Portable compact device

A portable compact device for use with an external device. The portable compact device includes an interface circuit for providing an interface between an external device and the portable compact device. A data memory circuit stores data received by the interface circuit. A control circuit coupled to the data memory circuit processes data stored in the data memory circuit in accordance with a stored data structure. A data modifying circuit is coupled to the data memory circuit for modifying the stored data. A data structure initializing circuit insures that the structure of the stored data in the data memory circuit allows the control circuit to process the stored data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is generally directed to a portable compact device having a 
data interface for interfacing with an external information device, and in 
particular to the initialization of the contents of a data memory device 
in the portable compact device. 
In general, there have been an absence of portable devices having data 
interfaces with external information devices until the present inventor 
introduced one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,012 entitled Portable 
Programmable Information Device and External Programming Station, which 
issued on August 6, 1985. 
Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein simplified schematic drawings of 
the structure of the portable device constructed in accordance with the 
teachings of Pat. No. 4,534,012 are depicted. In FIG. 1, the data from the 
external device (not shown) passes through data input circuit 120 and is 
stored in memory circuit 121. Input data is then processed by center 
controlling circuit 122 as memo data, scheduled alarm data, alarm time 
data, machine language data (programming) and so forth, depending upon the 
type of information included in the input data. The data input from the 
external device is input in accordance with a predetermined data 
structure. By inputting data in accordance with this predetermined 
structure the portable device can be externally controlled. In addition, 
by inputting data through a keyboard 123 the input data can be modified. 
The input data may be displayed by a display circuit 124 or output to an 
alarm circuit 125. 
However, the structure shown in FIG. 1 has a major problem. When no data is 
input from the external device, such as during the changing of batteries, 
the data is not processed by center controlling circuit 122, nor can it be 
modified by inputting data from a keyboard input 123. This is because a 
change in the data structure in memory circuit 121 does not enable center 
controlling circuit 122 to process the data stored in memory circuit 121. 
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 wherein another schematic diagram of the 
portable device disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,534,012 is depicted. In FIG. 2, 
the data from the external device (not shown) passes through input circuit 
160 and is stored in memory circuit 161. The input data is then processed 
by center controlling circuit 162 in accordance with the data type 
indication contained in the input data. The data type indication is 
representative of the type of data, such as alarm data or memo data 
contained in input data. The input data types include, for example, memo 
data such as telephone numbers, addresses, and words, and scheduled alarm 
data which includes alarm time data and alarm comment data (which is 
displayed when the time coincides with the alarm-time data). In addition, 
the input data can include world time data which consists of place-name 
data and time difference data between a given place-name and a reference 
location. The input data may also include programming data for programming 
the operation of center controlling circuit 162. 
Center controlling circuit 162 attempts to identify the type of data being 
input into the data input circuit 160 and, based on that information will 
properly process the data. In order to process the data at high speeds and 
with low electrical power usage, the structure of the input data is preset 
so as to include an indication of the type of data being transmitted. In 
addition, the data can be changed by way of a key input circuit 163. 
However, the portable device described above has a major problem. If the 
data structure of the data stored in memory circuit 161 is different from 
the predetermined data structure, center controlling circuit 162 is unable 
to process the stored data. This type of problem can occur when the data 
input from the external information device is garbled or otherwise not 
accurately transmitted. In addition, changing the batteries can cause such 
a problem. When the structure of the data stored in memory circuit 161 is 
different from the proper data structure, the data stored in memory 
circuit 161 is not capable of being either processed by center controlling 
circuit 162 or corrected by key input circuit 163. 
Accordingly, there is a need for a portable compact device in which a 
predetermined data structure is stored in the memory circuit and the data 
stored may be modified so it can be processed by the control circuit. 
There is also need to provide a predetermined data structure so that 
additional data may be entered in accordance with the predetermined data 
structure from a key input device without utilizing any external device. 
There is a further need for data to be entered from the key input even if 
the data structure stored in the memory circuit has been destroyed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is generally directed to a portable compact device. The 
portable compact device includes an interface circuit for providing an 
interface between an external device and the portable compact device. A 
data memory circuit stores data received by the interface circuit. A 
control circuit coupled to the data memory circuit processes data stored 
in the data memory circuit in accordance with a stored data structure. A 
data modifying circuit coupled to the data memory circuit is designed to 
modify the stored data. A data structure initializing circuit insures that 
the data structure in the data memory circuit allows the control circuit 
to process data stored in the data memory circuit. The data structure 
initializing circuit allows for the inputting of data to the data memory 
circuit through the data modifying circuit even when no data is input 
through the interface circuit. Further, the data structure initializing 
circuit is capable of detecting changes in the data structure in the data 
memory circuit from the established stored data structure and correcting 
the data so that the control circuit may process data stored in the data 
memory circuit. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide an 
improved portable compact device which maintains the integrity of the data 
structure in the data memory circuit. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved portable device 
adapted to receive data from an external device and also receive and 
process data input from a data modifying circuit which may include a key 
input or keyboard type input. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a portable compact device 
having a stored data structure which insures that problems in data 
transmission do not affect the structure of the data stored in the device. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable compact 
device which insures that all data stored in the device memory is properly 
structured for processing by the device's control circuit. 
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious 
and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, 
combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be 
exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of 
the invention will be indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference is made to FIG. 4 wherein a block diagram of the internal 
structure of the portable compact device constructed in accordance with a 
first embodiment of the invention is depicted. An integrated controlling 
circuit 8 is utilized to control the functioning of the portable compact 
device. A key input circuit 9, a data display circuit 10 and a data memory 
circuit 11 are coupled to controlling circuit 8. Data input from an 
external device (not shown) is input to controlling circuit 8 and directed 
to data memory circuit 11 by controlling circuit 8. 
When the batteries are changed and the new batteries are installed, the 
system is reset (block 1 in FIG. 3). Next, the data in controlling 
integrated circuit 8 is initialized (block 2 in FIG. 3). The controlling 
circuit is initialized with the internal registers and pointers reset as 
is well known in the art. Finally the data stored in memory circuit 11 is 
initialized (block 3 in FIG. 3). A similar process takes place when data 
is received from an external device. An appropriate correction is made 
when the data input from an external device is cut off prior to 
completion. The incomplete nature of the data transmission is detected by 
a checking process (block 6 in FIG. 3). If the checking process determines 
that the data is incomplete the data in data memory circuit 11 is properly 
initialized (block 7 of FIG. 3). 
By way of example, where the total capacity of data which may be input is 
eighty channels, the initialized data structure may be established so that 
data input by key input circuit 9 has ten channels allocated for alarm 
data, ten channels allocated for world time and sixty channels allocated 
for memo and other data. 
The structure of the data input from the external device after the memory 
structure is initialized may be freely changed in accordance with the data 
input so that, for example, all eighty channels may be used for memorandum 
data or other combinations of the various types of data. 
As a result, when the batteries are changed, the data structure stored in 
the data memory circuit is initialized and data processing thereafter 
proceeds in the same manner as data is processed when received from an 
external device. Accordingly, data may be entered and modified from the 
key input circuit and processed by the controlling circuit independently 
of the external device. 
Reference is next made to FIG. 9 wherein a portable compact device 
constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is 
depicted. The device includes a data interface circuit 53 which acts as an 
interface between an external information processing device (not shown) 
and the device. A data memory circuit 55 stores data input from the data 
interface circuit. A controlling circuit 54 processes the input data in 
accordance with a data structure stored in the data memory circuit 55. The 
data structure may be stored in a nonvolatile memory device in controlling 
circuit 54. A data correction circuit 56 corrects the data stored in 
memory circuit 55. Further, a data structure initializing circuit 57 
establishes a proper data structure in data memory circuit 55 when the 
structure of data stored in data memory circuit 55 differs from the proper 
data structure as a result of a battery change or imperfect data input 
termination. 
Reference is next made to FIG. 5 wherein a block circuit diagram of the 
device of FIG. 9 constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of 
the invention is depicted. A central processing unit 102 (hereinafter 
"CPU") is connected to a display circuit 101 and a memory circuit 103. CPU 
102 includes a quartz oscillating circuit, including a crystal 104, which 
outputs a 32 kHz frequency signal, and a counter circuit. As a result, 
when time data is output to display circuit 101 the device operates as a 
timepiece. Serial signals 106 from the external information device (not 
shown) are received by a serial signal receiver circuit in CPU 102 and 
directly input to memory circuit 103. By forming the sampling signal using 
the 32 kHz clock signals for the watch, a data receiving speed is defined 
at a maximum of 2400 bits per second. This is the maximum speed at which 
data can be received without error and this data is directly written into 
memory circuit 103 independently of the program controlling CPU 102. A 
memory circuit 103 having a capacity of 2K bits receives data sufficient 
to completely fill memory circuit 103 in about ten seconds. As a result, a 
receiving speed of 2400 bits per second is an acceptable speed in 
practice. However, in order to insure the data transmission speed of 2400 
bits per second, the contents of the data are not processed at the time of 
receipt. In other words, the data with a predetermined structure 
established by the external information device is directly input into 
memory circuit 103. 
When the structure of the data input from the external information device 
is different from the predetermined data structure, the input data is not 
correctly completed, or the contents of memory circuit 103 are erased, 
such as when the batteries are changed, CPU 102 modifies the data 
structure in memory circuit 103 into a proper data structure. 
Reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein a flow-chart showing the correction 
procedures taken by CPU 102 are depicted. When the battery is reloaded 
(block 110), the CPU circuit is initialized (block 111) and then the data 
structure in memory circuit 103 is initialized (block 112). Finally, the 
device returns to its normal procedure (block 113). 
Similarly, when the data input is not correctly terminated (block 115) or 
when the data structure check (block 114) determines that there are 
abnormalities in the data structure (data structure problem block 116), 
the data structure of memory circuit 103 is initialized (block 112). 
Finally, the device returns to normal procedure 113. 
Reference is next made to FIG. 7 wherein a data structure used in 
accordance with the second embodiment of the invention is depicted. 
Segment 21 is the data structure indicating segment. Segment 22 represents 
the data address indicating portion, which is representative of the stored 
addresses and types of input data. Segment 23 includes the actual data and 
finally, segment 24 is a data termination indicating portion indicating 
the end of a data input. Segment 23 consists of the data of up to eighty 
channels. Twenty-five letters in eighty channels can be arbitrarily 
allocated for memo data, scheduled alarm data, world time data and so 
forth. The types and addresses of the data are indicated in the data 
address indicating segment 22. 
For example, when data consisting of twenty channels of telephone numbers, 
twenty channels of addresses, ten channels of timetables and thirty 
channels of scheduled alarm information are input from the external 
information device, the contents of data address indicating segment 22 is 
shown by block 27. Sub-segment 28 includes a data type indicator field 30 
and a starting address pointer field 29 which points to the beginning of 
the telephone data in segment 23 of the memory. Sub-segment 31 consists of 
a data type indication field 33 indicating that sub-segment 31 points to 
memo data and field 32 points to the address in segment 23 at which the 
memo data begins. Likewise, segment 22 is composed of two fields for each 
of the eighty channels in data segment 23. Each group of two fields 
includes a data type indicator and an address pointer pointing to the 
address of the beginning of the indicated data in segment 23. 
When data is processed by CPU 102, the type and starting address of each 
type of data is known from the contents of data address indicating portion 
22. As a result, data of the desired type may be accessed at high speed. 
For example, in order to check the alarm-setting time, the CPU checks the 
contents of data address indicating portion 22, seeking out field 33 which 
indicates that the following address (field 32) is the starting address of 
a scheduled alarm data. Then, the time data and the alarm-setting time are 
checked. If the time data coincides with the alarm data the alarm sound is 
produced and simultaneously the alarm comment data is displayed. 
During the usual data searching operation the address of the first record 
of each type of data is obtained by using the data address indicating 
portion 22 which is displayed. In order to correct the data, a correcting 
routine for each data type is selected in accordance with the type of data 
input indicated in data address indicating portion 22. For example, the 
memo data has all data corrected as letter data. For scheduled alarm data, 
the data is divided into alarm comment data of a letter type and 
alarm-setting time data of a numeric type. The alarm-setting time data is 
corrected in the same manner as any time indication. 
After receiving data, the data check 114 (FIG. 6) is also performed when 
using the data structure shown in FIG. 7 and described above. First, the 
address of the initial bit of data is obtained from the appropriate fields 
(29, 32) in data address indicating segment 22 and a review is made of the 
data written in the pointed-to initial data address. If the contents of 
the type of reviewed data coincides with the prescribed format for such 
data, the structure of the data is determined to be correct. 
As a result, the data structure is essential to processing the data at low 
power and high speed. Since CPU 102 is unable to process data when the 
data structure disappears, the data structure must always be initialized 
to a proper, predetermined structure. As shown in FIG. 6, the 
initialization of the CPU and memory circuit is performed before 
processing begins. This initialization process classifies the data 
available to be placed in eighty channels among the various data types in 
a predetermined allocation so that the data may be easily used. This 
initialization data is previously stored in CPU 102 as a pre-programmed 
data. 
Reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein the contents of memory circuit 103 
after the data structure is initialized is shown Block 40 corresponds to 
segments 21, 22, 23 and 24 shown in FIG. 7. Sub-segments 43-47 are two 
field sub-segments in segment 22 (FIG. 7), and point to three memo 
records, a scheduled alarm record and a world time record stored in memory 
circuit 103. For example, the first numeral of sub-segment 43 (numeral 0) 
indicates that the record is a memo type while the last three numerals 
(000H) point to memory address 000H. Likewise, sub-segments 44 and 45 are 
also memo type record which start at memory locations l90H and 320H, 
respectively. Sub-segment 46 identifies the data as scheduled alarm (the 
first numeral is 1), and points to address 4B0H. Likewise, sub-segment 47 
is identified as world time data by the first numeral (3) and points to 
address 640H. The initial part of the data in the records associated with 
sub-segments 48-52 includes data for checking the structure of the data 
and a comment indicating the type of data. By initializing memory 103 as 
described above, the data correction and retrieval of data stored in 
memory circuit 103 is quickly and accurately performed. 
Accordingly, by providing a data structure initializing procedure in the 
portable compact device, the data stored in the data memory circuit is 
processed and corrected in the same manner as data input from an external 
information device. Moreover, even if no data is input from an external 
information device, the stored data can be corrected by inputting the 
correction data without modifying other system components. 
Accordingly, an improved portable device which is capable of initializing 
the memory to allow for input and modification of data directly input from 
the compact portable device is provided. Also, correction of data to allow 
processing of data when the batteries are changed or incomplete data 
transmission from an external device is present is provided. 
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made 
apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, 
since certain changes may be made in the above construction without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that 
all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying 
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover 
all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described 
and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of 
language, might be said to fall therebetween.