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`
`USOOS465401A
`
`l
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`, 5,465,401
`
`Thompson
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`* Nov. 7, 1995
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`METHODS FOR ENHANCED INFORMATION
`TRANSFER
`
`Inventor: E. Earle Thompson, Dallas, Tex.
`
`Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated,
`Dallas, Tex.
`
`[*l
`
`Notice:
`
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent
`to Aug. 2, 2012, has been
`disclaimed.
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.: 991,015
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 15, 1992
`
`Int. Cl.6 ............................. H04B 1/38; H04B 1/16
`US. Cl.
`.............................. 455/89; 455/90; 455/343;
`455/349; 379/58; 379/357; 379/420
`Field of Search ........................... 458/561, 74, 11.1,
`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
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1979 Poland .................................... 364/706
`4,153,937
`10/1981 Chang et al.
`.......
`4,295,181
`361/395
`4,712,242 12/1987 Rajasekaran et al.
`.. 381/42
`
`.. 455/90
`4,845,772
`7/1989 Metroka et a1.
`
`.. 381/43
`........
`4,882,757
`11/1989 Fisher et al.
`
`3/1990 Doddington et al.
`.. 381/43
`4,908,865
`.. 455/90
`5,014,346
`5/1991 Phillips et al.
`..
`
`379/434
`.......
`5,027,394
`6/1991 One et al.
`
`
`.. 379/56
`5,138,649
`8/1992 Krisbergh et a1
`........
`.. 455/89
`5,170,173
`12/1992 Krenz et al.
`
`12/1992 Metroka et al.
`.. 455/89
`5,175,759
`
`. 379/433
`2/1993 Mischneko .....
`5,185,790
`
`.. 455/90
`11/1993 Staton et al.
`5,258,892
`
`. 379/434
`5,260,998
`11/1993 Takagi
`
`1/1994 Reiff et al.
`..
`.. 455/90
`5,278,993
`
`4/1994 Takagi et al.
`.. 379/58
`5,303,291
`
`8/1994 Thompson et a1.
`..................... 379/201
`5,335,276
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9217974 10/1992 WIPO .................................... 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
`
`Attomey, Agent, or Finn—Thomas G. Eschweiler; James C.
`Kesterson; Richard L. Donaldson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`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-
`sonal communication devices (50 and 150) to perform a
`wide variety of communication functions such as informa-
`tion retrievable, on-line data base services, electronic and
`voice mail. Communication devices (50 and 150) and appli-
`cation modules (100) cooperate to allow integrating multiple
`functions such as real time communication,
`information
`storage and processing, specialized information services,
`and remote control of other equipment into an intuitively
`user friendly apparatus. The system (20)
`includes both
`desktop (150) and hand-held communication devices (50)
`with the same full range of communication capabilities
`provided in each type of communication device (50 and
`150).
`
`11 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`APPLE 1021
`
` 1
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1021
`
`

`

`5,465,401
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Louis A. Blatt & Alan Sehell, “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 Factors Society 36th Annual Meeting—I992, 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
`TMSBZO 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. 14.
`Texas Instruments Voice Dialing Services, DBP089, Texas
`Instruments.
`
`Texas Instruments Multiserve Media Server, DPPS 300, Aug.
`1992 2M.
`
`“Enhanced Information Services Technical Report”, Texas
`Instruments Telecom Systems, DBPBOSS, Dec. 1991, pp,
`1—19.
`“TI Announces MultiserveTM Telecommunication Plat-
`form”, News Release ITG—OOS, 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”, DBPSZ99, 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
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`24
`
`
`CENTRAL
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVICES
`
`
`-PflflPEE-
`32
`
`
`
`
`MAIN FRAME
`"—
`COMPUTERS
`
`25
`
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`
`36
`
`34
`
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`
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`
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`
`180
`
`MEMORY
`
`RECEIVER I
`[fl
`
`MICRO-
`PROCESSOR
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`3
`
`

`

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

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`
`
`100
`
`54
`
`58
`
`56
`
`58
`
`54
`
`56
`
`mm m. 60 x50
`
`FIG. 6a k,
`50
`
`54
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`55
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`536
`
`,
`
`FIG. 6d \
`50
`
`54
`
`55
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`\50
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`‘
`
`5,465,401
`
`60
`
`600
`
`FIG. 7
`
`62
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nbv.7,1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,465,401
`
`PRICE
`
`Am
`
`552:.10 $29.99
`¢
`s $ 2.99
`/’deM $ 3.99
`mane $58.95
`#7-
`AldPog $42.99
`202000 BM 9 9.00
`BZBP
`$23.50
`203456
`203512
`204987
`205677
`211098
`212000
`214897
`216123
`218999
`219020
`
`/
`
`221098 /
`
`60c
`
`U4? PM EST
`
`9/17/93
`
`/
`
`L
`
`60b
`
`AV
`
`
`
`
`154
`
`
`mmmm
`
`mmwmw
`
`I m
`
`
`7 W231?“
`
`
`427
`/ /
`
`081 4%ZZ; Fran
`(214)123-4567
`
`
`08:40 voice nail/Fox From (214)123-4000
`
`9//
`
`Bus&G $29.99
`
`%ck
`
`exInd
`exInstr
`
`/TexP0cTr
`
`Synb
`
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`TXN
`
`TP
`
`Vol
`
`109
`3457
`80
`
`Dpen Hi
`
`17
`27
`27
`
`17
`29
`27
`
`
`
`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 patent applications:
`Application Ser. No. 07/990,588'fi1ed 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
`number of 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, that are offered for sale today, may be
`obsolete within a short period of time. Several companies
`are proposing elaborate communication networks using tele—
`phone wires, 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 number of different information services and data bases
`and the difi‘erent types of new equipment include 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 become obsolete and of no value if 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
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`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 mechanical or electrical numerical keypad. In order to
`update a cellular telephone as improved technology becomes
`available, the old cellular phone must be replaced with a new
`cellular telephone.
`Various devices for use with personal computers, e.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 and little or no graphic
`information capability is provided.
`While prior 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 consumers the 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 amount of infor-
`mation in the shortest possible time period to allow more
`conununication 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
`when desired, 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 conununication
`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 provided as 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 advantage of the present invention
`is that communication capabilities and options of 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 modern capability, custom—
`ized data and preferences for 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-
`tcry;
`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 news retrieval service, weather service,
`city map locator and navigation service, electronic and voice
`mail capabilities, and other on-line data base services, and
`may have facsimile transmission capabilities.
`An important technical advantage of 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 cornmuni—
`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 provided to 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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`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 corrrrnunication 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 enhanced infor-
`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 and reliability 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 personnel 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
`
`5
`phones, cellular telephones and mobile radio systems. The
`communication device includes a digital signal processing
`circuit which cancels ambient noise associated with the
`outgoing or transmitted signal to remove ambient noise
`associated with the transmitting environment. The digital
`signal processing circuit also cancels ambient noise which is
`superimposed on incoming or received signals to reduce the
`perception of receiving environmental noise along with the
`received signal. The digital
`signal processing circuit
`includes a filter network to remove stable sound pattern
`characteristics from the transmission system. An important
`feature of the present invention is that the microprocessor-
`based digital signal processing circuit allowsinstallation of
`algbrithms and modification of the algorithm as changes
`occur both in the receiving and transmitting operating envi—
`ronment. A second microphone may also be provided in the
`communication device to aid in cancelling ambient noise.
`An additional significant
`technical advantage of the
`present invention is improved security to prevent unautho-
`rized interception of information transmission, particularly
`with respect to mobile communication devices. The com—
`munication system of the present invention allows encryp-
`tion and decryption to take place both within the commu-
`nication device of the individual user and between the
`communication device and a central data base computer
`which maintains each user’s account and billing files. The
`encryption and decryption'scheme may be hard wired into
`each communication device as part of the resident applica-
`tions.,Or, the encryption device may be provided as part of
`one of the application modules used with the communication
`device. The encryption and decryption scheme may be voice
`activated and installed at the central data base or central
`service facility. The individual communication devices may
`contain a general encryption circuit for voice verification
`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 by the 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 centrol
`functions such as operating televisions, video cassette
`recorders, garage doors, etc. and with information storage
`functions such as phone lists, business data, calendar sched-
`ules, etc. This integration is accomplished by having a
`communication device which accepts application modules
`to perform these various functions.
`
`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. 1 is 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 thc present invention for use
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`with the communication system of FIG. 1;
`‘FIG. 4 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held commu-
`nication device from FIG. 1 in its first or closed position;
`FIG. 5 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held device
`from FIG. 1 showing installation of an application module;
`FIG. 6a is a side view in elevation of the hand-held
`communication device from FIG. lain its closed position;
`FIG. 6b is a drawing in elevation of the hand-held
`communication device from FIG. 1 in its standby position;
`FIG. 6c is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held
`device from FIG. 1 in its telephone operating mode;
`FIG. 6d is a drawing in elevation showing the hand—held
`communicating device from FIG. 1 in its fully functional
`operating mode;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit used to
`operate a communication device in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram for an electrical circuit used to
`operate a communication device in accordance with another
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 9a is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`display used with communication devices of the present
`invention providing voice mail applications;
`FIG. 9b is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`display from FIG. 9a used to provide a price list;
`FIG. 96 is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`display from FIG. 9a used to provide stock quotations;
`FIG. 9d is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual
`display from FIG. 9a used to provide map information; and
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram for a typical electrical circuit
`used with an application module incorporating the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The preferred embodiments of the present invention and
`its advantages are best understood by refening to FIGS.
`1—10 of 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 components and features 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 and 39, or satellite 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
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`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 of the 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 of flexibility 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 continu-
`nication devices 50 and 150 to receive information from a
`plurality of sources through a wide variety of communica-
`tion networks and still 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 and interactive 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 may also be included as part of main body 156.
`Communication device 150 includes connection port 158
`which may be used to connect communication device 150 to
`land lines 34 or satellite transmitter/receiver 44. Connection
`port 158 may be a standard telephone jack such as phone line
`connection 86 and/or computer terminal 88 shown in elec-
`trical circuits 62 of FIG. 7. Desktop console 200 shown in
`FIG. 1 may be used with hand-held communication device
`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, reduces the 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.
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`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