WO1995027967A1

WO1995027967A1 - Guide device

Info

Publication number: WO1995027967A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/000805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Hadleigh
Original assignee: Tim Hadleigh
Priority date: 1994-04-07
Filing date: 1995-04-06
Publication date: 1995-10-19
Also published as: GB9406865D0

Abstract

A hand-held device for use in displaying stored information to a user, comprising a main body (14) having a display screen (24) and a reception guide (12) for receiving any selected one of a plurality of dedicated cartridges (10). The cartridge (10) carries an array of keys (16), actuation of which by a user causes information stored in that cartridge to be transferred to the main body (14) and displayed by the screen (24).

Description

GUIDE DEVICE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device for storing data, and also to a device for accessing and displaying the stored information. In particular a portable, preferably hand-held unit is envisaged which would be usefully applicable to the tourist industry.

A tourist or businessman visiting an unfamiliar city or region will usually take a guide book with him. However this can be heavy and bulky and may be impractical if he is touring several cities or regions. Tourist information will be available locally but locally available literature may be in a language unfamiliar to the visitor or in a format which is difficult to follow or in which it is difficult to find the sought after information.

The present invention provides a device preferably a portable, pocket-sized device comprising a display screen, a key pad, and means to receive a dedicated cartridge containing stored data in read-only format wherein interrogation of the keypad by a user will access the data stored on the cartridge and display it on the display screen. Preferably, the keypad uses logos or symbols so that the device is independent of languages familiar to the user.

Preferably the cartridge cooperates physically with the device so as to clearly display the subject matter of the cartridge to the user: for example the cartridge may display on an exposed face, a written description (e.g. "Paris) or part of the cartridge may be suitably physically shaped, for example with crenelations to indicate that the cartridge is a guide to a castle.

A variety of possibilities come to mind such as printing the cover of a book on an exposed face of the cartridge. Naturally for some applications the cartridge will more suitably match the lines and decor of the main device.

According to the preferred embodiment, cartridges are 5/27967

removable and interchangeable and a user could build up a collection of cartridges on subjects of interest or usefulness to him; for example a collection of city guides. Preferably each cartridge comprises its own integrated dedicated keys which are presented in a convenient position to the user on insertion of the cartridge.

According to a particular preferred embodiment of the invention the cartridges are asymmetrical to- assist in their retention in the device and to make them more difficult and expensive to copy without authorisation.

The device is preferably dimensioned and shaped so that it can comfortably be held in and operated by one hand. To this end a tapering lower portion also makes the device easy to slip into a user's pocket or into a bag or holder which may be purposely designed for attaching to a user's belt for example.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fragrance release system for incorporating in a compartment of a device such as a hand-held unit (for example a calculator or personal organiser or such like or the device of the first aspect) , the system comprising a solid medium having a dispersible fragrance the medium being encased in a fragrance impermeable membrane which membrane is pierceable to release the fragrance. Preferably the system comprises storing the fragrant solid medium in a compartment such as the battery compartment of a device and the compartment cover is formed with at least one hole which aligns with the fragrant solid medium so that the membrane can be pierced through the hole or holes . The solid medium can be replaced as appropriate.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a cartridge for the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figs. 4 and 5 show further embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 6 and 7 show yet further embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show typical screen displays for the device of the invention;

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a locking system for the device of the invention; and

Fig. 13 illustrates the battery compartment of a device embodying the second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 with display screen 2 such as an LCD display of the Supertwist type of high contrast with full active graphics capabilities. In one embodiment, the screen is polarised. A dark purple image on a grey background is particularly suitable. Keypad 3 has an array of individual keys 4 with symbols displayed thereon. A cartridge 5 fits into a slot 6 at the top of the device 1. The cartridge has a raised display facia 7 which fits flush with the device 1 to provide an indication of the subject matter of the cartridge installed in the device. In the illustrated embodiment the cartridge contains tourist information on the city of Paris.

Depression of one of the keys 4 accesses corresponding data on the cartridge and displays it on screen 2. Details of hotels, restaurants, theatres, car hire, local public transport, and other services could be included together with average temperatures, tides and daylight times. Information on local currency and exchange rates, medical care, local attractions and shops can be included and/or road routes, and also travel details such as air and rail timetables.

Fig. 2 shows a cartridge for fitting into the device of Fig. 1. This cartridge contains information in a read only format and could take a standard form, for example an integrated circuit could be set into the cartridge, such as an EPROM which could be easily and inexpensively programmed with the required data.

In Fig. 3, an alternative form of the device 1 is shown, for use by visitors to a castle. Such a device would be sold or rented to tourists at the castle. Again a cartridge 5 fits into a slot 6 on the device and depression of keys 4 accesses information about the tourist attraction. For example, historical facts, details of particular artifacts, instructions for moving around the castle's rooms can be indicated. Thus all members of a family can share the device while visiting the castle and the isolation of visitors using, for example, individual tape players is avoided whilst allowing for the flexibility which guided tours cannot provide.

Of course, the shape of the device could take many forms; a fun version in bright colours with sun motifs would be suitable for sunshine seaside resorts, a device in the shape of a racing track could be used as a guide to racing circuits or a space capsule shape for example as a guide to a space centre.

However, multipurpose units are envisaged which would be usable with a variety of cartridges and these units preferably take a streamlined hand-sized form such as is illustrated in Fig. 5 with a tapering slender tail portion 26 to facilitate insertion of the unit into a user's pocket or pouch.

In Figs. 4 and 5 a device is shown with a cartridge 10 insertable sideways into a slot 12 in a main body 14. The cartridge 10 has its own dedicated keyboard 16 with a plurality of one-touch keys arranged to be accessible to the user and communicates with further circuitry and software in the main body 14 via mating contacts 28. A single touch of each button accesses the appropriate information. In this way, each cartridge can be customised to suit a particular situation and the keypads can have more descriptive and satisfactory labels. Furthermore there is no need for multifunction icons to be learnt by the user. In the particular embodiments illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, some switches are retained on the main body 14, namely switches 18, 20 and 22 concerned respectively with the functions "clear" 18, "curser" 20 and "auto telephone dialling" 22. However, the particular combination and location of buttons can be varied widely and chosen in any particular embodiment to suit the special circumstances peculiar to that application. The main body 14 carries the display screen 24, preferably an LCD, Supertwist screen display with polarisation. It is advantageous for the screen to be of high contrast and have full graphics capabilities.

Fig. 5a is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the cartridge 10 of Fig. 5 showing how a stepped portion of the cartridge co-operates with an oppositely stepped portion of the main unit 14. The connector 28 on the main unit, and 30 on the cartridge, are situated in this embodiment on respective lateral faces of the stepped portions. Alternative locations for the connectors 28 and 30 are illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in which like reference numerals denote like features These connectors 28 and 30 are of standard construction, well known in the art. For example that shown in Fig. 5 is a standard plug-in version, and in Fig. 6 is a slidably connected version.

Co-operating grooves 32 and 34 in the slot of the main unit 14 and on the edge of the cartridge 10 serve to accurately locate the inserted cartridge and retain it.

A suitable screen would have an active part of say 50mm by 40mm. Using a pixel size of 0.1 and pitch of 0.12 mm- 0.15mm would give sufficient clarity while maximising display capability. Preferably the connector strips are of the flexible kind such as formed by flexible vapour deposition copper track. A zebra-strip could be used for lower tolerance devices but a 0.15mm dot-pitch is desirable in this device and hence tolerances are critical. Typically around thirty words would be clearly displayable on a single screen using these parameters. A cartridge would typically store around four to five thousand such pages, and two cartridges could for example store a novel. Typical display examples are given in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

It is particularly preferable to have one of the operative keys, either on the cartridge or on the main body, act as a multi-function key. In Figs. 4-7 this is the key 20 which is larger and more prominent than the other keys and is therefore more easily and quickly found by a user.

One example of operation of a device according to the invention will now be described with reference to an inserted cartridge containing the sort of commercial data found in telephone directory "Yellow Pages".

The "Yellow Pages" cartridge typically has sixteen keys 16 on its front surface, each with a unique symbol corresponding to a general section of the data. A red cross symbol could be used to denote medical data and when this key is depressed, a list of medical sub-headings appear in screen 24. For example this could read: ► Ambulances

Chiropodists

Clinics

Dentists

Doctors

Hospitals

Pharmacies

Physiotherapists A cursor ► appears next to the first sub-heading and can be moved down the list by pressing the lower quarter of the multi-function key 20 which is of a four-way rocker construction, biased to the neutral central condition.

Once the required sub-section is chosen, and the cursor is positioned opposite the corresponding subheading, then depression of the right-hand quarter of multi-function key 20 causes the screen to display the full list of entries (eg doctors) in that sub-section (or at least as many as will fit on the screen) . This sub-list can be scrolled, up and down, using the top and bottom quarters of the key 20 respectively to choose the desired entry. A short key press scrolls one entry whereas continuous key pressing will scroll at high speed.

Once the required entry is chosen it may be mentally noted by the user or alternatively if suitable telephone links are made, a single key, e.g. key 22 to the right of multi¬ function key 20, is depressed to automatically dial the telephone number corresponding to the chosen entry.

The key 18 is a CLEAR button to automatically escape to the main menu, for example if the user gets "lost" in the data! Alternatively depression of the left-hand quarter of multi-function key 20 will move back through sub-lists to the main menu.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate means whereby a cartridge can be locked into the slot 12 of the main unit 14 to avoid unintentional detachment or loss of the cartridge and ensure positive engagement of the connector strips. This is achieved using a locking pin 32 operable by the ON-OFF switch 34 for the device. The locking pin 32 engages a corresponding hole on a cartridge. It is mechanically connected to the ON-OFF switch 34 which is slidable in a slotted housing 36 between three positions. When the switch 34 is in the lower position denoted ON, the locking pin 32 engages the cartridge, preventing accidental or intentional withdrawal thereof, and the device is operable, i.e. power is connected. In the middle position denoted OFF/LOCK, the device is not connected to power but the cartridge is locked in. In the upper position denoted UNLOCK into which the switch 34 is only movable against a spring bias provided by spring 36, the device is OFF and the locking pin is disengaged allowing removal of the cartridge.

Of course other locking means may be envisaged.

The device is preferably powered by batteries for example those used to power calculators which are slim, have a long life, do not leak and are internationally available.

An extra space may be provided within the battery chamber to accept specially designed fragrance impregnated mediums which may be solid or a gel or a viscous liquid and which are encased or wrapped in plastic film. This is illustrated in Fig. 13. Once the battery door 36 is closed thus holding the fragrance solid 37 in place, together with batteries 39, a group of small holes 38 in the door 36 line up with the solid 37. The user may pierce the plastic wrapping of the solid through the holes with a pin or needle thus activating the release of his or her favourite fragrance. The fragrance will last around two weeks and spare solids of a variety of famous perfume brands will be available for purchase at outlets supplying cartridges.

Claims

1. A device comprising a display screen, means to receive any one of a plurality of dedicated cartridges containing stored data in read-only format, and interrogation means enabling selected data stored on a received cartridge to be accessed and displayed on the display screen.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the interrogation means comprises an array of keys on the device.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the interrogation means comprises an array of keys on a received cartridge, actuation of which enables data stored in that cartridge to be transferred to and displayed by the display screen.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is carried by a main body of the device which is adapted to be hand-held and which has a cartridge reception means for receiving any one of said plurality of dedicated cartridges, said interrogation means comprising an array of keys on the received cartridge, actuation of which enables data stored in that cartridge to be transferred from that cartridge to said main body for display by the display means.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said cartridge reception means comprises a guide slot on the front of said main body of the device whereby said array of keys on a received cartridge are presented to the user on the front of said main body.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the guide slot is asymmetrical.

7. A device according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the individual keys of said array of keys carry logos or symbols so that the device can be independent of languages familiar to the user.

8. A device as claimed in any of claim 1 to 7 adapted for use as a tourist guide.

9. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a tapering portion remote from the screen.

10. A device according to any preceding claim comprising means for polarising the display screen.

11. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a connector for communicably connecting a cartridge to the device.

12. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a multi-function key.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means for locking the device to the cartridge.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the locking means is associated with the ON-OFF switching means of the device.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin for engaging a corresponding hole in the cartridge, operatively coupled to the ON-OFF switch of the device and resiliently biased so that the cartridge is only releasable deliberately and when the device is OFF.

16. A device according to any of the preceding claims in combination with a dedicated cartridge.

17. A fragrance release system for incorporation in a hand-held unit, comprising a medium impregnated with a dispersible fragrance, the medium being encased in a fragrance impermeable membrane which membrane is pierceable to release the fragrance.

18. A system according to claim 17, for incorporation in a battery compartment of a unit.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the battery compartment comprises an aperture through which a sharp implement may be inserted to pierce the membrane.

20. A system according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the fragrant solid medium is replaceable.

21. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 comprising a system according to claim 17, 18, 19 or 20.

22. A cartridge adapted for use with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.