NAOAAA
`
`US005465401A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`— §,465,401
`* Nov. 7, 1995
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9217974 10/1992 WIPO ..esessscssssscsseessesnonseeseees 379/433
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Arthur Kupfer “Phones That will Work Anywhere” Fortune,
`Aug. 24, 1992, pp. 100-112.
`Seattle Times “Technology”, The Dallas Morning. News,
`Sunday, Oct. 18, 1992, p. 6H.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
`Assistant Examiner—Lisa Charouel
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Thomas G. Eschweiler; James C.
`Kesterson; Richard L. Donaldson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`United States Patent 15
`Th
`
`ompson
`
`[54]
`
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`METHODS FOR ENHANCED INFORMATION
`TRANSFER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: E. Earle Thompson, Dallas, Tex.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated,
`Dallas, Tex.
`
`[*]
`
`Notice:
`
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent
`to Aug. 2, 2012, has been
`disclaimed.
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 991,015
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 15, 1992
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`ccccccsssesseseeseeesseees HO4B 1/38; HO4B 1/16
`Tint. C16 onc
`US. Ce ceeessssssssssseeecesssseeee 455/89; 455/90; 455/343;
`455/349; 379/58; 379/357; 379/420
`............cccseee 458/56.1, 74, 11.1,
`Field of Search.
`458/347, 349, 89, 90, 344, 348, 349, 351,
`186.1, 186.2;.379/57, 58, 59, 433, 434,
`357, 201; 16/334, 321, 386, 387; 361/814;
`343/702; 200/329, 318.2, 323, 327, 333,
`336
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A communication system (20) is provided with multiple
`purpose personal communication devices (50 and 150).
`Each communication device (50 and 150) includes a touch-
`sensitive visual display (60 and 160) to communicate text
`and graphic information to and from the user and for
`operating the communication device (50 and 150). Voice
`activation (78) and voice control capabilities (76) are
`included within communication devices (50 and 150) to
`perform the same functions as the touch-sensitive visual
`display (60 and 160). The communication device includes a
`built-in modem (82), audio input and output (52 and 53),
`telephone jacks (86), and wireless communication (90). A
`plurality of application modules (100) are used with per-
`4,153,937—5/1979 Poland ...csccscorssessaseversoeeeearsnes 364/706
`sonal communication devices (50 and 150) to perform a
`wide variety of communication functions such as informa-
`4,295,181
`
`10/1981 Chang etal. °....... 361/395
`4,712,242 12/1987 Rajasekaran etal.
`381/42
`tion retrievable, on-line data base services, electronic and
`
`7/1989 Metroka etal. ....
`. 455/90
`4,845,772.
`voice mail. Communication devices (50 and 150) and appli-
`
`
`4,882,757 11/1989.Fisheretal......... » 381/43
`
`cation modules (100) cooperate to allow integrating multiple
`. 381/43
`4,908,865.
`3/1990 Doddington etal.
`
`functions such as real time communication,
`information
`5,014,346.
`5/1991 Phillips et al.
`..
`455/90
`storage and processing, specialized information services,
`
`5,027,394-6/1991 Oneetal. ....... 379/434
`
`and remote control of other equipment into an intuitively
`5,138,649
`8/1992 Krisberghetal.
`.. 379/56
`user friendly apparatus. The system (20)
`includes both
`12/1992 Krenz etal. ........
`. 455/89
`5,170,173.
`
`desktop (150) and hand-held communication devices (50)
`~~ 455/89
`§,175,759
`.12/1992 Metroka et al.
`
`5,185,790.2/1993 Mischneko..... . 379/433
`with the same full range of communication capabilities
`
`11/1993 Staton etal.
`. 455/90
`5,258,892
`
`provided in each type of communication device (50 and
`. 379/434
`5,260,998.
`11/1993 Takagi....
`
`150).
`1/1994 Reiff et al.
`..
`« 455/90
`5,278,993
`
`
`4/1994 Takagi etal. ...
`» 379/58
`5,303,291
`
`8/1994 Thompson etal. .....cccssereeseees 379/201
`5,335,276
`
`11 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`APPLE 1021
`
` 1
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1021
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Louis A: Blatt & Alan Schell, “Gesture Set Economics for
`Text and Spreasheet: Editors”, Proceedings of the Human
`Factors Society 34th Annual Meeting—1990, pp. 410-414.
`Catherine Plaisant & Andrew Sears, “Touchscreen Inter-
`faces for Alphanumeric Data Entry”, Proceedings of the
`Human Faciors Society 36th Annual Meeting—1992,. pp.
`293-297,
`Panos Papamichalis and Jay Reiner, “16. Implementation of
`the Data Encryption Standard Using the TMS 32010”,
`Theory, Algorithms and implementations, vol. 1, Texas
`Instruments Digital Signal Processing Applications with the
`T{S320 Family, 1989, pp. 455-465.
`1993 Catalog, “Executive’s Guide to Electronic Organiz-
`ers”, Rupp Technology Corp., pp. 1-15.
`Bell Atlantic News, “Voice Command Telephoning Being
`Trailed at Bell Atlantic”, Dec. 17, pp. 1-4.
`Texas Instruments Voice Dialing Services, DBP089, Texas
`Instruments.
`
`Texas Instruments Multiserve Media Server, DPPS300, Aug.
`1992 2M.
`
`“Enhanced Information Services Technical Report”, Texas
`Instruments Telecom Systems, DBPBO88, Dec. 1991, pp.
`1-19.
`“TI Announces Multiserve™ Telecommunication Plat-
`form’, News Release ITG-005, Texas Instruments, pp. 1-5.
`“TI and Speech: Pioneering a New Era of Enhanced Tele-
`com. Applications”, Texas Instruments, Editorial Back-
`grounder, pp. 1-6.
`“Wizard. The Gift of Organization”. Sharp Electronics Corp.
`(ad).
`;
`“Texas Instruments Multimedia Processor’, DBPS299, Dec.
`1991, 2M.
`Enhanced Information Services, “A Strategic Approach”,
`pp. 1-12, Texas Instruments Telecom Systems.
`“Remote. Controls” Consumers Reports, Dec. 1992, pp.
`796-799,
`.
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`24~7
`
`
`CENTRAL
`FACILITY
`
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVICES
`
`
`DATABASE
`32
`
`
`
`
`MAIN FRAME
`-_
`26
`COMPUTERS
`
`
`34
`
`aa
`
`,)
`8
`4
`
`((:
`3
`377 B
`
`36
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`CONNECTOR
`
`ANTENNA
`
`180
`
`RECEIVER |
`MEMORYTS,
`
`MICRO—
`PROCESSOR
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`5,465,401
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`5,465,401
`
`100
`
`54
`
`58
`
`56
`
`56oti—TFIG. 60%,
`
`58
`
`o4
`
`FIG. 6a \.
`50
`
`54
`
`58
`
`96
`
`FIG. 6d *
`
`50
`
`54
`
`56
`
`% FIG. 6b
`
`“50
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`60a
`
`FIG. 7
`
`62
`
`74
`CONTRAST
`CONTROL
`
`70
`
`
`
`|e
`
`|.
`|
`
`
`‘11 2)
`
`
`ZS)
`
`
`ES
`
`
`Pe]
`
`
`
`|(
`
`
`
`
`| (Hop|[Renral] |
`Lod
`
`22
`Lp
`LCD
`TOUCH
`68
`
`CONTROLLER] | CONTROLLERL._}MEMORY
`
`BUS
`
`184
`
`:
`
`DSP
`CODEC
`
`64
`
`76
`
`78
`53
`7
`
`)
`
`|
`
`4
`RESIDENT] |
`|
`I
`|
`MEMORY|
`|
`g0C5t
`{
`B4
`80 |
`|
`|
`one 39 OL
`
`2
`
`MODEM
`86 7
`PHONE
`UNE Ld
`RS-232 [|
`
`APPLICATION
`[
`A MODULE
`
`|
`|
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`66
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`60f
`
`cea
`MENU
`| CIELEPADRE J
`eeeSET
`i[caLcuATR I]
`FIG. 8
`(ee
`169
`aera}
`v
`|RATECN 74
`cownatTo3
`‘CONTROL
`|RE
`
`Le
`
`92~Y
`68
`70
`72
`
`go~| “eR||.Touck LoD ET ut?
`
`
`
`(Rabi)|(CONTROLLER)|CONTROLLER},|MEMORY
`64
`
`BUS
`
`
`76
`
`DsP
`
`«284
`280
`p——P—7—--—-—7+3| ISTE L-94
`1|
`BUFFER
`
`RESIDENT
`
`|
`MEMORY|
`87st
`a Ly
`cove| cove} = mae +f_
`7g-|
`178
`!
`MEMORY
`79
`|
`100-4
`Tl
`APPLICATION
`PHONE
`77
`|
`|
`MODULE
`LINE
`{|
`|
`D RS—232|.|
`
`ne cee ces ewe em comm om)
`
`184
`
`= I
`
`I
`
`PROGRAM
`
`86
`
`177
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`</
`
`60
`
`PRICE
`iB10 $29.99
`Yois
`$ 2.99
`Y/fsoiN $ 3.99
`Ja\iFre $58.95
`W8 AldPag $42.99
`BsAcc
`$ 9,00
`at 09 99Jv
`
`
`
`08:40 voice mail/fax
`from (214)123-40.00
`
`j
`
`LU
`Uv
`
`60b
`
`212000
`
`214897
`
`218999
`
`216123
`219020
`
`221098 #
`
`60c
`
`smiock
`NYSE J “
`TP 7TexPacTr
`
`exInd
`exInstr
`
`TXI
`TXN
`
`(47 PM EST
`
`9/17/92,
`
`| a
`
`Voi
`
`109
`3457
`80
`
`Downtown
`Dallas, TX
`
`
`
`Uf
`inffeceive
`A
`Hype mail from
`Yyp'23-4961
`
`
`Wy
`
`08:3)fron
`(214)123-4567
`
`104
`
`
`
`if
`iN
`ieTotHata
`inepeowasRed
`
`
`
` 5,465,401
`
`8
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`
`1
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`METHODS FOR ENHANCED INFORMATION
`TRANSFER
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This patent application is related to the following co-
`pending patentapplications:
`.
`Application Ser. No. 07/990,588 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,
`pending;
`Application Ser. No. 07/991,628 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,276 issued on Aug. 2, 1994;
`Application Ser. No. 07/993,547 filed on Dec..15, 1992,
`now Ser. No. 08/285,604 pending;
`Application Ser. No. 07/991,013 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,
`pending;
`Application Ser. No. 07/992,384 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,
`pending;
`Application Ser. No. 07/992,291 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,
`abandoned.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates. to communication and information
`storage and processing systems and more particularly: to
`communication devices with processors, expanded memory
`capability, and visual displays for enhanced communication
`and information storage and processing.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The communication industry is rapidly changing and
`offers. a wide variety of new products and services. The
`numberof different services and the volume of information
`available to consumers and business users continues to grow
`on almost an exponential basis. At the same time, rapid
`improvements are being made in telephone equipment and
`communication. systems. The cellular telephone, facsimile
`machine, and modem,thatare offered for sale today, may be
`obsolete within a short period of time. Several companies
`are proposing elaborate communication networks using tele-
`phonewires, satellites, fiber optic cables, radio. waves and
`advanced electronic devices which will allow worldwide
`communication from a telephone.
`Significant problems associated with the rapidly expand-
`ing numberofdifferent information services and data bases
`and the different types of new equipmentinclude the wide
`variety of media formats, the lack of interchangeability both
`in hardware and software, and the need for continuous
`operator training. Frequently, highly valuable information
`can becomeobsolete and ofno valueif it is not quickly and
`easily understood by the user. Also, each information service
`and each new piece of equipment generally has a different
`format for presenting information to the user or for accept-
`ing information from the user. The lack of standardization in
`equipment, format display, operating procedures, and input/
`output devices results in substantially limiting the scope,
`accessibility, and value of potentially available information.
`Special purpose radio transmitters and receivers are used
`for selected information such as the: National Oceanic &
`Atmospheric Administration weather reports or commercial
`information. from the Dow-Jones news service. These spe-
`cial information services frequently require a dedicated,
`specifically tuned radio receiver and transmitter. These sys-
`tems and their related equipment are generally limited to the
`special service for which they were originally designed and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`45
`
`60
`
`2
`have highly restricted information sources and formats.
`Another problem is maintaining security of the data bases
`and allowing only authorized access to selected information.
`Present telecommunication systems tend to rely upon time
`consuming verification procedures with identification num-
`bers, code numbers,etc. to prevent fraud and use of stolen
`equipment and information.
`Another problem with present systems is that the trans-
`mission bandwidth for today’s telephone systems (audio,
`digital tone, and rotary pulses) is insufficient for delivery of
`multi-media information to consumers in a timely, coherent
`manner. Cellular and mobile phones have been available for
`some time; however, they are generally limited to only audio
`input and output. Cellular phones generally have a tradi-
`tional mechanicalorelectrical numerical keypad. In order to
`update a cellular telephone as improved technology becomes
`available, the old cellular phone mustbe replaced with a new
`cellular telephone.
`Various devices for use with personal computers, ¢.g.,
`Wizard® by Sharp®, are offered to improve user produc-
`tivity. These devices generally do not provide for two-way
`interactive communication with a remote source similar to
`telephones. They generally require a multiple wire cable
`between the personal productivity device and the personal
`computer. They frequently require batch uploads and batch
`downloads of data with no modem capability. The personal
`productivity devices generally have an input and output
`capability limited to the available small keypad. Audio input
`and output is generally not available andlittle or no graphic
`information capability is provided.
`Whileprior telephone systems have worked satisfactorily,
`as new communication networks are established and infor-
`mation data bases rapidly increase, a need for instant cus-
`tomer verification and identification will become more
`important. Teaching consumersthe operating procedures for
`new equipment and new software packages presents a
`significant limitation to full use and commercial success of
`these new communication and information systems. It will
`also be necessary to send the maximum amountofinfor-
`mation in the shortest possible time period to allow more
`communication over limited frequency spectrums.
`Therefore, a need has arisen for a communication system
`with enhanced capability for data handling (storage,
`retrieval, and transmission), secure two-way communication
`whendesired, and enhanced information presentation along
`with an easy to operate and understand communication
`device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a communica-
`tion system along with equipment and methods for enhanced
`information storage, processing and exchange is provided
`that substantially eliminates disadvantages and problems
`associated with previous communication systems and meth-
`ods.
`
`A multiple purpose communication system is provided
`with personal
`communication devices
`for
`enhanced
`exchange of information using the full capabilities of the
`electromagnetic energy spectrum. The communication
`devices include a touch-sensitive visual display which sig-
`nificantly enhances the communication of visual and graphic
`information to and from the user. The touch-sensitive visual
`display also provides the basis for an intuitive user interface
`between the communication device and the communication
`system. The communication devices incorporate micropro-
`
`9
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`
`3
`cessors and associated electronic circuits to provide a wide
`range of communication capability while maintaining many
`of the user friendly characteristics associated with conven-
`tional telephones.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hand-
`held communication device is provided for use with either
`wireless (cellular or other assigned frequencies) or standard
`telephone lines and telephone jacks. The communication
`device may include a microphone and speaker for audio
`input and output, a modem for high speed transmission of
`information in a digital format, and a touch-sensitive visual
`display. Headsets may also be providedas part of the audio
`output circuit. Application modules containing a micropro-
`cessor and associated electronic circuits, and memory com-
`ponents may be inserted into the communication device to
`perform different communication and information transfer
`functions.
`
`An important technical advantageof the present invention
`is that communication capabilities and optionsof the system
`maybe greatly expanded without requiring replacement of
`the basic personal communication devices and without
`requiring extensive retraining of the user.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`multiple purpose communication system is provided with
`communication devices having three broad categories of
`applications:
`resident applications and core programs stored in a per-
`sonal communication device;
`applications based on separate application modules; and
`applications provided from external information services.
`Core programs and applications contained within the com-
`munication device may include modem capability, custom-
`ized data and preferencesfor each user, basic telephone and
`pager services, and utility programs to upload and download
`the various application modules.
`The separate application modules, used with each com-
`munication device, may provide the following applications:
`a personal profile for each user including telephone direc-
`tory;
`information—calendars,
`personal
`reminders;
`communication security; and
`expanded information storage and processing.
`The application modules may also be used to provide
`applications for outside services such as CompuServe,
`Prodigy, Dow-Jones newsretrieval service, weather service,
`city map locator and navigationservice, electronic and voice
`mail capabilities, and other on-line data base services, and
`may have facsimile transmission capabilities.
`An important technical advantageof the present invention
`is that separate application modules are available to allow
`maximum use of the electromagnetic energy spectrum. For
`example, one application module may allow the communi-
`cation device to operate at the required frequency and with
`appropriate protocols for a conventional cellular telephone
`network. Another application module may have the required
`frequency and protocols to allow the communication device
`to function as a cordless telephone. In the same manner,
`application modules may be providedto allow the personal
`communication device to function in an industrial control
`environment, a wireless broadcasting system,or for infrared
`communication such as found in remote controlled televi-
`sions and video cassette recorders. The present invention
`provides application modules with required frequency, pro-
`tocols, and in some cases a microstrip antenna to allow use
`
`daily and weekly
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`10
`
`4
`of the associated personal communication device in each of
`the available segments of the electromagnetic energy spec-
`trum. The present invention allows for simply removing one
`application module and inserting another application mod-
`ule to allow use of multiple communication networks by
`each personal communication device.
`The present invention has another significant technical
`advantages in that a communication system is provided
`using personal communication devices with enhancedinfor-
`mation exchange and storage capability that may be modi-
`fied by inserting different application modules. Separate
`application modules are provided for selected information
`transfer and communication functions. The overall system
`may be quickly upgraded and modified by changing the
`separate application modules without requiring modification
`or change to the basic personal communication device.
`Therefore, the communication system may be continually
`used and maintained at the leading edge of technology by
`simply revising and updating the desired application mod-
`ules. Furthermore, the application modules may be carried in
`a small container that allows easy transportation and storage
`while providing maximum information capability and com-
`municate network versatility.
`The present invention has another significant technical
`advantage in that the communication devices may perform
`a wide range of functions resulting from the use of micro-
`processors and associated integrated circuits. These func-
`tions include a modem for the high speed transfer of
`information and a touch-sensitive visual display. The touch
`sensitive visual display provides both enhanced information
`to the user and improves the ease andreliability of operating
`the communication device. The interactive visual display
`provides a user interface which intuitively integrates mul-
`tiple communication, information and control functions.
`An additional technical advantage of the present invention
`is the use of the personal communication device with
`application modules which respond to voice commands and
`are voice activated. Functions that are carried out with a
`keyboard on personal computers or the touch-sensitive
`visual display of the personne] communication device may
`also be carried out through recognition of selected voice
`commands. By including voice recognition and voice acti-
`vation within a selected application module or the personal
`communication device as desired, improved security may be
`obtained and enhanced communication functions provided.
`An application module with a transponder incorporating the
`present invention may be inserted into the communication
`device to allow a communication network such as found in
`an airport or other building to recognize the presence of and
`identify the communication device and the user. The user’s
`voice commands could then be recognized on the commu-
`nication device and numbers automatically dialed, such as
`telephone numbers presented on the visual display for
`dialing or other selected information presented based on the
`specific communication network and transponder. The num-
`bers can be dialed by either using the touch-sensitive visual
`display or spoken commands. Authentication can be con-
`ducted by using personal identification numbers through the
`touch-sensitive visual display or by voice recognition and
`the use of passwords to activate various communication
`networks associated with the personal communication
`device. Additionally, spoken commands may be used to
`select different applications and programs for use with the
`personal communication device.
`The present invention has further technical advantages in
`that the audio transmission from the communication device
`is substantially enhanced as compared to conventional tele-
`
`10
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`
`6
`5
`with the communication system of FIG.1;
`phones, cellular telephones and mobile radio systems. The
`communication device includes a digital signal processing
`‘AIG.4 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held commu-
`circuit which cancels ambient noise associated with. the
`nication device from FIG.1in its first or closed position;
`outgoing or transmitted signal to remove ambient noise
`FIG, 5 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held device
`associated. with the transmitting environment. The digital
`from FIG. 1 showinginstallation of an application module;
`signal processing circuit also cancels ambient noise which is
`FIG. 6a is a side view in elevation of the hand-held
`superimposed on incoming or received signals to reduce the
`communication device from FIG. 1-in its closed position;
`perception of receiving environmental noise along with the
`FIG. 6b is a drawing in elevation of the hand-held
`received signal. The digital
`signal processing circuit
`communication device from FIG.1 in its standby position;
`includes a filter network to remove. stable. sound pattern
`FIG. 6c is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held
`characteristics from the transmission system. An important
`device from FIG. 1 in its telephone operating mode;
`feature of the present invention is.that the microprocessor-
`baseddigital signal processing circuit allows-installation of
`FIG. 6d is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held
`algorithms and modification of the algorithm as. changes
`communicating device from FIG. 1 in its fully functional
`occur both in the receiving and transmitting operating envi-
`operating mode;
`ronment. A second microphone may also be providedin the
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit used to
`communication device to aid in cancelling ambient noise.
`operate a. communication device in accordance with one
`An additional significant
`technical advantage of the
`embodimentof the present invention;
`present invention is improved security to prevent unautho-
`FIG,8 is a block diagram for an electrical circuit used to
`rized interception of information transmission, particularly
`operate a communication device in accordance with another
`with respect to mobile communication devices. The com-
`embodiment of the present invention;
`munication system of the present invention allows encryp-
`FIG. 9a is a schematic drawing ofthe interactive visual
`tion and decryption to take place both within the commu-
`display used with communication devices of the present
`nication device of the individual user and between the
`_invention providing voice mail applications;
`communication device and a central data base computer
`FIG. 9b is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`which maintains each uset’s account-andbilling files. The
`display from FIG. 9a used to provide a price list;
`encryption and decryption scheme may be hard wired into
`each communication device as part of the resident applica-
`FIG. 9c is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`tions. Or, the encryption device may be provided:as part of
`display from FIG. 9a used to previde stock quotations;
`oneofthe application modules used with the communication
`FIG. 9d is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`device. The encryption and decryption scheme maybe voice,
`display from FIG. 9a used to provide map information; and
`activated and installed at the central data base or central
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram for a typical electrical circuit
`service facility. The individual communication devices may
`used with an application module incorporating the present
`contain a general encryption circuit for voice verification
`invention.
`with parameters of the user’s voice and the decryption
`scheme maintained at a central facility or within each
`communication device. Any compatible communication
`device may be used with the communication system rather
`than having each communication device programmed for
`each specific user. Thus, the present invention allows for
`secured transmissions when desired bythe user without
`requiring the user to carry a separate scrambler or other
`secure communication. equipment.
`Another technical advantage of the present invention is
`the integration of communication functions such as infor-
`mation services, telephone, voice mail, etc. with control
`functions such as operating televisions, video cassette
`recorders, garage doors, etc. and with information storage
`functions such as phonelists, business data, calendar sched-
`ules, etc. This integration is accomplished by having a
`communication device which accepts application modules
`to perform these various functions.
`
`bes 5
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The preferred embodiments of the present invention and
`its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS.
`1-10of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and
`corresponding parts of the various drawings.
`Communication system 20 is shown in FIG. 1 incorpo-
`rating various componentsandfeatures of the present inven-
`tion. The major components of communication system 20
`comprise central facility 22, one or more independent infor-
`mation services 30 and 32, hand-held communication device
`50, and desktop communication device 150. The principal
`components of communication system 20 may be connected
`with each other by various communication networks such as
`land lines 34, broadcast antennas 36 and 37, microwave
`antennas 38 and39,orsatellite 40 and its associated satellite
`transmitters and receivers 41, 42, 43, and 44. Land lines 34
`may be conventional telephone wires and telephone cables
`or fiber optic cables.
`Central facility 22 preferably has one or more information
`data bases 24 and one or more mainframe computers 26.
`Communication system 20 may include several central
`facilities 22 which are linked to each other via land lines 34,
`satellite 40, microwave antennas 38 and 39,or other types of
`communication networks. Antennas 36 and 37 may transmit
`and receive information throughout the complete spectrum
`of radio frequencies including commercial radio, cellular
`telephones, and other special information exchange frequen-
`cies. Hand-held communication device 50 and desktop
`communication device 150 may receive information from
`
`BRIEF.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present inven-
`tion and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to
`the following description taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. lis a schematic drawing of a communication system
`incorporating the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of .a hand-held communi-
`cation device incorporating the present invention for use
`with the communication system of FIG.1;
`FIG. 3 is an isometric drawing of a desk-top communi-
`cation device incorporating. the present invention for use
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`
`7
`central facility 22 via land lines 34 or various radio frequen-
`cies including a satellite communication network.
`Information services 30 and 32 may provide information
`to central facility 22 via satellite transmission, microwave
`transmission, broadcast antenna 37 or land lines 34. Central
`facility 22 may in turn make this information available to
`communication devices 50 and 150 via any ofthe previously
`mentioned communication networks. Information services
`30 and 32 may also provide information directly to com-
`munication devices 50 and 150. An important feature of
`communication system 20 is the wide range offlexibility in
`choosing specific communication networks for the exchange
`of information and routing information to or from various
`sources and the user. The present invention allows commu-
`nication devices 50 and 150 to receive information from a
`plurality of sources through a wide variety of communica-
`tion networksandstill present the information to the user in
`a standardized, familiar format. The present invention does
`not require a different communication device for each infor-
`mation service or each communication network.
`
`Personal communication devices 50 and 150 incorporat-
`ing the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
`Communication device 50 has the general configuration of
`a hand-held cellular telephone comprising a microphone 52,
`speaker 53, lid 54 which is connected to main body 56 by
`pivot pin 58 andinteractive visual display 60. Speaker 53
`and microphone 52 are used to receive and transmit voice
`and other auditory information.
`Communication device 150 has the general configuration
`of a desktop telephone with handle 152 and associated
`microphone and speaker, keypad 154, main body 156, and
`interactive visual display 160. Combined microphone and
`speaker 153 mayalso be includedas part of main body 156.
`Communication device 150 includes connection port 158
`which may be used to connect communication device 150 to
`landlines 34 or satellite transmitter/receiver 44, Connection
`port 158 may be a standard telephone jack such as phoneline
`connection 86 and/or computer terminal 88 shownin elec-
`trical circuits 62 of FIG. 7. Desktop console 200 shown in
`FIG. 1 may be used with hand-held communication devicc
`50 to provide similar connections with land lines 34,satellite
`transmitter/receiver 43, or a personal computer (not shown).
`Interactive visual displays 60 and 160 are substantially
`identical in all respects except for their exterior dimensions
`which are selected for compatibility with their respective
`communication devices 50 and 150. In the following written
`description, references will frequently be made to visual
`display 60 in describing electrical circuits 62 of FIG. 7 and
`electrical circuits 262 of FIG. 8. Unless otherwise noted,
`visual display 160 may be substituted for visual display 60.
`As will be apparent from reading the following written
`description, an important feature of the present invention is
`the standardization and interchangeability of the various
`components associated with communication device 50 and
`communication device 150. Except for lid 54 which is
`unique to hand-held communication device 50 and tele-
`phone handle 152 which is unique to communication device
`150,the electrical circuits, electrical components, commu-
`nication functions and applications described for one com-
`munication device 50 or 150 apply equally well to the other
`communication device 50 or 150. This commonality sub-
`stantially reduces training requirements for users of com-
`munication system 20, reducesthe time required to upgrade
`and improve the communication functions and services
`offered by communication system 20, and reduces the cost
`associated with initially establishing communication system
`20 and longterm maintenance and repair of communication
`system 20.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`12
`
`8
`For hand-held communication device 50, lid 54 performs
`several important functions as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6a
`through 6d. Hand-held communication device 50 is nor-
`mally powered by one or more batteries except when
`communication device 50 is electrically connected with desk
`top console 200. The electrical components and circuits
`contained within communication device 50 will be described
`later in more detail. However, avoiding any unnecessary use
`of electrical energy from any batteries within power supply
`66 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is an important feature of the
`present invention. The position of lid 54 may be monitored
`by a mechanical switch,
`shaft potentiometer, or shaft
`encoder (not shown) as appropriate forelectrical circuits 62
`or 262 associated with communication device 50.
`
`When lid 54 is in its first, closed position as shown in
`FIGS. 4 and 6a, most of the electrical circuits associated
`with communication device 50 are de-energizedo