United States Patent [191
`Nguyen
`
`[54] PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL
`HAVING SWITCHES WHICH
`INDEPENDENTLY ENERGIZE A MOBILE
`TELEPHONE AND A PERSONAL DIGITAL
`ASSISTANT
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Nam D. Nguyen. Quebec. Canada
`
`[73] Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
`(publ). Stockholm. Sweden
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 524,867
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Sep. 7, 1995
`
`Int Cl. 6
`.................................................... H04M 11/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl ........................... 455/403; 455/556; 455/557;
`455/553
`[58] Field of Search .................................. 379/58. 59. 96.
`379/98. 100; 455/33.1. 403. 556. 557. 553.
`566. 572. 575
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENfS
`
`4,972,457 1111990 O'Sullivan ................................ 379/59
`5,475.866 12/1995 Ruthenberg ............................ 455133.1
`5,479,479 12/1995 Braitberg et al .......................... 379/59
`5,522,089
`5/1996 Kikinis et al ............................. 379/96
`5,572,573 1111996 Sylvan et al .............................. 379/58
`5,581,261 12/1996 Hickman et al ....................... 455133.1
`5,584.054 12/1996 Tynesk.i et al ............................ 379/58
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 472 361 A2
`0 651544A2
`wo 90/03076
`wo 96138970
`
`8/1991
`10/1994
`3/1990
`12/19%
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`WlPO.
`WlPO.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Yvonne L. Lee; '1s it a phone or a PDA? Here's what Simon
`says"; lnfoworld Magazine; Sep. 26. 1994; p. 124.
`Steve Mann; "Searching for the Perfect PDA"; Wireless For
`the Corporate User Magazine; vol. 3. No.6. 1994.
`
`111111
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111~111111
`US005797089A
`5,797,089
`[111 Patent Number:
`Aug. 18, 1998
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`Andy Reis ... ; "EO's Personal Communicator Ushers in a
`New Era"; BYTE Magazine; Mar. 1993. p. 52.
`
`ARDIS advertisement; ARDIS Company: 1994.
`
`Smith Corona HandiFax catalog listing; 1994.
`
`Steven B. Weisman; "PDAs Today: Technology Trends and
`Market Dynamics"; BIS Strategic Decisions: Dec. 1992.
`
`"Mitsubishi handheld combines cellular phone. electronic
`organizer"; PC Week Magazine; Nov. 7. 1994; p. 57.
`
`Primary EXaminer-William Cumming
`Assistant Examiner-Keith Ferguson
`Attome}; Agent, or Firm-Smith & Catlett. P.C.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A personal communications terminal (PCT) in a case having
`a first half hingedly connected to a second half. The PCT
`operates in an open and a closed position and comprises a
`mobile telephone unit and a personal digital assistant (PDA)
`unit electronically connected to the mobile telephone unit.
`The PDA unit is a fully functional personal computer. The
`PDA unit comprises a memory for application software
`programs, a memory for data. a processor for performing
`operations with the data and the application programs. a
`modem for passing data between the PDA unit and the
`mobile telephone unit. and a mobile data interface for
`passing data between the PDA unit and the mobile telephone
`unit without utilizing the modem. When the PCT is in the
`open position, it forms two interior faces which include a
`PDA display screen on one face and a full alpha-numeric
`keyboard on the other face. The PCf may be operated as a
`standard wireless telephone, as a personal computer. or in an
`integrated mode for FAX, wireless data transfer, or sending
`and receiving short message service (SMS) messages.
`
`22 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,797,089
`
`FIG.1
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`Page 00002
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,797,089
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`Page 00004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,797,089
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`
`75
`
`Page 00005
`
`

`

`5.797.089
`
`1
`PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL
`HAVING SWITCHES WHICH
`INDEPENDENTLY ENERGIZE A MOBILE
`TELEPHONE AND A PERSONAL DIGITAL
`ASSISTANT
`
`2
`The publication titled "Searching for the Perfect PDA"
`describes three generations of personal digital assistants
`(PDAs). The first generation comprised palmtop or handheld
`computers. These palmtops were generally pocket sized
`5 with a split case and a hinge on the spine. One side of the
`palmtop held a display. and the other side held a keyboard.
`External communication was limited to a serial port for
`connecting to a desktop computer or external modems. The
`second generation of PDAs was much like the first
`10 generation. but added the capability to recognize handwrit(cid:173)
`ing entered with a stylus on the display screen. The third
`generation of PDAs are often called Personal Communica(cid:173)
`tions Assistants (PCAs) or Personal Intelligent Communi(cid:173)
`cators (PICs). The most advanced PCA appears to be a
`15 device sold by BellSouth Cellular Corporation called Simon.
`The publication titled. "Is it a phone or a PDA? Here's
`what Simon says" is a journal article appearing in the Oct.
`31. 1994 issue of lnfoWorld magazine at pages 119-120.
`The article describes the Simon as a device comprising a
`20 cellular telephone and a personal digital assistant (PDA).
`The device may function as a mobile telephone as well as
`offering communications features such as electronic mail
`(E-mail) and faxing. The Simon device is not a fully
`functional personal computer. It is a cellular phone that is
`25 also programmed with personal information management
`(PIM:) software applications such as a notepad. address
`book. calendar. calculator. and the like.
`Almost all of one side of the Simon device is a LCD
`display. but this configuration has several disadvantages.
`First. since the display covers the entire side of the device.
`the Simon device must use an on-screen keyboard. When
`used as a PDA rather than a telephone. the device may
`display one of two on-screen keyboards or a numeric keypad
`for use with a calculator application. This creates a second
`disadvantage. however. since the small size of the on-screen
`keyboard requires that a stylus be used to make data entries.
`The on-screen keyboard is not designed for touch typing. but
`a modest amount of data entry is possible. The on-screen
`keyboard also creates a third disadvantage because a very
`limited amount of display area remains for displaying text or
`graphics information when the keyboard is displayed. While
`acceptable for straight data entry. this solution is not suitable
`for interactive programs or programming.
`An additional disadvantage of the Simon device is its
`exposed display screen which covers virtually all of one side
`of the device and is therefore extremely vulnerable to impact
`damage. Great care must be taken when utilizing the Simon
`device. and this is not always practical when when utilizing
`50 a mobile station.
`It would be a distinct advantage to have a personal
`communications terminal that overcomes the above(cid:173)
`mentioned disadvantages. Such a terminal would have the
`full capabilities of a personal computer. a keyboard large
`enough for manual data entry without the use of a stylus. and
`a display screen with enough usable area for interactive
`programming. In addition. the display screen would be
`mounted in a protected location allowing full use of the
`terminal in a rugged mobile environment.
`Review of each of the foregoing references reveals no
`disclosure or suggestion of a system or method such as that
`described and claimed herein.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In one aspect. the present invention is a personal com(cid:173)
`munications terminal (PCT) in a case having a first half
`hingedly connected to a second half The PCT may operate
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Technical Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to mobile stations in a radio tele(cid:173)
`communications network and. more particularly. to an inte(cid:173)
`grated personal communications terminal which performs
`the functions of a mobile telephone while transmitting.
`receiving. and displaying text or images.
`2. Description of Related Art
`In modem radio telecommunication systems. subscribers
`move throughout the coverage area of the system utilizing
`mobile telephones referred to as mobile stations. Existing
`mobile telephones have a small display. such as a LED
`display. for displaying to the subscriber the telephone num(cid:173)
`ber being called and the status of the call.
`Subscriber demand is great for mobile stations with
`increased communications capabilities. For example. sub(cid:173)
`scribers desire mobile stations capable of transmitting.
`receiving. and displaying text and images. Heretofore. there
`has not been a self-contained mobile station capable of
`operating as a mobile telephone while performing these
`more advanced functions in a convenient manner. An exist(cid:173)
`ing solution has been to use a portable computer such as a 30
`laptop or Notepad. such as the Newton Notepad from Apple
`Computer. which is connected to a mobile telephone so that
`text and images can be displayed.
`There are several problems. however. with this existing
`solution. First. the subscriber must carry around the laptop 35
`or Notepad computer in addition to the subscriber's mobile
`telephone. This is inconvenient at best. and for some
`subscribers. or in some circumstances. it is not possible.
`Second. the subscriber must possess the knowledge required
`to connect the portable computer to the mobile telephone. 40
`With the use of mobile telephones expanding rapidly within
`the general population. there are many subscribers who do
`not possess this knowledge. Third. the subscriber must take
`time to connect the portable computer to the mobile tele(cid:173)
`phone. Again. this is inconvenient at best. and may result in 45
`increased cost to the subscriber since a call is either length(cid:173)
`ened by the time it takes the subscriber to connect the
`computer and the telephone. or two calls must be placed: a
`first call to alert the subscriber that text or images are to be
`sent. and a second call to send the text or images.
`Although there are no known prior art teachings of a
`solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming
`such as that disclosed herein. a number of prior art refer(cid:173)
`ences exist that discuss subject matter that bears some
`relation to matters discussed herein. Such prior art refer- 55
`ences are U.S. Pat. No. 5348.347 to Shink. a publication
`titled "Searching for the Perfect PDA". and a publication
`titled "Is it a phone or a PDA? Here's what Simon says".
`Each of these references is discussed briefly below.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5348347 to Shink discloses a pocketbook 60
`size organizer that can store a portable cellular telephone.
`The organizer comprises a flexible book that may bold a
`mobile telephone, a notepad. a pen. a calculator, and a timer.
`However. Shink does not teach or suggest a personal com(cid:173)
`munications terminal which can perform as a mobile tele- 65
`phone while transmitting. receiving. and displaying text or
`image data.
`
`Page 00006
`
`

`

`5.797.089
`
`3
`in an open and a dosed position and comprises a mobile
`telephone unit and a personal digital assistant unit electroni(cid:173)
`cally connected to the mobile telephone unit. The personal
`digital assistant unit comprises a first memory device for
`storing a first set of application software programs. a second
`memory device for storing a first set of data. and a processor
`for performing operations with the first set of data utilizing
`the first set of application software programs. The PCf also
`includes a power supply for providing electrical power to the
`mobile telephone unit and the personal digital assistant unit.
`a modem for passing data between the personal digital
`assistant unit and the mobile telephone unit. and a mobile
`data interface for passing data between the personal digital
`assistant unit and the mobile telephone unit without utilizing
`the modem.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TilE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood and its numerous
`objects and advantages will become more apparent to those
`skilled in the art by reference to the following drawing. in
`conjunction with the accompanying specification. in which:
`FIG. 1 is a front side elevational view of the personal
`communications terminal (PCT) of the present invention in
`a closed position;
`FIG. 2 is a front side elevational view of the PCf of the
`present invention in an open position and rotated 90 degrees
`clockwise from the orientation in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram of the components of
`the PCT in the preferred embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion; and
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the functions performed
`by the PCT during selection of a mode of operation.
`
`DErAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front side elevational view of the personal
`communications terminal (PCf) 10 of the present invention
`with its case in a closed position. The front side may include
`a standard radio telephone display 11 and keypad 12. A 40
`telephone power switch 13 is located on an exterior side of
`the PCT 10 and is utilized to independently power ON or
`OFF a mobile telephone unit within the PCT 10 when the
`PCT is in the closed position. When the telephone unit is
`powered ON. and the PCf is in the closed position. the 45
`telephone display 11 displays standard wireless telephone
`information. A mechanical hinge 14 extends along the spine
`of the PCT 10 on the left side. enabling the PCT to be
`selectively swung from a closed to an open position. and
`vice versa. The hinge allows the PCT to be opened to a full 50
`180 degrees and laid flat in the opened position if desired.
`The PCT 10 may be utilized as a normal wireless telephone
`when in the closed position. A rotatable antenna 15 extends
`from the PCT case. The front side may also include a
`microphone 16 and a speaker 17.
`FIG. 2 is a front side elevational view of the PCf of the
`present invention in an open position and rotated 90 degrees
`clockwise from the orientation in FIG. 1. This orientation
`forms a top half 21 and a bottom half 22 of the Per 10. The
`mechanical hinge 14 holds the top half 21 and the bottom 60
`half 22 together and covers a data and power cable connect(cid:173)
`ing the two halves. A sensor (not shown) detects whether the
`phone is in an opened or a closed position.
`The top half 21 includes a display screen 23 for use with
`a personal digital assistant (PDA) unit. and the rotatable 65
`antenna 15 for use with the mobile telephone unit. As shown
`in FIG. 2. the antenna 15 may be rotated in such away that
`
`4
`its orientation is independent of the orientation of the top
`half 21 in order to optimize transmission and reception
`qualities. For example. the orientation of the antenna 15 may
`be maintained approximately vertical regardless of the ori-
`5 entation of the top half 21 in order to optimize transmission
`and reception of wireless telephone signals.
`The bottom half 22 includes a full alpha-numeric personal
`computer keyboard 24 for use with the PDA. The keyboard
`24 includes a PDA power switch 25 and an interior tele-
`10 phone power switch 26 which are utilized to power on/off
`the PDA unit and the telephone unit. respectively. when the
`PCT 10 is being operated in the open position. A PDA
`power-on light indicator 27 and a telephone power-on light
`indicator 28 are mounted adjacent to the PDA and telephone
`15 power switches 25 and 26. and indicate whether the PDA
`unit and/or the telephone unit are energized. The indicators
`can only be seen when the Per is in the open position. The
`PCT is OFF when in the closed position unless the telephone
`unit is individually energized utilizing the external telephone
`20 power switch 13 (FIG. 1). The keyboard 24 may also include
`an optional trackball 29 to move a cursor around the PDA
`display screen 23.
`If the telephone unit is powered ON by using the external
`telephone power switch 13. the telephone power-indicator
`25 light 28 comes ON when the PCT is opened. Power(cid:173)
`indicators 27 and 28 are OFF when the PCT is closed.
`FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram of the components of
`the Per in the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`30 tion. Functionally. the Per 10 is divided into a personal
`digital assistant (PDA) functional unit 31, telephone func(cid:173)
`tional unit 32. a modem 33. a mobile data-interface (MDI)
`unit 34. and a PDA Open sensor 35. The MDI unit 34
`transfers data directly between the PDA unit 31 and the
`35 telephone unit 32 without the use of the modem 33. The
`MDI may be implemented as a RAM memory device with
`common access by both the PDA unit 31 and the telephone
`unit 32. The RAM memory device may be separate from the
`PDA RAM 42 or may be a reserved portion of the PDA
`RAM 42. Data transferred through the MDI 34 may include.
`for example, telephone numbers entered on the PDA key-
`board and the state of the PDA Open sensor 35.
`A connecting circuit (not shown) electronically connects
`the PDA unit 31. the telephone unit 32. the modem 33. the
`MDI unit 34, and the PDA Open sensor 35. Two power
`supply units (batteries) 36 and 37 supply electrical power to
`the PCT. The batteries are located in the bottom half 22 of
`the Per which includes the PDA keyboard 24. This con(cid:173)
`figuration provides a low center of gravity and stability to
`the Per 10. A high power supply 36 provides high power to
`the wireless telephone unit 32 and the PDA unit 31. A low
`power supply 37 provides a back-up power source for the
`PDA unit 31 when the high power supply 36 is detached
`from the unit for charging or when its energy level is low.
`55 Power to the PDA unit 31 is turned OFF when the PCf 10
`is in the closed position. Power may still be supplied to the
`telephone unit 32 in the closed position if the telephone unit
`is in use.
`Other components of the PDA unit 31 include a read only
`memory (ROM) 41 for storing application programs and
`providing limited operations of the PDA unit when operating
`off the low power supply 37. The PDA unit also includes a
`random access memory (RAM) 42 for storing data, the PDA
`display screen 23. the PDA keyboard 24, a PDA central
`processing unit (CPU) 43 which may be a microprocessor
`for timing and control of the PDA. an accumulator/register
`44 contained within the PDA CPU 43, various input/output
`
`Page 00007
`
`

`

`5.797.089
`
`5
`(I/0) ports 45. and a hard drive memory device 46. The J/0
`ports 45 send and receive data from. for example. the mobile
`data interface 34. the modem 33. the PDA Open sensor 35.
`and external sources of application software programs 47
`and data which may be loaded onto the hard drive memory
`46. The hard drive memory device 46 stores application
`software programs and data. and provides the PDA unit with
`full personal computer capabilities. The hard drive is pow(cid:173)
`ered from the high power source 36.
`When electrical power from the power supplies exceeds
`the minimum power level required for operation of the hard
`drive. the PDA unit 31 may utilize the hard drive to access
`application software programs stored there. This capability.
`combined with the PDA's full alpha-numeric keyboard 24
`and PDA screen 23, make the PDA a fully functional
`personal notepad computer. Telephone (PHONE) and fac(cid:173)
`simile (FAX) functions are also performed and may be
`indicated with icons shown on the PDA screen 23 or as
`selections on a pull-down menu. When electrical power
`from the power supplies is less than the minimum power
`level required for operation of the hard drive, the PDA unit
`31 may utilize the ROM 41 to access the application
`software programs stored there.
`The telephone unit 32 includes a mobile station CPU 51.
`the mobile telephone display screen 11. the mobile tele(cid:173)
`phone keypad 12, the microphone 16. the speaker 17, and
`transmit and receive subsystems. The transmit subsystem
`includes a transmit digital signal processor (DSP) 52, a
`transmit application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 53,
`and a radio transmitter 54. The receive subsystem includes
`a radio receiver 55, a receive ASIC 56. and a receive DSP 57.
`The telephone unit 32 is capable of operating on either an
`analog control channel or a digital control channeL The
`telephone unit 32 is also multi-hyperband capable, and may
`operate on the 800-MHz wireless telephone frequency
`hyperband as well as other hyperbands such as the 1900-
`MHz personal communication system (PCS) frequency
`hyperband.
`The following functions are performed by the PDA unit
`31:
`Calculator;
`Agenda;
`Clock;
`Notepad; and
`Editors (Text. Graphics. Image).
`Making a Call
`H the PCf 10 is in the closed position, a telephone call is
`made in the same manner as calls placed on an ordinary
`wireless telephone. H the Per is in the open position. the
`user may select the PHONE application on the PDA display
`23. A UST function is then displayed, and if selected.
`presents a list of telephone numbers from which to choose.
`The user may select a phone number from the list by
`highlighting the number and pressing the <ENTER> key on
`the PDA keyboard 23. or by double-clicking the number
`with the trackball 29. H the telephone unit 32 is not already
`turned on, it is then turned on, and the selected number is
`automatically dialed by the PDA unit 31, by transmitting the
`number through the mobile data interface 34 to the tele(cid:173)
`phone unit. If the telephone number to be called is not on the
`list of telephone numbers presented, the user may enter the
`telephone number utilizing the PDA keyboard 24. By then
`pressing the <ENTER> key. the entered number is automati(cid:173)
`cally dialed by the PDA unit, by transmitting the number
`through the mobile data interface to the telephone unit. The
`user may then close the two halves of the PCf 10 and use
`it as an ordinary wireless telephone.
`
`6
`
`25
`
`Sending a Facsimile (FAX)
`The PCf 10 must be in the open position to send a Fax.
`The user may utilize a Text Editor to edit the message, and
`then may select the FAX application on the PDA display 23.
`5 A list of telephone numbers is then displayed. and the user
`may select a phone number from the list by highlighting the
`number and pressing the <ENTER> key on the PDA key(cid:173)
`board 24. or by double-clicking the number with the track(cid:173)
`ball 29. H the telephone unit 32 is not already turned on, it
`10 is then turned on. and the selected number is automatically
`dialed by the PDA unit 31. by transmitting the number
`through the mobile data interface 34 to the telephone unit.
`Once the telephone connection is made to the called number.
`the Fax message is sent through the modem 33 to the
`15 telephone unit.
`Using the PCT as a Wireless Data Terminal
`The PCf 10 may also be utilized as a Wireless Data
`Terminal (WDT) to send and receive messages such as Short
`Message Service (SMS) messages. The PCT must be in the
`20 open position to use this function. Upon receiving a SMS
`message. the PCT displays the text of the SMS message on
`the PDA display screen 23 and provides a SMS warning
`tone. Upon hearing the SMS warning tone. the user may
`open the PCf and read the message on the PDA display.
`To send a SMS message utilizing the Per 10, the user
`may utilize the Text Editor to edit the message, and then
`selects the SMS application on the PDA display screen 23.
`A list of telephone numbers is then displayed. and the user
`may select a phone number from the list by highlighting the
`30 number and pressing the <ENTER> key on the PDA key(cid:173)
`board 24. or by double-clicking the number with the track(cid:173)
`ball 29. If the telephone unit 32 is not already turned on, it
`is then turned on. and the SMS message is automatically sent
`through the mobile data interface 34 to the telephone unit.
`To use the PCf 10 as a wireless data terminal, the user
`selects the Data Terminal (DT) application. A list of remote
`computer telephone numbers is then displayed on the PDA
`display screen 23. The user enters or selects a desired
`telephone number from the list. Once the telephone number
`40 of a remote computer is selected. it is automatically dialed
`by the PDA 31, and the data communication is established
`through the modem 33 to the telephone unit 32. The user
`may then start a dialogue with the remote computer, utilizing
`the PCf as a Data Terminal.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the functions performed
`by the PCf 10 during selection of a mode of operation. The
`process begins at step 61 where the PCf determines from a
`reading from the PDA-Open sensor 35 whether the PCf is
`in the open position or the closed position. If it is determined
`so that the PCf is in the closed position, the process moves to
`step 62 where it is determined whether or not power is ON
`to the telephone unit 32. If power to the telephone unit is
`ON, the process moves to step 63 where normal wireless
`telephone functions are enabled. H. however, it is deter-
`55 mined at step 62 that power is not ON to the telephone unit,
`then the process moves to step 64 where the process stops
`and no functions are enabled.
`Returning to step 61, if the PDA-Open sensor 35 reported
`that the PCf was in the open position, then the process
`60 moves to step 65 where it is determined whether or not
`power is ON to the PDA unit 31. H power is not ON to the
`PDA unit 31. then the process moves to step 66 where it is
`determined whether or not power is ON to the telephone unit
`32. Hit is determined at step 66 that power is not ON to the
`65 telephone unit. then the process returns to step 64 where the
`process stops and no functions are enabled. H. however. it is
`determined at step 66 that power is ON to the telephone unit,
`
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`7
`then the process moves to step 67 where normal wireless
`telephone functions are enabled. and the PDA keyboard 24
`is enabled for entering telephone numbers.
`Returning to step 65. if the power is ON to the PDA unit
`3L then the process moves to step 68 where it is determined 5
`whether or not power is ON to the telephone unit 32. If it is
`determined at step 68 that power is ON to the telephone unit.
`then the process moves to step 69 where PDA functions.
`normal wireless telephone functions. and FAX functions are
`enabled. If. however. it is determined at step 68 that power
`is not ON to the telephone unit. then the process moves to
`step 71 where PDA functions only are enabled.
`The process then moves to step 72 where it is determined
`whether the user has requested the PDA unit 31 to execute
`a phone or a FAX function by entering a telephone number
`or a FAX number on the PDA. If not. the process moves to 15
`step 73 and executes other applications. If the user has
`requested the PDA to execute a phone or a FAX function. the
`process moves to step 74 where the PDA unit 31 turns on the
`telephone unit 32. At step 75. the process then passes the
`telephone or Fax number to the telephone unit 32 through 20
`the mobile data interface 34.
`It is thus believed that the operation and construction of
`the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing
`description. While the method. apparatus and system shown
`and described has been characterized as being preferred. it 25
`will be readily apparent that various manges and modifica(cid:173)
`tions could be made therein without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the invention as defined in the following
`claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A personal communications terminal in a case having
`a first half hingedJy connected to a second half. said personal
`communications terminal operating in an open and a closed
`position, said personal communications terminal compris(cid:173)
`ing:
`mobile telephone means including:
`a telephone display screen;
`a keypad for entering instructions and data that are
`displayed on said telephone display screen; and
`a telephone power switch that independently energizes 40
`said mobile telephone means;
`personal digital assistant means electronically connected
`to said mobile telephone means. said personal digital
`assistant means comprising:
`a first memory device for storing a first set of applica- 45
`tion software programs;
`a second memory device for storing a first set of data;
`a processor for performing operations with said first set
`of data utilizing said first set of application software
`programs; and
`a personal digital assistant power switch that indepen(cid:173)
`dently energizes said personal digital assistant
`means;
`a power supply for providing electrical power to said
`mobile telephone means and said personal digital assis- 55
`tant means;
`a modem for passing data between said personal digital
`assistant means and said mobile telephone means; and
`a mobile data interface for passing data between said
`personal digital assistant means and said mobile tele- 60
`phone means without utilizing said modem.
`2. The personal communications terminal of claim 1
`wherein said first memory device is a read only memory
`(ROM).
`3. The personal communications terminal of claim 2 65
`wherein said second memory device is a random access
`memory (RAM).
`
`8
`4. The personal communications terminal of claim 1
`wherein said personal digital assistant unit includes a third
`memory device that stores a second set of data and a second
`set of application software programs.
`5. The personal communications terminal of claim 4
`wherein said third memory device is a hard drive memory.
`6. The personal communications terminal of claim 5
`further comprising:
`means for determining whether said electrical power from
`said power supply exceeds a predetermined threshold;
`and
`means for enabling access to said second set of data and
`said second set of application software programs stored
`in said hard drive memory upon determining that said
`electrical power from said power supply exceeds said
`predetermined threshold.
`7. The personal communications terminal of claim 6
`further comprising means for restricting access to said first
`set of application software programs stored in said first
`memory device and said first set of data stored in said second
`memory device upon determining that said electrical power
`from said power supply is less than said predetermined
`threshold.
`8. The personal communications terminal of claim 7
`further comprising an input/output (J/0) port for inputting to
`said