Abstract:
An electronic interactive communication system and method is disclosed. Software controls and a control manager resides on a unit that communicates with a central location. The central location transmits information to the unit. The information, or data, may reside in a database at the central location. A number of different units receive data from the central location&#39;s transmission source to update or manipulate data already on the units. The system exchanges data from the units to the central location using a narrow bandwidth. The unit includes a transceiver and a processor. The unit also includes a display to display the data to the user after the received data has been associated with the stored data. For example, received data is overlaid on a map being displayed on the unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/341,862 entitled “Electronic Interactive Communication System and the Method Therefor”, filed Dec. 21, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates to an electronic interactive communication system, and more particularly, to a system with improved control and optimally distributed interactive communication functionality between various device units. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   Various communication technologies, such as an e-mail technology that enables people to transmit and receive information to/from each other, are commercially known. Palm-size and/or portable communication devices that incorporate these technologies have become popular due to their portability and power. In the conventional technology, such communication devices are capable of transmitting and/or receiving communication messages and downloading and/or uploading information from other sources. The communication devices can download substantial data on the screen. For example, a portable Global Position System (“GPS”) produces signals for a navigation system to allow directional navigation. 
   Conventional portable communication devices either store data in a database of the device or receive data from another device, such as a server. In use, the device shows the data in a display so that the user can manipulate the data. A Blackberry™ handheld portable communication system is an example. These devices, however, provide static data not updated in real-time because it may require an increased bandwidth for transmitting the data. Due to the limit of usage of the bandwidth, the conventional communication device may not transmit and receive the data in real time. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are directed to a communication system and device that transmits real-time data information such that the information can be overlapped on existing data to display updates. The data information may be refreshed to ensure accuracy. 
   According to the disclosed embodiments, a data exchange system is disclosed. The data exchange system includes a transmitter coupled to a storage comprising data. The transmitter transmits a signal carrying the data. The data exchange system also includes a transceiver to receive the signal. The data exchange system also includes a processor coupled to a display to interpret the signal and to associate the received data within the signal with data accessible by the processor. 
   According to the disclosed embodiments, a data exchange processing unit is disclosed. The unit includes a processor for receiving data from a central source and a memory coupled to the processor for storing graphical data manipulable by a control. The data exchange processing unit also includes a display coupled to the processor to display received data and the graphical data according to the control. The data exchange system includes a manager to identify and administer the control, wherein the manager is enabled by the processor. 
   According to the disclosed embodiments, a method for exchanging data between a unit and a control center is disclosed. The method also includes receiving the data at a transceiver coupled to a processor on the unit from the control center. The method also includes manipulating graphical data via the processor with a control communicating with a manager. The method also includes associating said data with said graphical data. 
   According to the disclosed embodiments. A method for associating data transmitted to a unit having a memory is disclosed. The memory includes stored data accessible by a software control on the unit. The method includes launching the control within an operating environment on the unit. The method also includes retrieving the stored data from memory. The method also includes requesting an update for the stored data. The method also includes receiving update data at a transceiver on the unit. The method also includes associating the update data with the stored data. The method also includes displaying the stored data and the update data on the unit according to the control. 
   Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a communication unit in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a communication unit displaying data according to the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart for exchanging data within an electronic communications system according to the disclosed embodiments. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  depicts a communication system  10  in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Communication system  10  includes a number of communication units  20 ,  22 , and  24  communicating under the control of a control node  14 . Communication system  10  may be known as a data exchange system. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, control node  14  is installed in a remote control center  16 . In alternative embodiments, control node  14  is installed in units  20 ,  22 , and  24  as a separate element. Control node  14  controls communications between two or more communication units  20 ,  22 , or  24 . Control node  14  may retrieve data from a database  30  to operate various control functions, as disclosed below. 
   Typically, in an operating environment, communication units  20 ,  22 , and  24  may store various software controls. The controls may active or inactive within their operating environment. To be activated, the controls are toggled by other software or the operating system of the computer device using the control, such as, for example, control node  14 . 
   Control center  16  also may include a transceiver  18  to transmit and receive information from units  20 ,  22 , and  24 . Transceiver  18  preferably communicates with units  20 ,  22 , and  24  in a wireless manner. Alternatively, transceiver  18  and control center  16  may be coupled to units  20 ,  22 , and  24  via cable, fiber optic wire, telephone line, coaxial cable, infrared, and the like. Transceiver  18  is coupled to database  30  to send information to units  20 ,  22 , and  24 . Control node  14  provides an interface to units  20 ,  22 , and  24  for transceiver  18 . Transceiver  18  is coupled to antenna device  32 . 
   A software control on a unit, such as unit  24 , may desire information that resides in database  30 . Unit  24 , via a resident software control manager, queries control center  16  for the data. Transceiver  18  receives the request and queries database  30 . Database  30  provides the data and transceiver  18  forwards the data to unit  24 . Control node  14  may facilitate this process by interacting with the software control manager on unit  24 . 
   Further, control center  16  may provide periodic updates to units  20 ,  22 , and  24  as new data becomes available. Transceiver  18  may receive update data from control node  14 , database  30 , or other components of control center  16 . Periodic transmission of data may reduce the amount of bandwidth allocated for data transmission as units  20 ,  22 , and  24  are not continually querying control center  16  for data. Data may be transmitted in a burst at certain times, and units  20 ,  22 , and  24  are expecting to receive the data. The data may pertain to programs running on units  20 ,  22 , and  24 . For example, unit  20  executes a map function having controls to manipulate the map. Icons representing groups, units, or individuals may be overlaid on a map graphic. The icons are updated periodically with positional information from control center  16 . 
     FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of a communication unit  200  in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Unit  200  may include any computer or device, such as a desktop, a portable computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), wireless phone, data node, or the like. Unit  200  also may be a network of computers or other data exchange devices. Unit  200  includes a transceiver  222  for receiving and transmitting signals by an antenna  230 , a graphical user interface, or display,  226  for displaying data, a processor  224  for processing the received signals and signals to be transmitted, and a memory  228  for storing data and software controls. Unit  200  includes an operating environment to execute software programs, such as an operating system stored in memory  228 . The operating environment also supports software controls that enhance the executing programs. 
   Processor  224  may be any processor that executes instructions stored in a memory, such as memory  228 . Processor  224  retrieves/saves the data and software controls from/to database  228 . Software controls may be stored in memory  228 , and displayed on display  226 . A user of unit  200  may input commands or requests via display  226  using the software controls. Processor  224  reacts to the inputs in a variety of ways, including querying memory  228 . Processor  224  may activate transceiver  222  to exchange information with a remote control center, such as control center  16  in  FIG. 1 , in response to the inputs. 
   Preferably, processor  224  executes a program, or series of programs, on unit  200 . Processor  224  retrieves data from memory  228  and displays graphical data in display  226 . For example, a map program may be stored within memory  228 . When executed, the map program displays map graphics on unit  200 . Software controls to manipulate the map graphics also are stored in memory  228  and launched by processor  224 . A software control manager may control the software controls. Memory  228  may store the software control manager. Processor  224  may execute the software control manager in conjunction with stored programs, software controls, and the like. 
   Unit  200  receives data and information via antenna  230  and transceiver  222 . The data and information may be updates from a remote transmitter, as disclosed above. Processor  224  associates the new or updated data onto the data stored in memory  228 . Display  226  shows the stored data and the updated data together. Preferably, processor  224  overlays the updated data onto the stored data in display  226 . Thus, unit  200  receives updates in real time without continuous connections and increased bandwidth. As disclosed above, unit  200  may receive data in a periodic manner to reduce bandwidth requirements. Further, the disclosed embodiments enhance the display and representation of data within memory  228 . Moreover, a filter may be placed on unit  200  to filter the data received at transceiver. If the data is not requested or authorized to be received, then the filter may prevent the data from undergoing any further processing at unit  200 . Certain may be filtered from use on unit  200 . 
   In other embodiments, transceiver  222  receives updates via antenna  230 . Processor  224  determines the format for the data via user preference, default settings, and the like. The new data is correlated with stored data in memory  228  and displayed accordingly on display  226 . 
     FIG. 3  depicts a communication unit  300  displaying data according to the disclosed embodiments. Communication unit  300  includes an operating environment that supports executing programs. The operating environment also supports software controls  306  and  308 , and software control manager  304 . Unit  300  may display  306  and  308 , while manager  304  is not displayed. Manager  304  facilitates communication with controls  306  and  308 , and unit  300 . 
   Further, controls  306  and  308  may not be identical controls, and may provide different functionality on unit  300 . For example, controls  306  and  308  may be a map and a compass control, respectively. Map control  306  may not need compass control  308  to operate, while compass control  308  may need map control  306  to function. 
   Graphic  302  may be visual data displayed on unit  300 . Graphic  302  may derive from data stored in a memory within unit  300 . For example, graphic  302  may be a map. Icons  310 ,  312 ,  314 , and  316  also are displayed on unit  300 . Preferably, icons  310 – 316  overlay graphic  302 . Icons  310 – 316  may relate to data being received by unit  300  via antenna  320 . Icons  310  may reflect updated data from a remote location. Preferably, icons  310 – 316  move within the display of unit  300 , and are independent of graphic  302 . Icons  310  and  312  may be represent different entities than icons  314  and  316 . For example, icons  310  and  312  may represent “enemy” units within an area represented by graphic  302 , while icons  314  and  316  may represent “friendly” units. Alternatively, icons  310  and  312  may represent automobiles on graphic  302 , while icons  314  and  316  represent trucks. As the entities represented by icons  310 – 316  move, this information is sent to unit  300  via antenna  320 . Icons  310 – 316  are updated accordingly with this data. Thus, as unit  300  “refreshes” the display of graphic  302 , icons  310 – 316  may move according to the updated or new data received from the remote location. 
   Controls  306  and  308  facilitate the display of graphic  302  and icons  310 – 316 . Unit  300  may receive inputs at control  306  or  308 . The inputs pertain to information regarding graphic  302  or icons  310 – 316 . Manage  304  coordinates the inputs from control  306  or  308  by recognizing the applicable control and passing the information/request to processing logic within unit  300 . If applicable, unit  300  may request an update from another unit or remote location via antenna  320 . Once the requested data is received, manager  304  identifies the applicable control. Unit  300  updates graphic  300  or icons  310 – 316  accordingly. 
   For example, control  306  represents a map control and control  308  represents a compass control. If one presses “North” on compass control  308  displayed on unit  300 , then compass control  308  requests that graphic  302  move north. Subsequently, map control  306  may receive a request to zoom in, and graphic  302  adjusts accordingly. Manager  304  facilitates these interactions between controls  306  and  308  and the displayed data. 
   Controls  306  and  308  may be known as e-Reusable Information Technology Environment (“eRITE”) controls. Controls  306  and  308  may have additional properties above a typical software control. One property may be an eRITE type. An eRITE type may be a string such as “Map” or “Compass” that denotes the overall type of the control. The property allows manager  304  to identify the control against the other controls within the operating environment. Another property may be support members. Support members may be a string that lists the other controls that the identified control may need to use, such as the compass example disclosed above. 
   Control manager  304  may be known as an eRITE manager. Manager  14  may have properties, including the same properties disclosed above with reference to eRITE controls. Manager  14 , however, may have certain properties unique to managers that allow them to manipulate controls  306  and  308 . A property may be a control list that lists other controls to be used within the operating environment. These listed controls are the controls that are recognized by manager  304 . The control list may be hard to view or change, and may be done under specific circumstances. Another property of manager  304  may be an information field that returns or sets the names of the data fields to display in a popup message box. Another property may be a storage directory that returns or sets the name of the eRITE storage directory. 
   The preferred embodiments may make use of specific controls that have specific uses within the operating environment. One control may be a data control that allows a user to touch appropriate data, or implement an auto refresh. An information control may setup filters within the operating systems to prevent redundant or erroneous information from being exchanged. The filters may be part of the security package within the unit, and may allow different capabilities. 
   A mode control may be implemented that enables buttons on the display to inform the manager what information to retrieve, such as maps, location data, and the like. The type of mode may determine how the information is to be displayed on the unit. For example, different maps may be used for different scenarios, and the maps may be changed by clicking a button on the display. 
   An active track data control also may be implemented to enable the operating environment to display or present itself in a different manner to the outside world. Each track for data on the display may be a separate entity that floats above the displayed graphic, such as a map. The track may be responsive to a mouse or cursor instruction. The data for the track may be received at the unit, preferably in a wireless manner. As information is received, then the track may be updated as it floats above the graphic display. 
   As disclosed above, manager  304  and controls  306  and  308  for the eRITE operating environment may be used on unit  300  to communicate with a central database coupled to a transmitter, as disclosed in  FIG. 1 . Specifically, a number of different units  300  may receive data from the transmission source from a communication device system and update and manipulate the data as desired within the system. Different controls may be activated that enable unit  300  to display and exchange the data. The data exchanged may include location of unit  300 , and any other information selected by the user. The data is transmitted and unit  300  may include filters within the controls to display useful or selected data. Thus, the data displayed on one unit may not be the same data displayed on another unit or may be less than that transmitted. The filters may be enabled by the specific controls, manager  300 , the operating environment, the user, and the like. 
     FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart for exchanging data within an electronic communications system according to the disclosed embodiments. The data may be processed, and used on a unit or device having a processor. Step  402  executes by retrieving data stored data from a memory. The processor may receive a command to access and display data within the memory. In addition, software controls may be launched in response to the data being retrieved. The software controls may pertain specifically to the stored data and any resulting programs, or may be global controls launched at any time. Step  404  executes by querying applicable controls, or control, for input, commands, or requests for data. In addition, a control may receive a prompt at periodic intervals to receive input. 
   Step  406  executes by requesting update data to update or refresh the data accessed from the memory. The update data may come from a remote location, or from other controls or memory on the unit. Preferably, a remote control center having a database or other memory provides the update data. Step  448  executes by accessing the data storage, or memory, that contains the update data. The memory may be random access memory that stores the update data for a short period of time, until the next update is available. Step  410  executes by sending the update data to the unit. If sent from memory on the unit, the processor executes the operations necessary to retrieve the update data. If the data is sent from a remote location, a transceiver may transmit the update data. Preferably, the remote location transmits the update data in a wireless manner. 
   Step  412  executes by receiving the update data at the processor. Additional components may be utilized in receiving the data, such as an antenna and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The processor may identify the control and stored data that corresponds the received data. Step  414  executes by associating the update data with the retrieved data. The retrieved data, as disclosed above, is stored in a memory coupled to the processor. The update data 
   may not be identical to the retrieved data. For example, the retrieved data may be a map graphic while the update data may pertain to the position of an icon overlaying the map graphic. Step  416  executes by displaying the update data and the retrieved data on the unit. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the communication device system of the present invention without departing from the spirit of scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents.