RU44399U1 - COMPACT AUTONOMOUS DEVICE FOR RECEIPT, STORAGE, PROCESSING AND DISPLAY OF INFORMATION (OPTIONS) - Google Patents

Abstract

The inventive utility model relates to computer technology and occupies an intermediate place between mobile phones with an expanded screen and e-books. The essence of the utility model: a compact stand-alone device for receiving, storing, processing and displaying information, containing a power source, a microcontroller, memory, controls, a screen, mainly a liquid crystal, and at least one interface for connecting external devices, is made in a housing with asymmetric thickening in height on the rear surface, while the input / output of the interface is placed in the thickening and is directed towards the thin part of the housing on which the device for attaching the external his device. The interface can be made in the form of a device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves.

2 n.p.ph., 13 s.p.f., 4 ill.

Description

The inventive utility model relates to computer technology and occupies an intermediate place between mobile phones with an expanded screen and e-books.

The claimed device has analogues from the side of electronic books: No. 94031041 RU (1996.06.10), No. 2180454 RU (2002.03.10), No. 2136053 RU (1999.08.27), No. 2187836 RU (2002.08.20), No. 2180454 RU ( 2002.03.10), No. 99124790 RU (WO 99/44144 - 09/02/1999).

The main disadvantage of devices according to No. 94031041 RU, No. 2180454 RU, No. 2136053 RU, No. 2180454 RU is the lack of a communication interface with a mobile phone and a description of the method of communication with a mobile phone, which makes them impossible to receive information from public networks mobile.

Decisions on patents No. 2136053 RU, No. 2180454 RU, No. 2187836 RU, No. 2180454 RU also have a significant drawback consisting in the use of two screens for greater similarity to a book, which makes such devices expensive and not pocketable.

The disadvantages of decisions on No. 94031041 RU, No. 2187836 RU include the presence of an output port to a computer, which leads to the insecurity of information received in electronic books and, accordingly, the inability to provide paid information services and copyright objects to it.

The closest analogues from the side of electronic books are devices described in applications No. 99124790 RU (WO 99/44144), No. 2187836 RU.

"Electronic book-punk" (Pat. No. 2187836 RU) is a complex multifunctional device for input and output of audio and visual information, containing two screens, interfaces for communication with a computer, which makes this device expensive and bulky. In this

the device has a built-in wireless module, however, when working in conjunction with a mobile phone, the qualities of compactness are lost, i.e. use the device in a specially equipped place, such as on the road.

Patent No. 99124790 RU (WO 99/44144) “Electronic device, preferably an electronic book” describes a one-page e-book having the ability to download information through various peripheral devices and a radio network, having the smallest set of components and a simple control interface.

A significant drawback of the "Electronic device ..." is the use of a built-in receiver and transmitter of radio signals, for example, the range of cellular communications. Such a transceiver, in fact, duplicates the functions of a cell phone, which makes the device expensive and irrational. However, in preamble 13 of the patent formula, the possibility of downloading data from a peripheral device is described, but there is no cell phone in the patent description, and although this list is left open, it is essential that the method of communication with a cell phone is not considered, and this is the main limitation for applying a patent in the field of displaying data received on a cell phone from the Internet and other public networks through packet data transfer protocols. Another disadvantage of the described device is its substantially large dimensions (between 12 × 18 cm or 24 × 32 cm), which do not allow it to be considered pocket-sized. The disadvantage is the use of built-in identification cards GSM, OIU (SIM - Information Management Society), a credit card BES for settlements for the provision of information when it is possible to use similar fees placed on a mobile phone, providing paid services in conjunction with a mobile operator .

As a prototype, a set-top box for a cell phone was selected [RF Patent for Utility Model No. 37853, July 21, 2003.], which is a compact device for storing and displaying information, consisting of a power supply unit, a microcontroller of memory, an input device, a screen,

predominantly liquid crystal, containing an interface for receiving information from a mobile phone, while the device is structurally autonomous.

The objective of the utility model was to increase the reliability of the connection of the device with external devices (for example, a mobile phone) while maintaining the advantages of battery life, including in difficult conditions (in the absence of a permanent workplace, on the road, etc.); this eliminates the inconvenience of reading texts and viewing graphic information on the small display of a mobile phone.

The specified problem is solved in two versions of the device.

In one embodiment, a compact stand-alone device for receiving, storing, processing, and displaying information containing a power source (in the prototype, a power supply), a microcontroller, memory, controls (in the prototype, an input device), a screen, mainly liquid crystal, and, at least one interface for connecting external devices is made in a housing with an asymmetric thickening in height on the rear surface, while the input / output (port) of the interface is placed in the thickening and is directed towards the thin part Busan, which taken anchorage external device.

Thickening of the housing is used as a compartment for accommodating power supplies.

It is possible to place an additional element inside or on the surface of the housing to shift the center of gravity of the device.

The controls can be placed in the part of the housing with a thickening, and at least one is placed on the front surface of the housing, and one on the upper end surface.

The controls can be placed on the front of the chassis on either side of the screen.

The interface, as a rule, for this option is a device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of infrared radiation with the so-called infrared port (input / output), but it is possible

execution in the form of a device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves.

For the convenience of working with the device in stationary conditions on the back surface, on the side opposite to the thickening, a protrusion can be made (both integral with the body, and in the form of a folding leg with the possibility of rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the thin part of the body), equal in size with a thickening along height.

According to another embodiment, a compact stand-alone device for receiving, storing, processing and displaying information containing a power source, a microcontroller, memory, controls, a screen, mainly a liquid crystal, and at least one interface for connecting external devices, is made in an asymmetric housing thickening in height on the back surface with a compartment for power supplies, while on the side of the thickening there is a device for attaching an external device, and the interface is designed as a device Twa, which is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves.

As in the first embodiment of the device, an additional element can be placed inside or on the surface of the housing to shift the center of gravity of the device.

The controls are conveniently placed in the part of the housing with a thickening, with at least one on the front surface of the housing, and one on the upper end surface.

It is possible to place controls on the front surface of the housing on both sides of the screen

On the back surface, in the direction opposite to the thickening, a protrusion can also be made (both integral with the body, and in the form of a folding leg with the possibility of rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the thin part of the body), equal in height with the thickening.

The inventive utility model is illustrated by drawings: in Fig.1, 2 presents the front surfaces of the device, respectively, with asymmetric

and a symmetrical arrangement of the screen and controls; figure 3, 4 is a top view of the device according to the first and second options.

The device comprises a housing 1 with an asymmetric bulge 2, a liquid crystal screen 3, control elements 4, including a switch, a device for attaching an external device 5, an infrared port 6, an additional element for shifting the center of gravity of the device 7, a protrusion 8. A printed circuit board (not shown) in the general case, it is carried out according to well-known principles, all attached components are attached to it (controller chips, ROM, RAM, voltage converters, connectors for connecting I / O ports, a socket for programming and debugging, etc.).

One of the options for implementing the device - Internet connection - the following.

Information is transferred from the Internet to the device using an external device (mobile phone) with support for the GPRS service (packet data service over the air) for GSM phones or using other packet data protocols for other cellular standards.

On the Internet, the device accesses a special file server using the modified TFTP protocol. From this server, the user can download the necessary files from his personal “virtual” folder and make a request for the necessary files (books, news) to the server database. In addition, the server converts Internet pages into the device’s internal format, which is convenient for receiving Internet pages on a low-resolution screen. The user identification of the device is carried out by mobile phone number and device code. Thus, the server performs the most costly functions of searching for information and processing Internet pages, which reduces the requirements for the performance of the microprocessor of the device and the amount of its memory.

In the process of obtaining information on the device from the server, the mobile phone acts as a relay, passing information through itself, which, if the necessary software is available, ensures its protection against unauthorized use.

All information entering the device is recorded in the internal read-only memory and cannot be distributed further. The memory, built on flash technology, allows about 10,000 rewriting cycles, which is enough to use the book for its main purpose for 3-4 years. Its volume with virtually no change in the scheme and software can vary from 512 kilobytes to 16 megabytes. And this is not the limit, as flash technology is developing, and the amount of memory on one chip is growing.

Communication with a cell phone is carried out via infrared port 6, which provides mainly for receiving data and can, at the hardware level, limit the ability to transfer information to a computer or any other external device. If the infrared port is not available on the mobile phone, the communication is carried out by an interface whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves, for example, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technologies. The logic for establishing a connection and authorization processes are performed by a program recorded in the microcontroller.

Any information stored in the memory can be displayed accordingly on screen 3. Screen 3 can have various sizes, color, resolution and other parameters. On average, for convenient perception of textual information, a liquid crystal screen with a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels, dimensions of 120 × 90 mm, gray with white backlight was selected. Since this part of the device is the most expensive and the connection of different models is almost the same, the capabilities and screen sizes 3 are limited only by economic considerations.

Case 1 provides protection of the internal elements of the device from the effects of such destabilizing factors as short-term exposure to water splashes, shock when dropped from a height, vibration, etc.

The plastic case is the supporting basis for the board with components, screen 3, batteries, control elements 4 (control buttons, switch), input / output ports, and an external charger connector.

Overall dimensions of the case do not exceed 90 × 120 × 25 mm (height × width × depth).

Thickening 2 is the location of the compartment for power supplies. The batteries shifted to one side cause the center of gravity of the device to shift toward the user's right hand, which also makes it easier to hold the device and work with it. Such a case is ergonomic, it is convenient to hold it in one hand and navigate through the program menus and text using buttons with two fingers: thumb on the front panel, index finger on the upper end surface. To increase ergonomics, it is possible to install an additional element to shift the center of gravity of the device 7. The protrusion 8 allows you to use the device as a regular desktop.

Screen 3 is the main device for outputting data stored in the device ROM. The text displayed on the screen can be easily read by the user. LCD can be either black and white or color.

The useful area of the screen 3 is not less than 75 × 55 mm. The resolution is 320 × 240 pixels, although it may be different, the size of the point is not less than 0.29 mm. The background of the LCD has a neutral white (gray-white) color. For better visual observation and eye comfort, a soft white LED or electroluminescent backlight is provided. The overall dimensions of the LCD do not exceed 140 × 100 × 8 mm.

As control elements 4, two three-position pseudoscrol buttons, scroll-rollers or conventional three-position buttons can be used. The first circuit is closed when the key is rotated 10 ... 30 ° from the central position to the right, left, and when pressed. This is very convenient for the user, buttons of this type are used in MP3 players and cell phones to navigate the user through the program menus.

In total, the device can have two such control elements 4, one of which is located on the front panel of the device on the same side where the bulges of the case are located, and the second on the upper end surface. Moreover

the specified arrangement of the controls corresponds to the location of the thickening of the case so that the thumb of the user holding the device for the thickening falls on the first control element, and the index finger falls on the second control element. This arrangement of controls allows you to control the device with one hand, for example, as follows: the thumb scrolls the text vertically, and the index finger horizontally, or according to another algorithm in accordance with the program recorded in the device’s memory.

The device relates to portable RES (radio-electronic means), so it is advisable to use reusable electrochemical power sources. AA-type nickel-metal hydride batteries are such power sources; they are characterized by the absence of a memory effect and large capacity. Most of these standard batteries have a voltage of 1.2 V, the number of charge-discharge cycles of about 500, and a capacity of about 1200-1500 mA × h. To power the device, it is necessary to use two series-connected batteries with a total voltage of at least 2.4 V. The standard type of batteries will allow the user to quickly change them after running out of battery resources.

It is possible to use a stationary power supply - it is supposed to use a standard 3 V charger. This will allow the user to use the device while accessing the household power supply network (220 V, 50 Hz) and charge the batteries at the same time.

The charger is connected to the product through a standard connector, the type of which depends on the type of charger.

The execution of the housing 1 with an asymmetric bulge 2 is well suited for the installation of infrared port 6. In this case, the infrared port 6 is located on the bulge 2.

A characteristic feature of the device is that due to asymmetric execution, it becomes possible to connect to an external device (mobile phone) and via infrared port 6, holding both devices in one hand, which is impossible for existing handheld devices

devices, because the infrared port is located on the side wall. In this case, you have to hold the mobile phone in one hand, and the device in the other, which violates the stability of communication, especially in conditions of transport. The mobile phone is located on the rear panel of the device in the thin part of the housing 1 so that the infrared port of the mobile phone looks towards the thickening of the housing 1, which houses the infrared (IR) port 6 of the device, which allows for stable communication between the device and the mobile phone, since they are constructively connected.

The attachment device for attaching the external device 5 may be a mechanical clamp, a cover, a sticky cloth, a magnet, or the like.

Claims (15)

1. A compact stand-alone device for receiving, storing, processing and displaying information, containing a power source, a microcontroller, memory, controls, a screen, mainly a liquid crystal, and at least one interface for connecting external devices, characterized in that the device is made in a case with an asymmetric thickening in height on the back surface, while the input / output of the interface is placed in the thickening and is directed towards the thin part of the case on which the fixture for fastening is placed Nia external device. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the thickening there is a compartment for accommodating power sources. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an additional element is placed inside or on the surface of the housing to shift the center of gravity of the device. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the controls are placed in the housing part with a thickening, and at least one is placed on the front surface of the housing, and one on the upper end surface. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the controls are located on the front surface of the housing on both sides of the screen. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface is made in the form of a device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface is made in the form of a device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of infrared radiation. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the back surface in the side opposite to the thickening, a protrusion is made, isometric with the thickening in height. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the protrusion is made in the form of legs with the possibility of rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the thin part of the body. 10. A compact stand-alone device for receiving, storing, processing and displaying information containing a power supply unit, a microcontroller, memory, controls, a screen, mainly a liquid crystal, and at least one interface for connecting external devices, characterized in that the device is made in a case with an asymmetric thickening in height on the back surface with a compartment for power supplies, while on the side of the thickening there is a device for attaching an external device, and the interface is made in ide device whose operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that an additional element is placed inside or on the surface of the housing to shift the center of gravity of the device. 12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the controls are placed in the housing part with a thickening, and at least one is placed on the front surface of the housing, and one on the upper end surface. 13. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the controls are located on the front surface of the housing on both sides of the screen. 14. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that on the back surface in the side opposite to the thickening, a protrusion is made, isometric with the thickening in height. 15. The device according to 14, characterized in that the protrusion is made in the form of legs with the possibility of rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the thin part of the housing.