Abstract:
A telecommunication base unit and a mobile information unit combination is disclosed. The base unit includes circuitry for receiving an incoming telephone call, a caller identification circuit, an on-line/off-line control circuit, a dial circuit, an optional LCD display, and an optional keypad on the base unit. It further includes storage area for storing a copy of the information in the mobile information unit and for logging caller identification information and messages. The base unit provides a connector cradle designed to receive and communicate with the mobile information unit. Additionally, the base unit can be connected to a keyboard for carrying out entering and editing functions. Other external connectors are provided for optionally connecting to other devices, including a personal computer and printer. The mobile information unit stores a variety of information and it has the ability to upload information and/or synchronize information with the base unit. A security feature is provided for the mobile information unit and the base unit so that information is maintained in a confidential manner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a mobile personal information unit and a base unit for storing and synchronizing data between the two units, and, in particular, to a mobile personal information unit and a base unit where the base unit receives incoming phone calls, logs caller identification information in a confidential manner, and passes the caller identification information to the mobile information unit. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A modern day caller identification device typically is a unit with a LCD display disposed between the incoming phone line and the telephone device. While this is a simple and workable configuration and serves as a basic caller identification device, it has limited capabilities and it does not maintain confidentiality of the caller. Additionally, this type of device does not offer any additional features beyond simple caller identification function. In the traditional mobile information unit such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), information is entered via an input device such as a keyboard or a touch screen. However, this type of mobile information unit typically does not have the capability to back-up its data or, even if there is a method for backing up the data, the back-up method would be tedious and/or expensive. For example, currently there is a mobile information unit that is insertable into a cradle where the cradle is connected to a personal computer. The data in the mobile information unit can be readily stored in the personal computer via the cradle. However, this is an expensive arrangement considering the fact that the mobile information unit and the cradle is designed to communicate with a personal computer. A user of this mobile information unit would need a personal computer and the necessary expertise in backing up the data stored in the mobile information unit. Thus, there has to be a substantial hardware investment and the necessary software expertise before this arrangement is feasible. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have an inexpensive device that can readily back-up the data contained in a mobile information unit and maintain confidentially of the data stored in the mobile information unit or in the base unit. Additionally it will be desirable to have a device for receiving phone calls, logging caller identification information and messages, and offers the ability to readily uploaded the information and messages into the mobile information unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a telecommunication base unit for receiving telephone calls and logging caller identification information and messages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a telecommunication base unit and a mobile information unit that can maintain information in a confidential manner. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a base unit that can readily connect to a mobile information unit and backup information stored in the mobile information unit. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for readily uploading received caller identification information and messages into the mobile information unit. 
     Briefly the present invention provides for a telecommunication base unit and a mobile information unit combination. The base unit includes circuitry for receiving an incoming telephone call, a caller identification circuit, an on-line/off-line control circuit, a dial circuit, an optional LCD display, and an optional keypad on the base unit. It further includes a storage area for storing a copy of the information in the mobile information unit and for logging caller identification information and messages. The base unit provides a connector cradle designed to receive and communicate with the mobile information unit. Additionally, the base unit can be connected to a keyboard for carrying out entering and editing functions. Other external connectors are provided for optionally connecting to other devices, including a personal computer and printer. The mobile information unit stores a variety of information and it has the ability to upload information and/or synchronize information with the base unit. A security feature is provided for the mobile information unit and the base unit so that information is maintained in a confidential manner. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for a telecommunication base unit for receiving telephone calls and logging caller identification information and messages. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for a telecommunication base unit and a mobile information unit that can maintain information in a confidential manner. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for a base unit that can readily connect to a mobile information unit and backup information stored in the mobile information unit. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for readily uploading caller identification information and messages into a mobile information unit. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become well understood upon examining the figures and reading the following detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile information unit and a telecommunication base unit combination. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a function block diagram for the mobile information unit. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a function block diagram for the telecommunication base unit. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates software modules contained in the mobile unit and the base unit. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a software processing flow diagram between the mobile unit  10  and the base unit  12 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the steps in establishing communication between the mobile information unit and the telecommunication base unit. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the steps in copying caller identification information into a phone book. 
     FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the steps in using the phone number stored in the mobile information unit to cause the base unit to dial the phone number. 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in processing caller identification information. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mobile information unit  10  and a telecommunication base unit  12 . The mobile information unit comprises a LCD display  14 , a keypad  16  having a number of buttons for operating the mobile information unit, and a plurality of contact points  20  for communication with the base unit  12 . The brightness of the LCD display  14  can be controlled via a couple of buttons  18  on the side of the mobile information unit  10 . The plurality of contact points  20  is provided for communication with the base unit  12  when the mobile information unit  10  is inserted into a cradle  22  in the base unit  12 . The base unit  12  includes the cradle  22  for receiving the mobile information unit, a plurality of contact points  21  in the cradle  22  for establishing a communication link with the mobile information unit  10 , a receptacle for collecting to a telephone line for receiving incoming telephone calls  24 , and external ports  26  for connection to other devices such as a keyboard or a serial port, parallel port, etc. A power switch  23  may be provided on the base unit. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the mobile information unit. The mobile information unit comprises a central processing unit  30  (which may have a built-in ROM storage unit  37 ), that communicates directly or via a bus to a LCD driver  31  to a LCD display  32 , a keypad  34 , a storage unit  36  (RAM or other types), a speaker  33 , a real time clock  35 , a power supply or source  39 , and a connector  38  having a plurality of contact points for establishing a connection with the cradle of the base unit. The CPU  30  upon power-up executes initialization programs stored in the ROM storage unit  37  which can be within the CPU unit. After initialization, the CPU responses to the input keystrokes received from the keypad  34  and processes the information accordingly. The CPU  30  would be able to process a number of programs as provided in the storage unit, including a phone book program, a scheduling program, a task list program, a word processing program, etc. The storage unit  36 , which can be in the form of ROM, RAM, or other storage types, stores both programs and data for the mobile information unit. The LCD display  32  shows information as directed by the CPU. The connection to the connector  38  provides a pathway for the mobile information unit to communicate with the base unit when a connection is made. In an alternative embodiment, the keypad can be eliminated or replaced in favor of a touch-screen. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the base unit of the present invention. The base unit contains a CPU  40  (which may have built-in ROM memory storage  41 ), which communicates with a number of circuits including an on-line/off-line control circuit  42  for controlling the state of the telephone line, a dial circuit  44  for dialing out of the telephone line, a caller identification (CID) circuit  46  for identifying caller identification information embedded in the incoming call, an optional LCD display  48  for displaying information as provided by the CPU, a storage unit  50  for storing both command and data including an area for backing-up information from the mobile information unit, and an area for storing recently received caller identification information and messages. The base unit can be connected to a keyboard via an external connector  56  or other types of connectors. Finally, the CPU communicates with a base unit connector  58  designed to provide the necessary contact point for communication with the mobile information unit. 
     In operation. the CID circuit  46  detects and decodes the caller identification signal embedded in an incoming call and passes the decoded information to the CPU for processing and/or storage. The on-line/off-line control circuit  42  and the dial circuit  44  are provided to allow dialing capability from a selected phone book entry. In this manner, the base unit (either with or without the mobile information unit) becomes a full-function phone device having all the phone numbers readily available for dialing. The LCD display  48  on the base unit is optional. If it is provided, it can be programmed to turn on when the correct password is provided. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates some of the software modules contained in the mobile unit  10  and the base unit  12 . In the mobile unit  10 , there is a data input module  130  for handling data entered from the keypad or other input devices to the mobile unit. A data processing module  132  receives data from the data input module  130 , the CID interface module  134  and a data backup and restore interface module  136 . Data may be passed between the data processing module  132  and a special processing module  138  and can be displayed on a LCD display through a LCD display module  140 . The contrast of the LCD display can be adjusted by a contrast control module  142 . There is also a speaker control module  144  affected by the special processing module  138 . The CID interface module  134  and the data backup and restore interface module  136  are connected to the connector  146  for receiving data from the base unit  12 . Security check and data verification operations can be performed by the interface modules. 
     The base unit  12  contains a number of other software modules. A telephone line interface module  150  operates the phone line and receives data from the line. The data is pre-processed and packaged by a CID pre-processing module  152  to extract CID information and other information from the incoming calls. The data is then sent to a CID interface module  154  to be forwarded to the mobile unit. The base unit  12  also contains software modules for backing up the data stored in the mobile unit. There is a backup data and CID data storage module  156  and a data backup and restore interface module  158 . Through the interface modules, data can be passed through the connector to the mobile unit  10 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a software processing flow diagram between the mobile unit  10  and the base unit  12 . Information is received via the phone line by the base unit  12  and is stored  160  and is only pre-processed. Processing of the raw data  162  is performed by the mobile unit when the data is delivered to the mobile unit. Information can be displayed by the mobile unit on its display  164  or dialed out  166  when the mobile unit is communicating with the base unit. Database on the mobile unit  168  can be backup on the base unit  170 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for establishing a communication link between the mobile information unit and the base unit. In the first step  60 , the mobile information unit and the base unit communicate with each other and exchange the necessary communication protocol. Once the communication protocol is satisfactorily established, the mobile information unit and the base unit exchange the required security information before communication is permitted by each device  61 . The security information verification method can be password verification or serial number verification. In the password verification method, clearance will be provided if each unit is programmed with the correct password. Optionally, a password can be requested from the user when the mobile information unit and the base unit are connected. In this manner, confidentiality of the information stored in the mobile information unit can still be maintained even if the mobile information unit is lost or stolen. In the serial number verification method, the serial number of the mobile information unit has to match before information will exchanged between the two devices. The security verification process can be performed by the mobile information unit or the base unit or both. Additionally, a user password can be requested as an input before information can be displayed on each unit. 
     Once the base unit and the mobile information unit are in communication, the mobile information unit receives an upload command from the base unit and retrieves new caller identification information and/or messages from the base unit  63 . For each piece of new caller identification information a search is conducted on the phone book database in the mobile information unit  64 . In the next step  66 , if any special processing is required for this piece of caller identification information, it is then processed  68 . Otherwise, if no special processing is required, the process flow goes directly to step  70 . In this step, the information is placed in the phone book database of the mobile information unit  70  and the process ends. 
     A number of special processing operations can be performed on the incoming data. A particular type of special processing operation is a notification-by-category operation. In this operation, the incoming CID information is checked against the database where each entry in the database (person, company, or otherwise) is associated with a category. If the CID information is found in the database, an indicator is provided to show that the particular phone call is from an entry in a certain category. For example, if the CID information for a particular call is determined to be associated with a person in the database and the entry for this person is listed in the “friend” category, this incoming call will then be displayed as a call from someone in the “friend” category. In this manner, the calls can be prioritized accordingly and the user can quickly determine which calls to respond to first. 
     In placing entries into the phone book, referring to FIG. 7, recently received caller identification information that is stored in the base unit is sent to and displayed on the mobile information unit. If the caller identification information is to be copied to the phone book  82 , the name and number of the caller is copied into the phone book  84 , otherwise this process terminates. Once a name and phone number is automatically entered into the phone book, this phone book entry can be edited  86 , and the user can terminate the edit mode at any time. 
     Caller identification log entries can be automatically entered into the phone book. Referring to FIG. 8, while the mobile information unit is in the cradle of the base unit, the mobile information unit can display one or more phone book entries  100  where an entry can be selected and the associated phone number can be dialed. Once an entry is selected to be dialed  102 , the corresponding phone number in the phone book entry is sent to the base unit  104  via the connection with the base unit and the base unit dials the number  106 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process flow in the base unit. The base unit being connected to an incoming telephone line receives caller identification information transmitted in the incoming signal  111  where the signal is detected and decoded. This caller identification information is validated for integrity  112 . If the information is valid, the information is stored in a designated storage area  114 . If the mobile information unit is connected to the base unit  116 , and if the mobile information unit provides the correct password to the base unit  118 , the caller identification information (and/or message) is sent to the mobile information unit for display and storage  120 . 
     In backing-up data stored in the mobile information unit, a simple command can be provided where information in the mobile information unit is transmitted to the base unit and stored. Information can also be entered into the base unit via a keyboard or via other communication methods available through the external ports—such as communication with a personal computer. If the information in the base unit has been changed, a synchronization program will automatically synchronize the information in the mobile information unit and the base unit. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to such specific embodiments. Rather, it is the inventor&#39;s intention that the invention be understood and construed in its broadest meaning as reflected by the following claims. Thus, these claims are to be understood as incorporating and not only the preferred embodiment described herein but all those other and further alterations and modifications as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.