Abstract:
A portable entertainment apparatus is provided for writing onto a compact disk and other permanent storage medium. A touch sense screen is used to display and select menu graphics choices such as to listen to the radio or a CD, save selections, etc. The apparatus provides a display of all selections stored in its memory so that one may choose favorite music selections and their order of play, play a video game and a DVD movie.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to personal entertainment devices. More particularly, the invention comprises a portable entertainment device having a microcomputer interfaced with a plurality of a radio receiver, a scanner, a read/write CD, a database search engine, a mouse, a touch sense circuit screen, and a data storage area.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The following art defines the present state of this field:  
           [0005]    Hale, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,901 describes an audio device for automotive use in which radio transmissions can be received and directly recorded on magnetic tapes, cassettes or disks. The device includes an in-dash combination AM-FM radio receiver and tape or cassette deck, which is specially adapted to permit direct recording of radio transmissions on blank tape cartridges or cassettes. The device of this invention is not well adapted for portable use which would require it to be carried on the person.  
           [0006]    Weitz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,807 describes a method and device for addressable digital representations of high-fidelity sound recordings in a non-mapped digital storage device, such as a CD music ROM, using conventional PCM (pulse code modulated) equipment, but in a more condensed and efficiently sampled ADM (adaptive delta modulated) format thereby providing high-density addressable storage of several thousand recordings in a single music ROM jukebox as well as high-speed information transfers. The invention enables communication and control links between a conventional digital audio processor and a conventional microcomputer. Timing data is embedded in the ADM formatted and blocked data file. The microcomputer is utilized for editing ADM data, inserting catalog data, and transferring the data file to a standard PCM file writer suitable for making non-mapped CD music ROMs containing addressable ADM data files on conventional equipment utilized in the industry. Encoding is performed by Dolby delta-link ADM encoding to achieve time-domain condensation of information content and analog signals representing the sound recording reduction techniques. CD music ROMs produced thereby are utilized in high-speed reproduction systems or for addressable computer access in high-volume archival storage systems. The device of this invention is not intended for portable use and is not intended to be carried by a person.  
           [0007]    Gantt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,837 describes an automobile recorder allowing a user to continuously record the contents of radio programs onto a solid state memory and then transfer selected portions to a cassette tape or recorded compact disk. The auto recorder prevents unnecessary wear on the tape mechanism and tape by requiring use of these only when the tape transfer is made or the tape is being played back. A second optional AM/FM tuner allows the user to listen to one program while recording another program onto the solid state memory. Again, this device is not intended to be portable and so carried by an individual.  
           [0008]    Okada, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,568,453 and 5,448,534 both describe a radio system having a detector for detecting a required radio program and supplying an instruction signal when the program is detected. In accordance with the instruction signal, a recording unit begins to record the program. Each of the disclosed devices records sound received by a radio onto mini-disks, thus the overall capacity is not as great as might be desired.  
           [0009]    Massaru, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,568 describes a combined system for commonly controlling a compact disk changer player and a radio receiver having a plurality of memory/call switches for selectively operating the compact disk changer player and the radio receiver under the control of a microcomputer; and a radio/compact disk changeover switch, for selectively playing back a user&#39;s desired disk and track. In the control method of the combined system for commonly controlling the compact disk changer player and the radio receiver, the first and second inputs of the memory/call switches coincide with a ten&#39;s place number corresponding to a track number receptively and a radio frequency changeover data is generated to operate the radio receiver when the radio/compact disk changeover switch is switched to the radio receiver, while a disk number changeover data are generated to operate the compact disk changer player when the radio/compact disk changeover switch is switched to the compact disk. The device of this invention does not record anything. The microcomputer is used merely to select the source of what is to be played through the amplifier.  
           [0010]    Yifrach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,982 describes a buffer system for radio receivers which includes a cyclic storage device connectable to a demodulator circuit for continuously storing the audio signals last outputted thereby only over a predetermined time interval, enabling the listener to jump-back to hear a preceding portion of the radio broadcasts. In one described embodiment, the listener normally hears the broadcasts in a real-time manner but may depress a button to hear the broadcasts in a delayed-time manner via the cyclic storage device. In a second described embodiment, the listener normally hears the broadcasts in a real-time manner, and may depress a button to freeze a part of the broadcast in another storage device, and may later depress another button to play back the portion frozen. The described device has a storage capacity which allows sixty seconds of sound storage and would not be suitable for storing multiple musical selections.  
           [0011]    Kato et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,065 describes a function setting method for an audio system which is capable of changing a function of the audio system without alteration of the hardware of a system controller and is superior in general use. The method comprises the steps of preparing, as the system controller for controlling functions incorporated in the audio system in a concentrated manner, a microcomputer which has an analog/digital conversation input port and has built therein control programs for all of a plurality of functions which can be incorporated in the audio system, and applying a selected one of a plurality of analog voltages which individually represents possible combinations of the functions including the individual functions to the analog/digital conversation input port of the microcomputer to cause the microcomputer to be prepared for at least one of the functions represented by the analog voltage. The device of the Kato et al invention is designed for use in an automobile, and is so designed that the operating system of the device will be removed by the owner to disable the remainder of the system and thus deter theft. This complete device is not intended to be carried by an individual. Also, this device does not record anything coming into it from any of its sources.  
           [0012]    As seen from the above descriptions, the prior art teaches the use of devices for storing and playback of digitally processed information. However, the prior art does not teach that a portable entertainment device may be controlled with a screen displayed menu program for playing, storing, editing, archiving and retrieving audio and video information. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.  
           [0014]    The present invention provides a portable entertainment device enabled for writing onto a microcomputer hard drive or other permanent storage medium. A touch sense screen is used to display and select most choices, but mode selection such as AM radio band, FM radio band, and CD, is accomplished by using a multifunctional mechanical switch located on the case of the device. Volume control is also a mechanical control in the form of a finger-adjustable knob. The device provides a display of all selections stored in its memory so that one may choose favorite music selections and their order of play.  
           [0015]    A primary objective of the present inventions is to provide an entertainment device having advantages of portability, ease of use, large storage capacity, and versatility.  
           [0016]    Another objective is to provide such a portable entertainment device capable of recording selections from radio broadcasts as well as tracks from commercial CD devices.  
           [0017]    A still further objective is to provide such a portable entertainment device having a touch sense monitor display capable of displaying the contents of the stored memory so as to allow the user to select music and other material for entertainment, such as video games, DVD movies or scanned information.  
           [0018]    The invention is simple, ease to us, and is economical to manufacture. The invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof in a device for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front diagrammatic perspective view of the device of the present invention showing a compact disk being inserted therein.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing a video game disk being inserted therein.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing a DVD movie disk being inserted therein.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 3, showing a small portable hand-held scanner connected thereto.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 4, showing how to turn on the small portable hand-held scanner.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 5, showing a built-in cover partially extending over the liquid crystal display screen.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a front diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIG. 6, showing the built-in cover totally extending over the liquid crystal display screen.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a rear diagrammatic perspective view of the device of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the various electrical components and their relationship in the device of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of this invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0029]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made to FIGS. 1 through 9 which illustrate various components of the present invention which is a portable entertainment device  10 . The device  10  comprises a means  12  for receiving electromagnetic wave energy signals and for converting the signals into digital data signals, such as a common AM/FM radio receiver with an audio signal to digital signal converting circuit as is well known in the art,  
         [0030]    The device contains a digital reading and writing means  14  for reading and writing on a compact disk  16  and for digitally reading a video game disk  18 , and a DVD movie disk  20 . The means  14  is of any well known design which is currently commercially available in the consumer electronics field.  
         [0031]    The device contains a means  22  is for displaying and selecting video information using menu graphics, such as a cathode ray tube, thin film transistor or a liquid crystal display with a touch sense screen of any well known type. The device contains a means  24  for producing an audio output, such as an amplifier  26  and a pair of stereo loudspeakers  28 .  
         [0032]    The device further contains means  30  for storing digital data present on the compact disk  16 , the video game disk  18  and the DVD movie  20 . This means  30  is a magnetic domain storage hard drive or read-write compact disk read and write memory device or other memory device.  
         [0033]    A data processing program is within the digital data storing means  30 , or alternately in a solid state memory device such as a Rom chip set  32 . A processor  34  in accordance with the data processing program is present. The processor  34  may be a digital data signal microprocessor and its related and associated circuit elements as is found and used ubiquitously in the small computer field. The processor  34  is electronically connected with the energy signals receiving means  12 , the reading and writing means  14 , the video information displaying and selecting means  22 , the audio output producing means  24  and the digital data storing means  30 . The processor  34  is enabled to receive, store, organize, and output audio and video information in accordance with manual selections through the video information displaying and selecting means  22  as guided by the data processing program. As shown in FIG. 8 sockets  64  may be made available for a microphone for voice input or other audio source.  
         [0034]    The electromagnetic wave energy signals receiving means  12  provides a collapsible radio antenna  12  so as to enable receiving of weak radio signals, and also preferably provides an ear phone  62  or head phone for transferring the audio output directly to one or both ears of the user of the device  10  so as to provide private listening and usage of the device  10 .  
         [0035]    A small portable hand-held scanner  36  has a capacity to scan both text and graphics which can then be saved in the processor  34 .  
         [0036]    A touch sense keyboard  38  is enabled by the video information displaying and selecting means  22 , to manually input titles under which recorded material may be saved. A data base search engine  40  is enabled to search single words, multiple words and parts of words, so as to receive the digital data without the necessity for recalling exact titles.  
         [0037]    A plurality of control function buttons  42  are provided. Such buttons may constitute real electrical switches or simulated switches for touch sense control. The control function buttons  42  are electrically connected to the reading and writing means  14  for performing functions of stopping play, ejecting the compact disk  16 , the video game disk  18  and the DVD movie disk  20 , pausing play, starting play, recording, selecting a track, fast forwarding, rewinding and repeating a track on a music compact disk  16 .  
         [0038]    A cursor moving device  44 , such as a computer mouse, is electrically connected to the video information displaying and selecting means  22 .  
         [0039]    The data processing program provides a visual choice menu for selecting action options, the menu comprising a first choice  46  of: ‘FILE,” “EDIT,” “VIEW,” “OPTIONS,” and “HELP” selections. The data processing program provides a visual choice menu for selecting action options, the menu comprises a second choice under the “FILE” option of “SAVE AS,”  47  “OPEN,”  48  and “DELETE  50 .” 
         [0040]    The data processing program provides a visual choice menu for selecting action options, the menu comprises a second choice (not shown) under the “EDIT” option of “MEMORY DRIVES,” “CUT,” “COPY” and “PASTE.” 
         [0041]    The data processing program provides a visual choice menu for selecting action options, the menu comprises a second choice (not shown) under the “VIEW” option of “DISC/TRACK INFO,” and “STATUS BAR.” 
         [0042]    The data processing program provides a visual choice menu for selecting action options, the menu comprises a third choice  51  under the “SAVE AS” option of “MUSIC CD 1-100,” “AUDIO CD 1-100,” “RADIO 1-100,” “VOICE 1-100,” “VIDEO GAME 1-100,” “DVD MOVIE 1-100,” and “SCAN TEXT 1-100.” 
         [0043]    In use, the device  10  may be tuned to a radio program or a CD track of an inserted Music CD  16 , an inserted Video Game Disk  18 , an inserted DVD Movie Disk  20  or other audio material or text information. These sources of information may be recorded permanently on the magnetic domain storage hard drive or read-write compact disk read and write memory device or other memory device means  30 .  
         [0044]    It is clear from the foregoing, that the device  10  is able to record information from seven different sources. It can record information from the radio  12 , music compact disk  16 , audio compact disk (not shown), video game disk  18 , DVD movie disk  20 , voice information, through the use of the microphone  62 , or scanned information through the use of the portable hand-held scanner  36 . Except for a music CD  16 , all other six sources of information can be recorded by pressing the PLAY AND RECORD touch sensitive function buttons. When these buttons are pressed the SAVE AS  47  secondary choice opens up the seven choices to record information. However, if one wants to provide a unique name for a recording, this can be done through the use of the touch-sense keyboard option  38 . In the case of recording a Music CD one must first go to the “VIEW” option to highlight the track or tracks to be recorded. All seven types of information are stored in separate indexed locations (not shown) and are later retrieved by selecting from one of these seven indexes. All seven types of information stored, can be deleted through the use of the secondary choice option of “DELETE  50 .” 
         [0045]    Eight function button keys  52 ,  53  are provided in which a first set of four of the function button keys  52  are up arrow, down arrow, right arrow and left arrow used in conjunction with the cursor moving device  44  to play the video game disk  18 . A second set of four of the function button keys  53  are zoom in, zoom out, still frame and slow motion replay used with the DVD movie disk  20 .  
         [0046]    A docking station  54  is electrically connected to the processor  34  so that information saved in the processor  34  can be uploaded onto a personal computer. Also, the same types of information saved in the processor  34 , can be downloaded from a personal computer, and saved in the processor  34 .  
         [0047]    An on/off switch  56  is electrically connected to the processor  34 . A cover  58  having a drive motor (not shown) is electrically controlled by the on/off switch  56 . When the on/off switch  56  is turned to the “on” position, the drive motor will cause the cover  58  to extend over the video information displaying and selecting means  22  to protect the video information displaying and selecting means  22 . When the on/off switch  56  is turned to the “off” position, the drive motor will cause the cover  58  to retrack back from the video information displaying and selecting means  22 .  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 8, a stylus  60  is electrically connected to the video information displaying and selecting means  22 , whereby the stylus  60  can be utilized in place of the cursor moving device  44 .  
         [0049]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.