FI124201B - Device for personal communication, data collection and processing and circuit boards - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus for Personal Communication, Data Collection and Processing and Circuit Board - This application is a division of Patent Application No. 942334 5 This application relates to a device for personal communication, data collection. The device includes a compact housing provided with a data processing unit comprising a data processing processor with peripherals and memory units, a display, a user interface, a plurality of peripheral connections, a power supply, preferably a battery, and application software.

The invention relates to a circuit board according to claim 1, which can be adapted to a card slot arranged in particular in connection with a device for personal communication, data collection and processing.

Personal communication devices and / or mobile controllers such as notebook computers or similar devices that are compact, lightweight, portable, and handheld and / or lap-based are known in the art. Such a personalized device may be equipped with a variety of peripherals and application programs providing service functions as required. One such notebook microcontroller is disclosed in International Patent Application WO-93/14458.

The notebook microchip can be equipped with an electronic scanner that can read both text 20 and pattern into computer memory. This helps eliminate the disadvantages of small keyboards in particular. Thus, information needed for many occasions, such as contacts in business cards, can be readily stored in the computer's memory. However, electronic scanners include fine-grained parts that wear out and can cause problems. In particular, ^ 25 compact paper-feed arrangements adapted to notebook computers are problematic.

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The overall purpose of this application is to provide a new device

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£ personal communication, data collection and processing, which o improves communication between the user and the device in particular. The specific purpose of this application is to provide such a device for personal

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§ communication, data collection and processing to enable the efficient collection of information and communication with the environment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new interface card by means of which the data acquisition system of any particular microcomputer can be enhanced. This is achieved by the features of the invention as set forth in claim 1.

One advantage is that one and the same device, personal communication, data acquisition and processing, includes an easy-to-use data logger, 5 powerful data processing tools (programs) and data communication media.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a device for personal communication, data acquisition and processing, in which the data acquisition device is implemented by means of an integrated camera unit; Figure 2 shows another device for personal communication, data acquisition and processing, in which the data acquisition device is implemented by a camera unit arranged on a PCMCIA card; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a device for personal communication, data collection and processing; Figure 4 shows a PCMCIA card, or PCMCIA camera card, of which the camera unit is an integral part; Figure 5 is a block diagram of a camera unit; Fig. 6 is a view showing, by way of example, an application related to a camera unit; Figure 7 illustrates a device for personal communication, data acquisition and processing with a replaceable keyboard; Fig. 8 shows a device according to Fig. 7, in which the keypad is replaced by a digitizing platform; and

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Figure 9 shows the device of Figure 7 in a closed position.

i o V 25 Figures 1 and 2 show two application examples of a device for personal communication, data collection and processing. A block diagram of such a device is shown in generic form in Figure 3. In the following, the device will be used

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called a notebook computer.

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g The notebook computer is a compact, portable workstation. Its outer casing 1 preferably has an outside dimension of 30 mm (170 x 85 mm x 30 mm (length x width x height)) and weighs up to 1000 g, preferably 800 g or less. The device is preferably arranged to operate on one or more batteries 3 (Fig. 3) adapted to be replaced within the housing 1.

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The notebook microchip includes a data processing unit 2 (Figure 3), preferably arranged on a single semiconductor piece. The data processing unit 2 includes a processor 4, which is preferably a low energy RISC processor. The data processing unit 2 further includes an input / output controller 5, a display controller 6, a memory controller 7 5 and a cellular telephone controller 8. In addition, the data processing unit 2 includes interface buses and wires between different controllers and the data processing processor.

The notebook microphone further includes a display 9 which, in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, is integral with the housing 1 on this large, substantially rectangular-shaped page 1a. The display 9 is formed, for example, from a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a resolution of at least 640 x 200 pixels2 and a size of 130 mm x 70 mm. The display 9 is connected to the display card 6.

The notebook microchip also includes a keyboard 10 and / or a mouse / ball controller 11 as a user interface. In this embodiment, the keyboard 10 and the ball controller 11 are arranged 15 fixedly adjacent to the display 9 of the notebook microphone. The notebook microchip preferably includes an infrared link 12 for communicating with peripherals such as a printer, another microcomputer, or the like. The keyboard 10, the mouse / ball controller 11 and the infrared link 12 are connected to the input / output controller 5 as shown in Figure 3.

The notebook microchip further comprises one or more memory units 13. The memory unit may be implemented, for example, by means of SRAM, EEPROM and / or FLASH circuits. The memory unit 13 stores the operating system and preferably at least some application programs. In addition, the memory unit 13 contains sufficient user memory space.

The notebook computer further includes a data acquisition device implemented with a camera unit of 25 units. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the camera unit 14 (Figure 3) is arranged as an integral part of a notebook notebook in its housing 1. In this embodiment, the camera unit 14a and the associated optics 14b of the camera unit 14 are arranged on the same side of the housing 9. The camera unit 14 is connected via the input / output controller 5 to the data processing unit

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SE 30 2 (Figure 3). The camera unit 14, shown in block diagram form in FIG. 5, includes a camera arrangement 140 having a camera 5 14a with a suitable optics 14b, and an image processing unit 14c associated with the camera arrangement. With this section, not only data displayed on paper, etc., but also a picture of the environment, such as a picture of a person, can be transferred to a notebook microphone for further processing.

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In the notebook notebook application of Figure 2, the camera unit 14 is mounted on a circuit board, most preferably a PCMCIA card 15. The camera 14a and the optics 14b of the camera arrangement 140 are integrated with their peripheral electronics or imaging unit 14c such as PCMCIA slot 16. In both the embodiment of Figure 1 and Figure 2, the camera 14a is implemented as a semiconductor camera, preferably a compact CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. The connector included in the PCMCIA slot 16 is connected to the I / O controller 5 as illustrated in FIG. It will be appreciated that other similar application-specific PCMCIA cards that meet the standards developed for the slot may also be accommodated in this slot 16.

The notebook microphone further includes a radiotelephone, or cellular telephone unit 17, most preferably as an integrated part. This is connected to the cellular telephone controller 8 of the data processing unit 2 and the receiver / transmitter antenna 18. The cellular telephone unit 15 preferably has a modem connected to it in the case of a telephone unit operating in an analog cellular network. The cellular telephone unit 17 is based, e.g., on H500 or DCT (DECT) cellular telephone technology or other similar technology. Through the integrated cellular telephone unit 17, both speech and data can be transmitted. Data transfer capabilities are based, for example, on an analog modem and 20 HD740 GSM data interfaces, both of which may be known in the art. For the purpose of speech connection, for example, a mini speaker 19 and a microphone 20 can be provided on the housing 9 of the notebook microphone 1 and a microphone 20 on both sides of the display.

An integral part of the Notebook Micro is the customized software. This is stored in the memory unit 13. The software allows the user to control various functions of the travel system as needed. Notebook microphone related functions are eg t? telephone services based on cellular telephone (data transmission and / or voice transmission capabilities), fax service, e-mail, short message service (SMS), calendar and time management software, alarm clock with 1 30 lottery functions, camera functions for storing images and paper documents computer or PC interface functions for transferring information to PC applications.

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The following is a closer look at the camera unit 14 which functions as a data acquisition device, in which the camera 14a and the optics 14b connected thereto are arranged in a PCMCIA.

o Card 15. Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, or PCMCIA

35 is designed to promote the interchangeability of integrated circuit boards in computers and other electronic products. PCMCIA cards are thus standardized cards that can be used both as memory cards and as peripheral board expansion cards, i.e. input / output cards. The camera card 15 disclosed herein is based on the aforementioned standard, in which the standard card has an integrated camera arrangement 140 and the auxiliary circuits required by it. Figure 4 illustrates a physical model of a possible PCMCIA card 15 in which the camera unit 14 is mounted on the thick portion 15a of the card. The camera 14a, such as a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera, is preferably a fixed distance 5 focused camera and is preferably mounted at the center of the card thickening 15a. The camera 14a and its optics 14b are arranged such that the image field 14d of the camera opens perpendicular to the surface of the card 15. Terminals 15b are provided at one end of the card 15 for connecting the card to the PCMCIA slot 16 in the notebook computer and to the counter connectors therein.

10 The structure of the camera card 15 and the camera unit 14 is, in principle, in accordance with the block diagram shown in Figure 5. The camera card 15 includes a camera arrangement 140 having a camera 14a and an optics 14b, an image processing unit 14c, a battery 21 and a connector 22 for external systems, which in this case is a standard PCMCIA interface for the camera card 15. The image processing unit 14c 15 includes a microprocessor 23 and a plurality of memory units 24. The optics 14b are formed by a suitable lens arrangement which provides a sharp image on the image plane of the camera 14a. Preferably, the camera 14a is implemented as a CCD camera having a two-dimensional photosensitive CCD sensor having a resolution of e.g. 250 k pixels up to 26.2 Mpixel. The memory units 24 preferably include two types of memory units: volatile memory units such as DRAMs and SRAMs used as working memories, and non-volatile memory units such as FLASH and EPROM units used as basic program memories. Power is supplied to the PCMCIA card through the PCMCIA interface from a notebook computer. The battery 21 is mainly used to, for example, secure images in volatile memory units if the PCMCIA card is removed from the slot. The battery 21 may also be used for the same purpose in the camera unit 14 integrated in the notebook microchip (Figure 1). The δ ™ Camera Unit 14 operates as follows, whether it is integrated in a notebook or mounted as a camera card 15 in the slot of a notebook. An image of the document or three-dimensional environment taken at sea by sea 14a through optic 14b is transferred to an image processing unit 14c and a microprocessor 23 thereof.

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via memory unit 24 such as RAM. When the user wants to view the captured ^ image on the notebook screen 9, he can do so immediately. The camera card 15 og microprocessor 23 reads the desired image information from the memory unit 24, which is transmitted through the PCMCIA interface 22 or the like to the travel processor 4 and further through the display controller 6 to the display 9. The image processing unit 14c processes the image information in a suitable format for presentation to the user on the tour operator.

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The image data stored on the camera card 15 can be read by either a travel agent or other PCMCIA interface or a similar computer and / or device. With an external computer, image editing is possible and the modified image can be re-stored in the memory unit 24 of the camera card 15. Thanks to the battery 21 5, the microprocessor 23 of the image processing unit 14c and the memory unit 24 are guaranteed to operate under all conditions.

The camera unit 14 includes character recognition software which is, for example, similar to microcomputers with a pen interface. Also known pattern recognition software can be used to identify graphic patterns. 10 After the text and / or image has been read into the notebook microchip, the user can start the application program to modify the information to suit its purpose.

The application program of the camera unit 14 functions, for example, as follows. For example, select the application card processing program 36 (Figure 6). The user first shoots the name card with the camera 14a, after which the image of the name card and the information contained therein are transferred from the camera unit 14 to the memory unit 13 of the notebook computer and via the data processing unit 2 to the display 9. and key fields 35 of this embodiment appear on screen 9 as can be seen in Figure 6. Key fields 35 are stored in the database. The user selects the appropriate field 20a 34a from the name card and transfers it to the right key field 35a of the name card processing program. Selection and transfer is done using the mouse or the trackball 11. The required fields are extracted from the name card image 34 and transferred to the corresponding fields 35 of the name card processing program 36. Once the above steps have been performed, the information contained in the name card can be used, e.g., as address information for letters 25, phonebook information or other suitable purposes.

co The camera unit 14 can also read other types of information on a notebook notebook. For example, the document may be handwritten on paper. User ό describes the document, stores it in the notebook unit's memory unit, and processes it as needed. An x 30 graphic processing software can be arranged to operate with the camera unit 14. It can work, for example, in the following way. User

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draws a graphic pattern on paper, such as a circle or line. The images are read by the § camera 14a into the memory unit 13 of the notebook computer and the user starts the graphical processing software with the g keyboard / mouse. Screen 9 will then be seen

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o read graphic image. The user can select one pattern from the screen and, with the help of graphic processing software 35, reshape the object to look like the desired object, such as a regular circle.

7 The user can also select the character recognition program after reading the paper image on the camera unit 14 into a notebook microchip. The character recognition program converts handwritten text to ASCII characters. The program is used to guess characters that are unclear or to request additional information from the user.

5 The data read by the camera unit 14 can, in the simplest case, be stored as a bitmap in the mobile station's memory unit 13. This kind of image information is used for facsimile / telefax transmission. Similar image recording can also be used to record incoming fax messages.

The fax functions can be implemented, for example, in the following way. The user writes 10 notes on the paper and the characters on the paper are read by the camera unit 14 to the memory unit 13 of the notebook computer. The user selects a fax application from the application programs and determines the recipient of the message. Thereafter, a picture of the notes from the mobile station memory unit is transmitted as a bitmap and a fax message via the cellular telephone unit 17, which cellular telephone includes a 15 fax modem. Similarly, an incoming fax message is received via cellular telephone 17 and stored in the mobile station memory as a bitmap. After the image has been completed, it is printed on the travel agent screen using 9 fax programs. All images stored in the traveler's memory can be viewed on the screen using an application program that uses the bitmap mentioned.

The integration of the user interface based on the camera unit 14 with the notebook computer, and in particular its housing 1, has clear advantages. With such a camera unit 14, the user can quickly and easily read various types of written and / or drawn information into the memory of a notebook computer. Using the camera unit 14 is faster and easier than writing with a pen, for example. With the help of the cam-25 ray unit 14, information can be stored in the notebook notebook memory, for example, about name cards, as described above, printed co material and handwritten notes, etc.

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Figures 7 and 8 show a notebook micro 27 with an interchangeable keyboard 28 for writing text and a digitization platform 29.

Fig. 9 shows a notebook microchip according to Figs. 7 and 8,

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The £ 30 fixture / digitizer pad 30 is flipped against the notebook screen and locked o in place. In this way, the notebook micro 27 is easily carried and even slid into pocket 5. Alternatively, the Notebook Micro can be worn on the wristband 31.

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o cm Notebook Micro 27 has substantially the same parts and units as above e.g.

1 or 2. Thus, the outwardly visible portions of the notebook-35 micron 27 include the housing 1, the display 9, the keyboard 10, the mini-8 speaker 19 and the microphone 20, and the antenna 18 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 and block diagram in Figure 3) ·

The external keyboard 28 of the notebook 27 is used for writing. Keyboard 28, despite its small size, includes all the necessary 5 characters, such as letters, numbers, and a set of function keys. The advantage of such a standard external keyboard 28 is that the keyboard itself is familiar to the user and can be used in a conventional manner for writing and typing text on a notebook computer.

The external keyboard 28 is connected to the notebook microchip 27 by means of a connector 32. In the case of Figures 7 and 8, the male part 32a of the connector 32 is connected to the housing 1 of the notebook computer, while the female connector part 32b is connected to the external keyboard 28. The male portion 32a of the connector 32 is further articulated at the bottom of the display 9 or the long side of the housing 1 so that it is pivotable at least 90 ° with respect to the surface of the display 9 so that the keyboard can be pivoted The keyboard 28 is inserted from the female connectors 32b to the male connectors 32a in the direction of the arrows A, as shown in Figure 7 when the external keyboard is connected to the notebook microchip 27. The keyboard 28 automatically connects to the notebook 27 input / output controller 5 and the data processing unit 2. .

Instead of the above keyboard 28, a digitization platform 29 may be used in conjunction with the notebook notebook 27 as illustrated in FIG. The digitizing platform 29 is provided with a connector portion 32b similar to that of the external keyboard 28, whereby removing the external keyboard 28 in its place can directly mount the digitizing platform 29 in a similar manner.

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The digitization platform 29 is based on a technique known per se. The user can write cl, text, or draw images with the pen 33 on the digitizer pad on the image surface 29a and simultaneously, the digitizer pad 29 recognizes the touch of the pen 33 and converts the drawn tracks into a bitmap. The bitmap is displayed on the image surface 29a of the digitization platform until

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£ 30 is accepted by the user. Thereafter, the approved digitized image is to be displayed on the display 9 of the notebook microphone 27. The functions of the digitizing platform 29 include an erasure function of the drawn pattern 5, which can be accomplished in many ways known per se.

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§ butter. For example, the digitizing platform 29 may include a function key to change the state of the digital recording platform 29 from the drawing mode to the erasing mode and back. In the drawing-35 mode, patterns can be drawn on the image surface 29a of the digitizing platform, while in the wipe mode, these patterns can be removed as desired.

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The advantage of the digitization tray 29 is that it can be written and drawn in almost the same way as on paper. The drawn image or text can be easily edited to a suitable format by the application programs included in notebook 27.

The text or cartoon image written on the digitization platform 29 of the notebook computer 27 may subsequently be saved as an image to the notebook unit 13 or entered into a token / object recognition program for further processing. Handwritten text can be converted to ASCII text in a character recognition program, and graphic characters can be easily changed in the same way as in a character recognition program. The uses of these software have already been described above in connection with the camera unit.

10 Bitmap images or converted ASC11 text / graphics transferred from memory to digitizer platform 29 of notebook 27 may subsequently be forwarded via taxi or e-mail services as described above. Also, files stored in the memory of the notebook computer 27 can be edited using an external keyboard 28 and / or a digitization platform 29.

15 The Notebook Micro includes a set of features and / or application programs that can be used to effectively utilize the capabilities of the Notebook Micro. Such tools include, for example, an electronic calendar, a phonebook and a notebook which are fully integrated with each other and with the notebook's communication, data collection and data processing functions. The most frequently used services are voice, 20 fax, e-mail, paging, data bank and on-line information services. When sending e-mail or fax, the user can digitize the message on the notebook screen and simply select the recipient information from the phone book. Phonebook is, in general, an application that provides an easy way to select the recipient's address information for the selected 25 electronic communications and also for any letter to be written. The user can enter the address and telephone number information of people into the notebook's memory, for example, by means of a camera unit as a data logger and by the appropriate auxiliary functions. The address file may contain various additional information, i

In addition to your name and address, please include your phone number, fax number, email number and x30 other required information. What application you choose for your notebook microchip depends on what

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the user selects information from the telephone directory and appends it to the message to be sent, o O) 5 When the notebook cellular telephone unit 17 and its associated cellular telephone-

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The controller 8 is implemented as a digital GSM system, the user can send SMS messages (Short Message Service). The user writes his message on the notebook microphone 35 with a keyboard, a pen on a digitization platform, or the message number is read by a data acquisition device such as a camera unit 14. Once the message is sent by cellular telephone to the GSM Short Message Service. The recipient is selected from the call list or can be manually entered by the user.

The message you enter in your e-mail is executed in the same way as the SMS message above, but the e-mail may be longer.

5 It is also possible to insert other PCMCIA-compliant cards into the PCMCIA slot of the notebook. For example, a hard drive, additional memory, a PCMCIA radio module may be possible. The PCMCIA radio module offers the ability to use a notebook computer with all cellular telephone systems. In this case, only the appropriate radio module card will be installed in the PCMCIA slot.

10 The notebook computer may communicate with another personal computer through a serial and / or parallel port, or through a PCMCIA interface. The connection between the notebook computer and another computer can also be implemented via an infrared link or a wired connection. The infrared link 12 can be used to communicate between a notebook computer and a PC or other peripheral device. For example, writing a file can be accomplished by transferring the file via an infrared link to the printer and printing.

The invention has been described above with reference to some of its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that the invention may be modified in many ways within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (9)

A circuit board adapted to be connected to a slot of a host computer, said circuit card comprising a camera unit (14) for obtaining image information, the camera unit 5 comprising a camera (14a) and associated optics (14b), an image processing unit (14c) comprising at least a memory unit (14c). 24) storing the received image information and processing the received image information of the processor (23) and connecting the interface (15b, 22) to the host. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said memory unit comprises volatile and non-volatile memory. The circuit board of claim 2, further comprising a battery (21) for providing power so that the resulting image information is stored in the volatile memory of said memory unit. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a two-dimensional photosensitive semiconductor (CCD) camera. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is fitted to the slot according to the PCMCIA standard. The circuit board according to claim 5, wherein said circuit board has 20 dimensions substantially corresponding to the dimensions of a standard PCMCIA circuit board. The circuit board according to claim 6, wherein said camera unit is mounted on a thick portion (15a) of the circuit board which is outside the host when the circuit board co is connected to the host. δ cv A circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said image processing unit is arranged to process the resulting image information in a form suitable for a host display. X CC CL The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said memory unit is arranged to receive and store an image edited by the host. o LO o o Patentkrav 1