a2) United States Patent
`US 6,823,260 BI
`(10) Patent No.:
`Nov.23, 2004
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Turcotte
`
`US006823260B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE
`AND CARRIER INDEPENDENT LOCATION
`SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES
`
`Primary Examiner—B. James Peikari
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wagner, Murabito & Hao
`LLP
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michel Turcotte, San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(73) Assignee: Palm Source, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 742 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/802,172
`(22)
`Filed:
`Mar.7, 2001
`
`Tint. C0?cc ceceeeeeeeeseeeneeneeneenes GOIC 12/26
`(SL)
`(52) U.S. Ch. oes 701/213; 701/300; 701/207;
`709/217; 709/318
`(58) Field of Search 0...ee 701/213, 207,
`701/209, 212, 216, 300; 707/3, 6, 10, 104.1;
`709/203, 217, 218, 318
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,446,004 B1 *
`
`9/2002 Cao et al. we. 701/213
`
`A method and system for a device and carrier independent
`geographic location protocol. Specifically,
`the present
`invention provides location information of a mobile device
`to third parties in a communication network through a
`protocol that is device and network carrier independent.
`Position information of any first format is sent to a proxy
`server. An identifier that identifies the type and formatof the
`position information is also sent. The proxy server then
`locates and accesses an executable plug-in module associ-
`ated with the identifier to convert the position information of
`the first format into one of a plurality of standard location
`formats. The executable plug-in module converts the posi-
`tion information into a second standard format as required
`bythethird party. After the position information is converted
`to the second format, the proxy server sends the position
`information to the third party.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`32 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`1000
`
`WIRELESS
`
`CONNECTION
`
`32 A
`ISL>"
`
`WIRELESS SERVICE
`
`PROVIDER
`
`|[
`
`|—————]
`BASE STATION
`DIRECT
`PHONES”
`CONNECTION
`TERRA
`|CONNECTION
`RADIOS, ETC.
`HARDWARE
`600
`RAW){RAW
`(OPTIONAL)
`Loc
`LOC j**"
`DLL2)
`|DLL3
`
`
`
`GPS
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`WIRELESS SERVICE
`PROVIDER
`
` PROXY SERVER
`
`1050
`
`1010, 1020...
`1030
`
`WEB SERVER
`CONTENT PROVIDER
`
`Google Exhibit 1066
`Google Exhibit 1066
`Google v. Mullen
`Google v. Mullen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.23, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 6,823,260 BI
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 6,823,260 BI
`
`541
`
`
`
`
`HANDHELD
`COMPUTER
`100
`
`LAPTOP COMPUTER|SS)
`meres
`58
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`IBM COMPATIBLE
`56
`
`FIGURE 1B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
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`Nov. 23, 2004
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`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`FIGURE 2B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`FIGURE3
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 BI
`
`
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.23, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.23, 2004
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 B1
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`IDENTIFIER
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.23, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`900
`
`Zip code and Postal code
`City name
`Country code (appendix D)
`ountry name
`tate name (large political division)
`tate code(large political division)
`ounty name (small political division)
`County code (small political division)
`Raw Location data (hexadecimal)
`
`hone area code
`
`Closest Major Airport code
`PS coordinates
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`FIGURE 9
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`treet address (numberon thestreet)
`StreetAddress
`3 9- 95Z °fo2 ©
`ser typed data
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.23, 2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 6,823,260 BI
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`1100
`
`START
`
`
`
`UNDERSTANDING THAT A CONTENT PROVIDER REQUIRES
`
`
`GEOGRAHIC POSITION INFORMATION IN ORDER TO PROCESS A
`REQUEST FROM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`1110
`
`CREATING POSITION INFORMATION OFA FIRST FORMAT
`1120
`
`
`
`SENDING POSITION INFORMATION OF A FIRST FORMATTO A PROXY
`SERVER FROM THE MOBILE DEVICE
`
`1130
`
`SENDINGAN IDENTIFIER
`1140
`
`DETERMINING THE DLL ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSITION
`
`INFORMATION OF A FIRST FORMAT 1150
`
`ACCESSING THE ASSOCIATED DLL
`41160
`
`CONVERTING THE POSITION INFORMATION FROM THE FIRST
`FORMATINTO THE FIRST STANDARD FORMAT
`1170
`
`
`
`SENDING THE POSITION INFORMATION OF THE FIRST STANDARD
`FORMATTO THE CONTENT PROVIDER
`1180
`
`FIGURE 11
`
`

`

`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE
`AND CARRIER INDEPENDENT LOCATION
`SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`invention relates to the field of location
`The present
`systems and protocols for mobile devices.
`2. Related Art
`Communication networks exist that allow for electronic
`mobile devices to communicate with and retrieve informa-
`tion from a variety of content providers in the network. The
`mobile device can be located anywhere in the world.
`For particular types of information,
`it
`is necessary to
`provide location information in order to process a request
`from the mobile device. For example, a user may require
`weather information from a content provider located on the
`Internet.
`In order for the content provider to process a
`request for weather information, the content provider must
`know where the user is geographically located in the world.
`Heretofore, methods that provide location information of
`a user, through their mobile device, are network carrier,
`connection hardware, and connection software dependentin
`that a particular type of hardware can only interface with a
`particular network carrier in order to provide location infor-
`mation of a specific format. In other words, the entire system
`is designed for a one-to-one relationship between the hard-
`ware device and the network carrier when providing location
`information to a third party, such as a content provider.
`Further, it is preferable that the location information be of
`a specific format in order for the content provider to under-
`stand the information and process a request for information.
`In somecases, the method may also be dependent on a proxy
`server to convert location information of the specific format
`to a published standard format.In that case, the proxy server
`is able to interpret and understand the information of the
`specific format.
`For example, an Internet capable mobile handheld device
`can submit a request for weather information to a content
`provider over a communication network through a proxy
`server. The proxy server acts to convert
`the transfer of
`information between the mobile device and the content
`
`location
`the proxy server ensures that
`provider. In fact,
`information coming from the mobile device is converted to
`a particular format as requested by the content provider. The
`requestfor location information of a specific format from the
`content provider may be embedded in the web clipping
`application specific to the content provider. The format
`required by the content provider may be a mailing zip code
`as used in the United States of America.
`
`Understanding that the content provider requires location
`information, the connection software driver that connects
`the mobile device to a network communicates with a par-
`ticular network carrier for specific location information. The
`communicated location information can be of any particular
`type, as long as the connection software driver, the network
`carrier, and the proxy server understand the format and type
`of information.
`
`In particular, one type of information can be towerinfor-
`mation. When communicating with the network, the con-
`nection software driver in the mobile device may have
`access to information about the tower orbasestation that the
`
`mobile device connects through to access the communica-
`tion network. Specifically, a particular type of information is
`the tower ID or identification number.
`
`2
`The connection software driver in the mobile device sends
`the tower ID information to the proxy server. The proxy
`server then can convert the tower ID information to a zip
`code that correspondsto the location of the accessed tower.
`This conversion can be facilitated with the use of a mapping
`table that ties specific towers to specific zip codes.
`After the proxy server converts the location information,
`the complete request for weather information, including the
`converted location information, is sent to the content pro-
`vider for weather information. The content provider, with
`the proper location information in the proper zip code
`format, then sends a web page backto the proxy server with
`the weather information to be sent to the mobile device.
`
`A problem exists in that the process for transferring the
`location information is device and network carrier specific.
`If the mobile device were to connect to the Internet using a
`different network carrier and different connection software
`
`10
`
`15
`
`driver, then location information of any type would not be
`generated. The connection software driver would not be able
`to or understand howto reecive tower information from the
`
`20
`
`different network carrier in order to process a request for
`location information. Thus,
`the method requires that the
`mobile device use a particular network carrier.
`Thus,
`the mobile device must connect to the network
`using specific connecting hardware, a specific connecting
`software driver, and a specific network carrier. Each of these
`dependent components understand that location information
`of a specific format is required, e.g., that of tower ID. If,
`however,
`the mobile device uses a different connecting
`hardware, such as a wireless internal modem instead of a
`built-in radio,
`the software driver associated with the
`modem will not know or understand that location informa-
`
`tion is requested. As such, the software driver associated
`with the modem will not be able to send the necessary tower
`ID information to the proxy server.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method
`and system for providing geographic location information
`for a mobile device to a third party through a communication
`network. The present invention provides a more flexible
`mechanism and protocol for providing location information.
`In addition, the present invention providesa better interface
`over a communication network between a mobile device and
`
`a third party for providing location information. Also, the
`present invention provides for a more universal system that
`is device and carrier independent for providing location
`information over a communication network.
`
`Specifically, embodiments of the present invention dis-
`close a method and system for providing location informa-
`tion of a mobile device to third parties in a communication
`network through a protocol
`that
`is device and network
`carrier independent. Position information of anyfirst format
`is sent to a proxy serverin a location information packet. An
`identifier that identifies the type and format of the position
`information is also sent.
`
`The proxy server then takes the location information
`packet and based onits identifier, calls a proxy software
`driver, such as an executable plug-in module. The proxy
`driver is able to convert the position information of the first
`format into at least one of a plurality of published standard
`location formats.
`
`the executable plug-in module is able to
`Additionally,
`recognize which ofthe plurality of standard location formats
`most closely matches or exactly matches the format required
`by the content provider. After the position information is
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`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`3
`4
`able plug-in module as per the associated identifier. Each
`converted to the format required by the content provider, the
`plug-in module converts the position information into the
`proxy server sends the position information to the content
`standard location format
`that most closely matches the
`provider.
`format required by a requesting third party or content
`location
`In one embodiment of the present invention,
`information of a first format is sent from a mobile device to
`provider. Each plug-in module also givesasatisfaction
`number that indicates how closely the converted location
`a proxy server. Position information of a first format is
`information matchesthe required format. For example, if the
`created indicating the geographic location of the mobile
`conversion was exact, the satisfaction number may be one
`device. The position information is created by a software
`hundred percent.
`driver located in the mobile device. The software driver may
`be a network connection driver that connects the mobile
`These and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will no doubt become obviousto those of ordinary
`skill
`in the art after having read the following detailed
`description of the preferred embodiments which are illus-
`trated in the various drawing figures.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`device to a networkcarrier. In that case, position information
`associated with the network carrier, such as tower identifi-
`cation number, is relayed back to the software driver. The
`software driver may be directed to an internal global posi-
`tioning satellite (GPS) hardware device located on the
`mobile device. The software driver may determine location
`by asking the user for position information.
`The position informationof the first format is then sent to
`a proxy server. An identifier that indicates the type and
`format of the position information is also sent. The proxy
`server accessesa first executable plug-in module or program
`that is directly associated with the identifier. The executable
`plug-in module is able to convert the position information of
`the first format into a plurality of standard location formats.
`In one embodiment, the plug-in module is a dynamic link
`library (DLL).
`The plug-in module is able to determine the required
`format as required by a content provider. The required
`format is one of the plurality of standard location formats in
`one embodiment of the present
`invention. The plug-in
`module is able then to convert the position information of
`the first format into the format required by the content
`provider. After the conversion, the proxy server sends the
`position information of the required format to the content
`provider.
`In another embodiment, the standard position information
`may be of any type providing geographic location and may
`consist of one of the following: network carrier tower
`identification; network carrier cell ID; zip code and postal
`code; global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates; city
`name or code; country name or code; state name or code;
`county nameor code; closest major airport name or code;
`phone area code; train station name or code;
`time zone;
`daylight saving time; mobile network ID; mobile network
`name; mobile network cellular ID; IP address; local time;
`street name; street address; and user ID.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile
`device sends a query that is attached to a web clipping
`application located on the mobile device. The query is
`directed to a third party, such as a content provider, over a
`communication network via a proxy server. A location
`information packetis also sent to the proxy server along with
`the query. The location information packet also contains the
`position information of the mobile device, and an identifier
`that indicates the particular type and format the position
`information is comprised of.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, a third
`party on the communication network initiates a request for
`location information pertaining to a mobile electronic
`device.
`
`In another embodimentof the present invention, a mobile
`device sends a plurality of position information packets,
`each of whichis identified with an identifier, each of which
`is associated with a software driver located on the mobile
`device. The proxy server directs each of the plurality of
`position information packets to the corresponding execut-
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a first exemplary
`network environment including a personal digital assistant
`in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a second exemplary
`network environment including a personal digital assistant
`coupled to other computer systems and the Internet via a
`cradle device in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`TIG. 2A is a top side perspective view of a palmtop
`computer system that can be used as a platform for the data
`entry and authentication embodiments of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 2B is a bottom side perspective view of the palmtop
`computer system of FIG. 2A.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the
`palmtop computer system of FIG. 2A.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cradle device for
`connecting the palmtop computer system to other systems
`via a communication interface.
`
`FIG. 5 is a logical block diagram of the palmtop computer
`system in accordance with an embodimentof the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a carrier access
`networkfor a handheld electronic device, in accordance with
`one embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary raw
`position information packet that is generated by a software
`driver located on a handheld electronic device, in accor-
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the proxy server, in
`accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a table illustrating possible forms of standard
`position information formats,
`in accordance with one
`embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of system thatillustrates the
`process of providing location information over a communi-
`cation network, in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart of steps in accordance with
`providing position and location information over a commu-
`nication network, in one embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
`embodiments of the present invention, a method and appa-
`ratus for a device and carrier independent location system,
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`US 6,823,260 B1
`
`5
`examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
`drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunc-
`tion with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood
`that they are not intended to limit the invention to these
`embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to
`cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which
`may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
`as defined by the appended claims.
`Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the
`present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in
`order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
`invention. However,it will be recognized by oneof ordinary
`skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced
`without these specific details. In other instances, well known
`methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not
`been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure
`aspects of the present invention.
`Notation and Nomenclature
`Someportions of the detailed descriptions which follow
`are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks,
`processing, and other symbolic representations of operations
`on data bits that can be performed on computer memory.
`These descriptions and representations are the means used
`by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effec-
`tively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in
`the art. A procedure, computer executed step, logic block,
`process, etc.,
`is here, and generally, conceived to be a
`self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a
`desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
`manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
`necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
`magnetic signals capable of being stored,
`transferred,
`combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a com-
`puter system. It has proven convenient at times, principally
`for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as
`bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,
`or the like.
`It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
`similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate
`physical quantities and are merely convenientlabels applied
`to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as
`apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated
`that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing
`terms such as “accessing” “processing” or “computing” or
`“translating” or “calculating” or “determining” or “scroll-
`ing” or “displaying” or “recognizing”orthe like, refer to the
`action and processes of a computer system, or similar
`electronic computing device, that manipulates and trans-
`forms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
`within the computer system’s registers and memories into
`other data similarly represented as physical quantities within
`the computer system memories or registers or other such
`information storage, transmission or display devices.
`Exemplary Palmtop Computer System Platform
`The present
`invention is compatible with any mobile
`electronic device. One of the common types of electronic
`systems which can be used in accordance with one embodi-
`ment of the present invention is referred to as a personal
`digital assistant, or commonly called a PDA. The PDA is a
`pocket sized electronic organizer with the capability to store
`telephone numbers, addresses, daily appointment, and soft-
`ware that keeps track of business or personal data such as
`expenses, etc. Furthermore, the PDAalso has the ability to
`connect to a personal computer, enabling the two devices to
`exchange information, in order to synchronize the informa-
`tion between the two devices. Additionally, the PDA can
`also be connected to a modem,enablingit to have electronic
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`mail (e-mail) capabilities over the Internet along with other
`Internet capabilities. Moreover, an advanced PDA can have
`Internet capabilities over a wireless communication inter-
`face (e.g., radio interface). In particular, the PDA can be
`used to browse Web pageslocated on the Internet. The PDA
`can be coupled to a networking environment. It should be
`appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are
`well suited to operate within a wide variety of electronic
`systems (e.g., computer systems) which can be communi-
`catively coupled to a networking environment, including
`cellular phones, pagers,etc.
`FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary network
`environment 50 including an exemplary personal digital
`assistant. The PDA 100 is also known as a palmtop or
`palm-sized electronic system or computer system. The PDA
`100 has the ability to transmit and receive data and infor-
`mation over a wireless communication interface (e.g., a
`radio interface). The PDA 100 is one exemplary implemen-
`tation on which the present
`invention can operate. The
`present invention can operate on any portable electronic
`system or device. The present invention can also operate on
`a non-portable system. For example, in one embodiment of
`the present invention, the local area network could be used
`to query location information.
`In one embodiment, base station 32 is both a transmitter
`and receiver base station which can be implemented by
`coupling it into an existing public communication network
`34. Implemented in this manner, base station 32 enables the
`personal digital assistant 100 to communicate with a proxy
`server computer system 36, which is coupled by wire 35 to
`the existing public telephone network 34. Furthermore,
`proxy server computer system 36 is coupled to the Internet
`52, thereby enabling the PDA 100 to communicate with the
`Internet 52.
`It should be further appreciated that other
`embodiments of a communications network may beutilized
`in accordance with the present invention.
`The data and information which are communicated
`between base station 32 and the personal digital assistant
`100 are a type of information and data that can convention-
`ally be transferred and received over a public telephone wire
`network system. However, a wireless communication inter-
`face is utilized to communicate data and-information
`between the PDA 100 and base station 32. It should be
`appreciated that one embodimentof a wireless communica-
`tion system in accordance with the present invention is the
`Mobitex wireless communication system.
`FIG. 1B illustrates a system 51 that can be used in
`conjunction with the present invention. System 51 com-
`prises a host computer system 56 which can either be a
`desktop unit as shown,or, alternatively, can be a laptop
`system 58. Optionally, one or more host computer systems
`can be used within system 51. Host computer systems 58
`and 56 are shown connected to a communication bus 54,
`which in one embodiment can be a serial communication
`
`bus, but could be of any of a numberof well knowndesigns,
`e.g., a parallel bus, Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN),
`etc. Optionally, bus 54 can provide communication with the
`Internet 52 using a number of well knownprotocols.
`Importantly, bus 54 is also coupled to a cradle 60 for
`receiving and initiating communication with a personal
`digital assistant 100 in one embodiment of the present
`invention. Cradle 60 provides an electrical and mechanical
`communication interface between bus 54 (and anything
`coupled to bus 54) and the computer system 100 for two way
`communications. Computer system 100 also contains a
`wireless infrared communication mechanism 64 (e.g., an
`infrared emitter and detector device) for sending and receiv-
`ing information from other similarly equipped devices (see
`FIG. 1B).
`
`

`

`US 6,823,260 B1
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`FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of one embodimentof
`With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, it is appreciated that
`the cradle 60 for receiving the palmtop computer system
`the exemplary personal digital assistant or palmtop com-
`100. Cradle 60 contains a mechanicalandelectrical interface
`puter system 100 can be used in network environment
`260 for interfacing with communication interface 108 (FIG.
`combining elements of networks 50 and 51. That is, as will
`be seen below, the PDA 100 can include both a wireless
`2B) of computer system 100 when system 100is slid into the
`infrared communication mechanism andasignal (e.g.,
`cradle 60 in an upright position. Once inserted, button 270
`radio) receiver/transmitter device.
`can be pressed to initiate two way communication between
`FIG. 2A is a perspective illustration of the top face 100a
`system 100 and other computer systems coupledto electrical
`interface cable 265.
`of one embodiment of the palmtop computer system. The
`top face 100a contains a display screen 105 surrounded by
`a bezel or cover. A removable stylus 80 is also shown. The
`display screen 105 is a touch screen able to register contact
`between the screen andthetip of the stylus 80. The stylus 80
`can be of any material to make contact with the screen 105.
`The top face 100a also contains one or more dedicated
`and/or programmable buttons 75 for selecting information
`and causing the computer system to implement functions.
`The on/off button 95 is also shown.
`FIG. 2A also illustrates a handwriting recognition pad or
`“digitizer” containing two regions 106a and 1065. Region
`106ais for the drawing of alphabetic characters therein (and
`not for numeric characters) for automatic recognition, and
`region 106dis for the drawing of numeric characters therein
`(and not for alphabetic characters) for automatic recogni-
`tion. The stylus 80 is used for stroking a character within one
`of the regions 106a@ or 106). The stroke informationis then
`fed to an internal processor for automatic character recog-
`nition. Once characters are recognized, they are typically
`displayed on the screen for verification and/or modification.
`FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom side 100b of one embodi-
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`Referring now to FIG. 5, portions of the present electronic
`system are comprised of computer-readable and computer-
`executable instructions which reside, for example,
`in
`computer-readable media of an electronic system (e.g.,
`personal digital assistant, computer system, and the like).
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of exemplary interior components
`of an exemplary personal digital assistant 100 upon which
`embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.
`It is appreciated that the exemplary PDA 100 of FIG. 5 is
`only exemplary and that the present invention can operate
`within a numberof different electronic systems including
`general purpose networked computer systems, embedded
`computer systems, and stand alone electronic systems such
`as a cellular telephone or a pager.
`FIG. 5 illustrates circuitry of an exemplary electronic
`system or computer system 100 (such as the personal digital
`assistant), some of which can be implemented on PC board
`225 (FIG. 3). Exemplary computer system 100 includes an
`address/data bus 99 for communicating information, a cen-
`tral processor 101 coupled with the bus 99 for processing
`information and instructions, a volatile memory 102 (e.g.,
`random access memory (RAM), static RAM dynamic RAM,
`etc.) coupled with the bus 99 for storing information and
`instructions for the central processor 101 and a non-volatile
`memory 103 (e.g., read only memory (ROM), program-
`mable ROM,
`flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM,etc.)
`coupled to the bus 99 for storing static information and
`instructions for the processor 101. Exemplary computer
`system 100 also includes an optional data storage device 104
`(e.g., memorycard,hard drive, etc.) coupled with the bus 99
`for storing information andinstructions. Data storage device
`104 can be removable. As described above, exemplary
`computer system 100 also contains an electronic display
`device 105 coupled to the bus 99 for displaying information
`to the computer user. In one embodiment, PC board 225
`(FIG. 3) can contain the processor 101, the bus 99, the ROM
`103 and the RAM 102.
`Also included in computer system 100 of FIG. 5 is an
`alphanumeric input device 106 which in one implementation
`is a handwriting recognition pad (“digitizer”) having regions
`106a and 106b (FIG. 2A), for instance. Device 106 can
`communicate information (spatial data and pressure data)
`and commandselections to the central processor 101. Sys-
`tem 100 also includes an optional cursor control or directing
`device 107 coupled to the bus for communicating user input
`information and commandselectionsto the central processor
`101. In one implementation, device 107 is a touch screen
`device incorporated with screen 105. Device 107 is capable
`of registering a position on the screen 105 where the stylus
`makes contact and the pressure of the contact. The display
`device 105 utilized with the computer system 100 may be a
`liquid crystal device, cathode ray tube (CRT),field emission
`device (FED, also called flat panel CRT) or other display
`device suitable for creating graphic images and alphanu-
`meric characters recognizable to the user. In the preferred
`embodiment, display 105 is a flat panel display.
`With referencestill to FIG. 5, exemplary computer system
`100 also includes a signal input/output device 108 which is
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`ment of the palmtop computer system. An optional extend-
`ible antenna 85 is shown andalso a battery storage com-
`partment door 90 is shown. A communication interface 108
`is also shown. In one embodimentof the present invention,
`the communication interface 108 is a serial c