(12) United States Patent
`Ausems et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006434403Bl
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`Aug. 13,2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT WITH
`WIRELESS TELEPHONE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michie) R. Ausems, Charlotte, NC
`(US); Jan B. Ausems, BN Den Haag;
`Felix N. Akveld, VL Houten, both of
`(NL); Lee Ann Barrett, San Mateo, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Bodycom, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/253,304
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 19, 1999
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI? .................................................. H04B l/38
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 455/556; 455/569; 455/575
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 455!556, 557,
`455/569-575, 90; 248/289.1, 291, 923;
`395/2.4; 707/3; 361!610; 364/705.05; 368/10;
`379/428, 432, 433
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,959,850 A
`5,100,098 A *
`5,331,138 A
`5,389,934 A
`5,491,507 A *
`5,497,339 A *
`5,522,089 A
`5,524,101 A *
`5,524,169 A *
`5,537,472 A *
`
`9/1990 Marui ......................... 379/58
`3/1992 Hawkins ..................... 248/917
`7/1994 Saroya ....................... 235/449
`2/1995 Kass .......................... 342/357
`2/1996 Umezawa eta!. ............ 348/14
`3/1996 Bernard ................. 364/705.05
`.............. 395/893
`5/1996 Kikinis et a!.
`6/1996 Thorgersen et a!.
`.......... 368/10
`................ 395/2.4
`6/1996 Cohen et a!.
`7/1996 Estevez-Alcolado et a!.
`.... 379/
`433
`5,555,157 A * 9/1996 Moller et a!. ............... 361/683
`5,682,418 A * 10/1997 Ide .............................. 379/58
`........... 455!90
`2/1998 Jambhekar et a!.
`5,715,524 A
`5,748,737 A * 5/1998 Daggar ........................ 380/24
`5,749,072 A * 5/1998 Mazurkiewicz eta!. .... 704/275
`5,778,256 A
`7/1998 Darbee ....................... 395/892
`
`5,787,406 A
`
`7/1998 Arsenault eta!. ........... 705/410
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0933733 A2 * 4/1999
`0986230 A2 * 3/2000
`W09535534 A * 12/1995
`0718780 A1 * 6/1996
`
`............. G07F/7/10
`........... H04L/29/06
`............. G06F/3/02
`........... G06F/15/02
`
`AT
`AT
`AU
`DE
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Katie Hafner, "Web Phone: The Next Big Thing?", New
`York Times, Apr. 15, 1999, p. Dl and D7.
`Michael Kanellos and Jim Davis, "Qualcomm Merges
`Phones, Handheld", News.com, Sep. 21, 1998.
`Mathew Rose, "Who Wins With the Latest "Smart" Phones
`and Pagers-R&D Teams or Consumers?", The Wall Street
`Journal Interactive Edition, Sep. 7, 1998.
`
`Primary Examiner-Daniel Hunter
`Assistant Examiner-C. Chow
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely Sokoloff Taylor &
`Zafman LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and Personal
`Digital Assistant (PDA) engine are integrated in a single
`device, wherein an address book is shared by the wireless
`telephone engine and PDA engine. An associated display
`unit including a touch screen is coupled to the PDA. The
`smart-card engine is configured to communicate with exter(cid:173)
`nal devices via a short-range transceiver. Additionally, the
`PDA engine is configured to automatically balance an elec(cid:173)
`tronic account ledger based upon point of sale transactions,
`and control a remote device by transmitting signals to the
`device via the short-wave transceiver and/or the wireless
`telephone engine. The PDA engine is also configured to
`receive signals from the remote device regarding the status
`of the remote device. Further, the PDA engine is configured
`to exchange data with a remote computer via the wireless
`telephone engine. The exchanged data includes information
`stored within the PDA engine and the address book.
`
`23 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1023 Page 00001
`
`

`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,790,659 A * 8/1998 Strand ........................ 379/433
`5,797,089 A * 8/1998 Nguyen ...................... 455/403
`5,841,119 A * 11/1998 Rouyrre eta!. ............. 235/380
`12/1998 Alley eta!. ................... 707/10
`5,845,282 A
`1/1999 Carpenter eta!. ..... 395/200.33
`5,859,973 A
`5,884,156 A * 3/1999 Gordon ...................... 455!350
`5,956,656 A * 9/1999 Yamazaki ................... 455!575
`5,983,073 A * 11/1999 Ditzik ....................... 455/11.1
`6,024,593 A * 2/2000 Hyland ....................... 439/326
`6,026,375 A * 2/2000 Hall et a!.
`.................... 705/26
`
`6,034,866 A * 3/2000 Nobuchi et a!.
`............ 361/681
`6,049,796 A * 4/2000 Siitonen eta!. ................ 707/3
`6,115,601 A * 9/2000 Ferreira ...................... 455/406
`6,128,514 A * 10/2000 Griffith eta!. .............. 455!564
`6,133,853 A * 10/2000 Obradovich et a!. ........ 340/905
`6,141,540 A * 10/2000 Richards eta!. .............. 455!90
`6,167,255 A * 12/2000 Kennedy, III eta!. ...... 455/414
`6,178,085 B1 * 1/2001 Leung ........................ 361/683
`6,215,474 B1 * 4/2001 Shah .......................... 345/168
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 00002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`.
`C)
`LL
`
`Cl
`.....(cid:173)
`.....-
`
`Cl
`
`......
`
`~I
`
`1.0
`Cl
`
`® ®
`
`1.0
`
`C"oo j ro
`
`~ .
`C)
`LL
`
`Page 00003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`~
`
`0
`oo:;t
`...-
`
`~
`
`"'0
`.
`C>
`LL
`
`~I
`
`.
`C>
`LL
`
`Page 00004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`0
`
`.
`.0'>
`u..
`
`.
`. 2'>
`u..
`
`Cl
`<0
`
`Page 00005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`.
`0')
`LL
`
`~I
`
`Page 00006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`.
`C)
`·-LL
`
`N
`0
`
`~
`
`~
`
`........
`.
`·-LL
`
`C)
`
`0
`l[)
`~
`
`~I
`
`@
`
`~
`1\
`
`j)
`
`Page 00007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`~I
`
`E
`.
`·-u..
`
`C)
`
`.
`C)
`·-IJ..
`
`Page 00008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 13, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`0
`.
`C> ·-LL
`
`@
`
`c
`.
`0>
`·-LL
`
`1\
`
`0
`
`1/
`
`L{)
`(J)
`..-
`
`~
`
`c..
`.
`0>
`·-LJ..
`
`:~
`
`(
`
`""
`
`Page 00009
`
`

`
`1--"
`~
`~
`Q
`~
`~
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`'0
`0 ......,
`00
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`N c c
`'"""' ~
`~
`~
`
`N
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`\Jl
`d •
`
`Fig. 2
`
`102
`
`265
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`SHORT
`
`~ SMART-CARD J RANGE
`
`260
`
`ENGINE
`
`--,.
`
`145
`DISPLAY
`
`,..
`
`,
`
`,
`
`270
`
`ADDRESS
`
`BOOK
`
`ENGINE
`
`PDA
`
`~
`
`.,--J
`
`220
`MODEM
`
`210
`
`250 I.._
`L..
`i
`290
`
`1/0 MODULE
`
`l
`
`-..
`
`.------
`
`•
`275
`ENGINE
`GPS
`,
`
`'-
`125
`
`.------
`
`230
`SOURCE
`POWER
`
`~
`
`~
`
`,.
`
`~
`
`....
`
`ENGINE
`PHONE
`
`WIRELESS
`
`,.
`
`.....
`
`_____..,
`
`'-
`280
`s I~
`
`r--
`
`'--
`
`.------
`
`~
`
`11Q_
`.------
`
`Page 00010
`
`

`
`1--"
`~
`~
`Q
`~
`~
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`'0
`0 ......,
`'0
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`N c c
`'"""' ~
`~
`~
`
`~
`
`N
`
`Fig. 3
`
`350
`
`-·-
`
`BIOMETRIC SENSORS
`
`250
`
`290
`
`,
`
`330
`
`MODULE
`
`1/0 MODULE
`
`305
`
`!
`
`CPU
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`\Jl
`d •
`
`RECOGNITION
`VOICE/SPEECH
`
`TO WIRELESS
`
`~~F
`
`140
`
`MIG
`
`'---·---
`
`320
`
`EEPROM
`
`315
`
`ROM
`
`310
`
`RAM
`
`Page 00011
`
`

`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`1
`PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT WITH
`WIRELESS TELEPHONE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the field of personal
`digital assistants; more particularly, the present invention
`relates to a personal digital assistant having expanded cap a(cid:173)
`bilities including wireless communication capabilities.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`2
`is configured to exchange data with a remote computer via
`the wireless telephone engine. The exchanged data includes
`information stored within the PDA engine and the address
`book.
`In another embodiment, the device also includes digital
`camera for recording images, a modern coupled to the
`wireless telephone engine and the PDA engine, input/output
`(110) circuitry coupled to the wireless telephone engine,
`smart-card engine and the PDA engine, and speech recog-
`10 nition circuitry configured to access the wireless telephone
`engine, the address book and the PDA engine. In addition,
`the device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS)
`antenna and a GPS engine coupled to the GPS antenna.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The popularity and use of Personal Digital Assistants
`(PDAs) and wireless telephones has increased in recent
`years. A PDA or hand-held computer is primarily a
`lightweight, compact productivity and communications tool 15
`that can typically be held in one hand, leaving the other free
`to input data with a pen type stylus or a reduced size
`keyboard. A PDA provides computing and information
`storage and retrieval capabilities for personal or business
`use. Typical uses include schedule and address book storage 20
`and retrieval, as well as note taking functions. In addition,
`many PDAs are capable of running a variety of application
`software packages (e.g., calculators, text and/or image
`editors, etc.).
`Wireless telephones are integrated radio transmitter- 25
`receivers that are capable of accessing a vast web of existing
`telephone connections. Increasingly, wireless telephones are
`being combined with PDAs in order to perform more
`advanced functions, such as transmitting, receiving and
`displaying text messages. However, typical PDNwireless
`telephone combinations have limited functionality. For
`example, although typical wireless telephones may provide
`for limited address book information (e.g., telephone listings
`by name), they do not feature full address books and
`schedule calendars. Additionally, typical PDNwireless tele- 35
`phone combinations are unable to run application software
`packages or transmit and receive video data. Further, PDN
`wireless telephone combinations typically include a small
`LED display which makes it very difficult to use such units
`for anything other than displaying telephone numbers and 40
`the status of a call.
`Due to the limited functionality of typical PDNwireless
`telephone combinations, users typically transport both a
`PDA and a wireless telephone. Having to physically carry
`around two pieces of electronic equipment is very inconve(cid:173)
`nient. Thus, having to use both a wireless telephone and a
`PDA is very cumbersome and disadvantageous. Taking this
`one step further, users also typically transport a wallet.
`Having to physically carry around two electronic devices
`and a wallet is even more inconvenient.
`
`30
`
`45
`
`The present invention will be understood more fully from
`the detailed description given below and from the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings of various embodiments of the invention.
`The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the
`invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explana(cid:173)
`tion and understanding only.
`FIG. la illustrates the side view of a PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lb illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lc illustrates a side view of a PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. ld illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone with
`smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. le illustrates a side view of a PDA telephone with
`smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. If illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone with
`smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. lg illustrates the top view of a PDA telephone with
`smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. lh illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. li illustrates the front view of PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lj illustrates the rear view of PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lk illustrates the side view of PDA telephone in
`50 accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. ll illustrates a side view of PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lm illustrates the front view of PDA telephone in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. ln illustrates the front view of PDA telephone with
`a Global Positioning System (GPS) in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lo illustrates the rear view of PDA telephone with a
`60 GPS in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. lp illustrates the top view of PDA telephone with a
`GPS in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a housing of a PDA
`telephone with smart-card reader in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and Per(cid:173)
`sonal Digital Assistant (PDA) engine are integrated in a 55
`single device, wherein an address book is shared by the
`wireless telephone engine and PDA engine. An associated
`display unit including a touch screen is coupled to the PDA.
`The smart-card engine is configured to communicate with
`external devices via a short-range transceiver. Additionally,
`the PDA engine is configured to automatically balance an
`electronic account ledger based upon point of sale
`transactions, and control a remote device by transmitting
`signals to the device via the short-range transceiver and/or
`the wireless telephone engine. The PDA engine is also 65
`configured to receive signals from the remote device regard(cid:173)
`ing the status of the remote device. Further, the PDA engine
`
`Page 00012
`
`

`
`3
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a PDA engine in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`5
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate a PDA telephone 100 that provides
`the combined functionality of a Personal Digital Assistant
`(PDA) and a wireless telephone and may include other
`features as discussed below. PDA telephone 100 may be
`configured to store notes, track calendar appointments, store
`addresses, and perform other conventional PDA applica(cid:173)
`tions. Furthermore PDA telephone 100 may be used to
`initiate and receive telephone calls, track received calls,
`store received alphanumeric and text messages, and carry
`out other functions of a wireless telephone. In addition to
`combining such functionality into a single unit, PDA tele- 15
`phone 100 may be equipped with optional enhanced feature
`sets, including: precise positioning capabilities, smart card
`reader/writer capabilities, short-range wireless transceiver
`operations, biometric sensor security features, speaker
`phone functionality, video conferencing/video capture 20
`capabilities, and/or remote control capabilities.
`Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, side and front views of
`PDA telephone 100 are illustrated, respectively. PDA tele(cid:173)
`phone 100 includes a housing 102 and display cover 105.
`Display cover 105 protects PDA telephone 100 from undes- 25
`ired contact that could damage the underlying display.
`According to one embodiment, display cover 105 may
`remain closed while a user utilizes the telephone features of
`PDA telephone 100. For example, while a user is conducting
`a telephone call, display cover 105 may remain closed so 30
`that the user does not accidentally touch or scratch the
`display while holding the unit against an ear.. Additionally
`display cover 105 may be made entirely or in part of
`transparent material in order to read information on the
`underlying display without having to open the cover.
`PDA telephone 100 also includes an antenna 110, side(cid:173)
`action buttons 115, hinges 120, multi-use port 125, buttons
`130, speaker 135 and microphone 140. Antenna 110 func(cid:173)
`tions as a conductive radiation element for PDA telephone
`100 that radiates and/or receives electromagnetic waves. 40
`Side-action buttons 115 allow single handed operation of
`PDA telephone 100 with a useris thumb and fingers. Side(cid:173)
`action. buttons 115 may be arranged on housing 102 in
`convenient positions so as to provide left or right-handed
`user access to PDA telephone 100. In addition, side-action
`buttons 115 may be used to execute other functions of PDA
`telephone, such as the muting of telephone calls, the access(cid:173)
`ing of menu items, etc.
`Hinges 120 permit display cover 105 to rotate about 50
`housing 102. According to one embodiment, hinges 120 may
`allow display cover 105 to rotate approximately 270° about
`a through axis near the bottom of housing 102. Hinges 120
`thus permit display cover 105 to rotate to a position that
`enables housing 102 to rest against display cover 120; Thus, 55
`display cover 105 may function as a stand for housing 102
`(See FIGS. 1c and 1d).
`Multi-use port 125 may be used to connect PDA appli(cid:173)
`cation equipment, such as an external modem, to PDA
`telephone 100. In addition, multi-use port 125 may be used 60
`to couple or synchronize PDA telephone 100 with a com(cid:173)
`puter system in order to backup or download user files.
`Further, multi-use port 125 may be used to connect an
`external power source to PDA telephone 100.
`Buttons 130 also allow single handed operation of PDA 65
`telephone 100 with a useris thumb and fingers. These
`buttons provide user access to features of PDA telephone
`
`35
`
`45
`
`4
`100 that may not be accessible using side-action buttons 115
`and/or that may be user-assigned. According to one
`embodiment, one button may be used to activate a lamp to
`light up PDA telephone 100. Another button may be used to
`initiate/end a telephone call. Further, a button may be used
`to power PDA telephone 100 on and off. However, one of
`ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that buttons 130 may
`be used to perform other functions in PDA telephone 100,
`such as speaker volume adjustment, etc. Such functions may
`10 depend on a selected mode of operation.
`Speaker 135 transmits audio information from PDA tele(cid:173)
`phone 100 to a user. Microphone 140 transmits audio
`information from a user to PDA telephone 100 and converts
`the information to electrical signals. Each of these units
`operates in the conventional fashion, and may further permit
`the presentation of audio tones/alarms to a user and/or the
`integration of voice/speech activated functions.
`Referring to FIGS. 1c and 1d, side and front views of PDA
`telephone 100 are illustrated, respectively, with display
`cover 105 opened. PDA telephone 100 further includes a
`display 145 and stylus 150. Display 145 provides a visual
`means for displaying information to a user. According to one
`embodiment, display 145 is approximately 60x80 mm and is
`configured to accommodate up to 40 characters on each of
`40 lines. Further, display 145 provides for scaleable font
`sizes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appre(cid:173)
`ciate that PDA telephone 100 may be configured with other
`types of displays of different dimensions.
`A user may control cursors and/or other elements dis(cid:173)
`played on display 145 by manipulating side-action buttons
`115 and/or buttons 130. Additionally, display 145 may be a
`touchscreen that is accessed by touching fields of display
`145 with a finger or with stylus 150. In FIG. 1d, stylus 150
`is shown housed in a recessed opening of housing 102.
`Stylus 150 may be a conventional pen-type stylus or finger(cid:173)
`tip stylus if so preferred. Where a touchscreen is used, PDA
`telephone 100 may be configured to recognize handwriting
`written on display 145.
`FIGS. 1e, 1/ and 1g, illustrate the smart card functional(cid:173)
`ities that may be included in PDA telephone 100. In such
`embodiments, PDA telephone 100 includes a smart-card slot
`155 that provides access to a smart-card reader/writer (not
`shown in this illustration). According to one embodiment,
`the smart-card reader/writer may be configured to read
`encoded information stored on a smart-card and/or to write
`information thereto. Smart-card 160 contains an embedded
`chip that may store information for credit, cash, prepaid
`phone and/or medical smart-card applications, to name a
`few.
`FIG. 1h illustrates a further embodiment of PDA tele(cid:173)
`phone 100 demonstrating smart-card storage means 165
`with integrated pressing mechanisms 170. Smart-card stor(cid:173)
`age means 165 may be a plastic wall embedded between
`display cover 105 and display 145. Smart-card storage
`means 165 enable multiple smart-cards 160 to be stored with
`PDA telephone. 100 without scratching display 145.
`Alternatively, smart-card storage means 165 may be imple(cid:173)
`mented by providing a slot on the outside of display cover
`145 or on housing 102. Pressing mechanisms 170 provide a
`locking mechanism to ensure that smart-cards 160 do not
`unintentionally slide out of smart-card storage means 165.
`FIGS. 1i-1m illustrate still further embodiments of PDA
`telephone 100. Referring to FIGS. 1i-1k, buttons 130 are
`replaced with (or augmented by) additional side-action
`buttons 115. Also, housing 102 is adapted to allow for a
`speaker 175 and microphone 180 located on the reverse side
`
`Page 00013
`
`

`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`10
`
`5
`of the unit. By positioning speaker 175 and microphone 180
`on the reverse side of the unit, the length of PDA telephone
`100 is now determined by the length of display 145 (e.g., 80
`mm). Further, because of the location of speaker 175 and
`microphone 180 a user is assured of not damaging display 5
`145 when using the telephone features of PDA telephone
`100. In some cases, side-action buttons 115 may also be
`configured to operate as alphanumeric keys (i.e., in addition
`to the functions noted above) so that a user may dial a
`number in order to initiate a telephone call.
`Referring to FIGS. ll-1m, PDA telephone 100 may also
`include a loudspeaker 185 (e.g., in place of speaker 135)
`and/or a camera 190. Loudspeaker 185 transmits audio
`information from PDA telephone 100 to a user. Loudspeaker
`185 delivers sound at a sufficient level to enable a user to
`receive audio information without placing an ear to PDA 15
`telephone 100 (i.e., during speakerphone operation). Camera
`190 records video images and stores them within. PDA
`telephone 100. Additionally, video images recorded by cam(cid:173)
`era 190 may also be transmitted from PDA telephone 100 in
`real time during a telephone call (thus allowing for video 20
`conferencing). Additional loudspeakers 185 may be
`included in order to provide stereo sound.
`As indicated, PDA telephone 100 may operate in a
`speaker phone mode. As discussed above, display cover 105 25
`rotates to function as a stand for housing 102. Thus, housing
`102 will be angled (e.g., with reference to a level plane),
`whenever it is in a resting position against display cover 105.
`The angled position of housing 102 provides an optimal
`positioning for the speaker phone mode since it directs loud 30
`speaker 185 and microphone 140 towards a user. In the
`speaker phone mode users may carry out hands-free tele(cid:173)
`phone conversation without the use of additional attach(cid:173)
`ments to PDA telephone 100. For video conferencing, video
`information may be displayed on display 145 while audio is 35
`played but through loud speaker 185.
`FIGS. 1n-1p illustrate PDA telephone 100 configured
`with further enhancements. In this embodiment, PDA tele(cid:173)
`phone 100 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS)
`receiver/engine having an associated antenna 195 for receiv- 40
`ing signals from GPS satellites. GPS antenna 195 is coupled
`to GPS receiver circuitry (at least some of which may be
`software GPS engine functions) within housing 102 for
`calculating the position of PDA telephone 100. The use of
`such GPS technology may allow for the inclusion of map- 45
`ping and other features associated with conventional GPS
`devices.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the major components of PDA telephone
`100 in block diagram form. PDA telephone 100 includes a
`wireless phone engine 210, modem 220, power source 230, 50
`display unit 145, input/output (110) module 250, smart-card
`engine 260, short-range transceiver 265, address book 270,
`GPS engine 275, synchronization circuitry 280, and PDA
`engine 290.
`Wireless telephone engine 210 provides the wireless 55
`telephone operations of PDA telephone 100. Wireless phone
`engine 210 transmits and receives audio data via antenna
`110, as well as text and images. Wireless phone engine 210
`may include a CPU, a long range transceiver for transmitting
`and receiving data, and a digital signal processor for con- 60
`verting between analog and digital data. According to one
`embodiment, wireless phone engine 210 may operate on an
`analog control channel. However, in a further embodiment,
`wireless phone engine 210 may also operate on a digital
`control channel.
`Modem 220 is coupled to wireless phone engine 210 and
`enables PDA telephone 100 to send and receive fax
`
`6
`messages, or have Internet access. Power source 230 pro(cid:173)
`vides an electrical power supply to PDA telephone 100
`whenever it is powered up. According to one embodiment,
`power source 230 may include one or more battery cells.
`However, in a further embodiment, an external power supply
`may be coupled to PDA telephone 100 via multi-use port
`125 in order to provide a power supply.
`Display 145 is coupled to wireless telephone engine 210,
`smart-card engine 260 and PDA engine 290. As discussed
`above, display 145 may include a touchscreen that is
`accessed by touching display 145 with a finger or stylus. I/O
`module 250 provides an interface for inputting and output(cid:173)
`ting data to wireless phone engine 210, smart-card engine
`260 and PDA engine 290. 10 module 250 handles data
`transmitted to and from side-action buttons 115, buttons 130,
`multi-use port 125, speakers 135 and 175, microphone 140,
`loud speaker 185, camera 190 and display 145 (where a
`touchscreen is used).
`Smart-card engine 260 processes encoded information
`received from a smart-card and also provides the smart card
`writing capabilities. Short-range transceiver 265 is a low(cid:173)
`power transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver) coupled to
`smart-card engine 260 and antenna 110. Short-range trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 265 enables PDA telephone 100 to establish a wire(cid:173)
`less link in order to communicate with other devices.
`According to one embodiment, smart-card engine 260 may
`be configured to communicate with various point-of-sale
`terminals and/or other appliances via short-range transceiver
`265. In such an embodiment, a user may purchase items
`using PDA telephone 100 and a cash card/debit card/credit
`card and other smart card.
`For example, before proceeding to a checkout counter to
`purchase one or more items, the user may insert a smart
`credit or cash card into smart-card slot 155. While at the
`checkout counter the merchant initiates a high data rate
`wireless communication link with PDA telephone 100 via
`antenna 110 and smart-card engine 260. Smart-card engine
`260 reads the card account information and transmits it to
`the point of sale terminal along with a user identification
`number. The terminal may then transmit information back to
`PDA telephone 100 indicating the charged amount, mer(cid:173)
`chant ID, etc. Additionally, user confirmation signals may be
`transmitted back to the point of sale terminal.
`According to yet another embodiment, PDA telephone
`100 may be configured to carry out automatic checkbook
`functions. In this embodiment, the sale transaction informa(cid:173)
`tion is transmitted from smart-card engine 260 to PDA
`engine 290 in order to update a financial accounting record
`of the useris personal or business finances. In addition, the
`transaction information may be transmitted to a financial
`institution via wireless telephone engine 210. Subsequently,
`the financial institution may transmit the new balance of the
`account back to PDA telephone 100, where it is stored in
`PDA engine 290. Consequently, PDA telephone 100 may
`automatically update a useris checkbook each time a trans-
`action is executed. Note, in some cases, smart-card engine
`260 may include one or more smart-card chips, thus obvi(cid:173)
`ating the need for external smart cards.
`Address book 270 is coupled to wireless phone engine
`210 and PDAengine 290. Address book 270 may store a user
`is address and calendar information that may be accessed by
`both wireless phone engine 210 and PDAengine 290. A user
`may directly access an entry, or select from a list of entries,
`65 in address book 270 in order to retrieve a telephone number
`to dial. Wireless phone engine 210 subsequently accesses
`address book 270 and retrieves a desired telephone or fax
`
`Page 00014
`
`

`
`US 6,434,403 Bl
`
`7
`number corresponding with the selected entry. If more than
`one telephone or fax number is available for a listing the user
`may select which number is to be dialed by wireless phone
`engine 210 or numbers may be dialed in sequence (e.g.,
`work numbers first, then home numbers, etc.) until a con(cid:173)
`nection is made. After selecting an entry wireless phone
`engine 210 dials the number and establishes a wireless
`connection without requiring further user input.
`A user may also retrieve entries from address book 270
`simply to display on display 145. According to one
`embodiment, the user selects an icon on display 145 that
`initiates a listing of the entries in address book 270.
`Alternatively, the user may initiate a key word search for an
`entry. Once an entry is selected, full address information,
`including telephone and fax numbers, is transmitted from
`address book 270 to PDA engine 290, and thereafter to
`display 145. In another embodiment, wireless telephone
`engine 210 may retrieve an electronic mail (e-mail) address
`and/or a world wide web URL from address book 270 in
`order to initiate a transaction.
`According to a further embodiment, the user may manu(cid:173)
`ally select an item of an entry displayed on display 145 (e.g.,
`telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) in order to initiate a
`transaction. The user may select the item by tapping the
`location on display 145 at which the item is displayed. After
`selecting the item, the user may engage wireless phone
`engine 210 by manipulating side-action buttons 115 or
`buttons 130. The telephone number to be dialed is then
`transferred from PDAengine 290 and transmitted to wireless
`phone engine 210. Wireless phone engine 210 subsequently
`dials the number in order to carry out the transaction.
`GPS engine 275 is coupled to display 145, GPS antenna
`195, 1!0 module 250 and PDAengine 290. GPS engine 275
`receives signals from GPS satellites via GPS antenna 195
`and calculates the position of PDA telephone 100 in the
`conventional fashion. A system user may access GPS engine
`275 by manipulating side-action buttons 115, by the touch
`screen of display 145 or through voice activation. According
`to one embodiment, the positioning information received is
`displayed on display 145, for example using stored on
`retrieved maps. However, in another embodiment, the posi(cid:173)
`tioning information (e.g., latitude and longitude, etc.) may
`be presented to a user in the form of audio played out over
`speakers 185 and/or 190.
`Synchronization circuitry 280 is coupled to PDA engine
`290 and is used to synchronize PDA telephone 100 with a
`computer system in order to transfer and/or backup PDA
`applications and data files. Thus, PDA engine 290 functions
`as a data storage and processing unit for PDA telephone 100.
`Such synchronization schemes are well known in the art and
`need not be further described herein.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, PDAengine 290 is illustrated in
`further detail and includes central processing unit (CPU)
`305, random access memory (RAM) 310, read only memory
`(ROM) 315, electrically erasable programmable read only
`memory (EEPROM) 320 and voice/speech recognition
`module 330. 1!0 module 250 is coupled to CPU 305 and
`voice/speech recognition module 330. CPU 305 processes
`information received at PDA engine 290. RAM 310 is
`coupled to CPU 305 and is used as a temporary storage area
`for data processed by CPU 305.
`ROM 315 is coupled to CPU 305. ROM 315 stores the
`operating system for PDA telephone 100. According to one
`embodiment, PDA telephone 100 uses a Microsoft Windows
`CE®-based operating system. However, one of ordinary
`skill in the art will appreciate that PDA telephone 1