GB2176322A - Portable communications unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A communications unit is described which is contained in portable carrying case, e.g. a suitcase. The case contains a computer (4), a modem (2) a data recorder (6) and means (5) for selectively recording voice data or computer data on the recorder. All units in the case can be fed from a single voltage power source. The case may also contain a printer (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Communications units This invention relates to communications units and particularly to easily portable communications units adapted for use in connection with a public telephone service.

In recent years, telecommunications techniques have developed very substantially both in terms the range of services offered, particularly in the ability to send digital rather than analogue data down telephone lines. With the advent of cheap microcomputing power, it has also become easily possible to provide electronic apparatus adapted to work in various different ways with the object of communicating data.

One recent development has been the emergence of so-called electronic mail systems, particularly publicly available such systems using a large central message-storing computer, usually owned and operated by the national telecommunications company of the country concerned into which designated messages may be put and from which messages may be retrieved. Users of such systems conventionally have a designated "mailbox" number or other identifying mark, and they may gain access to such a computer over the normal telephone lines using a microcomputer and a modem.

In recent years, portable computers have also been developed which are of particular value for people whose work is not located at one particular workplace, but who effectively travel substantially in their work. If such personnel are equipped with a portable computer, they can use it to store data collected in the field and subsequently, e.g. transfer that data to a full size business system computer at their normal place of work.

The present invention seeks to provide a portable system including a portable computer but adapted to operate on a much more selfcontained basis. It also seeks to provide a system having substantial flexibility.

According to a first feature of the present invention there is provided a portable communication system including a carrying case, a computer, a modem and a data recorder all located within the carrying case, means for recording selectively voice data or computer data on the data recorder, and means for enabling all units requiring power inside the case to be simultaneously fed with power from a single voltage power source.

Preferably each of the individual units in ciudes an internal rechargeable power supply, for example one or more nickel cadmium or other rechargeable cells. In accordance with a particular feature of the invention, power may be supplied from a single voltage power source to the individual components internally of the case via a series of protective diodes, each permitting power to flow from the power supply to the individual component, while isolating each individual component from the remainder. This prevents the individual backup power supplies on each individual component from operating any other component.The single voltage power source may be provided by a suitable power supply unit either internally of the case and provided with a lead for connection to a source of mains voltage, or the case may simply be provided with a suitable plug or socket into which a conventional chargertype power supply unit outlet socket or plug respectively may be inserted.

The modem may be of any convenient type, and it may, for example, include an acoustic coupler, or it may be of a type which can be plugged into a standard telephone jack.

The data recorder is preferably a micro-cassette type of recorder, and the case includes switch means enabling such a recorder to be fed either with data signals for recording from the microcomputer or with voice data from a suitable microphone. The microphone may be built into the data recorder or may be separate. In a preferred variety, the data recorder has associated with it a pre-amplifier which may be fed with signals from a suitable external microphone, e.g. plugged into a suitable socket on the case or the microphone may be incorporated into the case itself.

One example of apparatus according to the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general arrangement drawing of the apparatus, and Figure 2 is circuit diagram of one component thereof.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises an external casing 1 which, e.g. may be in the form of a suitcase. Located in the casing 1 are a modem 2, a computer printer 3, a portable computer 4, an intermediate connection and switching box 5 and a micro-cassette recorder 6. The micro-computer has a keyboard 7 and a large-sized LCD display 8 and the micro-computer is programmed with a variety of software in order to make it function appropriately.

One portion of the software consists in a communications package and by appropriate key strokes this may be brought into play to enable the apparatus to be used as a portable communications terminal. If that is desired, then the modem 2 is used in connection with a conventional telephone handset. As shown, the modem includes an accoustic coupler, but this is, of course, not necessary if a telephone jack socket is available.

The various components are interconnected as shown in Fig. 1 to each other and in particular to connection and switching box 5, the internal circuit of which is shown in Fig. 2. As can be seen, the micro-cassette data recorder 6 fits into box 5, and when so fitted various sockets on the data recorder mate with plugs on box 5. The data recorder also derives power from box 5 which in turn is fed via a socket 22 from a suitable charger unit which supplies a voltage of 9 volts. When so fed, a light-emitting diode 12 lights up to show the device is on. Internally of box 5 are three protective diodes 13, 14, 15 which feed respectively a 9 volt supply to the modem, a 9 volt supply to the portable computer and a 6 volt supply to the printer. The printer requires only a 6 volt supply and accordingly there is a 6 volt regulator 16 between its protective diode and its power input socket.

Box 5 also includes a pre-amplifier 19 to which a microphone may be connected via a socket 20. A remote switch 17 is associated with the microphone and is connected via socket 21. Sockets 20 and 21 may be com bined e.g. in a DIN socket. The output of the pre-amplifier is connected via a double pole, double throw switch 18 to a pair- of wires which are connected between the save data output of the computer 4 and the record input of the micro-cassette recorder 6. As noted, the output socket of 25 micro-cassette recor der 26 is also connected to- a load data socket of the microcomputer 26, and a monitor jack socket 27 is provided in parallel.

The remote switch 17 for the microphone is preferably built unobtrusively into the casing 1 as a slide switch. In the embodiment shown, a stud 30 is used to actuate that switch, that stud 30 being set adjacent a handle 38 of the case, so allowing someone, if they wish to switch on voice recording without appearing to do so, to do so. This can be particularly valuable in interview situations. In this connection, it should be noted that the keyboard of the microcomputer is located adjacent one end of the casing 1 and away from the handle 38.

The casing 1 is shown with its top removed by means of a pair of hinges 40 which have pins from which the other halves of the hinge (which are attached to the lid) may be re moved.

The unit illustrated in the drawing is capable of being adapted, by fitting suitable or loading software into the microcomputer, to a wide range of business activities. The facility to use the data recorder to record data is particularly valuable, particularly since that data may either be input by hand from the keyboard or, using the acoustic coupler and modem, may be down-loaded from a telecommunications com puter mailbox. In addition to being down loaded, it can of course be printed out on the printer, or it may be loaded as a text file into the microcomputer, wordprocessed using an appropriate wordprocessing package, and a wordprocessed result being printed out on the printer. The compactness of the system makes it ideally suitable for use in numerous business applications.

Claims (6)

1. A portable communication system including a carrying case, a computer, a modem and a data recorder all located within the carrying case, means for recording selectively voice date or computer data on the data recorder, and means for enabling all units requiring power inside the case to be simultaneously fed with power from a single voltage power source.

2. A portable communication system according to claim 1 wherein each of the computer modem and data recorder includes a internal rechargeable power supply.

3. A portable communication system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein power is supplied from a single voltage power source to the individual units internally of the case- via a series of protective diodes, each permitting power to flow from the power supply to the individual unit while isolating each- individual unit from the remainder.

4. A portable communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the data recorder is a micro-cassette recorder and the case includes switch means enabling such a recorder to be fed either with data signals for recording from the microcomputer or with voice data from a suitable microphone.

5. A portable communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and including, connected to the data recorder, an external microphone incorporated into the case itself.

6. A portable communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.