Patent ID: 6230970
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method for inputting an input request by a hand-held device, transmitting a server request corresponding to the input request from the hand-held device to a server computer through a telecommunications link, receiving a response to the server request by the hand-held device from the server computer, and outputting the response by the hand-held device, the hand-held device comprising a number of internal components, including input components, a transceiver component, and a number of output components, the method comprising:coupling the hand-held device to a telecommunications link to transmit the request and to receive the response through the telecommunications link and to draw sufficient electrical power from the telecommunications link to operate the hand-held device;maintaining the internal components of the hand-held device in inactive states and thereby conserving power prior to receiving the input request;receiving an indication to input the input request by the hand-held device, the input request represented in an input medium selected from among audio tones, mechanical input, and from one of additional types of input media including a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, and a printed medium;activating an input component within the hand-held device to input the input request;processing the input request into a corresponding server request;activating the transceiver component to transmit the server request to the server computer and to receive the response from the server computer through the telecommunications link;activating an output component to output the response, the output component selected from among an audio speaker and a visual display; anddeactivating the activated internal components.