U.S. patent application number 09/900428 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for personal digital assistant with wireless telephone.
Invention is credited to Akveld, Felix N., Ausems, Jan B., Ausems, Michiel R., Barrett, Lee Ann.
Application Number | 20010044321 09/900428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22959712 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010044321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ausems, Michiel R. ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
Personal digital assistant with wireless telephone
Abstract
A wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA) engine are integrated in a single device,
wherein an address book is shared by the wireless telephone engine
and PDA engine. An associated display unit including a touch screen
is coupled to the PDA. The smart-card engine is configured to
communicate with external devices via a short-range transceiver.
Additionally, the PDA engine is configured to automatically balance
an electronic account ledger based upon point of sale transactions,
and control a remote device by transmitting signals to the device
via the short-wave transceiver and/or the wireless telephone
engine. The PDA engine is also configured to receive signals from
the remote device regarding the status of the remote device.
Further, the PDA engine is configured to exchange data with a
remote computer via the wireless telephone engine. The exchanged
data includes information stored within the PDA engine and the
address book. In another embodiment, the device includes a digital
camera for recording images, a modem coupled to the wireless
telephone engine and the PDA engine, input/output (I/O) circuitry
coupled to the wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and the
PDA engine, and speech recognition circuitry configured to access
the wireless telephone engine, the address book and the PDA engine.
In addition, the device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS)
antenna and a GPS engine coupled to the GPS antenna.
Inventors: |
Ausems, Michiel R.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Ausems, Jan B.; (BN Den Haag,
NL) ; Akveld, Felix N.; (VL Houten, NL) ;
Barrett, Lee Ann; (San Mateo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SEVENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90025
US
|
Family ID: |
22959712 |
Appl. No.: |
09/900428 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09900428 |
Jul 6, 2001 |
|
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|
09253304 |
Feb 19, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/556.2 ;
455/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/22 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 2200/1634 20130101; H04M 1/72409
20210101; H04M 1/04 20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101; H04M 2250/02
20130101; H04M 1/72415 20210101; H04M 2250/52 20130101; H04M 1/0214
20130101; H04M 1/271 20130101; G06Q 20/327 20130101; H04M 2250/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/556 ; 455/90;
455/550; 455/558 |
International
Class: |
H04B 001/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising: a wireless telephone engine; a
smart-card engine; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) engine; and
an address book shared by to the wireless telephone engine and PDA
engine.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a display unit
coupled to the PDA.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smart-card engine is
configured to communicate with external devices via a short-range
transceiver.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the PDA engine is configured
to automatically balance an electronic account ledger based upon
point of sale transactions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising speech recognition
circuitry.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a digital camera for
recording images.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the speech recognition
circuitry is configured to access the wireless telephone engine,
the address book and the PDA engine.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a modem coupled to
the wireless telephone engine and the PDA engine.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising input/output (I/O)
circuitry coupled to the wireless telephone engine, smart-card
engine and the PDA engine.
10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the display unit comprises a
touch screen.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a Global
Positioning System (GPS) antenna; and a GPS engine coupled to the
GPS antenna.
12. An apparatus comprising: a display screen set into a first side
of the apparatus; and a protective cover; wherein the protective
cover is configured to rotate between a position covering the
display screen on the first side of the apparatus and a position on
a second side of the apparatus, wherein the protective cover
functions as a support stand for the apparatus while positioned on
the second side of the apparatus.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a wireless
telephone for sending and receiving signals; and a Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA).
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a telephone
interface means; and operational buttons for accessing the wireless
telephone and the PDA.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the telephone interface
means is located on the first side of the apparatus.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the telephone interface
means is located on the second side of the apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the telephone interface
means comprises: a first speaker; and microphone.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the telephone interface
means further comprises a second speaker.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wireless telephone may
be accessed while the protective cover is covering the display
screen.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a smart-card
reader.
21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a means for
storing smart-cards; and a locking mechanism coupled to the means
for storing smart-cards.
22. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a short-range
transceiver, wherein the PDA engine is configured to control a
remote device by transmitting signals to the device via the
short-range transceiver and/or the wireless telephone.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the PDA is configured to
receive signals from the remote device regarding the status of the
remote device.
24. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the PDA is configured to
exchange data with a remote computer via the wireless telephone
engine, wherein the data includes information stored within the
PDA, including the address book.
25. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a pair of hinges
coupled to the protective cover and apparatus, wherein the
protective cover is configured to rotate around the pair of
hinges.
26. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a Global
Positioning System (GPS).
27. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a digital
camera.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus operates as a
video speakerphone.
29. A method of executing instructions on a wireless telephone with
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) comprising: issuing a voice
command into the wireless telephone; determining whether the voice
command is a recognizable instruction; and, if so, executing the
voice command.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the wireless telephone with PDA
includes a microphone for receiving the issued voice command.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the wireless telephone with PDA
includes a voice recognition engine for determining whether the
voice command is a recognizable instruction.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the issued voice command is a
request to initiate a telephone call.
33. The method of claim 29, wherein the issued voice command is a
request to activate a Global Positioning System (GPS).
34. The method of claim 29, further comprising determining whether
the voice that issued the command has an identifiable speech
pattern if it is determined that the voice command is a
recognizable instruction.
35. A method of executing a point of sale transaction at a device
including a smart card engine coupled to a transceiver, the method
comprising: initiating a wireless communication link between an
appliance and the smart card engine via the transceiver; reading
account information from a smart card stored within the smart card
engine; and transmitting the account information to the
appliance.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the device further includes a
wireless telephone engine and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
engine.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: transmitting
confirmation information from the appliance to the smart card
engine; transmitting the confirmation information from the smart
card engine to the PDA engine; and updating a financial accounting
record.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising; transmitting the
updated financial accounting record to a financial institution via
the wireless telephone engine; and transmitting a new balance from
the financial institution to the device.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein the appliance is a
point-of-sale terminal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of personal
digital assistants; more particularly, the present invention
relates to a personal digital assistant having expanded
capabilities including wireless communication capabilities.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The popularity and use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
and wireless telephones has increased in recent years. A PDA or
hand-held computer is primarily a lightweight, compact productivity
and communications tool that can typically be held in one hand,
leaving the other free to input data with a pen type stylus or a
reduced size keyboard. A PDA provides computing and information
storage and retrieval capabilities for personal or business use.
Typical uses include schedule and address book storage and
retrieval, as well as note taking functions. In addition, many PDAs
are capable of running a variety of application software packages
(e.g., calculators, text and/or image editors, etc.).
[0003] Wireless telephones are integrated radio
transmitter-receivers that are capable of accessing a vast web of
existing telephone connections. Increasingly, wireless telephones
are being combined with PDAs in order to perform more advanced
functions, such as transmitting, receiving and displaying text
messages. However, typical PDA/wireless telephone combinations have
limited functionality. For example, although typical wireless
telephones may provide for limited address book information (e.g.,
telephone listings by name), they do not feature full address books
and schedule calendars. Additionally, typical PDA/wireless
telephone combinations are unable to run application software
packages or transmit and receive video data. Further, PDA/wireless
telephone combinations typically include a small LED display which
makes it very difficult to use such units for anything other than
displaying telephone numbers and the status of a call.
[0004] Due to the limited functionality of typical PDA/wireless
telephone combinations, users typically transport both a PDA and a
wireless telephone. Having to physically carry around two pieces of
electronic equipment is very inconvenient. Thus, having to use both
a wireless telephone and a PDA is very cumbersome and
disadvantageous. Taking this one step further, users also typically
transport a wallet. Having to physically carry around two
electronic devices and a wallet is even more inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA) engine are integrated in a single device,
wherein an address book is shared by the wireless telephone engine
and PDA engine. An associated display unit including a touch screen
is coupled to the PDA. The smart-card engine is configured to
communicate with external devices via a short-range transceiver.
Additionally, the PDA engine is configured to automatically balance
an electronic account ledger based upon point of sale transactions,
and control a remote device by transmitting signals to the device
via the short-range transceiver and/or the wireless telephone
engine. The PDA engine is also configured to receive signals from
the remote device regarding the status of the remote device.
Further, the PDA engine is configured to exchange data with a
remote computer via the wireless telephone engine. The exchanged
data includes information stored within the PDA engine and the
address book.
[0006] In another embodiment, the device also includes digital
camera for recording images, a modem coupled to the wireless
telephone engine and the PDA engine, input/output (I/O) circuitry
coupled to the wireless telephone engine, smart-card engine and the
PDA engine, and speech recognition circuitry configured to access
the wireless telephone engine, the address book and the PDA engine.
In addition, the device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS)
antenna and a GPS engine coupled to the GPS antenna.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings
of various embodiments of the invention. The drawings, however,
should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific
embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.
[0008] FIG. 1a illustrates the side view of a PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 1b illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 1c illustrates a side view of a PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 1d illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone with
smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 1e illustrates a side view of a PDA telephone with
smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 1f illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone with
smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 1g illustrates the top view of a PDA telephone with
smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 1h illustrates the front view of a PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1i illustrates the front view of PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1j illustrates the rear view of PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1k illustrates the side view of PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1l illustrates a side view of PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1m illustrates the front view of PDA telephone in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1n illustrates the front view of PDA telephone with a
Global Positioning System (GPS) in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1o illustrates the rear view of PDA telephone with a
GPS in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1p illustrates the top view of PDA telephone with a GPS
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a housing of a PDA
telephone with smart-card reader in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a PDA engine in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate a PDA telephone 100 that provides the
combined functionality of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and a
wireless telephone and may include other features as discussed
below. PDA telephone 100 may be configured to store notes, track
calendar appointments, store addresses, and perform other
conventional PDA applications. Furthermore PDA telephone 100 may be
used to initiate and receive telephone calls, track received calls,
store received alphanumeric and text messages, and carry out other
functions of a wireless telephone. In addition to combining such
functionality into a single unit, PDA telephone 100 may be equipped
with optional enhanced feature sets, including: precise positioning
capabilities, smart card reader/writer capabilities, short-range
wireless transceiver operations, biometric sensor security
features, speaker phone functionality, video conferencing/video
capture capabilities, and/or remote control capabilities.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, side and front views of PDA
telephone 100 are illustrated, respectively. PDA telephone 100
includes a housing 102 and display cover 105. Display cover 105
protects PDA telephone 100 from undesired contact that could damage
the underlying display. According to one embodiment, display cover
105 may remain closed while a user utilizes the telephone features
of PDA telephone 100. For example, while a user is conducting a
telephone call, display cover 105 may remain closed so that the
user does not accidentally touch or scratch the display while
holding the unit against an ear. Additionally display cover 105 may
be made entirely or in part of transparent material in order to
read information on the underlying display without having to open
the cover.
[0028] PDA telephone 100 also includes an antenna 110, side-action
buttons 115, hinges 120, multi-use port 125, buttons 130, speaker
135 and microphone 140. Antenna 110 functions as a conductive
radiation element for PDA telephone 100 that radiates and/or
receives electromagnetic waves. Side-action buttons 115 allow
single handed operation of PDA telephone 100 with a users thumb and
fingers. Side-action buttons 115 may be arranged on housing 102 in
convenient positions so as to provide left or right-handed user
access to PDA telephone 100. In addition, side-action buttons 115
may be used to execute other functions of PDA telephone, such as
the muting of telephone calls, the accessing of menu items,
etc.
[0029] Hinges 120 permit display cover 105 to rotate about housing
102. According to one embodiment, hinges 120 may allow display
cover 105 to rotate approximately 270.degree. about a through axis
near the bottom of housing 102. Hinges 120 thus permit display
cover 105 to rotate to a position that enables housing 102 to rest
against display cover 120. Thus, display cover 105 may function as
a stand for housing 102 (See FIGS. 1c and 1d).
[0030] Multi-use port 125 may be used to connect PDA application
equipment, such as an external modem, to PDA telephone 100. In
addition, multi-use port 125 may be used to couple or synchronize
PDA telephone 100 with a computer system in order to backup or
download user files. Further, multi-use port 125 may be used to
connect an external power source to PDA telephone 100.
[0031] Buttons 130 also allow single handed operation of PDA
telephone 100 with a users thumb and fingers. These buttons provide
user access to features of PDA telephone 100 that may not be
accessible using side-action buttons 115 and/or that may be
user-assigned. According to one embodiment, one button may be used
to activate a lamp to light up PDA telephone 100. Another button
may be used to initiate/end a telephone call. Further, a button may
be used to power PDA telephone 100 on and off. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that buttons 130 may be
used to perform other functions in PDA telephone 100, such as
speaker volume adjustment, etc. Such functions may depend on a
selected mode of operation.
[0032] Speaker 135 transmits audio information from PDA telephone
100 to a user. Microphone 140 transmits audio information from a
user to PDA telephone 100 and converts the information to
electrical signals. Each of these units operates in the
conventional fashion, and may further permit the presentation of
audio tones/alarms to a user and/or the integration of voice/speech
activated functions.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1c and 1d, side and front views of PDA
telephone 100 are illustrated, respectively, with display cover 105
opened. PDA telephone 100 further includes a display 145 and stylus
150. Display 145 provides a visual means for displaying information
to a user. According to one embodiment, display 145 is
approximately 60.times.80 mm and is configured to accommodate up to
40 characters on each of 40 lines. Further, display 145 provides
for scaleable font sizes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that PDA telephone 100 may be configured with other
types of displays of different dimensions.
[0034] A user may control cursors and/or other elements displayed
on display 145 by manipulating side-action buttons 115 and/or
buttons 130. Additionally, display 145 may be a touchscreen that is
accessed by touching fields of display 145 with a finger or with
stylus 150. In FIG. 1d, stylus 150 is shown housed in a recessed
opening of housing 102. Stylus 150 may be a conventional pen-type
stylus or finger-tip stylus if so preferred. Where a touchscreen is
used, PDA telephone 100 may be configured to recognize handwriting
written on display 145.
[0035] FIGS. 1e, 1f and 1g, illustrate the smart card
functionalities that may be included in PDA telephone 100. In such
embodiments, PDA telephone 100 includes a smart-card slot 155 that
provides access to a smart-card reader/writer (not shown in this
illustration). According to one embodiment, the smart-card
reader/writer may be configured to read encoded information stored
on a smart-card and/or to write information thereto. Smart-card 160
contains an embedded chip that may store information for credit,
cash, prepaid phone and/or medical smart-card applications, to name
a few.
[0036] FIG. 1h illustrates a further embodiment of PDA telephone
100 demonstrating smart-card storage means 165 with integrated
pressing mechanisms 170. Smart-card storage means 165 may be a
plastic wall embedded between display cover 105 and display 145.
Smart-card storage means 165 enable multiple smart-cards 160 to be
stored with PDA telephone 100 without scratching display 145.
Alternatively, smart-card storage means 165 may be implemented by
providing a slot on the outside of display cover 145 or on housing
102. Pressing mechanisms 170 provide a locking mechanism to ensure
that smart-cards 160 do not unintentionally slide out of smart-card
storage means 165.
[0037] FIGS. 1i-1m illustrate still further embodiments of PDA
telephone 100. Referring to FIGS. 1i-1k, buttons 130 are replaced
with (or augmented by) additional side-action buttons 115. Also,
housing 102 is adapted to allow for a speaker 175 and microphone
180 located on the reverse side of the unit. By positioning speaker
175 and microphone 180 on the reverse side of the unit, the length
of PDA telephone 100 is now determined by the length of display 145
(e.g., 80 mm). Further, because of the location of speaker 175 and
microphone 180 a user is assured of not damaging display 145 when
using the telephone features of PDA telephone 100. In some cases,
side-action buttons 115 may also be configured to operate as
alphanumeric keys (i.e., in addition to the functions noted above)
so that a user may dial a number in order to initiate a telephone
call.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1l-1m, PDA telephone 100 may also include
a loudspeaker 185 (e.g., in place of speaker 135) and/or a camera
190. Loudspeaker 185 transmits audio information from PDA telephone
100 to a user. Loudspeaker 185 delivers sound at a sufficient level
to enable a user to receive audio information without placing an
ear to PDA telephone 100 (i.e., during speakerphone operation).
Camera 190 records video images and stores them within PDA
telephone 100. Additionally, video images recorded by camera 190
may also be transmitted from PDA telephone 100 in real time during
a telephone call (thus allowing for video conferencing). Additional
loudspeakers 185 may be included in order to provide stereo
sound.
[0039] As indicated, PDA telephone 100 may operate in a speaker
phone mode. As discussed above, display cover 105 rotates to
function as a stand for housing 102. Thus, housing 102 will be
angled (e.g., with reference to a level plane), whenever it is in a
resting position against display cover 105. The angled position of
housing 102 provides an optimal positioning for the speaker phone
mode since it directs loud speaker 185 and microphone 140 towards a
user. In the speaker phone mode users may carry out hands-free
telephone conversation without the use of additional attachments to
PDA telephone 100. For video conferencing, video information may be
displayed on display 145 while audio is played out through loud
speaker 185.
[0040] FIG. 1n-1p illustrate PDA telephone 100 configured with
further enhancements. In this embodiment, PDA telephone 100
includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver/engine having
an associated antenna 195 for receiving signals from GPS
satellites. GPS antenna 195 is coupled to GPS receiver circuitry
(at least some of which may be software GPS engine functions)
within housing 102 for calculating the position of PDA telephone
100. The use of such GPS technology may allow for the inclusion of
mapping and other features associated with conventional GPS
devices.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates the major components of PDA telephone 100
in block diagram form. PDA telephone 100 includes a wireless phone
engine 210, modem 220, power source 230, display unit 145,
input/output (I/O) module 250, smart-card engine 260, short-range
transceiver 265, address book 270, GPS engine 275, synchronization
circuitry 280, and PDA engine 290.
[0042] Wireless telephone engine 210 provides the wireless
telephone operations of PDA telephone 100. Wireless phone engine
210 transmits and receives audio data via antenna 110, as well as
text and images. Wireless phone engine 210 may include a CPU, a
long range transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, and a
digital signal processor for converting between analog and digital
data. According to one embodiment, wireless phone engine 210 may
operate on an analog control channel. However, in a further
embodiment, wireless phone engine 210 may also operate on a digital
control channel.
[0043] Modem 220 is coupled to wireless phone engine 210 and
enables PDA telephone 100 to send and receive fax messages, or have
Internet access. Power source 230 provides an electrical power
supply to PDA telephone 100 whenever it is powered up. According to
one embodiment, power source 230 may include one or more battery
cells. However, in a further embodiment, an external power supply
may be coupled to PDA telephone 100 via multi-use port 125 in order
to provide a power supply.
[0044] Display 145 is coupled to wireless telephone engine 210,
smart-card engine 260 and PDA engine 290. As discussed above,
display 145 may include a touchscreen that is accessed by touching
display 145 with a finger or stylus. I/O module 250 provides an
interface for inputting and outputting data to wireless phone
engine 210, smart-card engine 260 and PDA engine 290. I/O module
250 handles data transmitted to and from side-action buttons 115,
buttons 130, multi-use port 125, speakers 135 and 175, microphone
140, loud speaker 185, camera 190 and display 145 (where a
touchscreen is used).
[0045] Smart-card engine 260 processes encoded information received
from a smart-card and also provides the smart card writing
capabilities. Short-range transceiver 265 is a low-power
transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver) coupled to smart-card
engine 260 and antenna 110. Short-range transceiver 265 enables PDA
telephone 100 to establish a wireless link in order to communicate
with other devices. According to one embodiment, smart-card engine
260 may be configured to communicate with various point-of-sale
terminals and/or other appliances via short-range transceiver 265.
In such an embodiment, a user may purchase items using PDA
telephone 100 and a cash card/debit card/credit card and other
smart card.
[0046] For example, before proceeding to a checkout counter to
purchase one or more items, the user may insert a smart credit or
cash card into smart-card slot 155. While at the checkout counter
the merchant initiates a high data rate wireless communication link
with PDA telephone 100 via antenna 110 and smart-card engine 260.
Smart-card engine 260 reads the card account information and
transmits it to the point of sale terminal along with a user
identification number. The terminal may then transmit information
back to PDA telephone 100 indicating the charged amount, merchant
ID, etc. Additionally, user confirmation signals may be transmitted
back to the point of sale terminal.
[0047] According to yet another embodiment, PDA telephone 100 may
be configured to carry out automatic checkbook functions. In this
embodiment, the sale transaction information is transmitted from
smart-card engine 260 to PDA engine 290 in order to update a
financial accounting record of the users personal or business
finances. In addition, the transaction information may be
transmitted to a financial institution via wireless telephone
engine 210. Subsequently, the financial institution may transmit
the new balance of the account back to PDA telephone 100, where it
is stored in PDA engine 290. Consequently, PDA telephone 100 may
automatically update a users checkbook each time a transaction is
executed. Note, in some cases, smart-card engine 260 may include
one or more smart-card chips, thus obviating the need for external
smart cards.
[0048] Address book 270 is coupled to wireless phone engine 210 and
PDA engine 290. Address book 270 may store a users address and
calendar information that may be accessed by both wireless phone
engine 210 and PDA engine 290. A user may directly access an entry,
or select from a list of entries, in address book 270 in order to
retrieve a telephone number to dial. Wireless phone engine 210
subsequently accesses address book 270 and retrieves a desired
telephone or fax number corresponding with the selected entry. If
more than one telephone or fax number is available for a listing
the user may select which number is to be dialed by wireless phone
engine 210 or numbers may be dialed in sequence (e.g., work numbers
first, then home numbers, etc.) until a connection is made. After
selecting an entry wireless phone engine 210 dials the number and
establishes a wireless connection without requiring further user
input.
[0049] A user may also retrieve entries from address book 270
simply to display on display 145. According to one embodiment, the
user selects an icon on display 145 that initiates a listing of the
entries in address book 270. Alternatively, the user may initiate a
key word search for an entry. Once an entry is selected, full
address information, including telephone and fax numbers, is
transmitted from address book 270 to PDA engine 290, and thereafter
to display 145. In another embodiment, wireless telephone engine
210 may retrieve an electronic mail (e-mail) address and/or a world
wide web URL from address book 270 in order to initiate a
transaction.
[0050] According to a further embodiment, the user may manually
select an item of an entry displayed on display 145 (e.g.,
telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) in order to initiate a
transaction. The user may select the item by tapping the location
on display 145 at which the item is displayed. After selecting the
item, the user may engage wireless phone engine 210 by manipulating
side-action buttons 115 or buttons 130. The telephone number to be
dialed is then transferred from PDA engine 290 and transmitted to
wireless phone engine 210. Wireless phone engine 210 subsequently
dials the number in order to carry out the transaction.
[0051] GPS engine 275 is coupled to display 145, GPS antenna 195,
I/O module 250 and PDA engine 290. GPS engine 275 receives signals
from GPS satellites via GPS antenna 195 and calculates the position
of PDA telephone 100 in the conventional fashion. A system user may
access GPS engine 275 by manipulating side-action buttons 115, by
the touch screen of display 145 or through voice activation.
According to one embodiment, the positioning information received
is displayed on display 145, for example using stored on retrieved
maps. However, in another embodiment, the positioning information
(e.g., latitude and longitude, etc.) may be presented to a user in
the form of audio played out over speakers 185 and/or 190.
[0052] Synchronization circuitry 280 is coupled to PDA engine 290
and is used to synchronize PDA telephone 100 with a computer system
in order to transfer and/or backup PDA applications and data files.
Thus, PDA engine 290 functions as a data storage and processing
unit for PDA telephone 100. Such synchronization schemes are well
known in the art and need not be further described herein.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 3, PDA engine 290 is illustrated in
further detail and includes central processing unit (CPU) 305,
random access memory (RAM) 310, read only memory (ROM) 315,
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 320
and voice/speech recognition module 330. I/O module 250 is coupled
to CPU 305 and voice/speech recognition module 330. CPU 305
processes information received at PDA engine 290. RAM 310 is
coupled to CPU 305 and is used as a temporary storage area for data
processed by CPU 305.
[0054] ROM 315 is coupled to CPU 305. ROM 315 stores the operating
system for PDA telephone 100. According to one embodiment, PDA
telephone 100 uses a Microsoft Windows CE.RTM.-based operating
system. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that PDA telephone 100 may function using other operating systems
(e.g., the Palm.TM. operating system of 3Com Corp.). According to
another embodiment, the operating system may include a web browser
in order to facilitate Internet access for a PDA telephone 100.
EEPROM 320 is also coupled to CPU 305 and may be used to store
application software.
[0055] Voice/speech recognition module 330 is coupled to CPU 305
and has the ability to recognize and carry out voice commands.
Voice/speech recognition module 330 stores a vocabulary of words
that are used to initiate commands and access data. Voice/speech
recognition module 330 may also be configured to identify a speech
patterns of one or more users against stored replicas thereof.
[0056] According one embodiment, a user may initiate a telephone
call by issuing a voice command. For example, a user may give a
command to CALL JOHN. This command is transmitted from microphone
140 through I/O module 250 to voice/speech recognition module 330.
Voice/speech recognition module 330 parses the input, recognizes a
request to make a telephone call and forwards the command to
wireless telephone engine 210. Wireless phone engine 210
subsequently accesses address book 270 and retrieves one or more
desired telephone numbers corresponding with the selected
entry.
[0057] If there is only one person with the requested name to call
(e.g., JOHN), and one telephone number for that person, wireless
telephone engine 210 automatically dials the telephone number of
the name spoken by the user. If there is more than one person with
the name spoken by the user, or more than one telephone number for
that person, stored in address book 270, a listing is displayed on
display 145 that prompts the user to select the desired telephone
number to dial. After making a selection, wireless telephone engine
210 dials the number. In a further embodiment, a user may initiate
a call by reciting the telephone number of the person to call.
[0058] According to yet another embodiment, a user may show a
listing on display 145 by issuing a command. For example, a user
may give a command to DISPLAY JANE. As described above, this
command is transmitted from microphone 140 through I/O module 250
to voice/speech recognition module 330. Voice/speech recognition
module 330 recognizes a request to show the requested name on
display 145 and forwards the command to CPU 305. CPU 305
subsequently accesses address book 270 and retrieves the desired
address information corresponding with the selected entry.
[0059] If there is only one person with the requested name to call
(e.g., JANE), CPU 305 transmits the address information to display
145 where it is displayed. If there is more than one person with
the name spoken by the user stored in address book 270, a listing
is shown on display 145 with all entries stored in address book 270
with the spoken name. After the user makes a selection, CPU 305
transmits the address information of the person selected to display
145 where it is displayed. The examples shown above are only
illustrative of embodiments of the present invention, and not
limiting. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
voice/speech recognition module 330 may be configured to recognize
and execute a multitude of commands. For example, a user may view
or access an e-mail address or web-site URL by issuing a command in
a manner that is similar to viewing or initiating a telephone
call.
[0060] Biometric sensors 350, such as fingerprint ID devices, etc.,
may also be coupled to PDA telephone 100 through I/O module 250.
Such sensors 350 may provide security features that prevent
unauthorized users from exploiting PDA telephone 100.
[0061] According to another embodiment, PDA telephone 100 may also
function as a remote controller. In such an embodiment, PDA engine
290 transmits signals to various devices using either wireless
telephone engine 210 or short range transceiver 265. For example,
PDA telephone 100 may be configured to remotely control audio/video
appliances, automobile door locks, garage door openers, home alarm
systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems,
etc.
[0062] Each device to be controlled by PDA telephone 100 is
equipped with a wireless transceiver or receiver. The
transceiver/receiver is configured to receive functional commands
from PDA telephone 100 to take some particular action. If the
device is equipped with a transceiver, the device may also be
configured to transmit status information back to PDA telephone
100.
[0063] According to a further embodiment, PDA telephone 100 may
remotely communicate with a computer system. PDA telephone 100 may
remotely transmit the contents of address book 270 and/or PDA
engine 275 using wireless telephone engine 210. This permits PDA
telephone 100 to back up files by downloading them to a remote
computer system. The wireless transaction between PDA telephone 100
and the computer system may be initiated by either PDA telephone
100 or the computer system. For example a PDA telephone 100 user
may initiate the transaction by speech control, side-action buttons
115 or display 145. Alternatively, the computer system may be
configured with an alarm that initiates a wireless connection with
PDA telephone 100.
[0064] Thus, a PDA with wireless telephone has been described.
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