Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCTNS98/07186
This invention claims the benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/068,280, filed December 19, 1997.
This invention relates to communication methods and devices gener-
ally, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for localized electronic
data
broadcast and reception of substantial volumes of readily updatable
information. In
addition to being capable of timely communicating large volumes of
information, the
invention is characterized by providing a user with a hand-held, portable
device for
selection, reception, storage, and retrieval of the information, and by
providing auto-
matic updating of that information at any time the device is within a local
broadcast
area. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, many transmitters can
"update"
many receivers (as those receivers travel within each transmitters range},
without the
transmitters or the receivers "knowing" where the user (carrying the receiver}
came
from or where the user is going. A user can thereby move randomly within a
cover-
age area or areas and always receive updated information on the portable, hand-
held
device.
Information has become a prevalent part of today's world. While
mankind's ability to produce information has increased dramatically, our
ability to
access that information has not kept pace. There is a growing demand to have
easy,
convenient, mobile access to real'time information which is always up-to-date.
Media such as television and radio significantly limit a user's ability to
"select" any particular information; other than changing the channel or
turning off the
TV or radio, the user has no control over what information the user views.
Pagers and
mobile telephones are useful for verbal or limited textual or similar
transmissions, but
(other than verbal transmissions), the volume of information transmitted is
relatively
small and discrete. To the extent that "large" volumes of data are
transmitted, pagers
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07I86
and mobile telephones or the like typically either cannot handle such volume,
are
unacceptably slow in receiving same, or suffer from a combination of those or
other '
problems.
Laptop or hand-held computers provide valuable access to information
stored on their hard-drives, and can be updated in a variety of ways.
Typically, how-
ever, such computers are still relatively heavy and bulky and are not readily
updatable
with large volumes of "up-to-date" information without some affixing
additional
hardware to the computer and configuring specific software to accomplish the
desired
communication. Moreover, even though wireless transmission of data can be used
for
these computers (such as through infra-red communication or the like),
typically the
laptop is not automatically updated with information from remote source.
Instead,
such wireless communication is typically a "one transmitter" to "one receiver"
situa-
tion, with the communication being specifically directed between the source
(such as
a server or computer network) and the one specific laptop computer. In other
words,
the server is not typically contemporaneously "broadcasting" the same large
volume
of data to a plurality of laptops.
To the extent such computers are becoming smaller and lighter, their
cost remains prohibitive for many users and applications. Among other things,
these
units are typically "general purpose" computers, which makes them powerful and
flexible machines but correspondingly contributes to their cost, size, etc.
While some services exist for "broadcasting" information to laptop (or
other personal) computers, those services typically require the additional
hardware
and software mentioned above, and are typically limited in the "volume" of
informa-
tion they transmit. Services that broadcast news, sports, stock market, or
Internet
address information (to laptops, pagers or the like) commonly send only a
"small"
stream of information, rather than being capable (within a practical amount of
time) of
sending graphical images or other "large" quantities of data. Some of them
require
substantial additional steps to actually use even the "small" quantity of
information;
for example, certain Internet "news" services send only the addresses of web
pages,
2
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCT/US98107186
and a user must log onto the Internet in order to actually view the
substantive infor-
mation. In other words, the "large volume" of substantive information itself
is not
transmitted to the computer as part of the wireless "update" service.
Such "broadcasting" to pagers, laptops or the like also typically is done
on a national or substantially large geographic scale. The messages are
typically not
readily customized on a local geographic level. Although to some extent paging
com-
panies can direct certain pages to all users within a region, this is limited
both in how
small a region can be and the number/amount of paging message/data. Messages
can
be sent to "groups" of users as well. Again, the limit on volume and speed is
a differ-
entiating factor from the device and system of the invention.
Printed books, maps, and the like also provide a means for storing and
retrieving information. They tend to be relatively bulky, which limits their
accessi-
bility (people typically cannot readily carry with them all the printed books
or maps
that they might foreseeably need}. It is also relatively difficult to retrieve
information
from printed books; the user must rely on his or her ability to scan the
entire contents,
or locate something using a general keyword index. The usefulness of books and
maps is further limited if the information contained therein is subject to
frequent
change; the printed materials may be out-of date shortly after they are
printed. Such
paper media can also be torn, smudged, or otherwise damaged, making it
difficult or
impossible to use the information.
Cellular telephones are useful for certain types of communication, but
only operate within certain coverage areas. Once a user leaves the coverage
area, the
telephone typically either becomes non-functional or requires entry of
additional data
or information in order to "function" within a new coverage area (the latter
process is
known as "roaming"), although at least some cellular carriers have cross
agreements
where roaming services are provided automatically.
Within the last few decades, electronic books have come into exis-
tence. One of the biggest advantages of electronic information is the speed
with
which information can be found. Computers are infinitely faster at fording any
or all
3
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PGTIUS98/07186
occurrences of specified data. However, as indicated above, accessibility is
still at
least somewhat of a problem. Some electronic information can only be accessed
using expensive, non-portable computers. While new smaller portable computers
have made this easier in recent years, they still do not address the critical
issue of
having up-to-date information. In order to achieve this portability, the user
must take
a copy of the electronic information with him in some electronic form. There
has
been no easy means to update this information in real time. The user is still
typically
restricted to using information that may be out-of date very soon after being
pub-
lished.
As also indicated above, technology to allow wireless transmission of
this data has been widely available for the past few years. However, this
technology
is practical only for very small sets of information, and is generally limited
to a one
transmitter to one receiver scenario. The time required to transmit a large
set of
information to many users is excessive, in itself defeating (or at least
somewhat limit-
1 S ing) the purpose of having real time up-to-date information. Moreover, as
further
indicated above, the technology tends to be prohibitively expensive for many
users
and applications.
Obiects a_n_d dv n ages of t_h_e Inv , tiow
It is, therefore, an object of our invention to provide a method and
apparatus for easy, convenient, mobile access to substantially large volumes
of real
time information which is always up-to-date. Preferably, the apparatus and
system
permits a plurality of users to utilize the system simultaneously via their
own hand-
held devices or units.
Prior art wireless communications systems typically transmit in the
range of 19,000 to 28,000 bits/second. Cellular telephone technology just
coming
onto the market can approach 115,000 bits/second. Most pagers transmit at 9600
bits/second or lower, although some recent models have the capacity for up to
19,000
4
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/t1S98/071$6
to 28,000 bits/second. Satellite transmissions can be up to 400,000
bits/second after
their much, much larger total bandwidth is broken down to all the users
{accordingly,
the data stream received by any individual is not large).
The aforementioned object of communicating "large" volumes of
information includes (but is not necessarily limited to) technology capable of
greater
volumes than 400,000 bits/second. In the preferred embodiment (discussed
herein),
the communication to each mobile hand-held unit can be up to 1.5-2
Mbits/second
(four to five times the aforementioned 400,000 bits/second used with satellite
trans-
mission). In a soon-to-be commercially released version (with an updated
chipset),
the volume approaches 10 Mbits/second. While this volume is small compared to
some hard-wired data transfer and communication, it is huge compared to prior
art
wireless systems such as pagers, etc.
The preferred method of distribution involves breaking down the
information into small parts (or "packets', each of which can be specifically
appli-
cable to a small geographic region. These packets are then transmitted
wirelessly only
within the selected applicable region or regions. In this way, the
transmission tech-
nology available today can sufficiently handle the "smaller" quantity of
information in
order to always provide up-to-date real time information to the users in that
region.
Any data that can be regionalized in this manner is a candidate for
benefiting from the invention. By way of example, and not by way of
limitation, such
data includes: yellow page and white page style information; local
advertising, traffic,
weather, and news; homes for sale and apartment guides; sightseeing and tour
guides;
and movie times and event guides. All these are examples of data which is
typically
most useful within a relatively defined and limited geographical region, which
tends
to change with some frequency, where fast electronic access is very
beneficial, and
which would otherwise consume volumes of printed books or documents.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a method and appa-
ratus of the aforementioned character, which uses different transmission
frequencies
5
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCTIUS98/07186
and/or data encoding methods to transmit many different sets of information to
the
particular region, for selective retrieval by users.
A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus or
device which allows for selection, reception, storage, and retrieval of the
aforemen-
tinned information being transmitted into the region. As discussed above,
there is
presently no single device which performs all these functions seamlessly. The
pre-
ferred hand-held device of the invention is designed for ease of use and
simplicity. It
is small and lightweight for convenience and mobile operation. It has a
display larger
than other mobile communications units, such as mobile telephones and pagers.
This
display preferably allows more information to be viewed at one time by the
user, and
provides good legibility.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the
aforementioned character, which includes a sufficient but simple set of keys
to operate
the various functions of the device. For simplicity, the preferred device has
two pri-
mary control keys (typically used to navigate in a standard, consistent manner
through
the various displays and menus on the mobile unit screen). In the preferred
embodi-
ment, these two buttons primarily are used for advancing and backspacing
through a
series of cards. In subroutines and other programmed aspects the mobile unit
10,
these can be used for scrolling up and down, moving left and right, moving
forward
and backwards, etc.). Ten other keys are labeled alphanumeric and allow the
user to
input all ten digits, 26 letters, and a space. Preferably, all of the keys can
be dynami-
cally programmed (the programming can be transmitted with the broadcast data),
for
example as "jump" buttons, allowing quick retrieval of related information.
Alterna-
tive user input devices (other than keys) include; by way of example and not
by way
of limitation, touch-screen input and navigation and similar technologies.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of the
aforementioned character, which includes all the necessary built-in
programming to
facilitate the basic functions of reception, storage, and retrieval.
6
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 ~ PCT/US98107186
As indicated above, a further object of the invention is the provision of
a method and device of the aforementioned character, which includes certain
data
transmitted with the ~informatioa and hidden from the user, to allow a certain
degree of
programmability of the device. This programmability can be uniquely tailored
for the
information of which it is a part, and can differ by region, set of
information, and even
down to the individual data elements of the information. For example,
information on
how long certain information must be displayed on the hand-held device, and
the
location and size of data within the display can accompany the actual
information
during transmission. Hidden data can also trigger the device to execute built-
in func-
Lions as well. Examples of such built-in functions include, without
limitation, calen-
dars, timers (such as a stop-watch}, alarms, language display (in the
preferred
embodiment, the user can configure the mobile unit to receive and/or display
in the
user's language of choice, with multiple languages being simultaneously
broadcast),
system configuration, timing for automatic shut-off of the mobile unit, etc.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable, hand-
held device or unit~designed to allow storage and retrieval of selectable sets
of infor-
mation. Each set of information can be of any nature, as long as it can be
organized
into small logical pieces (which may alternatively be called cards or
records). The
sets of information are preferably continually transmitted wirelessly, and
selectively
received by the unit. The specific set of information to be received and
stored is
determined and selected by the user at his discretion.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device or
unit of the aforementioned character usable in a system or method in which the
sets of
information transmitted are routinely updated. The unit constantly monitors
the cur
rently selected set of information to determine if it has been updated at any
of one or
more broadcasting stations. If so, the unit refreshes itself by receiving and
storing
newly transmitted "updated" information.
7
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07186
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device or
unit and method of the aforementioned character, in which the user is shovim a
mes-
sage on the unit and given a brief opportunity to postpone the refresh
process.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a device or unit and
method of the aforementioned character, in which the sets of information
available
vary by geographic region. As a unit moves from one region to another, the
unit
detects updated information (or geographically different information) and
triggers the
aforementioned refresh process.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device or
unit and method of the aforementioned character, in which the sets of
information
available to any particular hand-held unit can be restricted by encoded data
within the
information set, such as by matching a unique identification number built into
each
unit. The unit filters and/or allows storage of the set of information based
upon such a
match.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device or
unit and method of the aforementioned character, in which the system and unit
also
incorporate two-way communication (such as occurs in current cellular
telephone
systems, certain pagers, and the like). Although the invention is intended to
handle
large volumes of data, "small volumes" of data also can preferably be
transmitted and
used over the system, either in a two-way or one-way embodiment.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a device or unit
and method of the aforementioned character, in which the unit includes a
display and
a set of keys to allow the user to select and retrieve chosen pieces of
information (or
"cards"), contained in the unit's memory. In the preferred embodiment, the
user can
enter alphanumeric data by using the onboard keys. Each key represents
multiple
characters. The character chosen is determined by the number of times the key
is
pressed. Two keys are set aside to advance and backspace the character
selection.
The alphanumeric entry allows the user to retrieve matching pieces of
information,
8
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCT/US98/0~186
"cards", based upon any occurrence of the entered character string, using
built-in pro-
gramming.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a device or unit
and method of the aforementioned character, in which the unit's program will
gener-
ally operate uniformly regardless of the particular set of information stored
in the
unit's memory.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device or unit
and method of the aforementioned character, in which each "card" within a set
of
information can contain data, hidden from the user, to control one or more
functions
of the unit and/or one or more functions of keys pressed by the user while the
"card"
is displayed. This provides a certain degree of programmability within the
unit and
method. For example, the machine addresses of other "cards" within the
infonnation
set can be linked to certain key presses for quickly accessing and displaying
related
"cards," and/or the machine addresses of internal functions can be linked to
certain
key presses to quickly perform built-in routines, such as sounding an alarm
from a
built-in speaker, or selecting a different "set of information."
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device or
unit and method of the aforementioned character, in which each information
"card"
also contains data "hidden" from the user, which hidden data instructs the
unit on
display characteristics of the "card." For example, the minimum time length of
dis-
play of the card when selected, and/or the size and relative position of
characters
and/or other data within the display. Each "card" can also contain tokenized
data pre-
defined for quick single key-press searches. Persons of ordinary skill in the
art will
understand that tokenizing is a common programming technique to improve
usability
and performance of electronic databases and related systems.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a method of
localized electronic data broadcast and reception of substantial volumes of
readily
updatable information. The preferred method includes the steps of providing a
user
with a hand-held, portable device for selection, reception, storage, and
retrieval of the
9
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PGT/US98107186
information; providing at least one broadcasting source; and broadcasting the
infor-
mation from the source so that, if the user is within range, the user may
select, receive, '
store, and retrieve the information.
The broadcasting step of the aforementioned method may include
S broadcasting the information in packets, and may further include using data
encoding
methods and/or at least two transmission frequencies to transmit differing
sets of the
information for selective retrieval by the user. The step of providing a user
with a
hand-held, portable device can include providing a device having built-in
program-
ming to facilitate the basic functions of reception, storage, and retrieval.
The aforementioned method can further include one or more of the
steps of transmitting programmability data with the information, and. hiding
the pro-
grammability data from the user. The method can also include the step of
selecting
the programmability data based on the information, geographic region, set of
infor-
mation, and/or the individual data elements of the information.
Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for selec-
tion, reception, storage, and retrieval of substantial volumes of readily
updatable
locally broadcast electronic data, including: a body sized and shaped to be
easily
hand-held and portable by a user; a large, easily-read display screen
positioned on the
body for selective display of the data by the user; a plurality of keys
positioned on the
body to permit the user to select, receive, store, and retrieve the
information.
In the aforementioned apparatus, certain of the plurality of keys
includes may be primarily control keys, and others may be labeled alphanumeric
and
allow the user to input all ten digits, 26 letters, and a space. Certain of
the keys may
be programmable as "jump" buttons, allowing quick retrieval of related
information.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the following specification and the accompanying drawings, which are for the
purpose
of illustration only.
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCTNS98It17186
FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a hand-held port-
able unit for selection, reception, storage, and retrieval of certain
broadcast informa-
tion, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but illustrates the display of exemplary data
on said unit;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred method for
"handing off" connections between broadcast/communication access points. More
specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred system for organizing, storing
and distribut-
ing information from a computer server to broadcasting access points, with a
shadow
figure of a person (a user) moving through the broadcast areas with a unit
(such as
illustrated in FIGS. l and 2) and receiving and using information from the
various
broadcast points;
FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of certain aspects of the preferred
transmission technology (also described as direct-sequence spread-spectrum, or
DSSS);
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of description of the preferred
receiver unit (such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) and interface
communication used
in the preferred invention;
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a preferred overview
of the unit of FIGS. 1 or 2;
FIG. 7 is similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but illustrates a top view of a pre-
ferred embodiment of a preferred hand-held unit;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 7, taken along
line 8-8;
FIG. 9 is a back view of the device shown in FIG. 7, illustrating
(among other things) the preferred location for batteries;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 11, taken along
line 10-10;
11
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07186
FIG. l0A is an enlarged view taken along Iine l0A of FIG. 10;
FIG. 11 is a preferred housing member that may be used in connection
with the assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11A is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 11, taken along
line 1 lA-11A;
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the device shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 13 is a top view of a preferred LCD and control-button board or
panel for mounting in the housing of FIGS. 9-11;
FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 7, but illustrates one of the many alternative
embodiments of the mobile unit/receiver of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the outer shell of the device shown in
FIG. 14, taken along line 15-15; and
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the outer shell of the device shown in
FIG. 14, taken along line 16-16.
The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and
method of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of a hand-held device or mobile unit 10 is
best illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-13, and its preferred circuitry is
schematically illus-
trated in FIG. 6. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes, among
other
things, one or more of such portable, hand-held communication devices or units
10, as
well as the overall system for broadcasting and/or otherwise communicating
with one
or more such devices 10, user interaction with the device, and related aspects
of the
system.
In its preferred embodiment, the system provides consumers or users
mobile access to current information that is updated using wireless
technology. The
device and system are useful, among other things, for temporary use by persons
visit-
12
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07186
ing a certain area (they can use the device to obtain relevant local
information, con-
cerning restaurants, entertainment, tourist sites, shopping center, museums,
theaters,
transportation, and other information, as well as current news and information
and
calendars of upcoming events), or for a "permanent" user who may own or carry
their
device with them almost all the time, to have relevant, selectable, current
information
at their fingertips.
The preferred mobile unit or device 10 is a highly integrated portable
hand-held system that includes some of the most advanced circuits available.
The
mobile unit 10 preferably includes state-of the-art architecture of a low cost
single-
chip processor and a Graphical User Interface (GUI). It combines the features
of a
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Personal Information Manager (PIM), and a
Port-
able Data Terminal (PDT).
Preferably, an advanced microcontroller such as microcontroller 50
(FIG. 6) controls the mobile unit 10. In the preferred embodiment,
microcontroller 50
is a 32/16 bit controller specifically designed for the portable hand-held
market. The
preferred microcontroller 50 features a small footprint, low power consumption
and
low cost with 3.3V fully static operation. In the preferred embodiment, some
of the
key features of the microcontroller are modules such as a built-in LCD
controller 52
(FIG. 6), pulse-width modulator (PWM), timers include a real time 24 hour
clock,
master and slave serial peripheral interface (SPI), universal asynchronous
receiver/transmitter (DART). The preferred LCD controller uses system RAM
rather
than dedicated RAM for display memory, allowing faster paging, low power con-
sumption and lower cost. The Bus bandwidth used by the LCD controller is low,
thereby enabling the microcontroller core to have sufficient computing
bandwidth for
other tasks.
In the preferred embodiment, main power to the mobile unit 10 comes
from two AA batteries 54 (FIG. 6), preferably removably retained in a chamber
22 of
housing 20, FIGS. 9 and 10. One of the many alternative embodiments of the
hand-
held portable unit of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 as unit 70,
and
13
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCT/US98I491$6
includes a battery storage chamber 72 on one side of the unit. Among other
things,
this orientation can "slim" the mobile unit, making it easier to place into a
shirt
pocket, for example. Mobile unit 10 can readily include other features, such
as a flip-
over cover (not shown, but which would protect the LCD screen). Persons of
ordinary
S skill in the art will understand that any of a wide variety'of other
configurations can be
readily utilized in connection with the invention.
Thus, the unit 10 preferably includes ready and affordable power
replacement. Power is preferably stepped up and regulated to 3.3V, S.OV and -
22V
DC for the various circuits, by regulating means such as a regulator 56, FIG.
6. Per-
sons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any suitable regulation
and step-
up arrangement and settings may be effectively utilized within any particular
em-
bodiment of the invention.
The preferred receiver circuit 58, FIG. 6, uses a serial peripheral inter-
face in 32-bit packets to communicate with the "broadcasting" microprocessor
server
30, FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment, each of these packets consists of an
8-bit ID
followed by 24 bits of data, although persons of ordinary skill in the art
will under-
stand that other packeting arrangement can be effectively utilized. The
receiver soft-
ware on the microcontroller SO configures the receiver by sending a series of
configu-
ration packets (i.e., receiver control, frame assignment, and address enable
informa-
24 tion) at various times, such as when the mobile unit is turned on, when the
user
reconfigures or resets the device , and/or even as part of a relatively
continuous
response to broadcast of data. These configuration packets are preferably
stored in an
initialization buffer on the microcontroller 50. The initialization data in
that buffer is
preferably segmented by functionality into four segments: driver
initialization, notifi-
cation, message manager, filter and receiver initialization.
In the preferred embodiment, the mobile units 10 preferably save
power (and conserve battery life) by "waking up" at predetermined intervals
which
coincide with the broadcast intervals. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will under-
stand that the particular interval for "wake up" can be varied over the course
of any
14
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99133193 PCT/US98/0~186
given day, and that a constant update (as opposed to periodic) is possible,
subject to a
greater drain on the battery power. In the current embodiment, the largest
power
drain on the mobile units 10 occurs during these intervals of "receiving"
broadcast
updates; although the user's operation of the unit (to search, review, etc.)
consumes
some battery energy, the amount is relatively small in comparison.
The preferred process of receiving and processing data generally con-
sists of two stages. In the first stage, the interrupt service routine on the
microcontrol-
ler SO receives raw data from the mobile unit's receiver 58 (via an antenna 60
and
intervening circuitry, such as the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 6). Every
time the
receiver 58 has new data, it asserts an interrupt to the microcontroller 50.
The micro-
controller 50 acknowledges the interrupt with the interrupt handler. The
interrupt
handler on microcontroller 50 then receives raw data via serial peripheral
interface
communication (see FIG. 5) from the mobile unit's receiver 58 and stores the
data in a
circular queue. In the second stage, the microcontroller 50 periodically calls
the
receiver function to read data out of the circular queue. The mobile unit's
receiver 58
then analyzes and assembles the original "page" to be displayed on the LCD .
The preferred microcontroller 50 uses a timer interrupt to check the
two pointers for new data in the circular queue. If the receiver 58 finishes
assembling
the original page and no other fragment of the page is expected, the receiver
58 noti-
fees the microcontroller 50. The microcontroller 50 then places the new page
in the
mobile unit's main memory buffer (on microcontroller 50) for access by the
user.
The preferred method of user interaction and manipulation of the
information in the mobile unit 10 is via a keyboard 12 (FIGS. 1,2, 7 and 13).
Persons
of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of a wide variety of
interface tech-
nologies may be effectively utilized in connection with the invention,
including touch-
screen or the like.
In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard 12 is an array of two rows
by 6 columns (12 position) membrane switches, although persons of ordinary
skill in
the art will understand that any of a variety of keyboards and keyboard
arrangements
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07186
may be effectively utilized in the invention. The keyboard 12 is the preferred
main
interface between the user and the mobile unit's microcontroller 50. While
waiting
for user requests, the mobile unit's microcontroller 50 periodically scans the
keyboard
12. If the microcontroller 50 is in its sleep (low power) mode and a key on
keyboard
I2 is pressed, the microcontroller 50 becomes fully functional and turns on
power to
the LCD, displaying the first frame or "card". The mobile unit 10 then
displays
screens as requested by the user's keyboard input.
Preferably the cards transmitted and displayed in the system are images
(as opposed to just text data) which can also include hidden text, programming
and/or
tokenized data and other instructions. Users can view an image and quickly
recognize
what it is, where a computer (including one such as the mobile unit 10) have
great
difficulty recognizing and interpreting images. The prefenred use of images
allows the
mobile unit 10 to provide the user with a "highly visual" piece of
information. The
data the mobile unit 10 needs to operate is the hidden textual data behind
each card.
This blend of image and data allows the "computerization" of information only
a
human can readily understand.
In other words, the hidden data is preferably data that the mobile unit
10 can act on in a precise and consistent manner. The image data associated
with that
hidden data contains a visual message the user can act on. The image data can
also
portray or include text to be read by the user, but which is still not
"understood" by a
computer.
Such instructions may include, by way of example, programming for
what the keys 12 do when that particular screen is displayed, display
characteristics
for the screen (such as fade-in or fade-out), etc. Animations can be provided
by,
among other things, displaying a series of "card images" in a controlled
pattern of
timed display. The images can be video images, text images, or any
combination.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, although the
preferred system utilizes "image cards", the system can readily accommodate
text as
well, and can even be modified to also facilitate two-way pager or cellular
telephone
16
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
VSO 99/33193 PCTIUS98/07186
types of communication, if appropriate circuitry (not shown) is added to the
transmit-
ting (broadcasting) unit or units and the mobile receiver or receivers 10.
The preferred card images transmitted to and used in the receivers 10
can be an index, an operating system page, a menu, an advertisement, or any
graphical
display. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile unit 10 includes one or more
pages
of instructions to assist the user in operating the mobile unit 10.
Preferably, each of
the images can contain a picture of any type of information or message that a
user
might understand. The hidden data preferably contains the instructions that
the
mobile unit 10 would use to make one image "act" like a menu and another "act"
like
an index, etc. To the mobile unit 10, each "card" is treated like any other
"card" in
that the card is acted upon based upon the "instructions" in the hidden data.
The display 14 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 7) preferably is a Liquid Crystal Dis-
play (LCD), and is a 320 by 200 graphic display. Although the preferred
embodiment
uses a display that was custom designed for the mobile unit in order to meet
the
desired low power and high resolution and small footprint requirements,
persons of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of a wide variety of LCDs
or other
displays may be designed and used in the invention. Preferably, the LCD 14 is
used
to communicate the data and graphic pages/advertisements to the user that have
been
retained in the mobile unit 10's main memory. In the preferred embodiment, the
LCD
controller (microcontroller 52, FIG. 6) fetches display data directly from
system
memory on microprocessor 50, through periodic DMA transfer cycles.
As indicated above and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the preferred mobile
unit 10's receiver 58 preferably uses a standard serial peripheral interface
to commu-
nicate with the controller. The preferred interface between the two PC Boards
50 and
58 is a Iow profile IDE type connector with 10 pin by 2 row header spaced at
0.05
inch center to center (although O.I O inch center to center is also desirable
because it is
an industry standard dimension; persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand
that this can be any suitable dimension). The male side of the header is on
the solder
17
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCT/US98/07186
side of the Receiver PC Board, and the female or socket side is mounted on the
com-
ponent side of the main Controller PC Board (host).
The following signals are preferably used to-communicate with the two
devicesl(pin numbers refer to FIG. 5) (the "substance" of the signals
preferably
S remains at least similar in any particular embodiment of the invention, but
the precise
pin numbers, voltages, etc. can be modified within the parameters of any
particular
application):
Preferred Location~ Descry tn ion
RESET JP3 Header, the reset signal to the receiver.
pin 17 This pin is used
by the host software to reset the
receiver
READY JP3 Header, connected to an interrupt pin on
pin 1 the host. When
the receiver wants to send data to
the host it will
assert the READY signal until the
end of a 32-bit
transfer
SCK JP3 Header, the clock supplied by the host. This
pin I3 input pin is
connected to the SPI clock output
pin on the host
MPU
SS JP3 Header, used to select the receiver, before
pin 20 every data
transfer between the receiver and
the host MPU,
the host needs to assert SS to select
the receiver
SPRXDO JP3 Header, the signal the receiver uses to transfer
pin 9 data to the
host
SPTXDO JP3 Header, the signal the host uses to transfer
pin 5 data to the
receiver
VCC JP3 Header, the S.OV regulated DC power
pin 2
VDD JP3 Header, the 3.3V regulated DC power
pin 6
GND JP3 Header, the power ground
pin 19
The mobile unit 10 is preferably fabricated from any suitable light-
weight, rugged materials. Its screen 14 preferably is a high-resolution, pixel-
based
LCD the size of a standard business card, measuring approximately 3.5 by 2
inches.
A wide range of sizes may be effectively utilized, but this approximate size
is a good
balance between desired smallness of the overall unit 10 (which enhances
portability)
and desired "largeness" of the display 14 (which enhances readability and
effective
IS communication with the user). The user may scroll through data on the
display 14 via
I$
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99!33193 PCTJUS98/07186
the keyboard 12, illustrated as a custom 12-button membrane key pad located
near the
LCD 14.
Alphanumerics are preferably entered at the key pad 12 in a manner
similar to programming a feature telephone. Each mobile unit 10 preferably has
2-4
Mb RAM for data storage purposes. The "card" data is preferably stored on
flash
(permanent) memory and on static RAM, helping to reduce the likelihood of loss
of
data (as compared to DRAM memory storage) even while changing the batteries.
The
data is preferably displayed as bit-mapped graphics on the LCD 14.
Data is transmitted to the mobile unit 10 by one or more remote
transmitters 32, FIG. 3, connected directly (via any suitable connecting
hardware,
such as fiber optic, coaxial cable or the like) to the bus of a personal
computer or
server 30. The broadcasting network preferably includes cells 34 (typically
called
microcells), which in the preferred embodiment are similar to cellular
telephone sys-
tems. By strategically locating the cells 34, the range of connectivity of the
broadcast
1 S to the user is extended. Individual microcells 34 preferably overlap (as
illustrated in
FIG. 3) to allow continuous communication with mobile units as users move
within
the network coverage area, seamlessly "handing off' users from one cell to
another as
the users roam through a covered area. Each microcell 34 preferably provides a
range
from 100 to 300 feet, although persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that
other ranges can be readily used by appropriate selection and positioning of
transmit-
ting cells 34.
Although the words "continuous" and "continuously" are sometimes
used herein to describe the communication between the cells 34 and the units
10, the
units 10 and the system do not require literally "continuous" data
transmission. Some
transmission interruption is permissible (and desired, as indicated, to comply
with
FCC and/or other regulations), so long as relatively/virtually constant
communication
occurs.
In the preferred embodiment, the receiver 5$ uses the 2.4 GHz Spread
Spectrum band for simplicity and security reasons. Data streams are continuous
and
19
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCZ'/US98I07186
the data is approximately 2 to 4 Mbps repeated continuously. The block diagram
shown in Figure 6 denotes the preferred actual circuits. Power saving is
optimized via
on-chip power-down control lines on each device.
The antenna 60 feeds the two-stage Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) 62,
S which provides the front end and is responsible for tuning and down-converts
the
received signal to an IF level.
A monolithic dual synthesizer 64 with on-board prescalers provides
LO signals for RF and IF down conversion, based on digital phase-lock-loop
design
techniques.
The demodulator 66 is preferably a half duplex IF sub-system for
quadrature modulation applications, and contains all the necessary functions
for proc-
essing I and Q signals. The demodulator also preferably includes a High Gain
Limit-
ing amplifier, Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and baseband anti-
aliasing
and shaping filters.
The preferred Spread Spectrum Receiver circuit 58 integrates I&Q 3-
bit 44 MSPS A/D converters and all necessary baseband digital signal
processing
functions to support half duplex packed data. Differential phase shift keying
(PSK)
modulation schemes combined with programmable PN codes of up to 16 bits
produce
the necessary chip rates to provide excellent range and data rates of up to 4
MBPS.
Various components of the invention have been obtained from third
parties (some on an exclusive contractual basis), but the inventors believe
that other
sources such as Aironet, Proxim, Windata, P-Com, Solectek, Glenayne, Lucent,
E.F.
Johnson, OverLan, Symbox, Ericsson, Compuquest, and WaveLan are technically
capable of providing satisfactory substitute components, if provided the
information
set forth herein.
The microcontroller 50 is responsible for the overall control and
operation of the unit 10. This controller SO monitors the key pad l2 for user
input,
stores the incoming data in RAM, and displays the data on the LCD 14.
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PGTNS98/07186
To minimize power consumption, the micro-controller 50 preferably
includes two clocks. The first operates at low frequency and is used for basic
timing.
The second is the high-frequency clock and is used for high-speed processing.
The
low-speed clock operates most of the time, thereby conserving the battery
life. The
high-speed clock is required only when message traffic is coming to the
receiver 58.
By combining low-voltage, low-leakage ICs, and discrete components, as well as
power-down circuitry to turn off elements in the system when not in use,
battery life is
preferably extended greatly. A receive power-on control circuit detects when
the
protocol data stream is not present and generates a signal which automatically
powers
down the mobile unit 10. The preferred modulation is phase-shift keying (PSK)
because it is more power efficient than frequency-shift keying (FSK) which is
the
standard technique for FHSS.
Under this mode, the transmitter network 30, 32 continuously broad-
casts packets with embedded sequence numbers, and the receiver 58 in the
mobile unit
10 automatically synchronizes to the data being broadcast. Missing packets are
detected by comparing the embedded sequence numbers with the expected sequence
numbers. Packet error rate is also continuously calculated and used in the
unit 10 to
determine whether the data has been received successfully.
In the preferred embodiment, direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS)
generates a redundant bit pattern for each bit to be transmitted, although
persons of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that frequency hopping or any other
suitable
protocol may be utilized. Figure 4 illustrates the DSSS approach to dividing
up chip
code. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). The longer the
chip, the
greater the probability that the original data can be recovered (and,
correspondingly,
the more bandwidth required). Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged
dur-
ing transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the mobile unit 10 can
recover
the original data without the need for re-transmission. To an unintended
receiver,
DSSS appears as low-power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most nar-
rowband receivers.
21
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99l33t93 PCT/US98/07186
The preferred DSSS applies a unique approach to reduce interference
from outside sources on the desired signal. For example, the de-spreading
operation
68 multiplies the incoming signal by a local replica of the spreading
waveform. This
correlates with the desired signal to collapse it to the data bandwidth, while
spreading
all other signals. After the despread signal is filtered to the data
bandwidth, the noise
outside the new narrower band-width is discarded.
There are numerous advantages to the system of the invention.
Because of the GLTI and familiar, consistent keyboard operation, new users do
not
require special training to operate the unit 10. As described herein, a
reduced
instruction keyboard 12 is preferably used to enter instructions. The FCC does
not
require a license for operation of the preferred embodiments of the mobile
unit signal
receivers 10. As indicated above, to assist users, the preferred embodiment
includes a
set of basic operating instructions (preferably displayed when the unit is
turned on,
displayed like any other piece of information in mobile unit 10) and the
preferred two
navigation keys have consistent and prompt responses. The preferred mobile
unit 10
provides virtually instantaneous feedback to the user, allowing him/her to
more effec-
tively learn what happens when a button is pressed. The image on the screen
will be
replaced by another screen very fast. Other technology, primarily PCs, need
consider-
able time sometimes to process the user input and act on it. The preferred
mobile unit
10 accomplishes this speed improvement because it has no internal moving parts
and
works entirely within RAM, which is very, very fast - in the nanosecond range.
PCs
typically use hard drives in which most of the data is stored, and they
operate in the
millisecond range. Pages/cell phones suffer from too many buttons (or too many
functions associated with each button depending on what the user is accessing)
and
too small a display screen.
In part because the response to user input is so prompt in the preferred
embodiment, the user typically can readily perceive that the user's
instructions have
been received by the mobile unit 10. In the preferred system of the invention,
the
entire image on the LCD will change as a user moves through the cards because
the
22
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99!33193 PGTIUS98I07186
cards will be visibly different from each other. Even if that one "card"
following
another were somewhat similar, the aforementioned speed of response makes it
likely
that the user's continued pressing of the input key would fairly quickly move
to a
"different" appearing card. With most other devices, PCs in particular,
commonly
only a tiny part of the screen changes based upon the user input, and those
changes are
sometimes not perceived by the user. Certainly if the whole screen changes,
the user
notices.
The output power of the preferred wireless LAN system is very low,
much less than that of a hand-held cellular telephone. Since radio waves fade
rapidly
over distance, very little exposure to RF energy is provided to those in the
area of a
wireless system.
The network (illustrated in FIG. 3 as including PC 30 and transmitters
32 in cells 34) preferably can be installed with as many nodes as desired. In
FIG. 3,
three nodes are shown, but the system of the invention can function as a
simple one-
node system or complex large numbers of nodes and/or large physical areas by
adding
access points (such as transmitters 32) to boost or extend coverage.
By broadcasting information via the system of the invention, busi-
nesses can specifically target a geographic area with a customized message, to
attract
likely patrons. The system makes it easy for businesses to customize and
revise their
message or messages to meet their needs, and to have multiple or differing
messages
broadcasting in the same or different geographic areas.
The size of each message is limited only by the size of the mobile unit
10's display screen 14, which (as noted above) is preferably approximately 2"
high by
3.5" wide. Among other things, this is the size of a standard business card,
and
therefore has the benefit of being a familiar size. Each screenful of
information can be
described as a "page." The display 14 preferably occupies a much larger
portion of
the unit 10 than most other hand-held electronic devices, so the consumer can
easily
view each message. As indicated above, the screen 14 is graphical and can
therefore
display eye-catching images in addition to text.
23
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCTNS98/07186
A business can choose to have multiple pages to convey its message
and, using the unit's "jump button" feature, each page can be directly linked
to
another page of the business's choice. Using the preferred "hidden" data
described
herein or some equivalent technology, many helpful and eye-catching features
can be
included in the message displays. For example, each page preferably can have
its own
unique set of display characteristics, such as fade-in and fade-out, a display
pause
time, an "auto jump" feature, and the ability to pan into neighboring pages.
Using the
auto jump feature, simple animation can be added to a message. With some
simple
creativity, an interactive multiple-part message can be delivered to the
consumer (the
user of the unit 10}.
In certain applications of the invention, attached to each message are
key words that describe the business's services, features, benefits, specials,
etc. These
key words, chosen at the business's discretion, are used during the unit 10's
text
search function (a search similar to searches conducted by word processors and
within
databases, which function is preferably provided as an imbedded sub-routine in
the
mobile unit 10) to identify businesses with services matching those being
sought by
the consumer. For example, a gourmet Italian restaurant might list the key
words
"gourmet" and "Italian" along with other general terms like "food" and
"restaurant."
For very quick searches by the consumer, each main message page is also
preferably
listed in a major category such as restaurants, shopping, theater, etc.
A unique characteristic of electronic wireless distribution (such as
preferably used in the invention) is the ability to add, delete, or modify a
business's or
person's advertisement or message on demand. Such modifications require only a
simple manipulation of the database at the main server 30 (FIG. 3) to update
the
transmitted signal in any region. No longer is a business locked into one
message for
an entire year, or locked out of a publication because the cutoff date was
missed. A
restaurant can, for example, change its message each day to reflect the
special of the
day, or a theater can display how many seats are available for tonight's show,
or a
shopping center can display seasonal messages.
24
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PGT/US9810718b
In certain applications, the network can be used to divide areas into
regions to help pinpoint the delivery of a business' message to consumers
within its
locale, thereby increasing the cost effectiveness of the message. A business
can dis-
play its message in other regions as well, if it chooses.
Although the preferred embodiment uses an unlicensed broadcast
spectrum and typically only broadcasts indoors in a range of 300-1000 feet and
out-
doors for up to 1-3 miles, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that a
wide range of performance characteristics can be selected an implemented in
any par-
ticular embodiment of the invention. Among other things, the broadcasting
antenna
can be shielded and/or directionally broadcast and/or used on a line-of sight
basis, all
of which approaches can affect the size of the "local" coverage area 34 of any
particu-
lar antenna 32. Likewise, interference in the broadcast/receiving area can
affect the
geographic scope and clarity of the broadcast. Where relatively "small"
geographic
regions are targeted, correspondingly "smaller" parts of a relevant database
may be
needed for any particular broadcast. For example, broadcasting restaurants in
the
south part of a given county or city might avoid the need to broadcast all the
restau-
rants in the county, city, or neighboring counties or cities. Persons of
ordinary skill in
the art will understand that the invention permits targeting broadcasts down
to as
focused an area as a building-by-building basis.
There are several important competitive advantages for the invention
when it is used as an advertising medium, as compared to prior art
technologies.
For example, the invention allows instant and frequent changes in the
message being delivered to the patron. Changing messages can be used
creatively by
businesses to achieve higher retention and return rates by the patron, in
addition to the
more obvious circumstances like correcting misprints and easily accommodating
address changes. Furthermore, there are no missed "publishing deadlines" with
the
system of the invention, which deadlines can cause up to one-year delays in
conven-
tional print publications.
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCTNS9$/07186
The preferred graphical display of the invention allows advertisers to
present an eye-catching dynamic message to its prospective patrons, including
anima-
tion, matched only by television and the World Wide Web. The services offered
by
the cellular and paging industries (as well as wireless Internet access) are
typically
lifeless, static text-only messages.
The information in the system of the invention is up-to-date and accu-
rate. Conventional sources of certain similar information can be as much as
one year
old.
The information in the system of the invention is easy to find and use
on demand. Printed media is typically bulky and difficult to search, and
information
is not available on demand from other electronic media that is usually not
searchable
at all.
The preferred messages in the system of the invention are highly vis-
ual. The graphical nature of the display makes the images more recognizable
and
easier to comprehend than many or all competing technologies. For example,
text-
only displays with limited line length are difficult to read and remember.
The preferred unit 10 is hand-held and lightweight, making it very
portable and convenient to carry. It would be highly impractical and
undesirable to
carry all the alternative sources of information that can be contained
electronically in
each unit 10.
As described herein, one of the primary applications of the system of
the invention consists of small compact broadcast stations 32 and hand-held
light-
weight receivers 10. The broadcast stations 32 continually transmit data, and
are
strategically placed to allow automatic update of every receiver unit 10 as
those units
come into range. Although the preferred 2.4 GHz radio frequency band is
designated
for public use by the Federal Communication Commission ("FCC's (and is
therefore
not subject to FCC licensing), both the transmitters 32 and the receivers 10
must meet
certain operating specifications set forth by the FCC, and are subject to a
one-time
FCC approval process.
26
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCTII1S98/07I86
The invention can be expanded geographically into and throughout any
desired region. Major travel destinations might benefit most immediately from
the
invention, in that hotels could distribute the units 10 to persons unfamiliar
with the
area. Foreign language versions of the messages and mufti lingual images can
be
readily prepared and used.
Additional applications and markets for the technology include retire-
went communities and military bases. These communities are typically enclosed,
allowing for easy broadcast coverage, and their residents are a homogeneous
con-
sumer group with great appeal to advertisers. These markets provide several
substan-
tial advantages. First, in such circumstances the units 10 may be sold to the
users
(such as by promoting perpetual discount coupons offered by advertisers on the
sys-
tem). Such sales can substantially offset (or even exceed) the capital
required to build .
new receiving units 10. Equally as important, the potential advertiser base is
no
longer limited to those businesses targeting travelers. Such markets are a
natural
application of the invention, requiring little change to marketing strategy.
Another application of the invention involves the real estate industry.
By developing a residential real estate database specifically for realtors,
the invention
can be used to provide to realtors instant and up-to-date access to
information regard-
ing a home for sale (such as while the realtor is driving a prospective
homebuyer
through the neighborhood). In such applications, receiving units 10 can be
provided
to realtors for a monthly fee. Realtors can also be charged a fee for each
home they
listed in the system database.
Many potential custom applications exist. For example, the invention
can be used at trade shows, on cruise ships, at sporting events, in gaming
settings
(sports-book and race track reporting), in large commercial facilities, and at
other
public gatherings to deliver information wirelessly and in real-time, either
on a tempo-
rary or permanent basis. "Permanent" installations would include, by way of
exam-
ple, broadcasting antennas installed in hotels or other buildings on a
"permanent"
basis. Temporary installations can be readily and affordably achieved with the
inven-
27
CA 02314260 2000-06-09
WO 99/33193 PCTNS98/07186
tion (such as at sporting events, etc.), because the invention is so much more
"mobile"
than prior art "broadcasting" systems. Typical broadcasting antennas usable in
the
system (such as those that can be made by persons with skill in the art of
antennas and
transmitter boards can collapse so small that the antenna, computer, and
connecting
S hardware (e.g., a "broadcasting network" equivalent to network 30, 32 of
FIG. 3) can
all be transported in a suitcase' or even a briefcase. The antenna can even be
"built
onto" the transmitter board, thereby eliminating any components external to
the PC.
The broadcasting network components can be installed and removed in less than
one
day, whereas typical licensed spectrum transmitters take at least several
months for
the installation process (to obtain permits, construct the installation,
etc.).
Enough broadcasting facilities 32 in a given area provide blanket cov-
erage for the system. Such blanket coverage allows any user, not just a
visiting guest,
to use the receiving unit in his area. As discussed above, information can be
custom-
ized and targeted to specific areas. As the user enters a region, the unit 10
can auto-
1 S matically load updated information specific to the area. This effectively
expands the
usefulness of the invention to the entire local population and allows the
units 10 to be
marketed to consumers in general.
The future potential applications beyond this are virtually unlimited.
Serving the information delivery business, every setting where a large
quantity of
information is needed in a timely and accurate manner represents a future
opportunity
for the invention.
Although the apparatus and method of the invention have been
described with some particularity, the specific designs, constructions and
steps dis-
closed are not to be taken as delimiting of the invention. Among other things,
various
modifications will at once make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the
art, all of which will not depart from the essence of the invention and all
such changes
and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the
appended
claims.
28
