Computers can be shrunk to hand held and pocket size, such as PDAs, yet be multimedia devices handling data, voice, music, pictures, video, and even other sensory data such as smell. They can also have wireless connectivity for internet connection, phone calls, emails, web surfing and radio.
Cell phones, like computers. can also have computer, photo and video and internet capabilities. Even though our focus will be on Cell phones, Smart Phones, Pocket PCs and their hybrids or combinations, other hand held devices, such as pagers, text massagers, digital cameras, GPS, music systems like iPod, satellite and internet radios, tiny TVs, game gadgets, remote controls, all use the same basic principles, blurring inter device lines. In essence they are all customized computers.
We refer to all such currently available primarily PDAs, Smart phones & Cell phones, as Mobile Communicating Computers or MCCs.
This application introduces Ultra MCC or UMCC, being much better than MCCs, in many ways. “Um-See” is suggested as an easier pronunciation.
Even though emphasis is for most usable hand held or Pocket size, UMCC can be larger.
Most MCCs are a Pocket PC, Cell phone or Hybrids, some called Smart Phones.
Their approximate size range is 10 to 20 mm thick, 40 mm to 80 mm wide and 90 to 130 mm long.
The larger ones are awkward to carry. Being too small inhibits operation without adding value.
A preferred range is (10−15)×(40−65)×(100−120).
They typically have many but not necessarily all of following Parts:
Parts at the top of the list form a Pocket Computer, those at the bottom make a Cell Phone. Some such as screen, housing, battery and add-ons are found in both.
Cell Phones wide area wireless can also connect to the Internet, adding needed or desirable features like email, web, IP telephone, photo and video transfer, all requiring memory, processor, keyboard and stylus, it seems logical to add both groups of parts to make a MCC.
UMCC is a configuration of Digitizers, Realizers, Communicators, Processors, Memorizers, Interfaces, Power (generating and or storage) and Facilitators (Housing, Cables, I/O, etc.)
Digitizers or Inputs Convert Source Data, usually analog into Electronic Bits. They can also convert Information into Photonic, Electro-Magnetic, or other Basic Units, and may be called Quatizers.
Examples of Digitizers for different “types” of Source Data are:
Digitizers for Compound Senses are more complex, hence still under development, such as:
Realizers or Outputs convert Digitized Data or Bits to resemble Real Source Date for consumption:
Communicators Transmit such Bits between Nearby machines such as Cables, Optic Fiber, IrDa, Blue Tooth, Wi-Fi, etc or Distant machines such as Optic Fiber or Light Beams for Light and Cable for Electronic or Radio for Electromagnetic Data.
Interfaces, are of many types such as:
Processors, manage, process , manipulate, control various Digitizers, Realizers, Memorizers, Communicators, Interfaces, etc.
Memorizers Store Digitized data, permanently as in Flash or Temporary as in Core Memory.
Power, generated externally (mains) or internally (photocells & fuel cells), stored on Batteries.
Facilitators, Connectors, Jacks, Plugs, Cables, Boards, Cases, etc.
Admiring the advances so far to bring the power of computers and radios to personal hands, MCCs have a lot missing by way of ease of use and handling. Our aim is to make an UMCC to reduce or eliminate many of MCCs undesirable features, and to add new needed or desirable ones.
For example, cell phones are easily lost, especially by those without a belt or pocket. Also they occupy one hand for holding and the other for typing, and lack proper desk free walk and type keyboards.
UMCC has a number of following advantages over prior art:
In all Figures, UMCC Screen is shown as a rectangular board with an oval inside. Keyboard is shown as a rectangle with tiny circles on it to resemble keys. Photo Voltaic Film is shown as a rectangle with tiny dash or hyphen lines on it.
Added Figures:
In following sections we will address many problems with existing MCCs and introduce solutions.
Also we will introduce a number of preferred versions of UMCCs.
Conventional Shells are rigid, somewhat unfriendly for hands to held and for body when in pocket.
Rigid shells make a noise when touching a desk and break more easily if dropped.
An Elastomer Shell will solve both problems. Elastomers referred to here as Rubber, are materials such as silicones, polyurethane, latex or the like are flexible, stretchable, retractable and can be made to various degrees of stiffness and lightness. They can be made stiffer to protect inside components, yet softer on the outside for crash protection and hand friendliness.
Alternatively, a removable an-add on Elastomer Shell referred to as “Jacket” as in
Jacket better be slightly smaller but stretchable to hold the UMCC firmly. It should have openings 9, 11, 13, 15 and be shaped such as to allow functioning of screen, keyboard, other parts and add-ons. Each Jacket can be made of more than one material such as leather, cloth, etc.
Shell or Jacket can have means of attaching to hands free carrying and holding mechanisms, explained separately. Even a millimeter thick Jacket can achieve the desired softness and protection.
One major advantage of Jacket or a Soft Shell introduced hers is that it can be custom made to accommodate many attachments for hands free carrying and operation introduced in this application.
Hands Free Carrying of UMCC (in Standby mode):
It is very desirable that hands are not tied up for carrying or holding UMCC.
Wrist carrying is currently limited to tiny, not very useful devices.
Pocket is not ideal as UMCC should be pulled out before operating, hence not ready to use.
Besides, a loose bulk inside pocket is awkward and many clothes do not have a pocket.
Belts are not always worn. Conventional belt MCCs typically do not let using of MCC while on belt.
This application introduces following hands free carrying techniques:
Said Necklace, shown in
Necklace Hooks (
The same device can do the job of both Garment Hook and Belt Hook.
Hands Free carrying also solves the problem with hand carried Cell phones or MCCs which are frequently lost or left behind.
Suspending UMCC from belt, wrist, garment or neck enables viewing of UMCC Screen, without hand holding, by keeping the Screen towards the eyes. as in
Suspending UMCC from belt, neck, head, wrist or garment uses User's body as support needed for a “vertical” keyboard when typing, without hand holding. Users are better off in the long run to learn typing without looking at the keyboard, to avoid extra gear or handholding to look at the keys.
If looking at the keyboard is also desired, suspending UMCC from Wrist or Sleeve is one option. Another option is to use the one hand for holding the UMCC while typing by other hand. Suspending UMCC using Necklace, Belt Loops, Pant Hooks, Garment Hooks, Safety Pin and Suspension Pad as constructed in this application enables User to do so, without having to dislodge the UMCC.
To provide “hands free” keyboard support and keyboard viewing, when UMCC is suspended from neck or belt , following techniques are introduced, aimed at holding the keyboard in horizontal position.
“UMCC Support” shown in
Said UMCC Support holds UMCC horizontal, when UMCC is suspended from Neck, Belt or Garment using the Necklace or other gear introduced here (
J-Rods can have adjustable length mechanism (
Adjusting the length of said String or Neckband offers User's desired angle of operation.
Said Necklace and Neckband can be joined to make one device, to both Suspend and Support UMCC. UMCCs without a Jacket can use equivalent techniques for above results. For example said String can be attached to UMCC Shell by Velcro or other means.
Current gear for holding MCCs in operational mode are bulky and designed not for public use but for field technicians. Our above gear can all be carried inside one pocket together with a pocket UMCC. Above techniques make UMCC Ready to Use, not requiring the current pulling out of pocket, penning the cover, plugging or other steps before operation.
A Necklace+Neckband combo as detailed separately makes an ideal “hands free” Carrying and Operational Supporting Device for Laptops, Notebooks, Tablets and other heavier devices too.
For Operational Support when UMCC is suspended from belt, Spring (
MCCs do not have their own proper keyboard. The best offered so far are separate keyboards which even though portable and good, require an extra pocket to carry, a desk to operate, and many set up steps prior to each use, all contrary to ultra mobile walk & type, ready to use that they should be. Alternatively they use tiny keyboards or keypads which not only reduce the size of the screen but are slow, tedious, one finger, thumb or stylus, high pressure operation.
Applicant has filed for patenting in US and elsewhere, a group of keyboards called E-Board or E-Pad. E-Board has all the good features of both above tiny and desk-bound groups, none of their disadvantages and many other features detailed separately.
It is thin, touch sensitive, one or two hands, multi-finger operation with a full set large, spaced keys, on one or more Pad(s), which Pad(s) can be supported by UMCC body or as a rigid fold over or cover.
UMCC can use a one Pad E-Board (E-Pad), for one hand operation or two pad version for two hands.
A 2-Pad E-Board suspended from neck or belt has some of the characters one the pad operated by left hand and ditto for the right hand Pad.
In
A—Portable Desk-bound Keyboards, such as Foldables, Rollables, Light Rays, etc. only offer features (A) below, but NOT specialties of Tiny keyboards (B) nor of E-Board (C):
B—Tiny keyboards, such as Berries, Mini's , Screen-Keys, Handwriting Recognition, etc. only offer features (B) below, but NOT specialties of Desk-bounds (A) nor of E-Board (C):
C—E-Board, offers advantages (C) below+of Tiny keyboards (B)+Desk-bounds (A):
Voice Recognition: hailed by some as the future only suits certain circumstances such as short commands while driving. It has too many disadvantages to be a contender for general data entry. It can also be added to UMCC for certain uses.
Carrying a heavy integral battery, extra battery and battery charger can be greatly minimized by use of own power generation.
Fuel cells are a solution, but require fuel capsules, and are typically not as thin as desirable.
Body heat conversion to electricity is another solution, but requires some touching of body.
Our preferred techniques is use of one or more thin Photo Voltaic Film or Cell (PVF).
PVFs can be sub-millimeter thick, one currently available has a polymer substrate. Each PVF can be substantially as wide and as long as other larger components of UMCC, such as Keyboard or Screen.
PVF Pads can slide inside the UMCC assembly for transport and out for power generation. They can also be attached to UMCC sides, folding over or under UMCC for transport, opening up to face light.
Alternatively or in addition, E-Board used as keyboard can have Photo Cells on its surface, or PVFs.
PVFs can markedly reduce the size of UMCC battery, by constantly charging it.
In addition to or as an alternative to batteries, thin Rechargeable Battery Film (RBF) can be used.
Current versions are called polymer batteries but other versions are being developed.
They can be thinner than one third millimeter, but also thicker and or multi layered for more capacity.
One ideal “combination” is RBF's surface attached to PVF's non-light sensitive surface, enforcing each other, reducing the need for protective layers and for wiring, forming Electricity Generating and Storage (EGS) Pads, which can attach to sides of UMCC or other devices, fold over or under UMCC or slide inside the UMCC assembly for transport.
RBFs are not specifically identified in figures as their preferred location is invisible behind PVFs.
PVF, RBF and EGS Pads can be made detachable from UMCC.
One advantage of using PVF, RBF or EGS Pads is that various components of UMCC, such as Keyboard, Screen, Goggles and especially Earphone can have their own power, and hence can be physically separated, yet wirelessly connected to other components.
Non-Rechargeable Film and other types of small and or thin batteries can be used in certain UMCCs.
Following Pocket Friendly tips are often ignored in construction of conventional phones or PDAs:
For ease of holding, pocket portability and body support when suspended from neck, belt or garment, it is important that UMCC is thin, flat, with few or no protrudes. To compensate lost volume of thinning, surface area should be increased, up to width and length limits dictated by type of UMCC, say below 80×130 mm for pocket and hand held UMCCs.
For thinning UMCC, observing above Pocket Friendly tips, any number of following can be used:
Same thinning techniques can provide for more processing, storage, power and features, if size reduction is not sought. In other words, said techniques improve utility per thickness or size.
For PVF, Screen and Keyboard, the larger the surface area the better, exceptions allowed.
Conventional MCCs, not using many of techniques introduced here cannot easily have them large.
This application introduces techniques enabling UMCC, not only have its own PVF, Keyboard & Screen, but each on separate Pad(s), each Pad as large as transportation allows, say pocket size.
Some such techniques are:
Above, each in their own way, enable much larger PVF, EGS, Screen and Keyboard than prior art.
For even larger Screen, Buttons should preferably not share a Pad with it, but be placed on:
One preferred configuration is a UMCC Main Body , an E-Pad Keyboard, which rests on the top surface of said Main Body, a Screen attached along the shorter side of said Main Body, an EGS Pad attached along a longer side of said Main Body, all of which can fold over said Main Body or Slide into said main body.
In this application, UMCC Main Body refers to preferred version of Thin Flat Motherboard, on top of Thin Flat Battery Layers, but does not preclude other versions.
Above suffices for most needs but for heavy users, other parts may be added, such as:
Dividing UMCC into separate Sub-Assemblies which are detached or detachable physically and connected to each other as necessary by cable or wireless has advantages in many situations.
Each Sub-Assembly should preferably be thin and or pocket size to allow combinations of them also be thin and pocket size. Some examples of logical Sub-Assemblies are:
Some UMCCs using said separation technique are introduced as follows:
Is possible by making Sub-Assemblies in Disintegrable UMCC to attach to each other in various ways. Some of the ways said Sub-Assemblies can attach are:
One useful Reconfiguration is the Screen to be attached to the lower side of UMCC working surface, when suspended from neck or belt, such that it can be held horizontal facing User's eyes, but during game playing, it is attached to the upper side of UMCC working surface, facing the opposite player, so that each player sees the other player's screen.
MCCs have evolved from different platforms, such as Cell phones, Pagers, PDAs, Cameras, TV, Instruments, etc. As all became digital, combining and crossing their features lead to Hybrids, such as Phones with Computer, Photographic, Video and even TV features.
This application introduces a Custom UMCC, to be simple to understand, design, custom order or choose from its numerous configurations, together with a Uni-Media Protocol.
To consumers and many engineers, such Hybrids appear a mish mash of sometimes unrelated gadgets piled onto each other, just to attract young consumers. Consumer often gets too much of some and too little of other features. Custom making is difficult because consumers do not understand the interrelationship of so many features to order a custom made device or choose an optimum one.
A Custom UMCC can be constructed by making each of UMCC Components or Devices (Digitizers, Realizers, Memorizers, Communicators, Interfaces, etc.) standard, physically and functionally compatible with each other, so that designers and users can choose according to their requirements.
Suitable Devices or Sub-Assemblies can be made to make UMCC Wearable or Portable.
Detachable Devices and Sub-Assemblies can also be made, as detailed separately.
Numerous combinations and configurations of UMCC can be constructed. There can be:
Any number of following technologies introduced here, alone or in combination, will optionally reduce Screen power usage. These can be administered by Driver(s), Processor or Intelligent Software.
Image quality will be compromised but being optional, will be adopted only when worthwhile.
For Text, as in e-mail or messaging, color are not so important, nor is a background. These technologies can be applied to all devices which use a screen, especially where power is scarce.
An optimal size for UMCC is 12×70×120 mm, matching a 70×120 keyboard and 70×120 screen. Optimal alignment of keyboard and screen varies with use. For example when UMCC is suspended from belt, its length aligned with body length as in
There are many ways of doing this, including various techniques introduced here. One preferred version is a Detachable Screen (
Said Thin Plug can have latching mechanisms (
Tiny Screens with high resolution exist today. Some use Micro Electromechanical Mirrors (MEM) to project light onto the retina. But thin and pocket friendly goggles do not exist, as they encompass bulky ear attachments, forehead rests, and eye covers.
This section makes a thin and light Goggle to fit inside a pocket together with the rest of UMCC.
A thin long narrow rigid board (
Said Ruler can swivel around Ear Base, but stay firm in any desired position due to elastic force.
Then said EMH keeps said eye Screen in required angle for aiming at the eye.
Ruler can be used also as a PCB to mount thin electronics on and carry PVF, RBF, etc.
Pocket size Ruler length is sufficient to keep the eye Screen at required distance from eyes.
Rulers width can be less than pocket width, but a wider Ruler may have advantages in carrying some Memory, PVF, RBF or other layers.
To use UMCCs Speaker hands free, one way is to increase speaker volume, which often not practical. Another technique being developed is vibration via skin or bones to transfer sound to ears. Silent Microphones using neck or jawbone vibrations can also be incorporated. Earpiece is more practical.
Current Earpieces have at least following disadvantages:
To avoid all said disadvantages and provide many advantages, Thin Earpiece is introduced.
On one surface of said PCB, a Speaker (
An optional thin, moisture absorbent, skin friendly, removable, dispensable or washable liner, spread over said PCB and under said Ealstomer, where they touch the ear, makes said Earpiece friendlier. A thin rechargeable Battery layer (
A thin Photo Voltaic Film (PVF) Pad (
PCB, Battery and PVF can each be sub-millimeter thick, requiring little external protective layers, as they support each other structurally, to make a rigid pad. Components on PCB can be less than 2 mm.
Thus said Earpiece can be constructed less than 3 mm thick, but thicker if thicker layers are chosen.
One type of thin Speaker and Microphones are Piezoelectric, which can be sub millimeter.
More PVF/RBF can be added to its side(s), folding over it or sliding inside it for transport (
Thus a perfect self contained wireless or cable Thin Earpiece is constructed.
Said Earpiece can:
Many varieties of Earpiece can be designed, using the following elements introduced here:
Other varieties can be constructed using some but not all of above elements.
For example not using the Elastomer element , but conventional ear attachments , together with other elements above, will produce a novel thin Earpiece with own power generation and storage.
Another example is using fuel cell or conventional battery for power, but Elastomer for ear attachment.
Some such variations are shown in
Thin, Ear borne, Self Powered, Cell phone and or Radio
Adding thin Dials 0 to 9 (such as
Said Cell phone can be thinner than 3 mm, ear borne or hand held, and pocket size, with own power.
As a UMCC Sub-Assembly, it can be attached to other Sub-Assemblies for more features.
For example it can attach from one side to a thin Screen to make a cell hone with screen.
Said Screen can fold over said Thin Earpiece for transport.
An alternative to thin folding Antenna is an Antenna made of printed electronic traces on said PCB.
When necessary, a nearby neck or garment borne battery with cable and thin plug, adds power.
Thin, Ear borne, Self Powered, Music Player and or Video Player
Adding thin Flash or Equivalent types of Memory to said Thin Earpiece provides music storage.
All other components are already there, if suitable Processor, Firmware and Drivers are adopted.
Having larger, yet thin control buttons will help.
Adding Cell-Phone and or Radio capabilities, as detailed will enable wireless music downloading.
Having two of them, one for each ear, connected wirelessly or by cable across users neck, makes a stereo music player, which has room for more power and memory.
Adding a preferably thin Goggle (
Drivers makes a Head Borne Video Player, considering that enough memory can be packed in a 1×60×120 mm layer. Alternatively, a hand, neck, garment or belt borne Screen can be used.
Such a Music or Video Player can fit in one pocket, or be suspended from body or garments.
Add Wireless capabilities, and a hands free, pocket portable, thin TV is borne. Conventional head borne Ns are bulky and do not fit in pocket, as no attempt at making them thin has been made.
In construction of UMCC, Hinges are used in many situations, examples of which are:
Such Hinges should have following properties to suit UMCC:
Otherwise combination of many hinges will add up to too much UMCC bulk
Conventional MCC folds, such as Screen Folding unto Keypad in Flip Phones, are large, having some 5 mm radius, which allows only one fold at one side of MCC, not one at each of 4 sides. One reason is that Flex circuits connecting adjacent PCBs cannot fold tightly, without breaking their circuits over time. Here are new Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Hinges (EMH), which deliver all above properties
Said Rubber Ring is “stretched” when said Rod is inside it. Besides, its inner surface touching the Rod is constructed of non smooth material to provide grip.
Thus all above properties, except electrical conductivity can be delivered.
The Ring can be less than half mm thick, and the Rod can have less than half mm radius, adding to less than one mm radius for RMH.
A number of such Single RMHs can be adjoint to make a Compound RMH.
RMH has many uses outside UMCC, such as for folding Antennas which wear loose after some use, and for holding Desk LCDs in desired angle against the users eyes.
If RMH is not confined by housing or adjacent components, ridges, grooves or other means of holding its components together should be added.
Following three AEH are proposed, which are close enough to a V-Fold.
In 12-A, Cathodes 5 & 7 are connected to Anodes 9 & 11 respectively, each via one or more electronic traces 13 & 15, embedded in Flex Film 17. Traces are not perpendicular but angled against the axis of fold, to spread and increase their curve radius, without increasing the curve radius of flex.
Multiple traces connected crosswise for each cathode anode connection, ensure that even if some traces are broken in several points, overall electronic contact is maintained for longer.
To provide controlled angle, a Mechanical Hinge, preferably RMH 19 is used.
B-
C-
Type A—
In
Type B—
Applicable to both EMH types A & B above:
Each segment of the Rod is electronically separated from other segments by non conductive segments (
For example, some Rod Segments (
UMCC also uses Swivels, examples being:
Swivels should be able to:
This application introduces light, thin, simple Swivels, applicable beyond electronics too.
EMS—Type A (
In 18-A, Pads 1 & 3 swivel around Axis 5, running from Pad 3 through Pad 1 and Rubber Pill 9 to Rigid Coin 7. Rubber Pill is compressed due to short distance between Rigid Coin and Pad 3, thus pressing electronic Traces 11 & 13 on Pad 1 against corresponding Traces 15 & 19 respectively.
Thus Pads can be swivel and be held at desired position against each other while electronic connectivity is maintained buy arc traces 11,13,15,17 in
EMS—Type B (
In
Contact points 11, 13,15 on Pad 1 are connected electronically to corresponding points 17, 19,21 respectively on Pad 3, via cables, having sufficient length and flexibility to allow required swivel range.
Applicable to both A & B types of EMS:
Two adjacent Pads can move around a joint point (not a joint side), using a Pivot.
For UMCC and other universal applications, a Pivot should be able to:
If said Rod is Tubular, cables 9,11,13 running through said Tube conduct electricity between Pads. Even more than 360 degree pivoting is possible, but if said Pivot also carries electrical cables, rotation is limited to cables twisting limits.
Said Pivot has universal application and can be larger, with or without electro cables. It need not only connect PCBs but also other electronic or general components.
Conventional pivots use metal friction which smoothes after some use, while said Rubber Ring will shrink to hold its grip.
If necessary, a Bump 15 which snaps out of said Ring when said Tube or Rod is fully inside said Ring, will prevent said Rod or Tube from sliding out of said Ring.
Antennas are conventionally thick, round and tall, adding some awkward 30 mm to MCC height.
For heavier duties such as broad-band or Wi-Max, longer antennas are preferred. Conventional folding antennas use metal friction for firmness of folding and telescopic joints, which loose grip over time.
This Application introduces Trace Antenna, as traces of metal imbedded in UMCC Shell or Jacket.
Alternatively those traces can be on a fraction of millimeter thin Flex or equivalent sheet to be adhered to the outside of Shell or Inside of Jacket.
This Application also introduces PCB Antenna, being a rigid PCB or equivalent, sub-millimeter thick, preferably less than 10 mm wide, and up to UMCC length, many times that of a cell phone antenna.
PCB antenna is connected to UMCC or one of UMCC Sub-Assemblies, especially the Thin Cell phone, via a thin Electro Mechanical Hinge, preferably those introduced separately here, to unfold or rise when in use and to fold or fall alongside UMCC for transport.
Such combination of EMH & EMP enables Pads 1 & 5 to rotate against each other in all 3 dimensions and if required, communicate a number of electronic traces between them.
Said Strip can be thin and narrow, below 2 or even 1 mm, so that EMUJ does not cause undue bulk. EMUJ has universal applications, with or without electro cables and can be of larger size.
Conventional designs are typically round and bulky, which is one obstacle in making devices small.
This application uses blade shaped Thin Plugs and Connectors (male element) and corresponding Narrow Jacks (female element) in UMCC, not typically used in MCCs.
We propose using Thin Rubber in said elements, to provide contact pressure and frictional grip, instead of “springs” used conventionally, so as to reduce thickness and durability.
We also propose using Rubber, instead of conventional springs, between Pads which are connected Mechanically and or Electronically by a Slide or Drawer mechanism, to provide grip and electro contact pressure, thus reducing assembled thickness and durability for same or better function.
Pressure to hold Jack and Plug Traces firm enough for electrical conductivity, and also the Grip to hold the Jack physically firmly inside the Female is provided by a Thin Rubber Layer 11, which is compressed between said Male and a rigid Shell 13.
In conventional plugs, said Shell is often a solid , non stretch, non conductive polymer, but the task performed by our proposed Rubber is conventionally done by metal springs, which are bulkier, do not have as much frictional grip as rubber, and loose their pressure and grip over time.
Conventionally, Contact Pressure and Grip for EMS is provided by metal springs, not rubber.
This application introduces new capabilities made possible by UMCC key features, detailed separately. Such capabilities are impractical in conventional MCCs, even if some are theoretically feasible.
Some UMCC features make such new capabilities Possible, or Practical or Friendly.
Of particular importance are having a good keyboard, hands free carrying and operation, being ready to use and being comprehensive to eliminate carrying of multiple other devices.
Following capabilities can be added to current Cell Phones, PDAs, Smart Phones, Pocket PCs, etc.
Also, custom Devices to perform one or more of such capabilities can be made. Instead of “adding”, capabilities, UMCC can be modified or custom made for them, even by not including some capabilities in excess of customized requirements.
Speech challenged persons currently use sign language, which is understood by few and has limited vocabulary and syntax . Adding available Text to Speech software to UMCC, a Speech Challenged can type what she wants to say, to be spoken via UMCC Speaker.
Alternatively typed text can be viewed by Audience facing the User, by having UMCC suspended from User's neck or belt, fixing the Screen at an angle suitable for viewing by User and Audience, for example 45 degrees to Users body, and activating an available Screen rotation software that turns the text upward even though the Screen is upside down. In this case User has to get used to reading her own tying upside down.
An alternative is to have the Screen suspended above the keyboard facing the Audience upward. In such case user should get used to not seeing her typed text, unless a thin mirror is placed suitably to reflect the screen for users view.
Monitoring and Editing of text can be done by use of a second Screen, or a Goggle or Earpiece.
Release after editing can be passive, i.e. release until stopped for editing.
Active release can be done by editing then pressing a key such as “Enter”.
A fast keyboard makes this capability Possible. Other UMCC features, such as wearability, being ready to use , screen facing the audience, etc. make it Practical and User Friendly.
Adding available translating software to UMCC, enables User to type what she wants in her language, to be translated to another, then either seen on the Screen as in Portable Talking Machine, or spoken by the Speaker. This is made possible by UMCC fast keyboard, and made practical by wearability, screen viewable by audience, and other features.
An alternative is User talking into UMCC Microphone, to be converted to text by available Speech Recognition software, to be heard or viewed by audience.
Editing can be provided as in Potable Talking Machine detailed elsewhere.
Conversation in noisy or silent places is done by typing to screen, with or without translating.
Deaf people can be helped by UMCC in following ways:
Deaf can also attach a device being developed, to translates digitized voice or text into vibrations, which become comprehendible with practice.
Digitized data can be Realized by any Realizer. For example, Sound digitized by Microphone, normally realized by Speaker, can also be Printed, viewed on Screen or sent to Vibrator.
This versatility can easily be used to make Sense Converters to assist people with disabilities.
Providing a Vibrator to Realize digitized Sound will enable the Deaf to make some sense of Sound.
UMCC can be programmed to Realize digitized Sound not by Speaker, but by Vibrator.
Another example is enabling some elderly who cannot smell, to add a Smell Digitizer to UMCC, then read on its Screen the smell of a food.
Numerous other configurations can be made to assist the Blind, Speech Challenged or others.
SOS software, activated by one or more buttons or keys can initiate a series of tasks such as:
Camera can have flash and or night vision. It can have a portable ad-on that can capture criminal's breath molecules, digitize some of its chemical characteristics, even DNA, for instant transmission. Available electric skin can capture and transmit the criminal's fingerprint, if he attempts to touch the UMCC to take it away.
SOS is made practical by UMCC being easily and practically wearable and ready to use.
UMCC can be is and is likely always worn, facing away from User, ready to capture.
It is usually too late if User has to pull a device out of pocket, open it, turn it on and point it at crime scene, especially that under attack, many people loose initiative.
SOS feature can especially help battered women, bullied children, visitors to dangerous areas, those dragged, often unwillingly to gang or school fights, etc., markedly reducing crime.
Warning devices have been attempted before, but none has become popular, some reasons being:
All above obstacles for carrying such devices are resolved by SOS, as users already carry an UMCC or MCC for a good cool reason, no need for a pocket, no one has to know it has SOS feature, it can perform many desired emergency tasks, not just a few, etc.
SOS can also be added to today's cell phones, PDAs, pocket computers, other even larger devices.
CRC capability is achieved by suitable software to correlate UMCC and Desktop Screens, so that what is seen on one is the same as the other, even though with different resolution. In the main part, UMCC keyboard, screen and wireless are used, as processing power is used by desktop. This capability would be impractical without a proper fast keyboard in UMCC.
As UMCC Screen can be viewable by other players, having a second screen or goggle or earpiece as the game requires and using wireless for communicating with other players, a MPG is made.
E-Board can have one or more keys that act like a Mouse, and one or more keys acting like Scroll.
An available wireless Joystick, converting an E-Pad to perform as a Joystick, can be added.
An E-Pad with one or more larger Mouse & or Scroll keys programmed as Joystick can be added.
Assigning musical notes to keys and adding a music synthesizer, would make a PMK. PMK is not practical with those tiny hard keys or with a separate deskbound keyboard.
A custom UMCC, called E-Meal can automate much of restaurant work. One simple version comprises a simple Keypad+thin and or small battery, preferably Rechargeable Battery Film+preferably a Photo Voltaic Film+short range Wireless, such as Blue Tooth.
One or more E-Meal(s) can be supplied for each Table, preferably one for each Chair, preferably adhered, cabled or chained to Table or Chair, preferably together with a suitably rugged Menu.
Patrons enter their Table Number and Menu's Food Number, for transmission to Kitchen Computer. Patrons can also call a Waiter by entering a Code, rather than waiting to be seen by one.
More components, preferably all thin and rugged plus suitable Processor, Memory and Software, increase E-Meal utility, for example:
Above features can be added to current pocket computer's, cell phones, laptops, tablets and PCs.
This application proposes suitable Software for MCCs, UMCCs and Restaurants for said Processes.
MCCs have evolved from miniaturization of computers, sophistication of cell phones and addition of various hardware such as camera.
There are many different and often conflicting Protocols defining relations between functions.
The word Multi-Media is coined to address many capabilities, which adds to complexity.
To simplify understanding, standardization, manufacturing and data processing, both Intra UMCC or Inter UMCC, we introduce “Uni-Media Protocol”.
Instead of thinking of all various Input/Output devices as Multi Media, we define all Inputs as Digitizers and all Outputs as Realizers.
Each Digitizer adds a “type identification code” to digitized data, such as “010” for Text, 001 for Sound.
Said code is either applied to the circuit carrying the data (say all data carried by a particular telephone circuit over a specified time is regarded as Sound) or at the beginning of a stream of data to apply to all data following it, until the next code appears, or added to each packet of data.
A preferred option is to add said data to each “Internet Protocol Packet” of data, close to packet destination address, as most data are processed and transmitted using Internet Protocol.
Once said data is received by any other device, it can be identified, processed accordingly and especially Output by corresponding Realizer, say packets labeled 001 will be output by Speaker.
Title: An alternative, perhaps better title is “Ultra Mobile Omni Purpose Computer”
The Jacket, which we may also be called the “Vest”, need not be confined to the main body of UMCC, but can encase attached components, especially the Screen, mainly on the exposed side, obviously with openings to allow operation.
Said Vest need not have openings for all Buttons or Keys, as many may be operable even though covered by the Vest, especially if the Vest is Flexible and better Translucent over such Buttons or Keys.
If the Vest or one layer making it is made of Electro Conductive Material (the Rubber version exists), it will also serve as Electro Magnetic Radiation Shield, especially if UMCC Antenna is imbedded its housing or for protruding Antennas, if the Vest is extended to Shield the body parts.
The UMCC Elastomer Shell, with a “stiffer” inner layer need not be stiff throughout its inner layer, so long as stiffness is over UMCC inner components that may be damaged if covered only by a flexible Shell.
One Preferred version is a Shell with a Net of stiff thin wires or fibers(such as glass fiber), were protection is needed, hence protective yet Elasomeric, even perhaps Dense Foam, to make the shell light and soft.
The Jacket need not be Elastomeric to have fins, tails, tongues, tail pockets, holes, belt slits (collectively referred to here as “Anchors”), for gears such as suspension pads, pant hooks, garment hooks, safety pins, belt loops, head band, wrist band, shoulder strap, etc., for attaching UMCC to neck, wrist, head, garment, belt, shoulder, etc. (collectively referred to here as “Latches”), but may be a thin rigid martial such as metal, plastic or other, even with rigid Anchors, which if need to pivot, would use a standard hinging mechanism, instead of relying on flexibility to pivot or hinge.
Also a UMCC Shell, rigid or soft, can be designed to have Rigid or Flexible Anchors and/or Latches.
In both Rigid and Non-Rigid Vests and Shells, said Anchors can be made of flexible or rigid material.
Anchors, Pads, Hooks, Pins, Loops, etc. can be Fixed or Detachable, and that there may be more than one of each for each Vest.
For example there can be more than one Jacket Tail in various configurations, such as side by side, face to back, stacked on same or different side(s) of the Jacket, each carrying some or all of the Jacket Tail Holes or Pocket(s).
One major advantage of having an Eastover or otherwise soft Outer Shell or Vest is making the UMCC be or look more drop and knock resistant, allowing care free handling.
Since E-Board is Thin, it can be attached to any rigid support surface. Detached or External versions and the Integral or Attached versions not supported by the body of UMCC or MCC incorporate a rigid layer in their construction for support off the desk.
E-Board need not have such a rigid layer if support is provided by resting on a rigid part of UMCC or MCC, be it the main body or the side attachments, such as a thin flat rigid battery pad on a side of UMCC/MCC. For use without looking at keys, E-Board better have key markings that are “raised” or “etched”.
Also an E-Board with dipped “bowl” keys resembling a Honeycomb suits blind typing.
Custom UMCCs using lesser or minimal configurations for their main function, can produce the important advantage of relying entirely on Photo Voltaic Cell, perhaps combined with Rechargeable Battery Film or conventional battery.
An example is the E-Meal Electronic Menu which can be configured, even with a basic OLED Screen not to need external power. No need to charge numerous menus in a restaurant gives major convenience, cost saving and reduces customer dissatisfaction due to inoperative e-menus.
Hence even though UMCC can be Multi-functional, it sometimes makes sense to reduce functions.
SOS capability can be incorporated into conventional MCCs via Software.
Even if PDA, Cell phone or UMCC is not wireless enabled, it can serve to capture an assailants picture, voice and perhaps location if GPS enables, perhaps a short note by the Victim. Then one possibility is to throw the Device away from the assailant to a nearby location, or even roadside from a hijacking car, hopefully forcing the assailant to change routine to retrieve it or give up.
For wireless MCCs and UMCCs with SOS Feature, Carriers, Security firms, Watch Groups, Parents, Police, or Specialized companies, can provide SOS Service. Assailant's Voice, Picture, Video Clip, Location, and other Data such as Victim's Note can be transmitted to said Provider, who will Save all, and transmit to Police, Security Service, Victim's pre-identified relatives and or friends, for action.
This System can be modified to serve Omni Present (even Freelance) Reporters for Instant Capture and Transmit ion of newsworthy events to suitably programmed Media, such as the Internet.
Another example is a Speech to Text firmware or device as Digitizer converting a speaker's speech to text, can be sensed by A Deaf and Blind person via a preferably portable Brail Device as Realizer.
The general idea is converting any media to the media consumable by a category of disability.
Portable Talking Machine—also referred to as “E-Speech”
One method of Editing of Text prior to Audience viewing is to use available Screen Rotation Software.
The Screen is viewable by User and Audience. While typing, the Text appears in a direction suitable for User's reading (say top of each letter is towards the top of the Screen, which may be at a lower horizontal level than the bottom of the Screen as the Screen may be angled down), hence difficult for the Audience to read as it is upside down to them. Once edited for release, each piece of Text is rotated upside down, by pressing a key, for use by the Audience. This eliminates any need for extra Screen, Mirror or other Components needed for editing.
Another is to have the Text inaccessible to Audience, say by having the screen facing the User, then use the Text to Speech and Speaker for hearing Audience.
Various Methods and Flavours of Text to Speech, such as different languages, accents, notions such as cry, laugh, shout, symbols to better explain feelings or expressions than text can, etc. can be incorporated in the Mobile Talking Machine.
E-Speech allows public speech, even from pre typed text, even reading to an audience via a Scanner to convert text from a page to Text, and in turn to Speech.
E-Speech also allows augmentation of Speech with Graphs and Pictures.
E-Speech, being a type of UMCC can be Hand Held as well as carried in other forms.
E-Speech, comprising only of E-Board and Text to Speech firmware and (say paeseo-electric) Speaker, even with a OLED Screen for text would run on one or few PVF or EGS, without heavy and/or going flat battery.
E-Speech Ultra Mobility, Hands Free Carrying, One Hand Free even while typing resolves all issues.
Note that Desk Talking Machine only have limited use at home or special schools. Even a hand held one is a menace, as User must hold it all the time, unlike a PDA used a number of times per day.
Many existing conventional devices have proved unpopular because unlike UMCC, they are not Both Hands Free for Carrying, One Hand Free in Operation or lack other UMCC features.
A Custom “E-Speech”, also called “E-Talk”
A left hand operated Keyboard (2) is attached to an Electronics Board (34) which holds some or all of the Electronics (4), Speaker (6), Wireless Communicator (8), Screen (10). Screen Housing (32) is also attached on left and right sides to Photo-Cell panels (14 & 16). A thin (e.g. Polymer) rechargeable Battery (24) is attached to the underside of the Keyboard and/or the Photo-cell panel(s) and/or preferably the Screen Housing.
A necklace Band (18) suspends E-Talk from User's neck (20). A thin electronic or Mirror Monitor 30) is hinged to the Screen Housing such that it can stay at an angle that enables the User to see what is typed by looking down, for feedback.
An optional and Detachable Earphone (12) is connected by Cables (22) to the Electronics Board. Photo-cell panels (14 &16) can fold over the Screen Housing when not used.
Photo-cell panels can also be made detachable if not needed for periods of time.
The Keyboard can also fold over the Screen Housing, when not in Use.
The Monitor is hinged firmly so as to stay in desired manually adjustable angle with the Screen. Hence it can fold over the Screen when E-Talk not used.
The Keyboard, some of the Electronics, the Speaker and optionally the Wireless Communicator and/or the Earphone can be made detachable from the Screen Housing, from the snap on/off Junction (26), so that the Detached components form a simpler E-Talk, for easier use and mobility.
Such detached sub-assembly should have its small or thin Battery (24).
For said detachment to function better, one of the Photo-cell panels should be attached to its right side, so that when detached, it has its own Power Supply.
A right-hand User, having the right hand (28) free, uses the left hand to type “I Love You!”, which can be heard by the audience via the Speaker, after conversion to speech by Speech Synthesizer, and/or seen on the Screen. All components can be made Detachable and or have on/off switches.
For editing typed text prior to letting the audience see or hear it, User can activate a delayed release mechanism, to delay transfer to Speaker or the Screen, then either use the Earphone to hear or the Monitor to see his/her input, edit if necessary, before releasing to the Screen and/or the Speaker.
Mirror type Monitor should be kept at an angle which lets the User, but not the audience see the Screen, to be adjusted manually, after any editing, to let the audience see the Screen.
The Suspension Pad in
Such a narrower Suspension Pad can more easily be inserted behind Users Belt for UMCC carrying, accommodating UMCC operation without dislodging from the belt, by lifting the UMCC body to face the operator, leaving the Pad behind the belt, and finally easy removal of UMCC and Suspension pad from user's belt, when UMCC not needed.
The suspension Pad, can also be used to suspend the UMCC from any Garment Slit or Garment Loop that may be added to Garments (similar to slit or loop for holding flowers), or even Watch Wrist Band. Also, if a suitably sized (safety Pin), such as the Safety Pin introduced here (
UMCC Suspension Pad in
Suspension Pad can rest under the UMCC body, adding only sub-millimeter thickness and negligible weight, for conventional hand held use or pocket stowage.
Suspension Pad (
(
The Suspension Pad's side opposite to SP's anchored side runs through said Eastover Loop.
When UMCC is Suspended from Belt, Neck or Garment, the Suspension Pad (
Thus the UMCC's working surface and keyboard (
When not in use, Eastover Loop is manually forced to slide near the anchor side of Suspension Pad.
In folded up assembly, which may remain suspended from belt, neck or garment (
One variation of the Rubber Mechanical Hinge in
The diagonally stretched Rubber Ring (
Equiside Polygonals from 2 to any number of sides are possible, but 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 sides should have more use. Rounding the Rod's corners (
Concepts of Polygonal instead of Circular Rod and Metal Spring Ring instead of Rubber Ring can be applied to the Electro Mechanical Pivot of
A thin rigid outer tube can be used to cover the Rubber Ring in Hinges introduced here for protection, aesthetic or other purposes.
One very good form of UMCC is the “Flip” UMCC shown in
Said Form is used in some conventional Smart Phones, but have at least there serious problems.
First, conventional ones do not have a proper keyboard like E-Pad. We have separately explained the problems with conventional portable keyboards and advantages of E-Board. Ours has a proper E-Pad.
Second, they do not many of features we have introduced here, such as PVC.
Third, they are too wide, from left to right, to be held by one hand, for operation by other hand. They are desk dependent. Even dialing is difficult without a desk, as there is no handle to hold them.
This application introduces ways of solving the holding problem.
If such UMCC is roughly Credit Card Sized, when closed, even though thicker, holding it in hand will be much easier. This is not done conventionally (to applicant's knowledge), perhaps because the keyboard will be too tiny or perhaps no one thought of it . E-Board has a Credit Card Size version, called E-Card, that can be used.
Some 13×7 cm provides a good Screen and a good E-Pad, but is too large for hand span of most people. Our solution is One , better two Dents (
If a Double Hinge as in
This version can be much larger than Pocket Size, say 16×9, yet fit in a large pocket. As shown in
This application introduces a solution for hand holding of such a Mini Notebook, by deeper Dents as in the Pocket Sized UMCC or better with two cavities (
Above three UMCCs can also use Hands Free Carrying and Operational Support introduced.
This Application claims the priority of Applicant's following US Applications: No. 60/650,130 , Filing Date 7 Feb. 2005, Titled “Device for Speech Challenged ”No 60/677,326 Filing Date 4 May 2005, Titled “Ultra Mobile Communicating Computer”
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60677326 | May 2005 | US | |
60650130 | Feb 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11346434 | Feb 2006 | US |
Child | 15598014 | US |