WO2001082526A2

WO2001082526A2 - Cellular digital packet data (cdpd) push technology module

Info

Publication number: WO2001082526A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/012619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Weinzierl; Kenneth Mathew Glover
Original assignee: Enfora, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-04-19
Filing date: 2001-04-18
Publication date: 2001-11-01
Also published as: AU2001253652A1; WO2001082526A3

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method of displaying a selected portion of the content of an email message. The system is implemented as an email preview module. The email preview module generally comprises a means for controlling a module, a means for displaying text, a means for enabling a radio transmission, and a means for communicating with a PDA. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a system of providing cellular digital packet data (CDPD) to a computing device. The system comprises a signal controls means, a display means coupled to the signaled control means, a transmission means, and a means for communicating with a PDA. The method generally includes the act of receiving a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) message, and displaying a selected portion of the CDPD message.

Description

CELLULAR DIGITAL PACKET DATA (CDPD) PUSH TECHNOLOGY MODULE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to personal digital assistants

(PDAs) and, more particularly, the present invention relates to modules and methods for PDAs that enable the processing of electronic mail.

STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY THE INVENTION

The use of personal digital assistant (PDAs); these are also know as palm devices)-including portable computing devices (PCDs), palm devices, and visor devices, for example - have become nothing short of a phenomenon. Since the introduction of PDAs in 1996, the number of users of these devices proliferated to more than six million users by the beginning of the year two thousand. As additional features and functions (such as voice recognition technology), are developed for PDAs, the use of PDAs will almost certainly continue to grow.

The electronic mail (email) is a powerful Internet-based resource that, when incorporated into a PDA, allows a remote user the ability to keep in contact with his home or office. Like the growth of PDAs, the growth of email messaging has grown dramatically. Today, it is estimated that over 1 billion email transfers occur every day. In fact, many users send and receive over one hundred emails every day.

Unfortunately, since not every email needs to be read by a user, a user must actively parse through the emails he receives. This is because PDAs currently display only an icon and the title of the email to the user. Accordingly, the user must open most email messages to determine their value. This is a time consuming and tedious process. Therefore, there exists needs for a system and method for enabling a PDA to process email and display a selected portion of the content of the email to the user. This allows the user to determine whether or not he wishes to open the email.

SELECTED OVERVIEW OF AN EMBODIMENT

The present invention achieves technical advantages as a system and method of displaying a selected portion of the content of an email message. The system is implemented as an email preview module. The email preview module generally comprises a means for controlling a module, a means for displaying text, a means for enabling a radio transmission, and a means for communicating with a PDA. The method generally includes the act of receiving a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) message, and displaying a selected portion of the CDPD message. Accordingly, the present invention provides the user with the ability to view a predetermined portion of an email without opening the email, so that the user may determine whether or not he wishes to open the email.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a system of providing cellular digital packet data to a computing device. The system is preferably implemented as an email preview module. Accordingly, a preferred email preview module typically provides a logic, a display coupled to the logic, a memory coupled to the logic, and a transmission device coupled to the logic.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing cellular digital packet data to a computing device. The method includes the acts of receiving a CDPD based message, and displaying a selected portion of CDPD based message.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is a system of providing cellular digital packet data (CDPD) to a computing device. The system comprises a signal control means, a display means coupled to the signaled control means, a transmission means, and a means for communicating with a PDA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

OF THE BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a personal digital assistant having a module attached thereto;

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary email preview module;

Figure 3 provides a back view of the PDA;

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a PDA module system; and

Figure 5 illustrates an email processing algorithm.

AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE BEST MODE

The present invention enables a user to view a predetermined amount of the content portion of an email message prior to opening the email message. This enables the user to determine whether or not he wishes to open the email message, thus saving the user the time and hassle associated with accessing for display every email he receives. The present invention is, in one embodiment, a system that displays a selected portion of the content of an email message. The system is preferably implemented as an email preview module, and generally comprises a means for controlling a module, a means for displaying text, a means for enabling radio transmission, and a means for communicating with a PDA. The method generally includes the act of receiving a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) based message, and displaying a selected portion of the CDPD based message.

When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of the Best Mode, hereinafter "exemplary embodiment"), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure or an exemplary act that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way. Accordingly, the recitation of a species invokes the genus to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional ways to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

Second, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential.

The only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that act or function, unless otherwise explicitly stated. For example, "tacking" may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc. Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as

"or", "and", "including", and "comprising") should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words "step" and "means" are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and do not mean "means" or "step" as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. unless used as "means for - functioning-"or "step for -functioning-" in the Claims section.

Features, functions and other enhancements may be provided to a personal digital assistant (PDA) through the use of a module, such as a memory module or a communication module, for example. Figure 1 illustrates a personal digital assistant 110 having an email preview module 120 attached thereto. Although a PDA is illustrated in Figure 1, it should be understood that other devices in the PDA family, such as a personal computing device (PCD), or another computing device may serve the functionality of a PDA. For example, a laptop may provide similar functionality. A PDA system generally includes hardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, software for executing acts (typically machine readable instructions) that produce the desired result, hybrids of hardware and software, and PDA subsystems. Hardware generally includes the physical PDA as well as modules that add functionality to the PDA system.

In addition, hardware may include any physical device that is capable of storing machine readable instructions - such as computer memory or other data storage devices. In addition, hardware also includes things for transferring signals, such as a modem, a modem card, receivers, and transceivers, for example. Hardware also encompasses devices such as means for communicating with a PDA, including ports such as Compactflash-type card ports, for example.

Generally, purpose of a module is to provide additional functionality to the PDA system. Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary email preview module 120. The email preview module 120 generally includes a display portion

121, a port compatible portion 123, and a casing 126. The display portion 121 includes a means for displaying 122 which is preferably a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The port compatible portion 123 includes a port 124 which provides for communication with a PDA, and is preferably a Compactflash-type card port. The casing 126 is typically disposed upon the port compatible portion 123 and provides housing for the module components.

PDA subsystems are stored in the casing 126 as well as in the PDA device itself. PDA subsystems stored in a module casing 126 typically include a means for controlling a module, a means for transferring information, memory, and power source. Optionally, additional functionality may be added to the module 120 by locating a global positioning system receiver in the casing 126. Figure 3 provides a back view of the PDA 110. From Figure 3 it can be seen that module 120 slides into a port 112 of the PDA 110 by placing the port compatible portion 123 of the email preview module 120 into the port 112, with the display portion 121 facing the front of the PDA 110.

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a PDA module system 400.

As illustrated, most of the PDA subsystems that constitute the PDA module system 400 are encased within the casing 126. A PDA module system 400 has several PDA module subsystems which are generally illustrated in Figure 4 as various shaped polygons. Included in the PDA module system 400 is a means for controlling a module 405, which is typically a logic device, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a computer processor, or a printed circuit board (PCB), for example. Coupled to the means for controlling a module 405 is a means for displaying 410. The means of displaying 410 is usually a electronically enabled display, such as a LCD, but may be another visual apparatus used to provide visual information to a user. Also coupled to the means for controlling 405 is a computer readable medium 420, such as memory. The computer readable medium includes passive/semi-permanent data storage, such as random access memory (RAM), as well as permanent data storage, such as read only memory (ROM). Thus, the computer readable medium 420 stores a program algorithm needed to process cellular digital packet data (CDPD) based electronic communication by the PDA module system 400, such as an email processing and preview algorithm.

It may be desirable for the PDA module system 400 to communicate remotely with another device. To enable remote communication for the PDA module system 400, a means for transmission 430 is preferably provided in the PDA module system 400. The means for transmission 430 is typically a transmission device, such as a receiver (which provides one way communication), or a transceiver (when two way communication is desired), for example. In addition, to enable remote, communication via the means of transmission 430, an internal antenna 435 is incorporated into the PDA module system 400.

Furthermore, it may also be desirable to provide localized power for the PDA module system 400. Accordingly, a power source 440, such as a battery, for example, is built into the PDA module system 400.

Additional PDA subsystems may be provided in order to generate additional functionality for the PDA module system 400. Accordingly, a global positioning system (GPS) 450 communicates with the means for controlling 405 so that the location of the PDA module system 400 may be integrated with other data to provide additional user functionality to the PDA module system 400.

Coupled to the means for controlling 405 is a means for communicating 460. The means for communicating 460 is preferably a port compatible port, such as a Compactflash-type card port, but may be any port that is electrically compatible with a PDA.

Figure 5 illustrates an email processing and preview algorithm 500. Email consists of two basic parts: control information, and the content. The control information contains information about the message - who it came from, where it is going, where it was sent, and what it is about (the title). On the Internet, the control information is often referred to as the header. The content is the actual text message being sent. Accordingly, the content is often referred to on the Internet as the body.

The email processing and preview algorithm 500 may be implemented as software, and is preferably adapted for hand spring. Software includes machine codes stored in RAM, ROM, or other devices, an operating system, as well as source code and object code, for example. In addition, software also encompasses any steps of executable instructions capable of accomplishing a desired function - which is known as an executable program. A program often executes in a portion of code at a time. These portions of code are called modules or code-segments. Often, but not always, these code segments are identified by a particular function which they perform.

The execution of a code segment or module is sometimes called an act. In the present discussion, an "act" is sometimes referred to as a "step" to help the reader more completely understand the exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, hybrid, or combinations of software and hardware exists (for example, when traditional software functions are directly manufactured into the silicon chip, allowing the hardware-based instructions to function seamlessly with software). Thus, it is conceivable that the email processing and preview algorithm 500 will execute as a hybrid.

The email processing and preview algorithm 500 begins in a received CDPD act 510. In the received CDPD act 510, information, in the form of a

CDPD message, is pushed through a PDA device. Information typically comprises an email message, a page type message, or a short message service. Next, in a conversion act 520, the received CDPD message is converted into a format which is displayable by the module 120. Then, the email processing algorithm 500 proceeds to an optional scan act 530 from which the email processing and preview algorithm 500 scans the CDPD based message for content portion of the email. Then, in a display act 540, a preselected portion of the content portion of the CDPD based message, such as the first few word or the first few lines of the received email, is displayed by the module 120.

The information displayed, such as text message, may be controlled by the user. For example, the user may select to display a first line of a received email. Alternatively, the user may select the display portion of information received from a short message service. Furthermore, should the user desire to see more than the displayable portion of the content portion of a received message, the user may scroll through additional text in the CDPD based message by using various controls which exist on the PDA device 110.

Furthermore, position dependent messages may be displayed. For example, messages particular to the geographic location of the email preview module 120 may be displayed. This is achieved by integrating position data associated with the module 120 with email for broadcasted messages, such as broadcasted short message services. Accordingly, local weather, local sports, or other local information may be displayed through the module 120.

Likewise, other position dependent information such as a longitude and a latitude, or a nearest intersection, or a local traffic jam may be displayed on the module 120.

Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A system of providing cellular digital packet data (CDPD) to a computing device, comprising: a logic; a display coupled to the logic; a memory coupled to the logic; and a transmission device coupled to the logic.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a laptop computer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a personal computing device (PCD).

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmission device is a receiver.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmission device is a transceiver.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power source selectively coupled to the logic.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising an internal antenna coupled to the transmission device.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a port coupled to the logic.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the port is a Compactflash-type card port.

11. A method of providing cellular digital packet data (CDPD) to a computing device, comprising: receiving a CDPD based message; and displaying a selected portion of CDPD based message.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the act of converting the CDPD based message into a displayable format.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the act of scanning the CDPD based message for a content portion.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the act of displaying displays a selective content portion.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the CDPD message is an email.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the act of displaying displays a selective first portion of an email content portion.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the CDPD message is a short message service.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the act of displaying displays a message that is dependent on the geographic position of the PDA.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the CDPD message is an advertisement.

20. A system of providing cellular digital packet data (CDPD) to a computing device, comprising: a means for controlling; a means for displaying coupled to the means for controlling; a means for transmitting coupled to the means for controlling; and a means for communicating with a PDA coupled to the means for controlling.