EP1141853A1

EP1141853A1 - Reader for standards and codes stored in electronic form

Info

Publication number: EP1141853A1
Application number: EP99964736A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Gasnault; Thierry Jacomet; Frédéric Seneczko
Original assignee: Gasnault Jean; Jacomet Thierry; Seneczko Frederic
Current assignee: DE NEUVILLE, HENRI; Gasnault Jean; Jacomet Thierry; SENECZKO, FREDERIC
Priority date: 1998-12-30
Filing date: 1999-12-29
Publication date: 2001-10-10
Also published as: JP2002539510A; WO2000041086A1; FR2788147B1; US6957316B1; FR2788147A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for storage and search of textual and graphic data in electronic form, said device comprising display means (9), user-interface means (3), control means (11), means for storing (5) said data, means for selecting data to be displayed according to the user's instructions. The invention is characterised in that it comprises a multiplexed address bus (10).

Description

Reader of standards and codes stored in electronic form

The present invention relates to the field of devices for storing and retrieving information in electronic form. It relates more particularly to a reader for texts of standards, codes etc., of a format equivalent to that of a book.

Devices for storing and retrieving information in electronic form are already known, such as for example "organizers", pocket microcomputers, electronic translators, etc.

These devices have the drawback of still having relatively limited memory capacity, and as a corollary of not allowing access to a very large volume of information in a sufficiently rapid time. Finally, they are relatively expensive and therefore their field of use remains limited.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above.

To this end, it proposes a device for storing and searching for text and graphic information in electronic form, said device comprising a display means, a user interface means, a control means, a means of memorizing said information, a means select information to be displayed according to the instructions of a user, characterized in that it comprises a multiplex address bus.

The product makes it possible to automatically search for an article or text, based on a numerical or alphabetical data, entered manually on the keyboard

For example for a doctor, looking for a medicine or of a counter indication of this, or the search by subject for literal or digital information, will be done by means of an alphabetical data entered on the keyboard.

For a lawyer, the search for a text of law will be done by the acquisition of a numerical data entered on the keyboard

In order to simplify the architecture of the device and reduce its cost, the control means is preferably an eight-bit processor associated with a P.P.I (Intelligent Programmable Device).

According to the preferred embodiment, it comprises an internal communication bus of the I2C type.

In order to allow taking into account regularly updated data, the storage means is a memory card extractable from the housing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a printer port.

It is understood that, the device according to the invention being originally equipped with an RS232C printer output at 9600 Bauds, the data thus viewed can be printed, which is particularly useful in the case of searching for an article of law or of a text of case law for example. The invention also relates to a method of searching for text or graphic information stored in electronic form, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- when the device according to the invention is opened (with a memory card already inserted in its slot), a step in which the memory database gives as starting information the number of pages to be displayed and the starting address text mode,

- a time-out step making it possible to detect if a long delay without entering keyboard data occurs,

- in this case, a step of access to the database in graphic mode containing for example advertising screens or other information, and as long as all the images have not been displayed, or that no keystroke keyboard is not detected, maintains display graphic,

- if a key is pressed or all the images have been displayed, a return to the initial step, to the memory database and to the first page displayed (a page presenting the content of text memory for example),

- during the keystroke processing, the course of a succession of hierarchical menus allowing access either to the graphical information, or to the various stored information, and, in a chosen set of information, to access a particular page, - browse using the front and back pages keyboard, or directly select an item from a list.

The description and the drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given below, will make it possible to better understand the aims and advantages of the invention. It is clear that this description is given by way of example, and is not limiting. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically represents the device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the device,

- Figure 3, illustrates the interface keyboard, - Figure 4 shows the organization of the memory card

- Figure 5 shows the organization of the microcontroller card

- Figures 6 and 7 show the operating flowchart of the device according to the invention.

Description As can be seen in FIG. 1, a device according to the invention is in the form of an openable box 1, of substantially parallelepiped shape, the size of a pocket book, or also of a legal code. . In the example described, its dimensions are substantially as follows: height = 28 mm, width = 70 mm, length = 115 mm, weight <250 g '

It has a lower part 2 on which a keyboard 3 is accessible for the input of instructions by the user. The lower part 2 also comprises on its edge a slot 4 adapted to the insertion of a memory card 5 (not visible in the figure), containing data representative of texts, for example articles of laws, or normative texts, stored in the form electronics in memory components. The lower part 2 of the housing 1 has on its front face, on the one hand, a socket 6 for the connection of a conventional electric power cable, for example of the 9V continuous type, and, on the other hand, a port printer

7 allowing connection to a printer, via a traditional PC printer cable, such as RS 232C. The box 1 also comprises an openable upper part 8, comprising a flat screen 9. The device is started up either by a conventional switch (not shown), or by detection of the opening of the box 1.

The articulation of the two parts 2, 8 of the housing 1 is carried out in a manner known to those skilled in the art. It allows the flat screen 9 to be oriented in a wide range of angles relative to the lower part 2 of the housing 1, for the comfort of the user.

With regard to the internal architecture of the device, shown schematically in FIG. 2, the main difficulty, without taking into account the search for automatic adaptation and identification methods for the themes, is linked to the means to be implemented for being able to address several megabytes with a technology which can be expensive, with a minimum of connections, and having a high speed of execution, a low power consumption, a reduced volume / weight ratio in order to be able to be transportable and, to have possibilities of extensions to various options, or adaptations.

The memory size necessary to store a text such as for example the penal code is approximately 1 Megabytes. In the case of storage of

8 legal codes, the minimum capacity must then be approximately 8 Mega-bytes, that is to say 64 Mega-bits, one byte being the equivalent of a letter.

In binary this represents 2 (23) (2 power 23), that is to say that an address bus must have at least twenty-three connections to a card memory 5, eight connections for a data bus, two connections for a power supply 12, and four control connections (for commands of type / CS, / RD, ΛΛ / R, / E), processor technology 1 1 for this type of addressing and then at least 32 bits. The disadvantages of this 32-bit technology are the volume (in PLCC there are 68 connection tabs), and the significant electrical consumption (50 mA).

Since the memory card 5 must be removable in order to be able to offer a subscription contract of the updated data type to the users, the connection should moreover in this philosophy have at least 37 connections. It is clear that this option is prohibitive in terms of complexity and cost of implementation.

Consequently, the device uses a multiplex address bus 10, so as to be able to reduce the size of the processor 11. With multiplexing addressing, it is possible to use an eight-bit processor associated with a PPI (Intelligent Programmable Device) , the addressing is a maximum of 2 (24), i.e. 16 Megabytes.

The device uses a microcontroller 1 1 having its own P.P.I (Intelligent Programmable Device), in RISC technology and an internal architecture called HARVARD. In fact, the other conventional processors, of the 6800 (Motorola brand), Z80 (Zilog brand) or 80C196 (Intel) type operate with a common architecture, called VON-NEWMANN, but this old architecture has many faults when performance and speed of execution must be combined.

The microcontroller 11 chosen, in the device described by way of example, is a PIC16C5X from the company MICROCHIP, it is organized in 12-bit words, which makes it possible to code on a single word the instruction and the operand or its address (in the broad sense of the term). The product code is therefore very compact.

The data from the main memory of the microprocessor (used to execute the main program, which calls data stored in the other memories) then enter an instruction decoder which acts simultaneously on the microcontroller 11 or a counter ordinal. The clock frequency is set by a quartz at 20 MHz in the example described.

The choice of the communication bus conditions the number of connections to the memory card 5, and the possibility of upgrading the machine. The device according to the invention uses an internal communication bus.

For the device according to the invention, the bus 10 chosen is the I2C bus developed by Philips. Many peripherals have been developed by various companies for this bus: real-time clock, RAM memories, E2PROM, input / output module, drivers, etc., which makes it possible to envisage possible extensions for the device.

The power supply 12 of the device according to the invention is provided by a rechargeable battery or accumulator. In the case of use with an accumulator, recharging the latter with a suitable charger uses the power supply socket 6 located on the front of the device.

The internal power supply of the device uses a switching regulator (400 Khz) at constant power, to transform the electric voltage of the cell or battery into 5V. An indicator light visible on the front of the keyboard, to inform the user that the energy available in the battery or accumulator is low, and that a change of battery or recharging of the accumulator is necessary as soon as possible deadlines. The total consumption is around 15 mA for a supply voltage of 9V.

The battery or accumulator have, in the example described without limitation the following characteristics: dimensions I 26.5 x h 17.5 x W 48.5 mm, weight = 38 g, voltage 9V at 550 mA

The autonomy of the device according to the invention with an accumulator is then approximately 30 hours.

The numeric keypad 3 has 18 keys according to the following list of functions: Keys from “0 to 9” 13 for numeric entry.

"Printer" button 14 to order a paper print.

“+” Key 15 to order a screen page advance. “-” key 16 to order a page return.

“Valid” button 17 to validate a data.

"Return" key 18 to request a return to the main menu.

Touch " . »19 separator of digital data. Screen contrast adjustment by two keys (not shown)

The keyboard 3 (FIG. 3) can be produced in different technologies. The device according to the invention uses a flat keyboard, also known as a "sandwich keyboard", of a type known per se.

The dimensions of the keyboard are: L 105 mm x 160 mm x h 1 mm. The advantages of this type of keyboard are: diversity in the shape of the keys, choice of available colors, keyboard height (1 mm), low manufacturing cost.

The keyboard 3 comprises at the top a light-emitting diode 20, the ignition of which characterizes a low voltage of the battery or of the accumulator, according to a conventional arrangement.

The flat screen 9 used by the device is of the liquid crystal type

(L.C.D.). It displays 10 lines by 26 characters in text mode, and in graphic mode 160 by 80 pixels. It can for example be of the type marketed under the name DGI 6080 of the DATA-VISION brand. With this type of display, it is possible to display letter symbols with accents.

The device according to the invention has, as we have seen, a printer port 7, thus making it possible to write on thermal paper or other paper (depending on the connected printer), the information displayed on the flat screen 9.

The characteristics of a printer compatible with the device must be:

1) RS232C 9600 Bauds reception speed,

2) buffer (buffer) of at least 512 bytes,

3) connecting cable of length less than 10 Meters.

Each extractable memory card 5 uses, as explained, the I2C communication bus. The organization of each memory card 5 is as follows. The card 5 is of generally rectangular format, for example of size 5 cm × 10 cm approximately, and is intended to be introduced into the housing 1 by sliding inside of it, in the direction of its length.

The card 5 is produced in the form of a four-layer printed circuit 21 (FIG. 4), on which are installed memory components

22, 23. In the example described here, eight memory components 22 are used to store the information, texts and graphics that can be consulted by the user. A memory component 23 serves as an identification and personalization memory for the memory card 5. The printed circuit 21 also supports a decoder component

24, intended for selecting memories, and I2C bus decoder components. Three bus decoder components 25 are used for addressing the memories, a bus decoder component 26 is used for transferring the memory information read in the memory components 22 to the I2C bus.

The memory card 5 has on a wafer a strip of connectors 27 for its connection to the device when it is inserted into the housing 1.

The embodiment of the card and the choice of components are of conventional type for those skilled in the art.

In order to reduce the memory size of the stored information, the text information is in the example described here stored in the form of text only (ASCII format).

The microcontroller 11 is placed on a microcontroller card 28 (illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5) which manages the entire device.

The microcontroller card 28 is arranged in the lower part 3 of the housing 1, under the keyboard 3, and is of generally rectangular shape.

It is produced in the form of a conventional four-layer printed circuit, and comprises, in addition to the microcontroller 11: - a keyboard encoder component 29, which ensures the coding of the keyboard and manages the anti-bouncing of the keys,

- an RS232C 30 link component, which adapts the signals logic from the microcontroller 1 1 for the serial link with a printer,

a switching regulator 31, for supplying the device,

- a "watchdog" component 32, intended to permanently monitor the correct running of the program, to monitor the supply, to manage the reset and power up of the device,

a light-emitting diode 33 for signaling a low battery,

- a connector 34 for battery charger, - a connector for RS232C link 35,

- a connection strip 36 to the keyboard 3,

- a screen connector 37,

- a memory card connector 38 5, placed under the microcontroller card 28 - on the underside of the slides 39, 40 facilitating the guiding of a memory card 5 during its insertion into the housing 1.

This microcontroller card 28 is developed in accordance with the requirements of the standards for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directive 89/336 and directive 92/31. Operation

The operating mode of the device is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

When the device according to the invention is opened (with a memory card already inserted in its slot), the memory database gives as starting information the number of pages to be displayed and the starting address for text mode (step E1).

A delay step E2 makes it possible to detect if a long delay without entering keyboard data occurs.

In this case, the device accesses the database in graphic mode (step E3), giving the number of images to be displayed and the starting address, and which contains for example advertising screens or other information. As long as all the images have not been displayed, or no keystroke is detected, the graphic display continues. On the contrary, if a key is pressed (step E4) or all the images have been displayed, the program returns to step E1, to the memory database and to the first page displayed (a page presenting the content of text memory for example).

When processing a keystroke (step E5), a succession of hierarchical menus provides access either to the graphical information (return to step E3) or (step E6) to the different codes stored (in the case of memorization of legislative codes), and, in a chosen code, to access a particular page (step E7), identified for example by a law article number in a list.

More specifically, when an entry has been typed on the keyboard by the user (step E5), corresponding to a choice of legal code or theme for example, the ZRS Contents Recognition Zone, on 8 bytes

(bytes), used to define the number of pages to display, and the corresponding memory allocation.

A new keystroke by the user is then expected, and a time delay of 50 seconds without reaction eventually brings back to the database in graphical mode.

The ZMI Identification Memory Area, on 16 bytes, then defines the number of the table of contents chosen, the code number, the address for the end of the requested article, the address for the start of article 1 or of text, and the items memory address. Finally, the ZMA Articles Memory Zone, on 8 bytes, which includes a 2 bytes articles zone, and articles memory address zones (on 3 bytes), allows the display of the requested information (chosen article for example).

When entering data by the user, the keyboard then allows either to scroll the pages back and forth with the "+" and "-" keys (15 and 16), or to directly select an item from a list by entering numbers on the numeric keypad (keys 0 to 9). This operation is managed by a program, stored in a memory of the microcontroller card 28, and executed by the microcontroller 11.

Variants

The device according to the invention being equipped with an I2C internal communication bus 10, the options offered can be multiple.

For example, it is possible to control several screens for the use in a digital pocket book, to have information via an operator to be able to be informed in real time of important event, or, in a use for the police to have visual information on a wanted notice, or, for a lawyer to follow developments on bills, or ongoing trials, etc.

The human-machine link can be adapted according to the chosen use. The option dialogue with a computer allows the user, via software developed for this application, to use the device according to the invention only in the database, in the event that the user wishes to modify the layout of the documents or article to print.

As an economic variant in terms of manufacturing cost, suitable for mass production, it is possible to develop an ASIC component, intended to replace the microcontroller card 28, in order to reduce the volume of components.

In a variant, the study of a new microcontroller card 28 of the so-called smart-card type can be developed in Java.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the details of the above embodiments considered by way of example, but on the contrary extends to modifications within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. Device for storing and searching text and graphic information in electronic form, said device comprising a housing (1), a display means (9), a user interface means (3), a control means (11 ), a means for storing (5) said information, a means for selecting information to be displayed according to the instructions of a user, characterized in that it comprises a multiplex address bus (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (1 1) is an eight bit processor associated with a P.P.I (Intelligent Programmable Device).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an internal communication bus (10) of type I2C.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the memoπsation means (5) is a memory card (5) extractable from the housing (1).

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage means (5) comprises memory components (22) used to store the information, texts and graphics which can be consulted by the user, a memory component (23) serving as memory of identification and personalization of the memory card 5, a decoder component (24), intended to perform the memory selection, three eight-bit I2C bus decoder components (25), used for addressing the memory components (22 ), and a bus decoder component (26) suitable for transferring the memory information read from the memory components (22) to the I2C bus (10).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a printer port (6).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the text information is stored in the form of text only (ASCII format).

8. Method for searching for text or graphic information stored in electronic form, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- when the device according to the invention is opened (with a memory card already inserted in its slot), a step (E1) in which the memory database gives as starting information the number of pages to be displayed and the text mode start address,

- a time delay step (E2) making it possible to detect if a long delay without entering keyboard data occurs, - in this case, a step of accessing the database in graphic mode (step E3) containing, for example, screens advertising or other information, and as long as all the images have not been displayed, or that no keystroke is detected, maintains the graphic display, - if a key is activated (step E4 ) or that all the images have been displayed, a return to step E1, to the memory database and to the first page displayed (a page for presenting the content of text memory for example).

during the keystroke processing (step E5), the course of a succession of hierarchical menus allowing access either to the graphical information (return to step E3), or (step E6) to the various stored information, and, in a chosen set of information, to access a particular page (step E7)

- browse using the front and back pages keyboard, or directly select an item from a list.