
`cessory to a portable computing device to transmit
`signals between the paging accessory and the de(cid:173)
`vice, the portable computing device having control
`means, memory and a display screen;
`access memory connected to the base for storing a
`plurality of received page signals; and
`accessory control means connected to the base and in
`communication with the receiver for decoding a
`received page signal intended for the accessory, for
`communicating decoded page signal to the porta(cid:173)
`ble computing device, and for alerting the portable
`computing device to move from one operating
`state to another operating state when a page signal
`is received by the accessory.
`8. A portable computing device with paging capabil(cid:173)
`ity, comprising:
`display means for displaying information;
`memory for storing information including data and
`instructions;
`a keyboard for entering information for calculations
`or for generating page signals including informa(cid:173)
`tion comprising a phone number or textual mes(cid:173)
`sage;
`a modem for transmitting pages entered via the key(cid:173)
`board of the device;
`a receiver for receiving a page signal including infor(cid:173)
`mation comprising a phone number or textual mes(cid:173)
`sage; means for switching the portable computing
`device between a computing mode and a paging
`mode of operation; and
`control means in communication with the display
`means, memory, keyboard and receiver. for decod(cid:173)
`ing a received page signal to extract its informa(cid:173)
`tion, for storing the page information in a memory
`location, for comparing the page information 35
`against information stored in memory, and for dis(cid:173)
`playing a received phone number or textual mes(cid:173)
`sage on the display means when the portable com(cid:173)
`puting device is in the paging mode, and for per(cid:173)
`forming calculations and displaying their results
`when said device is in the computing mode.
`9. The portable computing device of claim 8 wherein
`the display means comprises a display screen.
`10. The portable device of claim 8 wherein the stored
`information to be compared by the control means com(cid:173)
`prises a list of appointments, the control means adapted
`for comparing a phone number contained within the
`
`25
`
`30
`
`8
`page information with a list of phone numbers stored in
`memory to identify the person to be called in response
`to the page.
`11. The portable computing device of claim 8
`5 wherein the stored information to be compared by the
`control means comprises a list of appointments, the
`control means adopted for comparing a textual message
`comprising an appointment request contained within
`the page information with the list of appointments to
`10 determine if such appointment could be scheduled.
`12. The portable computing device of claim 8
`wherein the control means is adapted to compare a page
`message transmitted via the modem against a page mes(cid:173)
`sage received by the receiver to determine the correct-
`15 ness of the transmitted page.
`13. The method of claim 12 including providing a
`modem with the computing device, transmitting page
`messages entered via a keyboard of the device, and
`comparing a page message transmitted via the modem
`20 against the received page message to determine the
`correctness of the transmitted page message.
`14. A method of paging the user of a portable com(cid:173)
`puting device, comprising:
`providing a portable computing device with a re(cid:173)
`ceiver for receiving pages including information
`comprising a phone number or textual message;
`interrupting the portable computing device in re(cid:173)
`sponse to reception of a page;
`decoding a received page to determine the informa(cid:173)
`tion therein;
`alerting the user that a page has been received; and
`in response to a user request, displaying the phone
`number or textual message on a viewing screen of
`the portable computing device.
`15. The method of claim 14 including comparing a
`phone number contained within the page information
`\Vith a list of phone numbers stored in memory to iden(cid:173)
`tify the person to be called in response to the page.
`16. The method of claim 14 including comparing an
`40 appointment request contained within the page informa(cid:173)
`tion with a list of appointments stored within memory
`to determine if such appointment could be scheduled.
`17. The paging accessory of claim 7 wherein the
`portable computing device is alerted to move from a
`45 lower power operating state to a higher power operat(cid:173)
`ing state.
`
`* * *· * *
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`Kyocera PX 1015_8
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