GB2461295A

GB2461295A - Mobile Telephone and associated personal entertainment system.

Info

Publication number: GB2461295A
Application number: GB0811730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joost Arie Van Poederooyen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-26
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: GB0811730D0

Abstract

A mobile telephone (21) is provided with a conventional control panel (22) but has an optical mouse (27) located in its back casing (23). Its front casing (25) carries a scroll wheel (31), an 'A' click button (32) and a 'B' click button (33). An internet signal together with signals from the mouse (27), the buttons (32, 33) and the scroll wheel (31) are passed through a wired or wireless connection to a separate optical graphics display (36). The associated personal entertainment system can also include a external keyboard, a docking station, a pair of game controls and a pair of earphones.

Description

MOBILE TELEPHONE AND ASSOCIATED PERSONAL

ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mobile telephone and to an entertainment system incorporating such mobile telephone and other devices.

Background of the Invention

Users of currently available mobile telephones want more mobility in their personal computing world and try to achieve this by connecting their lap-top computer to their mobile telephones. Unfortunately, lap-tops are too large and bulky to match the take me everywhere, always' characteristic of mobile telephones.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of this invention a mobile telephone is provided with means for transmitting internet signals to a separate optical graphics display, and an integral mouse device for driving a cursor in the optical graphics display.

In this manner a mobile telephone, in addition to its normal function of transmitting and receiving telephone calls and messages, is able to drive a significantly larger external screen and to serve as the mouse for this external screen, without incurring the mass, bulk or cost of a lap-top.

The mobile telephone preferably comprises a casing has a telephone control panel, the mouse device is an optical mouse positioned in one surface of the casing, and the opposite side of the casing carries right click, left click and scroll controls for the separate optical graphics display.

The means for transmitting internet signals may be either a wireless interface or a line connector.

According to another aspect of the invention a personal entertainment system comprises such a mobile telephone and a separate optical display.

The separate optical display preferably has an SD port for memory storage.

The separate optical display is preferably in the form of a thin LCD screen.

The personal entertainment system may include a docking station operable to support the separate optical display. The docking station preferably carries a charging line for charging a battery of the mobile telephone. The docking station is preferably provided with at least one pair of speakers.

The personal entertainment system preferably includes a keyboard arranged to control the optical display. This keyboard is preferably formed from a flexible LCD sheet that can be rolled up whilst not in use. Alternatively, the keyboard may be formed from a thin, flat membrane preferably of the same general dimensions as the optical display.

The personal entertainment system preferably includes a pair of game controls each game control incorporating a thumb pad controller, A and B buttons and an index finger grip. Optionally a pair of earphones may be connected to the system.

Other features of this invention will be appreciated from the following description of the invention, which is by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a mobile telephone incorporating features of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the mobile telephone of Figure 1 showing the front cover open; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile telephone of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a frontal perspective view of a separate optical graphics display to receive internet signals from the mobile telephone shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a container for storing the optical graphics display of Figure 4 and for providing an operating surface for the mobile telephone shown in Figures 1 to 3: Figure 6 is a frontal perspective view of a docking station for supporting the optical graphics display shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the docking station shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a frontal perspective view of a keyboard for controlling the graphics display shown in Figure 4; Figure 9 is a frontal perspective view of the keyboard shown in Figure 8, illustrating its rolled-up storage configuration; Figure 10 is a plan view of a controller incorporating a pair of game control; Figure 11 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the game controls taken in the direction of arrow 20 in Figure 10, and Figure 12 is a plan view of a pair of earphones.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a mobile telephone is indicated generally by arrow 21 and is generally of the size and shape as a conventional mobile telephone, comprising an unshown mobile chip under the control of a generally conventional control panel 22 supported by a back casing 23 connected by a hinge 24 to a front casing at 25 which supports a conventional telephone screen 26. The casings 23 and 25 can be closed by relative rotation about their common hinge 24 to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 3. As described to this point, the mobile telephone 21 is operable as a conventional stand alone mobile telephone and/or IP telephone.

The invention is achieved by the provision of a mouse device, in the form of an optical mouse 27 imbedded in a surface 28 of the back casing 23, and the provision of a means for transmitting internet signals, in the form of an USB port 29 positioned through a side surface 30 of the back casing 23. The construction and operation of an optical mouse and a USB port are very well known in the art so there is no need to describe them.

The front casing 25 is also used to mount a set of screen controls comprising a scroll wheel 31 together with an A click button 32 and a B click button 33 as shown in Figure 1. The function of scroll wheels and A and B click buttons is well-known from the art of lap-top computers so there is no need to describe their construction and operation apart from drawing attention to their being mounted on the mobile telephone 21 rather than on a lap-top computer.

In operation, the mobile telephone 21 is used to receive internet signals and to transmit them through the USB port 29, through an unshown USB line connector cable, to a USB port 34 in a frame 35 of a separate optical graphics display 36 illustrated in Figure 4. The mobile telephone 21 also serves as a cursor interface device by transmitting signals from the scroll wheel 31 and click buttons 32, 33 through the USB port 29 to the USB port 34 of the optical graphics display 36. If desired, the optical mouse 27 may be replaced by any other compatible mouse device; also the transmission of internet signals and signals from the scroll wheel 31 and buttons 32, 33 may be effected wirelessly in any manner known in the art, such as a WI-Fl chip [for instance Bluetooth], thereby removing the need for the USB ports 29, 34 and the associated USB connector cable. The mobile telephone 21 will typically use applications such as those known as Mobile 6, Mobile Office, movies, pictures, games etc. The mobile telephone 21 will have provision for an AC/DC charger, an USB in port, an SD port, an Audio out port for a headset, and a Video out port. These ports are preferably through the unshown USB line connector cable or a WI-Fl connection to the optical graphics display 36.

With further reference to Figure 4, the frame 35 of the separate optical graphics display 36 supports a display screen 37 conveniently having dimensions of 4 inches by 7 inches [10cm by 18cm] thereby providing a large mobile screen to enhance the pictures transmitted by the mobile telephone 21. The screen 37 may be in the form of a one-piece thin LCD screen supported peripherally by the frame 35. However, the frame 35 and the screen 37 may be of a folding or sliding design either to achieve a larger screen size or to enable it to be stowed into a smaller size. An SD port 38 is formed in the top of the frame for receiving an unshown memory card typically providing up to 16 gig of memory storage.

The electronic connections between the LCD screen 37, the SD port 38 and the USB port 34 [or WI-Fl connection to the mobile telephone 21] are entirely conventional to achieve full functionality of the optical graphics display 36 and associated equipment that will be described hereinafter. The frame 35 rests on its bottom edge 39, as illustrated, and an adjustable rest device 40 is provided to support the optical graphics display 36 at a desired angle. The screen 37 and its frame 35 therefore have inlout USB ports, SD ports, connections to an AC/DC charger and to the mobile telephone 21, and an Audio Out for a headset or fixed speakers.

Figure 5 shows a protective case 41 for carrying the optical display device 36.

When not in use, the upper surface of the case 41 serves as a mouse pad 42 to ensure reliable cursor action by the optical mouse 27 of the mobile telephone 21, whilst protecting it from abrasive surfaces.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, a docking station 43 for the display screen 37 comprises a moulding of plastics material defining an upwardly facing channel 44 for cradling the bottom edge 39 of the screen frame 35, and a pair of lobes 45, 46 housing a pair of speakers 47, 48. The bottom edge 39 of the screen frame 35 is provided with a seat' connection comprising unshown electrical ports for receiving complementary unshown electrical connectors positioned within the channel 44 thereby providing a functional interconnection between the display screen 37 and the docking station 43. The latter is also provided with a battery charger lead 49, an RJ45 connector 50 for connectivity, USB ports 51, 52 and 53, a DC input 54, an AC input 55, and an unshown stereo out jack. The docking station 43 facilitates long term in My room' connectivity, the battery charger lead 49 providing charging of the mobile telephone 21 whilst in use.

The built in speakers 47, 48 provide an enhanced computing, movie and/or gaming experience thereby achieving a real' computer feel and experience using just the mobile telephone 21, the optical graphics display 36 and the docking station 43.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a keyboard 56 having a standard array of keys and a wire line cable 57 for plugging either into the mobile telephone 21 or into one of the USB ports 51, 52 or 53 of the docking station 43. The keyboard 56 is of small to mid-size when compared with a standard computer keyboard for convenient chicken pecking' typing. Whilst the keyboard 56 may be of rigid construction, it preferably is in the form of a flexible LCD sheet that can be rolled up when not in use, as shown in Figure 9. Such flexible LCD sheet may be a continuation of a flexible LCD sheet forming the display screen 37.If desired, the keyboard 56 may be of any convenient folding construction.

Alternatively, the keyboard 56 could be formed as a thin, flat membrane which is preferably of the same general dimensions as the optical display.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a pair of game controls 58, 59 to produce signals via a wire line cable 60 terminating in a plug 61 for connection to the mobile telephone 21 or the docking station 43 in order to control respective images on the display screen 37. Each of the game controls 58 and 59 carries an A' button control 62, a B' button control 63 and a thumbpad controller 64 of which the respective functions are well-known in the art. From Figure 10 it will be noted that each of the game controls 58, 59 is provided with an index finger grip 65 for locating the game control in a player's hand.

Figure 12 shows an accessory in the form of a pair of earphones 66, 67 permanently connected to a wire line 68 terminating in a plug 69 for connection either to the mobile telephone 21 in the event that the optical graphics display is to be used without a docking station 43, or to the docking station 43 to over-ride the speakers 47 and 48 to reduce ambient noise.

Returning to Figure 1, it will be noted that the front casing 25 includes a display window 70 showing whether the mobile telephone 21 is connected to the optical graphics display 36 [the Doggi' as will shortly be explained] and also displaying the time. The front casing also carries the designation CAT' which will also be explained shortly.

This invention provides a unique mobile telephone 21 and also a personal entertainment system comprising the mobile telephone 21 coupled with at least the optical graphics display 36, and optionally additionally coupled with the docking station 43, the keyboard 56, the game controls 58, 59 and the earphones 66, 67.

This personal entertainment system provides a light weight mobile system which does not require the use of a lap top computer thereby greatly reducing the logistics of its relocation. As it does not use a lap top or any other computer, the system is less costly and will appeal to a wider market. This mobile system is equally suitable for at home' or in My room' use.

Whilst this personal entertainment system is intended for the youth demographic, it will also be of significant interest to business people. Both of these groups will already be customers for smart phones, blackberries and iPhones and can readily upgrade to the unique mobile telephone taught by this invention as it will be of the same general size and mass as their current hardware but will enable the use of its personal entertainment system without requiring the use of a separate computer. The only extra hardware required is the collapsible optical graphics display 36 which can conveniently be stowed in protective case 41 together with any of the other components that may be desired.

Because the primary market is to be the youth demographic, it is intended to market the various components under trade marks that will appeal to them.

In view of the overall provision of Personal Entertainment Technology and its mobility, the personal entertainment systems will be generically marketed under the trade mark ROAMER PETS.

As the word PETS infers animate creatures, I shall build on this by marketing the individual components under the following trade marks:-CAT for the mobile telephone 21 as it provides Computer Access Technology.

DOGGI for the optical graphics display 36 as it provides a Digital Optical GrandÃ� Graphics Interface.

DOGGI Bag for the protective case 41 for the DOGGI.

KITTI for the keyboard 56 as it provides a Keyboard Input Tandem Technology Interface.

BIRD for the docking station 43 as it provides a Battery Interface Recharging Dock.

CAT Tail for the battery charger lead 49 to the BIRD.

BUGS for the game controls 58, 59 as they are a Button Under Gamer System.

FLEAS for the eaiTphones 66, 67 as they provide a Fidelity Listening Entertainment Audio System.

I envisage that the intended use of these trade marks will provide the youth demographic with a language that will greatly facilitate the introduction of this new technology.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A mobile telephone provided with means for transmitting internet signals to a separate optical graphics display, and an integral mouse device for driving a cursor in the optical graphics display.
2 A mobile telephone, as in Claim 1, having a casing supporting a telephone control panel, in which the mouse device is an optical mouse positioned in one surface of the casing, and the opposite side of the casing carries right click, left click and scroll controls for the separate optical graphics display.
3. A mobile telephone, as in Claim 1 or 2, in which the means for transmitting internet signals is chosen from the group containing a wireless interface and a line connector.
4. A personal entertainment system comprising a mobile telephone, as in any preceding claim, and a separate optical display.
5. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 4, having an SD port for memory storage.
6. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the separate optical display is in the form of a thin LCD screen.
7. A personal entertainment system, as in any of Claims 4 to 6, including a docking station operable to support the separate optical display.
8. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 7, in which the docking station carries a charging line for charging a battery of the mobile telephone.

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9. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 7 or 8, in which the docking station is provided with at least one pair of speakers.
10. A personal entertainment system, as in any of Claims 4 to 9, including a keyboard to control the optical display.
11. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 10, in which the keyboard is formed from a flexible LCD sheet that can be rolled up when not in use.
12. A personal entertainment system, as in Claim 10, in which the keyboard is formed from a thin, flat membrane of the same general dimensions as the optical display.
13. A personal entertainment system, as in any of Claims 4 to 12, including a pair of game controls, each game control incorporating a thumb pad controller, A and B buttons and an index finger grip.
14. A personal entertainment system, as in any of Claims 4 to 13, including a pair of earphones.