Abstract:
A computer and mobile communication system for performing wireless telephone, personal organizer and/or schedule alert functions is provided. The system may have a wireless handset for recording and playing messages, and for performing scheduling functions. The computer may be located in a base station with a common housing which contains a cradle to provide a conduit for exchange of information between the computer and the handset, as well as the circuitry to charge a battery in the handset. The handset may be switched between a telephone mode and a personal organizer mode by opening and closing a protective cover. A method of operating the system is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to communications, communication devices, and computers. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated system which performs wireless telephony and personal computing functions. The system may include an interactive personal organizer for maintaining directories and calendars, and for generating and storing documents. The invention also relates to a system for transmitting executable instructions from a computer to a wireless telephone. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Computers and telephones are useful tools for efficiently performing work in the modern workplace. Very often, both are found in close proximity to one another, whether that workplace be the office or the home. Furthermore, many individuals maintain stand alone portable personal organizers to assist them in retaining and recalling telephone lists, meeting times, calendars and other data. 
     In recent years, there has been increasing use of compact, pocket-size electronic personal organizers that store personal scheduling information such as appointments, tasks, phone numbers, flight schedules, alarms, birthdays, and anniversaries. Some of the more common electronic organizers are akin to hand-held calculators. They have full input keyboards with alphanumeric keys, as well as special function keys. The organizers also have liquid crystal displays (LCD) which may be used to display full text sentences and rudimentary graphics. 
     Apart from personal organizers, it is also known to maintain appointment calendars and task lists on desk-top personal computers. Thus, people who electronically maintain their schedules often enter the same information two different times: once into a personal computer and once into a portable personal organizer. This repetitive effort is inconvenient and affords opportunity for error. Additionally, there is a risk of incorrectly entering conflicting schedules. 
     Furthermore, a portable organizer may not provide telephone or adequate personal computer functions. The portable organizer may not be able to interface with a telephone or a personal computer. Thus, the work space clutter is compounded because one may still need a telephone and a personal computer alongside the mobile organizer. Furthermore, when an individual leaves the work station, he or she may have to carry both a personal organizer and a mobile phone. Finally, because the keys on a portable personal organizer may be relatively small, data entry may be difficult or cumbersome. Accordingly, it would be desirable for a handset to function both as a mobile phone and as a personal organizer, thus eliminating the need for carrying multiple devices. 
     In addition, it would be desirable to provide convenient data transfer between the personal organizer and the computer workstation, to facilitate data entry and retrieval. That is, there is a need in the art for a system that provides for a single entry of scheduling and other organizer data that can be read subsequently by both the computer and the portable organizer device. 
     One approach to accomplishing automatic data transfer is to interconnect the computer and personal organizer using a physical cord or conductor. For instance, a serial RS232 cable can be used to connect the serial port of the computer with a specially configured I/O port on the personal organizer. In this manner, data entered into the computer can be electronically transferred to the personal organizer over the cable. While this system might reduce the opportunity for entry error, it would be inconvenient because the user must either carry a cable along with the personal organizer or leave the cable with the computer and only load information from that computer. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a wireless communication system that is not reliant on a cable interface. In addition, there is a need for a system for downloading data from a computer to a mobile phone/electronic personal organizer which is easy to use, convenient, and capable of wide use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a convenient and easy-to-use wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone, having a built-in personal organizer unit. The organizer unit may have means for exchanging data and executable instructions with a stand alone computer through the use of conventional memory drives. Such memory drives are widely available in computers, enabling the present invention to be practiced without special adapters or cords. 
     The computer base station may store a personal organizer program that is interactive with the personal organizing system of the wireless communication device. Both personal organizers may be provided with user computing functions such as directories, calendars and memo writing capabilities. Base station personal organizer information may be downloaded to the handset on-board personal organizer for system interaction at a location remote from the computer base station. The full size monitor and keyboard for the base station is the preferred user interface for programming personal organizer features from an ergonomics view point when the user is at the computer base station. However, information from the base station computer can be downloaded to the wireless handset which provides the user with mobility when needed. Thus, the handset may perform typical mobile telecommunication functions and also personal organizer functions that are either programmed at the computer base station or at the handset. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the base station computer may be arranged to send a signal to the wireless handset which activates an audible alert sound in the handset to notify the user of a scheduled meeting or event. This feature may be programmed at the computer base station for practical ergonomic reasons. Thus, a software program stored at the computer base station may be selectively programmed by the user to send a signal which would activate an audible alert sound to notify the user of an event with a time sensitive nature. Programming the alert function into the handset may also be provided as an option. 
     The alert feature may be activated for transmission from the base station by a sensing switch located on the base station charging cradle. In the event the handset is not in the cradle, the system may detect this condition and transmit a signal to activate the audible alert on board the wireless handset. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal would be transmitted based upon the user-programmed information and time table of events in the personal organizer software at the computer base station. 
     Thus, the present invention relates to an integrated computer and mobile communication system, which has a computer base station and a separate mobile (or portable) device. The mobile device may be provided with a wireless telephone unit and a personal organizer unit, and additional features may be provided if desired. In addition, a data transfer system may be provided for transferring data from the computer base station to the mobile device and vice versa. The mobile device may be sized to be held and operated in the user&#39;s hand. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention; the base station may be ergonomically configured with a keyboard for entering organizer data and operating a variety of programs, a monitor for displaying organizer information and other information and graphics, and suitable operating system software. In addition, the base station may have a cradle for receiving the handset in a convenient angled position adjacent the monitor. The telephone speaker may be arranged to face the user (that is, facing in the same direction as the monitor) to operate as a speakerphone, if desired. The cradle may have electrical nodes for charging batteries in the handset, and the same nodes may also be used as signal lines for transferring data to and from the handset. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, digital data transfer may be accomplished by suitable radio frequency units and antennae located on or within the base station and the handset. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the mobile device may be provided with a display screen and a hinged cover for protecting the screen. The cover may be connected to a hinge switch for operatively controlling the handset, if desired. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, an audible alert may be provided by the handset based on data received from the work station. The data may be transferred via electrical conductors while the handset is located on the workstation or via wireless communication devices when the handset is removed from the base station. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description provided in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an integrated computer and mobile communication system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the wireless handset of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another rear view of the handset of  FIG. 2 , in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of operating the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an integrated computer and mobile communication system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system has a stand-alone base station  12  and a mobile handset  14 . The base station  12  has a computer (CPU)  16 , a keyboard  18  for inputting data to the CPU  16 , and a monitor  20  for displaying information, graphics, etc. In addition, the base station  12  has a cradle  22  for receiving and supporting the handset  14 . The cradle  22  may be integrated into the housing for the CPU  16 , such that the handset  14  is located adjacent the monitor  20 . 
     The handset  14  may contain a wireless telephone unit and a personal organizer unit, as discussed in more detail below. In addition, the handset  14  and the base station  12  may be provided with antennae  24 ,  26  for wireless communications. The base station  12  may contain a radio frequency module  28  ( FIG. 4 ) for operating the base station antenna  26 . 
     The CPU  16  may be, for example, a general purpose computer programmed with business and personal software. Among other things, the CPU  16  may be programmed to operate personal organizer software for maintaining calendars and schedules, providing reminders for meetings and other events, supporting notes and to-do lists for users, and the like. If desired, the CPU  16  may be connected to a computer network, such as an intra-office network or the Internet (not shown). A modem or other telephone line interface  30  may be provided for enabling network access, for example. The personal organizer software stored in the CPU  16  may be controlled, updated and/or maintained from a remote location via the network connection. The CPU  16  may have suitable memory devices  32 ,  34 . The CPU  12  may have substantially more data memory and computer processing capability than the handset  14 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a suitable disc drive  36  ( FIG. 1 ) may be provided for storing, retrieving and/or inputting data to the CPU  16 . The preferred embodiment of the invention may also have a power cord  38  for connecting the CPU  16  to a conventional source of electrical power (not shown). The present invention should not be limited, however, to the specific features of the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail herein. 
     The keyboard  18  may be operatively connected to the CPU  16  in a known fashion. The keyboard  18  may be sized and located to facilitate the convenient and accurate input of data into the CPU  16 . The illustrated keyboard  18  has a plurality of keys arrayed in a conventional fashion for entering data, such as appointments, reminders, notes, etc., which can be processed and/or displayed on the monitor  20 . Because the keyboard  18  is full-sized, the process of entering data, such as appointments, etc., into the base station  12  may be more ergonomically convenient than entering data into a hand-held portable organizer which has a limited number of small keys. Thus, for example, the keyboard  18  makes it possible to use both hands simultaneously to input the desired information. 
     The monitor  20  may be conveniently located relative to the keyboard  18  to make it easy to confirm the accuracy of data (for example, appointment dates and times) input into the CPU  16 . The monitor  20  may also be arranged to display a relatively large amount of data. If desired, a mouse (not shown) may be operatively connected to the monitor  20  in a known manner. The mouse may be used to input data into the CPU  16 . 
     The cradle  22  and the handset  14  may have opposed electrical nodes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  for electrically connecting the handset  14  to the base station  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the electrical nodes  40 – 46  are used to charge batteries (not shown) in the handset  14 . The cradle nodes  40 ,  42  may be operatively connected to the power source  38  via a charging unit  48  ( FIG. 4 ). Thus, when the handset  14  is resting in the cradle  22  ( FIG. 1 ), the handset batteries may be charged and/or maintained in a fully charged condition via the nodes  40 – 46 . In addition, the nodes  40 – 46  may form part of an electrical signal line for transferring data from the CPU  16  to the personal organizer unit of the handset  14 , and vice versa, as described in more detail below. 
     As mentioned above, the handset  14  may be operated both as a wireless telephone and as a mobile personal organizer. The telephone unit  50  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The telephone unit  50  has an alphanumeric keypad  52  for dialing telephone numbers, function keys  54 , a microphone (not shown), and a speaker  56 . The telephone unit  50  may be small enough to be held in the user&#39;s hand. Analog communication with a remote telephone or other communication device (not shown) is provided via the handset antenna  24  and a remote radio frequency unit  58  ( FIG. 4 ). Electrical power for the telephone unit  50  is provided by the batteries which are recharged when the handset  14  is returned to the cradle  22 . 
     The personal organizer unit  60  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The personal organizer unit  60  and the telephone unit  50  are located on opposite sides of the handset  14 . The personal organizer unit  60  has alphanumeric keys and function keys  62  for operating organizer programs stored in the handset  14 . The function keys  62  may be used to access the software stored in the handset  14 , recall messages, enter additional data, etc. The organizer unit  60  also has a display screen, which may be a light emitting diode (LED) screen  64 , for displaying information generated by the organizer software. 
     Further, in the preferred embodiment, the organizer unit  60  is provided with a flip-top cover  66 . The cover  66  protects the screen  64  from mechanical damage. The cover  66  may be connected to the end of the handset  14  by a suitable hinge  68 . The cover  66  is shown in a closed position in  FIG. 2  and in an open position in  FIG. 3 . A switch  70  may be provided for sensing when the cover  66  is in the open position. The switch  70  may be used to on-off control the data display screen  64 . When the switch  70  is off (that is, when the flip top cover  66  is closed), the screen  64  may be disabled to preserve the handset batteries. In addition, the switch  70  may be operatively connected to the remote radio frequency unit  58  so that signals received by the antenna  24  are preferentially relayed to and from the telephone unit  50  or the organizer unit  60  depending on which unit  50 ,  60  is being used. A user may locate his or her finger in a recess  72  to lift the flip top cover  66  to the open position. 
     The illustrated system may have alert devices  80 ,  82  for generating audible or visual signals to inform the user of a scheduled event or the like at a predetermined time. The operation of the alert function will be described next in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an operating system first determines whether the base station  12  is turned on (Step  90 ). If the base station  12  is in operational, the user can program events and schedules using the keyboard  18  to implement organizer software stored in the base station (Step  92 ). 
     While programming such events, the user may activate an alert function. Subsequently, the operating system determines whether the user has selected an alert feature and a time for generating an alert signal (Step  94 ). If the alert feature has been selected, a remote unit sensor  96  ( FIG. 4 ) located within the cradle  22  determines whether the handset  14  is in the cradle  22  ( FIG. 5 , Step  98 ). If the handset  14  is in the cradle  22 , the alert feature data representing the time for generating the signal, the nature of the signal, etc., is downloaded to a memory device  100  in the personal organizer unit  60  via the electrical nodes  40 – 46  (Step  102 ). Subsequently, at the predetermined time, assuming the handset  14  is still in the cradle  22 , the CPU  16  provides an audible or visual signal to the user representative of the scheduled event (Step  104 ). It should be noted that the alert feature is optional. The alert devices  80 ,  82  may be deactivated (Step  106 ). 
     At Step  98 , if the remote sensor unit  96  determines that the handset  14  has been removed from the cradle  22 , then the digital alert function data (the program and/or the data representative of the time and nature of the scheduled event) may be downloaded to the personal organizer unit  60  via the RF antennae  24 ,  26  (Step  108 ). Then, at the occurrence of the scheduled event, the personal organizer unit  60  generates a representative audible alert signal (Step  110 ). 
     The personal organizer unit  60  may be used even when the CPU  16  is turned off (Step  112 ). The function keys  62  on the personal organizer unit  60  may be used to input alert data concerning events and schedules (Step  114 ). Then, when the predetermined event occurs, and when the remote alert device  82  is activated (Step  116 ), an audible signal is generated by the handset  14 . The audible signal may be generated by the ringer for the telephone unit  50 , for example (Step  110 ). If desired, the tone of the ringer (not shown) may be different for the alert signal than it is for the telephone unit  50  so that the user can distinguish between the two functions. 
     The cradle  22  may be designed such that the handset  14  fits into the cradle  22  at a vertical angle. The angled construction is such that the telephone unit  50  may be used as a speakerphone while the handset  14  is in the cradle  22 . That is, the cradle  22  points the speaker  56  toward the user who may be seated in front of the keyboard  18 . In addition, the cradle  22  positions the handset  14  so that the keypad  52  is readily accessible. While the telephone unit  50  is in the cradle  22 , electrical power may be supplied by the power cord  38  and the electrical nodes  40 – 46 , as mentioned above. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it should be apparent that many modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit or scope. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the foregoing description or drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.