Portable computers

Abstract

A portable computer in the form of a cellular telephone arranged to rest comfortably in the hand has a small display screen. Accelerometers capable of detecting movement of the pen cellular telephone with respect to gravity provide input to a microcontroller which selects a response from a number of viewing modes. The pen cellular telephone may be held in either hand and the output message to the screen will be oriented according to the location of the pen cellular telephone. Full personal digital assistance functionality may be incorporated in a relatively small plastics casing and functions, such as calendar, contracts maps and the like may be incorporated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement,   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   wherein detected movement data is used to effect scrolling of displayed information such that portions of data defining alphanumeric or graphic information outside a currently displayed screen is selectable by the user, the scrolling of displayed information effectively displaying a part of an adjacent screen.   
     
     
       2. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   in which a relative lateral tilting movement causes the display of information stored as to one or other side of currently displayed information.   
     
     
       3. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   in which relative rolling movement causes the display of information stored as above or below currently displayed information.   
     
     
       4. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes; and   wherein the processing means is responsive to detected movement data to determine a most likely orientation of a computer display means, the processing means causing the displayed information to be oriented accordingly.   
     
     
       5. A portable computer as in  claim 4 , in which a plurality of switch means responsive to user action is included adjacent to the display means, the respective function of each of the switch means being oriented to match the orientation of displayed information. 
     
     
       6. A portable computer as in  claim 4  further comprising a touch sensitive static potentiometer strip responsive to movement of a user's finger to simulate movement of a potentiometer, the orientation of said potentiometer reflecting the orientation of the displayed information. 
     
     
       7. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention, the processing means using said data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes; and   proximity detection means which provides signals indicative of the proximity of a computer display screen to a user's view, the processing means being further responsive to changes in relative proximity to increase or decrease the density of displayed information.   
     
     
       8. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention; the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   radio transceiver means, the processing means being responsive to detected movement data which identifies another device to cause the transmission of coded signals including a message for display.   
     
     
       9. A portable computer as in  claim 8  in which the processing means is responsive to received encoded radio signals to activate a paging alert. 
     
     
       10. A portable computer as in  claim 9 , in which the page alert comprises a tone. 
     
     
       11. A portable computer as in  claim 9 , in which the paging alert comprises an operation of a vibrating means. 
     
     
       12. A portable computer as in  claim 8 , in which the processing means causes the display of a message derived from the information received. 
     
     
       13. A portable computer comprising:
 a casing for housing other components of the portable computer, the casing being shaped to facilitate a user holding the portable computer as a writing stylus; and   a display screen;   wherein said casing includes a radiused triangular cross-section along a substantial portion of its length and a flattened section incorporating the display screen, and an angular shaping between a forward holding area adapted to rest in the user's fingers and rearward flattened area holding the display screen the shaping being such as to provide a natural viewing angle of the incorporated display screen while the casing is held as a writing stylus.   
     
     
       14. A portable computer as in  claim 13 , in which the shaping causes the rearward screen area to be supported by the dorsal areas of a user's hand. 
     
     
       15. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages being the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   wherein the processing means is responsive to detected movement data to determine a most likely orientation of the display, the processing means causing the displayed information to be oriented accordingly.   
     
     
       16. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed;   in which a plurality of switch means responsive to user action is included adjacent to the display, the respective function of each of the switch means being oriented to match the orientation of displayed information.   
     
     
       17. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed;   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention, the processing means using said movement data to provide a mode response selected from a multiplicity of stored possible modes, at least some of which define selection for display of a further one of the pages from the multiplicity of pages, the further one of the pages being adjacent to a previously selected page being currently displayed; and   a touch sensitive static potentiometer strip responsive to movement of a users finger to simulate movement of a potentiometer, the orientation of said potentiometer reflecting the orientation of the displayed information.   
     
     
       18. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   wherein detected movement data is used to effect scrolling of displayed information such that portions of data defining alphanumeric or graphic information outside a currently displayed screen is selectable by the user, the scrolling of displayed information effectively displaying a part of an adjacent screen.   
     
     
       19. A portable computer as in  claim 18 , including a sound output device, the processing means being arranged to provide output of speech or other sound signals derived from stored data. 
     
     
       20. A portable computer as in  claim 18 , including radio transmission or infrared transmission means, the processing means being responsive to detected movement data to output to the transmission means signals representative of the detected movement. 
     
     
       21. A portable computer as in  claim 18 , including radio transmission or infrared transmission means, the processing means being responsive to detected movement data to output to the transmission means signals representative of alphanumeric characters. 
     
     
       22. A portable computer as in  claim 18 , in which the processing means stores data defining an authorised user's password, the processing means being locked in a secure mode until detected movement data corresponding to the security data is received. 
     
     
       23. A portable computer as in  claim 18 , further comprising a sound input device, the processing means being responsive to voice input signals from a user to derive alphanumeric data. 
     
     
       24. A portable computer as in  claim 23 , further including a sound output device in combination with a radio transceiver whereby cellular or radio telephony networks may be used. 
     
     
       25. A portable computer as in  claim 18  housed in a casing shaped to facilitate a user holding the computer as a writing stylus. 
     
     
       26. A portable computer as in  claim 25 , in which the casing comprises a radiused triangular cross-section along a substantial portion of its length. 
     
     
       27. A portable computer as in  claim 26 , in which the casing includes a flattened section incorporating a display screen. 
     
     
       28. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   in which a relative lateral tilting movement causes the display of information stored as to one or other side of currently displayed information.   
     
     
       29. A portable computer as in  claim 28  housed in a casing shaped to facilitate a user holding the computer as a writing stylus. 
     
     
       30. A portable computer as in  claim 29 , in which the casing comprises a radiused triangular cross-section along a substantial portion of its length. 
     
     
       31. A portable computer as in  claim 30 , in which the casing includes a flattened section incorporating a display screen. 
     
     
       32. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   in which relative rolling movement causes the display of information stored as above or below currently displayed information.   
     
     
       33. A portable computer as in  claim 32  housed in a casing shaped to facilitate a user holding the computer as a writing stylus. 
     
     
       34. A portable computer as in  claim 33 , in which the casing comprises a radiused triangular cross-section along a substantial portion of its length. 
     
     
       35. A portable computer as in  claim 34 , in which the casing includes a flattened section incorporating a display screen. 
     
     
       36. A portable computer comprising:
 movement detection means responsive to movement of the computer to produce an electrical output signal representative of such movement;   a storage medium for storing data defining a multiplicity of displayable pages each comprising of a plurality of lines;   a display having a corresponding plurality of lines to enable one of the multiplicity of pages to be displayed; and   processing means responsive to the output of said movement detection means to determine detected movement data defining a user's intention;   wherein the processing means is responsive to detected movement data to determine a most likely orientation of the display, the processing means causing the displayed information to be oriented accordingly.   
     
     
       37. A handheld cellular telephone capable of two way telephonic communication; diary alarm; file creation and storage; text messages; electronic mail; data storage; displaying maps; and configured to accept inputs from accelerometers and data input from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and provide data output to a display screen;
 comprising:
 a cellular telephone housed in a casing, said casing being sized and shaped to be held between the root of the thumb and the index finger of only one hand of a user; said casing also housing within the casing: 
 a cellular transceiver; 
 an antenna connected to the transceiver; 
 two accelerometers, said accelerometers each being mounted to detect X and Y movement components at a ninety degree angle; 
 at least one buffer circuit associated with the accelerometers; 
 a rechargeable battery; 
 detection circuitry to power down battery usage; 
 a microphone; 
 a speaker; 
 a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that outputs a position of the telephone in the form of data to a processor; 
 a processor; the processor configured to: comprise diary alarm; file creation and storage; text messages; electronic mail; data storage; display maps; and configured to accept inputs from the accelerometers and accept data input from the GPS receiver, and provide data output to a display screen; 
 a data store to store a map; 
 a display screen that displays at least a map; the display screen being arranged on the case so as to be visible to the user when the case is held between the root of the thumb and index finger of the only one hand of a user, and when so held, the display area of the display screen extends to the wrist of the user; 
 a touch screen in front of the display screen, wherein the touch screen acts as an input to the cellular telephone; 
 wherein the processor is configured to output the GPS data to the display; and a change of the telephone position, as determined by the GPS receiver, rotates the map in the direction of travel. 
   
     
     
       38. The cellular telephone of claim 37, further including a cursor movement on the display to select a position on the map. 
     
     
       39. The cellular telephone of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured for wirelessly sending and receiving the electronic mail. 
     
     
       40. The cellular telephone of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured for wirelessly sending and receiving the text messages. 
     
     
       41. The cellular telephone of claim 37, wherein the touch screen comprises a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       42. The cellular telephone of claim 37, further comprising a docking element. 
     
     
       43. The cellular telephone of claim 37, wherein the processor is programmed to enter the device into a sleep mode after a pre-determined period of inactivity. 
     
     
       44. The cellular telephone of claim 37, further comprising a voice recorder. 
     
     
       45. The cellular telephone of claim 37, wherein the telephone is configured for wired or wireless data transfer to a computer. 
     
     
       46. A handheld cellular telephone capable of two way telephonic communication; diary alarm; file creation and storage; text messages; electronic mail; data storage; displaying maps; and configured to accept inputs from accelerometers and data input from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and provide data output to a display screen;
 comprising:   a cellular telephone housed in a casing; the casing sized and shaped to be held to be held between the root of the thumb and the index finger of only one hand of a user; said casing housing within the casing:
 a cellular transceiver; 
 an antenna connected to the transceiver; 
 two accelerometers, the accelerometers mounted at ninety degrees to each other; 
 at least one buffer circuit associated with the two accelerometers; 
 a rechargeable battery; 
 detection circuitry to power down battery usage; where the detection circuitry powers down battery usage in response to a detection of no current usage of the accelerometers; 
 a microphone; 
 a speaker; 
 a clock; 
 a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that outputs a position of the telephone in the form of data to a processor; 
 a processor; the processor configured to comprise diary alarm; file creation and storage; text messages; electronic mail; data store; maps; and configured to accept data input from the GPS receiver; and, 
 a data store to store a map; 
 a display screen that displays at least a map; the display screen being arranged on the case so as to be visible to the user when the case is held between the root of the thumb and index finger of the only one hand of a user, and when so held, the display area of the display screen extends to the wrist of the user; 
 the display screen further comprising a touch screen; the touch screen acts as an input to the cellular telephone; 
 the processor configured to display a map on the display; and, 
   the processor is also configured to display the position of the hand held telephone on the display; and a change of the telephone position, as determined by the GPS receiver, rotates the map in the direction of travel.