U.S. patent application number 09/855834 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-13 for method and apparatus for modifying and integrating a cellular phone with the capability to access and browse the internet.
Invention is credited to Kikinis, Dan.
Application Number | 20010021664 09/855834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27360895 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010021664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kikinis, Dan |
September 13, 2001 |
Method and apparatus for modifying and integrating a cellular phone
with the capability to access and browse the Internet
Abstract
A unique battery pack for a cellular telephone has a
reduced-volume high-density battery allowing space for additional
elements. Computerized elements are implemented in the battery pack
to provide functionality of an Internet browser. These elements
include a CPU, memory, and a display apparatus, and also software
executable by the CPU to do Internet browsing and to display the
data downloaded from the Internet. By removing a conventional
battery pack from a cellular telephone and substituting an adapter
pack according to an embodiment of the invention, the cellular
telephone becomes a hand-held computer device capable of browsing
the Internet and displaying Internet pages. In preferred
embodiments audio apparatus is included.
Inventors: |
Kikinis, Dan; (Saratoga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CENTRAL COAST PATENT AGENCY
PO BOX 187
AROMAS
CA
95004
US
|
Family ID: |
27360895 |
Appl. No.: |
09/855834 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
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Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09855834 |
May 14, 2001 |
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09017819 |
Feb 3, 1998 |
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6243596 |
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09017819 |
Feb 3, 1998 |
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08791249 |
Jan 30, 1997 |
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6076109 |
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08791249 |
Jan 30, 1997 |
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08629475 |
Apr 10, 1996 |
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5727159 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/572 ;
455/573; 707/E17.121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 69/08 20130101;
H04L 67/568 20220501; H04L 67/5651 20220501; H04L 67/56 20220501;
H04M 1/72445 20210101; H04M 1/724 20210101; H04L 67/01 20220501;
H04L 69/329 20130101; H04L 9/40 20220501; H04W 80/04 20130101; H04L
67/565 20220501; G06F 16/9577 20190101; A63H 2200/00 20130101; H04W
64/00 20130101; H04L 67/563 20220501; H04M 1/0262 20130101; H04L
67/303 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/572 ;
455/573 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computerized battery pack adapter for a cellular telephone,
comprising: a high energy density (HED) battery for electrical
power; a CPU for managing activities of the adapter; memory for
storing data and programs; a display apparatus; circuitry for
connecting to a cellular telephone and receiving data from the
telephone; and control routines adapted for connecting to and
browsing the Internet via the cellular telephone, and for
displaying Internet pages on the display apparatus.
2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the adapter, connected to a
cellular telephone also powers the telephone and electronic
elements of the adapter.
3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the display is a micro LCD
display, and the adapter further comprises a lens apparatus for
helping a user view the display.
4. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising input apparatus for a
user to interface with a WEB page display, including a pointer
device adapted for causing a cursor to move in the display.
5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the display is a flat display
implemented on a surface of the adapter.
6. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a serial port for
transmitting and receiving data from connected serial devices.
7. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising audio apparatus
including a microphone for user audio input and a speaker for audio
output.
8. The adapter of claim 7 wherein the control routine are adapted
to accept commands by audio input and voice recognition.
9. A method for adapting a cellular telephone to perform functions
of Internet browsing, comprising steps of: (a) forming a battery
pack with a reduced volume battery providing space for further
elements; (b) adapting computerized elements for performing
Internet browsing to the battery pack, including browser software
and display apparatus; and (c) providing a data connection from the
battery pack to the cellular telephone adapted to incorporate the
cellular telephone as an Internet connection, and connecting the
battery pack to the cellular telephone through the data connection.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/017,819 which is a
continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/791,249, which is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/629,475, all are incorporated in the
present application in their entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the area of apparatus and
methods including software for accessing information from the
Internet, and providing the accessed information to an end user.
The invention has, in various embodiments, particular applicability
to portable computers, cellular telephones, and the like that are
powered by batteries and used as portable field units for Internet
access.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are many motivations to computer development,
depending largely on targeted customer groups. For example, a
certified public accountant needs to run applications having to do
with accounting, taxes, financial planning, and the like, while a
fiction writer may wish only to use a computer as a word processor.
The kind of system one of these people might choose to own may be
vastly different from the type the other would purchase.
Manufacturers plan their research and development to produce
products that appeal to their targeted customer bases.
[0004] Even with the considerable differences in needs between
different consumer groups, there are still many commonly desirable
traits in computer development. For example, regardless of the
ultimate functionality of a particular sort of computer, a low cost
to manufacture is a desirable characteristic. Another desirable
characteristic is portability. There are advantages to being able
to easily move one's computing tool from place to place, and even
greater advantages to having a portable computer small enough to
carry in a pocket or purse.
[0005] Even though portability and small size is generally
desirable, power and functionality are always desirable as well,
and these characteristics are competitive. Conventionally and
historically one pays a penalty for small size and portability.
[0006] One of the penalties typically paid is functionality as
related to battery life. That is, if one uses a powerful and fast
CPU in a portable computer, the size of the battery must be quite
large, and life between charges will be relatively short. For
example, it can be shown in general that 100 grams of battery
weight, fully charged, will power about 5.times.10.sup.8
instructions. It is to be understood that this is a general figure,
and may vary somewhat for different CPUs, types of batteries, and
the like.
[0007] Given the figure above relating battery weight to a number
of instructions for illustrative purposes, if a portable computer
is to be provided with ability to execute relatively high-overhead
applications, such as HTML files in Internet applications, the CPU
for the portable computer will have to operate at 1 to 2 MIPS
(million instructions per second). Assuming 1 MIPS, a battery
weight of 100 g. will discharge in about 8 minutes. A five hundred
gram (a little over one pound) battery will provide a life between
charges of about 41 minutes.
[0008] It is seen, then, that as applications and desired functions
for personal computers become more sophisticated, it becomes ever
more difficult to provide theses applications and functions for
small, personal, battery-powered computers.
[0009] There are some ways that battery life may be extended or
optimized. For example, power-management techniques may extend
battery life by 1.5, use of low-power integrated circuit technology
can add another 1.5, sophisticated electrical storage technology
another 1.5, and solar recharge perhaps another 1.2. The net
multiplier, using every means of help is about 5, so a 500 gram
battery will then power such a computer for about three hours. Five
hours is still a relatively short battery lifetime, so
sophisticated operations for small, portable computers, such as
World Wide Web (WWW) browsing on the Internet, are not, until the
time of the present invention, very practical.
[0010] Further to the above discussion, as the global network of
connected databases known as the World Wide Web continues to grow,
social and political concerns grow as well. Many are concerned that
the expense and complexity of end-use computers suitable for
Web-browsing is a formidable barrier to increased information
access by disadvantaged millions, for which WEB access may be seen
as a tool for empowerment and social and political advancement.
[0011] What is clearly needed is apparatus and methods whereby
sophisticated operations like Web-browsing and the like may be
accomplished with small, battery-powered portable computers, such
as hand-held computers, or, cellular telephones, while also
accomplishing a life-between-charges of a week or more, without
requiring especially heavy batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a
computerized battery pack adapter for a cellular telephone, is
provided comprising a high energy density (HED) battery for
electrical power; a CPU for managing activities of the adapter;
memory for storing data and programs; a display apparatus;
circuitry for connecting to a cellular telephone and receiving data
from the telephone; and control routines adapted for connecting to
and browsing the Internet via the cellular telephone, and for
displaying Internet pages on the display apparatus. The adapter,
connected to a cellular telephone also powers the telephone and
electronic elements of the adapter.
[0013] In some embodiments the display is a micro LCD display, and
the adapter further comprises a lens apparatus for helping a user
view the display. There is also input apparatus for a user to
interface with a WEB page display, including a pointer device
adapted for causing a cursor to move in the display. In other
embodiments the display is a flat display implemented on a surface
of the adapter. There may also be a serial port for transmitting
and receiving data from connected serial devices. Other known
computer-type ports may be provided as well.
[0014] In preferred embodiments audio apparatus is provided,
including a microphone for user audio input and a speaker for audio
output. In these embodiments the control routine can be adapted to
accept commands by audio input and voice recognition. Methods for
practicing the invention are disclosed and taught as well.
[0015] In embodiments of this invention, for the first time, cell
phones are made adaptable to be Internet browsers simply by
interchanging battery packs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a largely diagrammatical illustration of a
Proxy-Server system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a portable computer and a
Proxy-Server from FIG. 1, showing additional detail.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first part of an exemplary
session script between a hand-held computer, a Proxy-Server, and a
WEB server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a second part of the exemplary session script for
which FIG. 3 is a first part.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an Uninterrupted Matrix of
Inexpensive Servers according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating enhanced E-mail and
groupware functions according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an overview illustration of a Web-browsing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a proxy
server is not used or needed.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in process flow
for operations of a server according to an alternative embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified cellular-phone
battery-pack according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the battery-pack of FIG. 9
illustrating various modifications according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a cellular telephone modified and
adapted to Web-browsing according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating inner circuitry of
the cellular phone of FIG. 11 as it relates to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a largely diagrammatical illustration of a
computing system 11 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment a hand-held computer 13 is connected
via a telephone line 15 through a modem 17 to a first dial-up point
18, which may be an Internet Service Provider. Accordingly, dial-up
point 18 is labeled ISP 1. In this arrangement a Proxy-Server 19
according to an embodiment of the present invention is established
as a server on the Internet, and a command from unit 13 to ISP 1
results in connection through a TCP/IP pipe 16 to Proxy-Server 19.
Proxy-Server 19 is also labeled ISP 2, for Internet Provider 2.
Proxy-Server 19 has links to other WEB servers on the Internet as
is known in the art, and may open TCP/IP paths 21 to any such WEB
server.
[0029] In alternative arrangements, connection may be by modem from
unit 13 directly to Proxy-Server 19. Alternatively, Proxy-Server 19
may be a node on a LAN at a corporate system. In all cases of
embodiments of the invention, communication from unit 13 to WEB
Servers on the Internet is through Proxy-Server 19.
[0030] In this embodiment hand-held computer 13 is a high-end
personal organizer, such as a Sharp Wizard.TM. personal organizer.
The hand-held computer, however, can be any one of a large number
of commercially available computing devices with a broad range of
capabilities, including those devices known as personal digital
assistants (PDAs). In other embodiments and aspects of the present
invention, the computer used by a person to access and interact
with the Proxy-Server in practicing the present invention need not
be a hand-held, or even a portable computer in the sense the terms
are used in the art. In some aspects, capabilities of a field unit
according to the present invention are built into a set-top box for
a TV system or directly into a TV set.
[0031] Most computers capable of modem communication can serve to
practice the invention, and, in the following discussion, the terms
field computer or field unit are used to generally indicate a
computer used anywhere for primary Internet access, whether through
and in cooperation with a Proxy-Server according to an embodiment
of the present invention, or not.
[0032] Even though the present invention is not limited to
hand-held, battery-powered computers, but is applicable to personal
computers of all types, the techniques of the invention are
particularly advantageous when used with portable, battery powered
devices as filed units, because they provide a way to accomplish
relatively sophisticated computer operations with low-end,
low-power CPUs. This technique is particularly effective in saving
power relative to functionality, which provides greatly extended
battery life.
[0033] Returning to FIG. 1, in this arrangement, computer 13 has a
modem 17, and is connected via phone lines 15 to a Proxy-Server 19,
as described above, such as through a first dial-up point. This
connection is convenient, but not required. There are a number of
other ways computer 13 may be connected to the Internet, or to a
similar Proxy-Server without telephone lines, such as by a
satellite link or cable modem, or by a combination of data links.
Also, the modem shown may be a built-in modem or an external modem,
and may also be either an analog modem or a digital link such as an
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) modem.
[0034] Proxy-Server 19 in this arrangement is unique. In a
conventional system, proxy-servers, if used at all, are used only
for caching and security. In embodiments of the present invention
the Proxy-Server performs much of the computing that computer 13
would otherwise be obliged to perform. Proxy-Server 19 and its
functionality with computer 13 is described in more detail
below.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of hand-held
computer 13, Proxy-Server 19, and WEB server 23 from FIG. 1 showing
additional detail. In FIG. 2, computer 13 is shown connected
directly to Proxy-Server 19, but could be connected by a number of
ways, as is described more generally above.
[0036] Computer 13 has a CPU 25, a memory 27, video adapter
circuitry 29, and modem 17 all communicating on bus 31. Video
circuitry 29 drives a display 33. Memory 27 may be any of a number
of types, such as flash, random access (RAM), read-only (ROM) or
similar type, or a combination of these. There may be other
components as well, but these are not shown to facilitate
description of the unique aspects of this embodiment of the
invention. The hardware arrangement is intentionally shown as
general, and is meant to represent a broad variety of
architectures, which depend on the particular computing device
used.
[0037] Proxy-Server 19 is a relatively sophisticated and powerful
computer typical of computers used as WEB servers, although the use
in this embodiment of Proxy-Server 19 is not the conventional or
typical functions of a WEB server as known in the art. Proxy-Server
19 has a CPU 39, a memory 41 and a means of connecting to a
network. The network connecting means in this embodiment is a modem
35 communicating on a bus 47. In other embodiments the network
connecting means may be a network adapter or other.
[0038] Modem 35 in the embodiment shown is compatible with modem 17
in computer 13. In other embodiments link 15 may be of a different
sort, and connection may be made through a dial-up point as shown
in FIG. 1. A communication port 37 connects to communication link
21 (FIG. 1), providing communication with conventional Web server
23, which represent any Web server that may be accessed on the
World Wide Web.
[0039] Port 37 and link 21 may be any of several types. In some
embodiments, server 23 and server 19 will be nodes on a local area
network (LAN), and the link between the two servers will be a
serial network link with port 37 being a LAN card according to any
of a number of well-known protocols. In other embodiments link 21
may be another telephone line, and port 37 will be a telephone
modem. In still other embodiments, this link could be a parallel
communication link.
[0040] Proxy-Server 19 exists in this embodiment of the invention
to perform functions enabling hand-held computer 13 to operate as
an apparently powerful Web-browsing machine, even though the
stand-alone capability of computer 13 will not even begin to
support such functionality. As is well-known in the art, for a
computer to be a fully-functional Web-browsing system requires a
high-performance CPU and execution of relatively sophisticated
Web-browsing and display applications. Such a computer typically
has to operate, as described above, at or above a million
instructions per second.
[0041] In the embodiment of the present invention shown by FIGS. 1
and 2 Proxy-Server 19 executes a program 45 the inventor terms an
InterBrowser. The InterBrowser combines functionality of a
conventional Web-browser with special functions for recognition of
and communication with hand-held computer 13. Commands from
computer 13, such as, for example, a command to access a Web page
on the World Wide Web, are received by Proxy-Server 19 operating
the InterBrowser program, and acted upon as though they are
commands received from a conventional input device such as a
keyboard.
[0042] Following the example of a command communicated over link 15
from computer 13 for accessing a Web page (typically a Universal
Resource Locator (URL), Proxy-Server 19 accesses the appropriate
server (in this case server 23) over link 21, and downloads the
appropriate data over link 21. Proxy-Server 19 therefore has HTML
and TCP/IP capability, and typically has access to and capability
of executing a host of other routines as known in the art for
supporting Web-browsing and accessing data through the World Wide
Web. These routines and this functionality are all very well-known
to those with skill in the art.
[0043] Proxy-Server 19, instead of displaying the downloaded data
(or playing video and/or audio output, as the case may be,
depending on the downloaded data), translates the data to a simpler
communication protocol and sends the data to computer 13 for output
over link 15 in a TCP/IP protocol. Link 15 becomes a dedicated
TCP/IP pipe to and from Proxy-Server 19. Proxy-Server 19 thus acts
as a proxy for computer 13, performing those functions of
Web-browsing computer 13 cannot perform.
[0044] Computer 13 through execution of a program the inventor
terms a NanoBrowser 43 sends commands entered at computer 13 over
link 15 to Proxy-Server 19 and accepts data from Proxy-Server 19 to
be displayed on display 33. Data is transferred in a protocol the
inventor terms HT-Lite. The NanoBrowser also provides for
interactive selection of links and entry into fields in displays,
as is typical for Web pages displayed on a computer screen. The
NanoBrowser provides for accepting such entry, packaging data
packets in TCP/IP form, and forwarding such data to Proxy-Server
19, where much greater computer power provides for efficient
processing.
[0045] In conventional Web-browsing, all final processing takes
place at the browser's computer, and those who establish Web
servers assume that browser's will operate with sufficiently
powerful equipment and programs to accomplish all of the necessary
processing. No such processing is done at the Web servers.
[0046] One of the processing tasks that has to conventionally occur
at the browser's computer is processing of received data into a
format to be displayed on whatever display the user has. There are,
as is well-known in the art, many types of displays and many
display modes. These range all the way from relatively crude LCD
displays to high-resolution, multi-color displays. There are, in
addition, a number of other functions that have to be performed
conventionally at a user's computer to interact effectively with
the WWW. For example, audio and video and some other functions
typically require supplemental, or helper, applications to be
installed on or downloaded to a field unit to process audio and
video data and the like.
[0047] Most data transferred by Web servers assumes relatively
high-end displays, such as color SVGA displays as known in the art.
In PDAs and digital organizers, such as those anticipated for use
in the present invention, the displays are relatively low
resolution, and are typically LCD in nature. In the system
described with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2 InterBrowser program 45 at
the Proxy-Server and the HT-Lite NanoBrowser program at the
hand-held unit cooperate in another manner as well. When one
connects to the Proxy-Server the hand-held unit, through the
HT-Lite NanoBrowser program, provides a signature which the
Proxy-Server compares with logged signatures.
[0048] An ID match when connecting a hand-held unit to the
Proxy-Server provides the Proxy-Server with information about the
hand-held unit, such as CPU type and power, screen size, type and
resolution, presence of a pointer device, and sound capability. The
Proxy-Server then uses this specific information to translate HTML
and other files from the Internet to a form readily usable without
extensive additional processing by the hand-held unit. For a small
monochrome LCD display a 60 k/70 k JPEG file becomes a 2 k/4 k bit
map, for example. Also, multi-file pages are recombined into single
file pages. This translation also minimizes bandwidth requirement
for link 15, and speeds transmission of data.
[0049] It is in this ability of the Proxy-Server to do the heavy
computing, of which the translation of HTML files is a single
example, that is responsible for a unique ability of hand-held
devices in practicing embodiments of the present invention to
accomplish functions that they could not otherwise accomplish, and
to do so without inordinate usage of stored energy. In various
embodiments of the present invention, hand-held devices with CPUs
having an ability to run at from 0.001 to 0.05 MIPs can serve as
Web-browsers, displaying Web pages and allowing users to initiate
on-screen links and to input data into input fields. Given the
above example of MIPs requirement for Web-browsing, where currently
available solutions may provide a 5.times. advantage, practicing
the present invention can provide an advantage of up to
2000.times., resulting in battery life approaching 2 weeks (given a
100 g battery weight), where expected battery life for similar
functionality with a powerful CPU was calculated as 8 minutes.
[0050] There are many functions other than simple Web-browsing that
are desirable for a hand-held devices like those contemplated to be
used with systems according to embodiments of the present
invention. The typical functions for digital organizers and PDAs,
for example, such as scheduling of appointments, listing phone
numbers, addresses and the like, taking notes, sending faxes and
E-mail and so forth, and such tasks as currency conversion, are
still provided by a hand-held unit executing HT-Lite. Now, however,
these functions are more interactive than previously, as data for
these functions can be exchanged through the TCP/IP link with the
Proxy-Server, which may access data from a variety of sources to
update data for such functions.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a variety
of Groupware functions are supported, wherein a database having
variable data such as appointment schedules for employees may be
accessed from several different points, such as from a computer at
home, a computer on a network at the office, and a hand-held
computer in the field, through a Proxy-Server connection. In such
interactive circumstances, date and time monitoring may be used so
files in different locations may be updated when connection is made
between units having different versions of a file. Also, access may
be provided selectively, so, if preferred, only certain persons may
have access to certain files. For example, one user could grant
another access to his or her appointment schedule, such that one
could make an appointment for oneself on another's appointment
schedule.
[0052] To practice the invention, given an accessible Web server
configured as a Proxy-Server according to an embodiment of the
present invention, one needs only to load HT-Lite NanoBrowser
software on a computer and to provide Internet access for the
computer, such as by a telephone modem. In many cases, candidate
computers have built-in modems. In other cases, an external modem
may be provided and connected. In the case of hand-held devices,
such as PDAs and organizers, some have an ability to load software
via a serial port, a PC card slot, through the modem extant or
provided, or by other conventional means. IN some cases, all
operating code is embedded, that is, recorded in read-only memory.
In some of these cases, adding HT-Lite routines may require a
hardware replacement. In virtually all cases of handheld devices,
however, the necessary routines can be provided.
[0053] One of the components of the HT-Lite NanoBrowser software is
a minimum browser routine termed by the inventor a NanoBrowser. The
NanoBrowser is capable of exerting a URL over the modem connection
to access the Proxy-Server. Theoretically, one could exert a URL of
a Web site other than the Proxy-Server, but the result would be an
unusable connection, as the small hand-held unit would not be able
to handle the sophisticated data provided to be downloaded.
[0054] Connection to the Proxy-Server provides the Proxy-Server
with information as to the subscriber and the subscriber's
equipment. These operations proceed in a manner well-known in the
art for such log-on and security transactions. Once access is
extended to the user, an interface is provided for the user to
browse in a manner very similar to well-known Web interfaces. That
is, the user's display provides an entry field for a URL which is
asserted by an enter key or the like. There may also be an address
book for often-visited sites, as is common with more powerful
machines.
[0055] Developers are quickly introducing new and useful features
for Web browsing, such as an ability for users to access electronic
documents through access to their own Web pages,
machine-independently. All such features will be available in the
practice of the present invention, as there is nothing in the
invention that inherently restricts use more than the use of more
powerful machines.
[0056] Similarly, there are no strict requirements for the location
of the Proxy-Server or of accessible Web servers in embodiments of
the present invention. No restrictions are placed on such locations
beyond restrictions on servers in general. In one embodiment, a
corporation with multiple and perhaps international locations may
have a local area network with one or more Proxy-Servers, and
employees, particularly those employees whose job functions require
travel, are provided with hand-held digital assistants according to
an embodiment of the present invention. Multiple functions are then
provided over Internet connection in Internet protocol, far beyond
what could otherwise be provided with small and inexpensive units;
and battery life would be far beyond what would otherwise be
expected.
[0057] FIGS. 3 and 4 together form an example of a session script
between hand-held computer 13, Proxy-Server 19, and any Web server
23. These figures are used herein to describe important functions
of the NanoBrowser incorporated in computer unit 13, and the
InterBrowser, incorporated in Proxy-Server 19, as well as to
illustrate methods in practicing the present invention.
[0058] Referring first to FIG. 3, the figure is divided generally
into three columns (as is FIG. 4), one for functions performed at
computer field unit 13, a middle column for functions performed at
Proxy-Server 19, and a third column for functions performed at Web
server 23.
[0059] At step 47 a user turns on the hand-held computer. It is
assumed at this point that a data link is established between the
hand-held and Proxy-Server 19, which is represented in FIG. 3 and
in FIG. 4 by the boundary between the left column and the center
column. As previously described, this interface can be of any
convenient sort, such as an analog telephone modem. After the
hand-held performs a simple boot-up process, a menu is presented to
the user. One of the selections (by virtue of the NanoBrowser
software) is Browse/Mail.
[0060] At step 49 the user selects Browse/Mail. Other functions of
the handheld, that may be fully supported without connection to a
Proxy-Server, such as appointment scheduling and phone lists, are
not represented here, except by the general step 51 labeled "Other
Activity". There may be other menu selections, and the Browse/Mail
selection is exemplary. Initiation of communication with the
Proxy-Server could be accomplished in other ways.
[0061] Routines in the NanoBrowser respond to the Browse/Mail
selection by presenting the necessary interface for the user to
access his/her subscribed Internet provider. At step 53 this
interface is presented and the user makes the necessary inputs to
establish the provider connection.
[0062] The present example assumes connection and operation through
an Internet provider, wherein the subscriber's status is that of a
Proxy-Server subscriber, although this is not the only arrangement
within the scope of the invention. Employees of a corporation
might, for example, log on to a server on a company network.
[0063] Connection to the Internet provider is made at step 55. At
step 57 action is taken to establish an Internet Protocol (IP)
connection to a Proxy-Server according to the present invention.
Initial communication from the connected hand-held causes the
Proxy-Server to open a port and establish the connection at step
59.
[0064] At step 61 the user logs on by entering a user name and
password and the field unit identifies itself with its ID. At step
63 the Proxy-Server compares the entered password and ID with
stored records, and derives a signature for the unit. At step 65
the Proxy-Server decides whether the information is correct. If the
Log-On is valid, control passes to step 67, and the Proxy-Server
acknowledges the successful log-on to the hand-held unit at step
69. If the log-on is not valid, control in the Proxy-Server goes
from step 65 to step 71, and the Proxy-Server disconnects from the
hand-held unit. The Proxy-Server then waits for a new ID request
(step 73).
[0065] At the hand-held unit, assuming an unsuccessful log-on,
control passes from step 74 back to step 53, and the user is
provided another opportunity to log on. Control continuity from the
hand-held unit to further steps in FIG. 4 is indicated by line 76.
For the Proxy-Server the control continuity to FIG. 4 is indicated
by line 78.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 4, which is a continuation of FIG. 3,
continuity lines 76 and 78 are shown at the top of the figure.
Following the activity at the hand-held, at step 79 a request is
sent from the hand-held (after having been entered by the user) to
access a page on the WWW. This request is represented by the URL
WWW.Any.Com, which can be any valid Universal Resource Locator
(URL) for the Internet.
[0067] At step 81 the Proxy-Server receives this request. The proxy
server processes the request from the hand-held and at step 83
issues a new request through its own full-service browser, through
its connection to the Internet, to access WWW.Any.Com. At step 85
the WWW server at WWW.Any.Com receives the request from the
Proxy-Server and at step 87 sends its home page HTML file,
represented as Home.HTML, to the Proxy-Server.
[0068] At step 89 the Proxy-Server receives Home.HTML. Home pages
typically contain at least one image file, which in many cases is a
JPG file. Accordingly, at least two files must be downloaded to
display a home page. At step 91 a request for a JPG image file is
sent by the Proxy-Sever. The Proxy-Server receives this request at
step 93 and send the image file to the Proxy-Server at step 95. The
Proxy-Server receives the image file at step 97. There may be many
more files than this, but a minimum representation has been made
for simplicity in description.
[0069] At step 101 the Proxy-Server converts all of the .jpg files
to a dithered bitmap format according to information associated
with the user ID received from the hand-held at log-on. This ID
establishes the size and resolution of the hand-held's display, for
example, and the bitmap created from the .jpg files is scaled to
the hand-held's display.
[0070] Once all the files in the Home page script are downloaded
from the accesses Web server at WWW.Any.Com, the Proxy-Server
assembles all of these files into a single HT-Lite (HTL) file for
transfer to the hand-held. This process is represented by step 103.
At step 105 the new HTL file is transmitted to the hand-held unit.
The hand-held receives at step 107 the single HTL file prepared
from the several HTML files received by the Proxy-Server. Finally,
at step 109 the hand-held awaits new user input, such as, for
example, a request to jump to a related page.
[0071] As has been described above, field computers of many sorts
may be used for connecting to the Internet through a Proxy-Server
according to embodiments of the present invention, although there
are particular advantages in using small, inexpensive,
battery-powered, hand-held field units. As has also been described,
information relating to the field unit used by each subscriber is
recorded at the Proxy-Server (or available to the Proxy-Server),
and, upon connection, the Proxy-Server accesses this information,
and uses it in transposing files for a particular unit.
[0072] In some cases, a display used by a field unit will be large
enough to display an entire page from the WWW. In other cases, it
will be preferable to present just a part of an entire page,
because the display of the field unit may be too small to provide
an entire page with adequate resolution. In these cases it will be
necessary to zoom and pan to see an entire page. In one embodiment
of the invention a field unit is provided with an auxiliary small
display, to present information relative to the position on a page
that may be presented on the main screen, as an aid in panning to
other parts of the page.
[0073] It is well-known that graphic information is not the only
information accessible on the Internet. Audio may be downloaded in
many cases as well. In many cases where audio is available,
software, often termed a "media player" is provided to be
downloaded from the same source to be used by the connecting
computer in processing the audio data. The present structure of the
Internet WWW is such that users are assumed to have certain kinds
of equipment of sufficient computing power to do Web-browsing and
to operate media players. For example, media players are typically
provided for IBM-compatible PC, Macintosh, or Sun systems.
[0074] In many embodiments of the present invention, wherein field
units of much lesser power than the present assumptions may be
used, these assumptions are no longer valid. Many field units which
may now, with the unique capabilities of Proxy-Servers according to
embodiments of the present invention, be used for browsing the WWW,
will not be capable of executing the typical media players.
[0075] As has been described above, subscribers to a Proxy-Server
system according to the present invention will provided
characteristics of their particular field units to the
Proxy-Server, and the Proxy-Server will use the information in
transposing files. The same is true for audio, so the Proxy-Server
will "know" if a particular field unit has a speaker system, and
what the computing capability of the field unit is. In alternative
embodiments of the present invention, field units will be provided
with capability to receive Linear Predictive Coded (LPC) audio
data, and to drive one or more speaker units. The Proxy-Server, in
these cases, will either download the media players as necessary,
or be previously programmed with media players, and will convert
the audio data downloaded from the Internet to the form usable by
the field units as a part of the overall transposing process.
[0076] In some aspects of the invention specialized field units are
provided for special purposes. A hand-held computer is provided,
for example, with a CPU, a ROM having embedded NanoBrowser
software, a main display, and an auxiliary display for indicating
page position for panning and the like. In some variations, a
microphone and a speaker are also provided, and the onboard
software includes routines for processing audio in both directions,
to and from the Proxy-Server. In other variations a digital camera
apparatus is provided with the hand-held unit, and a user can snap
digital pictures and send the data to the Proxy-Server or to any
other machine on the Internet by E-mail. In combinations of these
variations very useful systems are provided for field operatives of
such as insurance companies to do field work.
[0077] Other field units are provided in alternative embodiments as
desk units for school environments, having many or all of the
features of the hand-held units described, but taking the form of
desktop units with conventional power supplies rather than
batteries. Such units can be made with considerably lower
complexity and cost than units conventionally capable of
interacting with the Internet, providing much expanded Internet
access for school systems and the like. These units incorporate
NanoBrowsers according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0078] Another form of field unit according to the present
invention is a TV-type unit having a low-end CPU and embedded
NanoBrowser software according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Home TV-computer technology may thus be provided through
a Proxy-Server connection at a cost very much below currently
available systems. Such units will also be attractive for use in
hotels, as they expand on existing information systems using TV
sets in hotel rooms.
[0079] In captured corporate systems, properly termed Intranet
systems, scheduling, ordering, instructions, travel arrangements,
and the like can be extensively interactive. For example, a
secretary may access an appointment schedule file using a regular
PC connected to the Internet, the schedule for an employee
temporarily inaccessible (in the middle of the night in Moscow, for
example, while the employee may be sleeping) and make adjustments
in the employee's appointments. When the employee next establishes
contact with the Proxy-Server, the appointment calendar in the
employee's unit is compared by date and time stamp, and
automatically updated as necessary, following preset rules for
conflict resolution.
[0080] An advantage inherent in different embodiments of the
present invention is that future improvements in HTML, specific
Web-browsing applications, and helper applications need not be
installed on the field units used in practicing the invention. Such
improvements need only be made in the Proxy-Server. The
Proxy-Server can also be updated to do the best translation
possible for such improvements.
[0081] In an important aspect of the invention, Proxy-Servers
adapted to embodiments of the present invention may be provided by
commercial Internet providers, thereby providing their customers
with extended functionality for small and inexpensive computer
units, lowering the expense and complexity typically required of
machines that may be expected to access the Internet. In this
aspect, customers of such providers could browse the Internet and
download and display sophisticated files with existing inexpensive
portable computers, personal digital assistants, and digital
organizers. This feature promises to dramatically increase
accessibility to the Internet, and to lower barriers to entering
the Internet world for many people who could otherwise not afford
to do so.
[0082] Also in embodiments of the invention as incorporated in
Proxy-Servers, caching is provided, whereby data downloaded from
other Internet servers accessed according to commands entered by
users in the field having units connected to the Proxy-Server, may
be temporarily stored before or after translation for field units,
enhancing viewing speed dramatically at the field units.
[0083] It is anticipated that one Proxy-Server may serve a large
number of hand-held computers, giving each served computer a
functionality far beyond what it could otherwise provide given its
power and cost. Current estimates indicate that a single
Proxy-Server may serve 100 or more field units simultaneously.
Since statistically not all subscribers may be expected to be using
their field units at the same time, one such Proxy-Server could
serve perhaps 2000 subscribers.
[0084] Even though a single Proxy-Server might be expected to serve
a relatively large number of subscribers at the same time, the
number of potential users of such a system is very much larger than
a single Proxy-Server could be expected to service. For this
reason, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, an
Un-interrupted Matrix of Inexpensive Servers (UMIS) is provided as
a method for implementation for the Proxy Server. FIG. 5 is a block
diagram of a UMIS system 111 wherein relatively small, inexpensive
servers 113, each with its own hard disks, are interconnected in a
network protocol with a router 115 and a mirroring traffic cop
server 117. Such a system can handle massive numbers of requests,
at a moderate cost, and the system and is scaleable and to a high
degree fail-safe.
[0085] An incoming request is directed to the traffic cop, which is
a mirroring system, so that in case one unit fails, the other can
take over without interruption. The traffic cop determines that
availability and load of all IS's on a regular basis by connecting
a requesting a load number (time-out is regarded as failure of that
IS), so it can direct requests to the lowest loaded IS. If an IS
fails, the traffic cop will learn of it at the next round, and can
notify a system supervisor. The load is then shared between the
remaining units. Also, a failure of one of the mirroring units
triggers a notification to the supervisor. An escalation can be
added via e-mail and pagers until proper action is taken.
[0086] Ideally the IS units are like drawers that fit into a rack,
and have a red light that goes on when and if they fail. This way,
service personnel can see immediately which unit needs to be
exchanged.
[0087] Since there is only transitory data on hard-disks of the
IS's, no data recovery is required. In case of open connections,
the client's TCP/IP protocol will retry after a time out, and will
be directed by the cop to a new IS, thus recovering completely
transparently. This way cost per subscriber can be held very low.
On the Cop units, since they are mirroring, after an exchange of a
defective unit a software routine is started that reconfigures the
new unit to be synchronized.
[0088] As was described above, in systems according to embodiments
of the present invention, many database functions can be shared
with entries, edits and updates made over Internet connections. In
addition to database functions, systems according to embodiments of
the invention can accomplish enhanced E-mail functions. FIG. 6 is a
flow diagram illustrating the nature of such functionality.
[0089] The functions illustrated by the flow diagram of FIG. 6 are
accomplished by executing software either on a Proxy-Server or at a
separate mail server which may be accessed by a Proxy-Server
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The routines
depicted here are a modified version of SendMail routines known in
the art.
[0090] In FIG. 6 events for purposes of description begin at step
119. Modified SendMail is active. At step 121 incoming mail is
received. In this modified system, there are three file systems
123, 125, and 127 for storing Email in different versions. At step
129 a text copy is saved in file system 123 according to Post
Office Protocol, revision 3 (POP-30 format, known in the art. At
step 131 a copy of the received E-mail entity is saved in HTML
format, for Web mail. At step 133 a copy of the entity is saved in
HTL format, compatible with the communication protocol for HT-Lite
used between a field unit and a Proxy-Server in embodiments of the
present invention.
[0091] At step 135 an HTML index is updated. At step 137 an HTL
index is updated. At step 139 a discrimination is made as to
whether data received is flagged to update a groupware database. If
not, the process ends at step 141. If so, the appropriate database
is updated at step 143 in file system 145. Examples of such
databases are an appointment schedule, a to-do list, a project
file, a contacts file, and resumes. There are many more databases
that might be updated as well. At step 147 notification of changes
in a database are sent to appropriate offsite addresses. The
process ends at step 149 until another E-mail message is
received.
[0092] In the manner shown, E-mail may be shared in the
conventional POP 3 manner, sent as HTML with a Web page, or sent
over a TCP/IP pipe as an HT-Lite file directly to a field unit
having a NanoBrowser according to the present invention. Moreover,
the Internet links may be used to manipulate the scheduling and
other groupware functions described. Also, the technology disclosed
here relative to E-mail and groupware functions can be applied to
other massive server functions; it is not limited to the
Proxy-Server of the present invention.
[0093] In another aspect of the present invention the objectives of
the invention may be met without the necessity of having a proxy
server between the user's device, such as a hand-held personal
computer, and other servers on the World-Wide Web (WWW).
[0094] As was described above in descriptions of some preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the unique proxy server
accomplishes certain translations and processes that allow quick
and efficient integration of data with a user's device. The proxy
server, in a preferred embodiment first processes data requested to
be transmitted to a specific user's device according to pre-stored
characteristics of the specific user's device, or according to
characteristics transmitted by the user's device. For example,
graphics are processed to provide specific resolution and size
according to the specific user's display. Also only multi-media
extensions supported by the user's device are used, and data is
preferably combined into one file for each transfer. In this
manner, each communication with each user's device is done in a
fast and efficient manner, tailored to the needs of each user, and
the user can then function with a minimum hardware/software device
that may be energy efficient providing long life between battery
charges.
[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture for a system according to
an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment there is no intermediate proxy server as was described
above in other embodiments of the invention, but a server 702
capable of conventional HTTP or HTTPS communication is enhanced to
provide an alternative Simplified File Hyper Text Protocol (SFHTP)
capability, and this server may then communicate over the Internet
with hand-held computers 703 in a manner to significantly enhance
communication speed and efficiency. The difference between a
conventional server and an SFHTP sever according to this embodiment
of the present invention is in the control routines.
[0096] FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram illustrating steps followed
by a SFHTP-enhanced server according a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. A request for service is received at step 801 by
a Web Server enhanced according to an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 802 the server, through its on-board CPU
examines the request. If the request is a conventional HTTP or
HTTPS request, control goes to step 803, and processing is
according to conventional routines as provided for any conventional
HTTP request. If the request, however, is a unique SFHTP request
according to an embodiment of the present invention, control is
passed to a unique set of control routines beginning with step
810.
[0097] The request received may be from a subscriber for SFHTP
services or from a conventional subscriber. The difference for a
SFHTP subscriber may be accomplished in a number of ways. For
example, the request may be tagged by a single additional bit or
character, or several additional data bits, in a manner that a
conventional server (not enhanced for SFHTP services) will simply
ignore or error flag the request. An SFHTP subscriber's usually
minimally capable device may proceed to interact with the
conventional server, albeit at a greatly reduced speed and with
minimum features.
[0098] If the request is found at step 802 to be a SFFTP request,
at step 810 the type and functionality of the user's device is
established. As described above, this may be by matching an ID
provided in the request with a list of functionality and
characteristics previously provided by the user and stored at the
enhanced server, or an interaction may be established wherein the
user's device transfers the list of available features to the
enhanced server. The list of available features can include such
things as screen type, size and resolution; sound options;
telephony; credit capabilities (card readers); media players; and
the like.
[0099] At step 811 the control routines of the enhanced server
begin to create the best fit in multimedia content for the
requested data according to the user's device capabilities and
characteristics. This process includes step 820 wherein the system
of the invention determines if a best fit is immediately available.
If so, control goes on to step 812. If not, in a preferred
embodiment a best fit is generated and stored at step 821, and then
control passes on the step 812. In step 821 a graphic is created
having the size and resolution of the requesting user's display,
and that picture is stored for future use. If the same user or a
user having a device with the same display characteristics later
requests this picture, it may be retrieved and sent immediately
without the need for generating the best fit.
[0100] At step 812 a single file is composed using the requested
information processed according to the best multimedia fit for the
user's device. That file is then transmitted to the user at step
813. Just as described above for other embodiments of the present
invention the file transmitted to the user is attuned exactly to
the user's needs, and may be directly displayed without heavy
software overhead at the user's device, thereby enabling the user
to maintain a minimally-configured and powered device.
[0101] The single file transmitted to the user contains the data
for the static part of a Web page to be displayed. It may still
contain animation, but no new data. It may contain information on
opening connections for continuous data type operations, such as
telephony, broadcast, video, virtual reality, and so forth. After
the file is sent the instant session is terminated. Eventually
opened communications may stay open however, until they are closed
by either the user of by the server.
[0102] Cell-Phone Internet Browser
[0103] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
cellular telephone is adapted for use as a Web-browser wherein the
method and apparatus of the present invention is provided in the
form of a unique battery pack adapter that is adapted to fit a
standard cellular phone giving it the capability of browsing the
Internet via interaction with Proxy-Server 19 and, or other servers
adapted and enabled in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention as described in FIG. 1. A space for hardware and software
is provided in this unique battery pack adapter of the present
invention, as well as, provisions for other modifications and
features that may be desired and incorporated in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0104] Referring now to FIG. 9, a unique cellular phone battery
pack adapter 100 is provided and adapted to allow a cellular
telephone to which the battery pack adapter is engaged to act as a
portable computer with Internet browsing capability. Battery pack
adapter 100 comprises a battery for powering the cell-phone
browsing device, and also hardware and software for providing
functionality as an Internet browsing device. Space for the
additional hardware required is provided by using a small,
high-density battery, significantly smaller than the typical
battery used for such a battery pack, thereby allowing sufficient
space for the purpose of housing the software and hardware of the
present invention.
[0105] Battery pack adapter 100 is designed as a replacement pack
for a standard cellular phone battery pack, and has the form factor
and engagement elements of a standard battery pack Referring still
to FIG. 9, region 101 to the right of dotted line 110 shown,
encloses a High Energy Density (HED) type battery. Standard battery
charge contacts 105 are provided on one end of battery pack adapter
100, in the same position as on a conventional battery pack, and
have the conventional function of providing interface to charging
contacts in a conventional cradle adapted for charging a cell phone
battery.
[0106] In this embodiment a unique data plug 106 provides a
communication interface between unique circuitry in battery pack
adapter 100 and the cellular telephone effectively utilizing the
cellular telephone as a modem interface for the unit.
[0107] Region 102 to the left of dotted line 110 is used in this
embodiment for housing various components such as the necessary
hardware, software and other circuitry as may be needed to practice
the invention. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art
that regions 101 and 102 may or may not be equal portions of
battery pack adapter 100. It is intended by the inventor to utilize
commercially available HED battery types, known in the art, that
will allow at least one half of the normal space in battery pack
adapter 100 to be available for the unique components in
embodiments of the present invention. The relative proportions of
the regions may vary depending on the specific HED batteries
used.
[0108] In embodiments of the present invention, computer hardware
and software, including a display, are provided in an enclosure
having the shape, size, and engagement elements of a conventional
battery pack for a cellular telephone. A high density battery is
used to reduce the volume in the enclosure required for the battery
itself, and the volume made available is used for the computer
hardware and software elements, including a display. In this
combination, the cellular telephone, besides still being usable as
a telephone, becomes also the link to a wide area network, such as
the Internet, for downloading data to be displayed.
[0109] Referring again to FIG. 9, a micro-display, not shown in
FIG. 9 but further described below, is provided within the
enclosure, and an extendible viewing lens 103 is provided for the
purpose of viewing the internal micro display. A thumb cavity 107
is provided on one side of the enclosure for ease and comfort in
holding the device, and a set of input devices and keys 108 are
provided on the opposite side of the enclosure for a user's input.
Keys 108 are the function controllers for the unit, and may contain
devices such as a pointer device. In one embodiment the pointer
device is a force mouse, as known in the art. Latch 104 is standard
in battery packs for cellular phones and provides a secure
retention for adapter 100.
[0110] In alternative embodiments of the invention other displays
may be provided, such as flat displays implemented on a surface of
the adapter enclosure. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan
that there are several kinds of displays that might be used, such
as electroluminescent and active-matrix LCD displays, among
others.
[0111] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that keys
108 may be round or rectangular in shape, and may be adapted to
initiate commands, make selections, and provide other input in a
wide variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. For example, one key could be a pointing
device for the internal display, as already mentioned. Another key
might initiate an audio player. Still another key may be a scroll
button and so on. Similarly, it will be apparent to one with skill
in the art that extendible viewing lens 103 may be of several known
configurations and may have the capability of extending to varying
lengths as might be desired for different users. Various features
may be incorporated into extendible viewing lens 103 without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention such
as auto-focus, variable magnification and so on.
[0112] FIG. 10 is a plan view of battery pack adapter 100 of FIG. 9
illustrating additional features in an embodiment of the invention
wherein audio and video functions are represented by illustration
and reference. For the sake of simplicity, elements present in the
instant embodiment of FIG. 10 that have already been described in
detail and illustrated in FIG. 9 will not be further described
unless a more detailed description should prove necessary.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 10, a micro Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) 202 is provided within the enclosure and positioned in line
with extendible viewing lens 103. Extendible viewing lens 103 is
shown in this instant embodiment as having two locational
positions, a retracted position 103a, and an extended position
103b. However, more positions can be added without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as have already been
described with reference to FIG. 9. LCD 202 maintains a comparable
resolution to a Video Graphics Array (VGA) standard, such as
480.times.640 pixels. Usable micro displays are, at the time of
this application, commercially available, such as displays used in
VCR devices, and it is well known in the art that micro displays
are being developed that can achieve a higher resolution while
maintaining a smaller size. It is intended by the inventor to
incorporate such displays in embodiments of the present invention
as they become available. Therefore, while VGA quality resolution
is available in this instant embodiment, Super Video Graphics Array
(SVGA) quality resolution will be available in near future models
of the present invention. Alternatively, regular, direct-view LCDs
could be used, or any other of a variety of display technologies,
including but not limited to such as plasma, laser, retina-scan,
LED arrays, and so forth.
[0114] A method and apparatus is described above wherein a proxy
server on a wide area network such as the Internet receives data
from the Network and translates the data to a form more readily
used by a hand-held device, such as the adapted cellular telephone
presently being described. The method requires unique software at
the server and at the hand-held device, and relies in some
instances on information available at the server about the hardware
at the hand-held device, which information is provided in some
embodiments at the time of subscription to a service, and may be
updated. The methods of the enhanced data delivery and subscription
service described above are preferably included in embodiments of
the adapted cellular telephone described herein, but are not
required.
[0115] Audio capability in embodiments of the present invention are
provided in part by a microphone 203, and audio software present in
the unit. Typically all that would be required to play back audio
recordings is a sound player/recorder. Other functions that are
possible in an embodiment of the present invention include sending
and receiving faxes utilizing voice recognition features, and
sending and receiving E-mail using voice recognition features.
[0116] As described above with regards to communication protocol
and function of various hand-held computers and their ability to
interact with a unique Proxy-Server on the Internet, it is intended
that the present invention utilize many of the same elements
described such as NanoBrowser software, TCP/IP capability, HT-Lite
protocol and so on, in preferred embodiments. These features are,
however, not required features, and the adapted cellular telephone
battery pack is not limited to inclusion of these features.
[0117] An Input Output (I/O) serial port 204 is provided in an
embodiment to enable such functions as printing faxes to a local
printer, inputting data to be transmitted to and via the Internet,
connecting to another hand held unit for the purpose of sharing
information and so on. In this embodiment, transferring information
downloaded from the Internet to a fax machine, printer, or other
peripheral with a compatible connection is possible. Similarly, I/O
port 204 may be utilized to retrieve information from a PC for the
purpose of up-loading to the Internet and so on.
[0118] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that there
are many functions that could be supported by a cellular phone
equipped with battery pack adapter 100 without departing from the
sprit and scope of the present invention, such as those that have
been described above. In still another embodiment a television
tuner and receiver is installed in battery pack 1adapter 100 to
allow the user to receive and view television.
[0119] FIG. 11 is another plan view of a cellular phone 310 having
a battery pack adapter according to an embodiment of the present
invention, from the side opposite the plan view of FIG. 10. A user
300 is shown using the device.
[0120] As described in previous sections regarding other
peripherals adapted to the unique Proxy-Server environment, it can
be assumed that in some embodiments cellular phone 310 uses the
same protocol as previously described devices, that is TCP/IP, and
HT-Lite. It can also be assumed that this instant embodiment
utilizes the NannoBrowser software described earlier, and that the
same or similar subscriber system would be employed as with other
types of units.
[0121] Referring now to FIG. 11, cellular phone 310 is held in such
a position by user 300 so as to allow eye 301 of user 300 to be
adjacent extendible viewing lens 103 shown in this instance in
extended position 103b. Mouth 306 of the user is then adjacent
microphone 203 so that viewing and audio input functions can be
accomplished simultaneously. Microphone 203 may also, in some
embodiments, have a function whereby a connection to the stock
mouthpiece of cellular phone 310 could be made so that user 300 can
be heard clearly from the side of cellular phone 310 in the case
that he/she may be talking on the phone and viewing a Web page at
the same time. In this arrangement, user 300 has thumb 303 resting
in thumb cavity 107 (FIG. 9) while his index finger 304 rests on
one of the input keys 108 (also FIG. 9). Other fingers 305 are
resting on additional input keys and operators 108.
[0122] As described earlier with reference to FIG. 9, instructional
keys 108 could be adapted to send various commands to battery pack
adapter 100. In this instant embodiment, the top key under index
finger 304 is a force mouse. Also shown in this embodiment is a
standard cell phone antenna 211 in it's extended position.
[0123] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that as
stock cellular phones may vary in shape and size depending on the
manufacturer, so too can the size and shape of battery pack adapter
100 of the present invention vary in shape, size, and engagement
elements, to fit the various models of cellular telephones.
Although in some embodiments it is intended by the inventor that
battery pack adapter 100 be provided as an after market product, in
other embodiments, the various elements of the present invention
may be incorporated into the manufacture of a new type of cellular
phone, or may be incorporated into the manufacture of new versions
of existing models and so on.
[0124] As described above with reference to FIG. 9 data plug 106 of
FIG. 9 provides connection between the internal electronic elements
of adapter 100 and the elements of the cellular telephone. This
circuitry may vary among various models of cellular telephones and
various models of adapters 100 designed to adapt to the different
cell phones. In another embodiment of the present invention an
external modem could be used to access the Internet via analog
lines and so on.
[0125] Modular design in some embodiments (not shown in the figure)
both of the battery adapter pack, as well as the phones, allows an
easy after-market upgrade. In the case of the adapter pack, the
modularity in design includes a frame for the adapter, which, when
attached to the phone, and offers locations both for the electronic
elements of the adapter pack and replacement battery. In the case
of the telephone, the modularity may include two bays to receive
adapters or battery packs. In such an embodiment a phone could be
provided with two batteries or one battery and an adapter pack
without a battery, one adapter pack with an HED battery and another
type of plug-in device, and so forth.
[0126] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating circuitry in battery
pack adapter 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. A
central processing unit (CPU) 401 is connected to a bus structure
410 which is in turn connected to other elements of the present
invention as shown. CPU 401 is the main controller or processor of
the unit. Random access memory (RAM) 403 is provided for the
purpose of temporary storage for entities such as documents, faxes,
temporary files and the like. RAM 403 may also store data for micro
LCD 103 and audio data from input microphone 203. It will be
apparent to one with skill in the art that other types of memory
could be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention such as cache memory, flash memory, etc.
[0127] A non-volatile memory (NVMEM) 404 is provided for storing
semi-permanent software such as a NannoBrowser application, video
and audio software, compression/decompression software and the
like. NVMEM 404 also houses a minimal operating system for the
computer functions of the disclosed device. In some embodiments of
the present invention, an operating system such as the one
described above may be provided by the manufacturer of cellular
phone 310 along with other software applications needed to interact
with various special servers on the Internet.
[0128] A serial port controller 408 provides two way conversion to
serial code for data plug 106 and I/O port 204. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention data plug 106 is an interface
between the circuitry shown in FIG. 12 and circuitry generic to
cellular phone 310. It will be apparent to one with skill in the
art that an adapter (not shown) may be required in some instances
to complete the interface.
[0129] An external I/O port 407 is provided in the embodiment shown
as an optional external port for connection to an input device such
as a mouse, keyboard, or other input device as may be known in the
art, or to output devices. Also, connection to a PC, notebook
computer, printer, network, and so on, can be established via this
port, which in some instances may be implemented as an infra-red
port.
[0130] Video driver 402 drives the display, and may include or be
coupled to video RAM not shown. An analog to digital converter A/D
409 is provided for converting audio signals received via
microphone 203. It is well known in the art that digital telephones
have an analog to digital converter installed in the generic
circuitry of such phones, therefore, a function could be provided
in the circuitry of battery pack adapter 100 allowing such digital
information to be received and passed through data plug 106 for the
purpose of storing the information in the memory provided in the
circuitry of battery pack adapter 100. In some embodiments a
function such as the one described directly above could increase
the memory available for storing messages and the like, as well as
provide a removable memory that can be accessed the next time a
user inserts battery pack adapter 100.
[0131] A power supply unit PSU 405 is provided for accepting a
charging current from port 204 and converting the appropriate power
to charge HED battery 101. PSU 405 may also be adapted to use
incoming power from a cigar lighter connection and the like,
allowing the user to by-pass HED battery 101 while connected to an
external power supply. External battery charge contacts 105 enable
a more conventional charge such as from a normal charging unit
cradle for a cellular telephone.
[0132] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that there
are many different ways that the circuitry of FIG. 12 may be
incorporated and integrated with the generic circuitry of cellular
phone 310 of FIG. 11 without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention, many of which have been described above. In
a further embodiment of the present invention, the specific
software and circuitry of the invention could be tailored to allow
interface with particular servers that may be connected to specific
environments such as a company Intranet, or a special security
force using a LAN, etc. Perhaps the hand-held units in this
embodiment would be available only to those employed by the
supporting organization.
[0133] It will also be apparent to those with skill in the art that
there are many variations that may be made in embodiments of the
invention as described above without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. There are, for example, a wide variety of
ways different programmers might arrange code to accomplish the
purposes described for the invention. Such differences in code do
not necessarily constitute distinguishable variations because it is
well known that the same results in function, hence method of
application, may well be accomplished by a variety of code and/or
system arrangements. The range of functions provided at a field
unit may also vary widely in different embodiments of the
invention, and there are, as described above, many sorts of
computer units that will qualify as field units in cooperation with
a Proxy-Server according to embodiments of the invention.
[0134] Other variations within the scope of the invention include
hardware variations. There is no strict requirement for a
Proxy-Server other than the requirement of executing the
InterBrowser program or programs in combination with Web-browsing
functions, while maintaining communication with one or more field
units and one or more other Web servers. There are similarly many
other variations that will be apparent to those with skill in the
art, all within the spirit and scope of the invention. The
invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
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