Portable computers

Abstract

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

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:
 movementat least one acceleration 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 at least one acceleration 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:
 movementat least one acceleration 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  at least one acceleration 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. The portable computer of claim 4, wherein the at least one acceleration detection means comprises a plurality of acceleration detection means.  
     
     
       38. The portable computer of claim 7, wherein the at least one acceleration detection means comprises a plurality of acceleration detection means.  
     
     
       39. A hand held cellular telephone comprising:
 a screen that displays information;   a proximity detector that detects proximity of a user to the screen;   a detector that detects a reflection from the user's eye to determine whether the user is looking directly at the screen; and,   a processor that modifies a functionality of the screen based on whether the user is looking at information on the screen.    
     
     
       40. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen reduces power consumption.  
     
     
       41. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises turning off the screen.  
     
     
       42. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises modifying density of displayed information on the screen.  
     
     
       43. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the detector that detects a proximity determines whether the screen is on the user's left or right side.  
     
     
       44. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the screen comprises a touch screen.  
     
     
       45. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the proximity detector comprises a pyroelectric sensor.  
     
     
       46. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the proximity detector comprises an infrared sensor.  
     
     
       47. The cellular telephone of claim 44, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises modifying density of displayed information on the screen.  
     
     
       48. The cellular telephone of claim 44, wherein the modification to the functionality of the touch screen comprises powering down the screen.  
     
     
       49. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises entering a power saving mode.  
     
     
       50. The cellular telephone of claim 44, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises powering down touch screen circuitry.  
     
     
       51. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises inverting information on the screen.  
     
     
       52. The cellular telephone of claim 39, where the modification to the functionality of the screen comprises switching backlighting between on and off.  
     
     
       53. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the cellular telephone is configured for sending and receiving email messages.  
     
     
       54. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the cellular telephone is configured for sending and receiving text messages.  
     
     
       55. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a casing shaped to facilitate the user holding the telephone in one hand.  
     
     
       56. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein the casing is hermetically sealed.  
     
     
       57. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a microphone.  
     
     
       58. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a speaker.  
     
     
       59. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a docking element.  
     
     
       60. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the processor is programmed to enter the telephone into a reduced power mode after a pre-determined period of inactivity.  
     
     
       61. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the telephone is configured for receiving GPS data.  
     
     
       62. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a voice recorder.  
     
     
       63. The cellular telephone of claim 39, wherein the telephone is configured for at least one of wired and wireless transfer of data to a computer.  
     
     
       64. The cellular telephone of claim 39, further comprising a calculator.  
     
     
       65. A handheld cellular telephone comprising:
 a touch screen;   a speaker;   a microphone;   a proximity detector that detects proximity of a user to the touch screen;   a detector that detects a reflection from the user's eye to determine whether the user is looking directly at the touch screen;   a processor that modifies a functionality of the touch screen based on whether the user is looking at the touch screen; and,   the hand held cellular telephone configured for sending and receiving text messages, email and voice data.    
     
     
       66. A handheld cellular telephone comprising:
 a touch screen;   a proximity detector that detects proximity of a user to the touch screen;   a detector that detects a reflection from the user's eye to determine whether the user is looking directly at the touch screen;   a processor that modifies a functionality of the telephone based on whether the user is looking directly at the touch screen;   the handheld cellular telephone configured for sending and receiving text messages and email;   a speaker and a microphone;   a radio transceiver configured for sending and receiving voice data; and,   wherein the functionality is at least one of powering down the telephone, powering down circuitry of the telephone, switching backlighting of the touch screen between on and off, and modifying the density of information displayed on the touch screen.    
     
     
       67. The portable computer of claim 4, wherein the mode response is scrolling of displayed information.  
     
     
       68. The portable computer of claim 4, wherein the mode response is display of information stored as to one or other side of currently displayed information.  
     
     
       69. The portable computer of claim 4, wherein the mode response is display of information stored as above or below currently displayed information.  
     
     
       70. A hand held cellular telephone comprising:
 a screen for displaying information;   a detector that detects a reflection from the user's eye to determine whether a user is looking directly at the screen; and,   a processor that modifies a functionality of the hand held telephone based on whether the user is looking at information on the screen.    
     
     
       71. The hand held cellular telephone of claim 70, wherein the screen is a touch screen, and the functionality modified is powering down circuitry of the telephone.