Electronic communication, and user interface kit
View Patent ↗An electronic communications and user interface kit, including a display device; a plurality of separate electronic devices capable of directly utilizing the display device; and a portable container with an interconnection system integrated into the container and connected to the display device and the plurality of electronic devices for transferring display information from the plurality of electronic devices to the display device.
1. An electronic communications and user interface kit, comprising:
a portable container;
a wired communications network integrated into said container;
a first transceiver located in said container, said first transceiver being connected to said wired communications network;
a display device disposed in said container, said display device having a display, a display interface, and a second transceiver, said display and display interface being operatively connected, said second transceiver being capable of communicating with said first transceiver, said display interface being switchable between a first state, wherein said display interface is operatively connected to said communications network and is disconnected from said second transceiver, and a second state, wherein said display interface is operatively connected to said second transceiver and is disconnected from said communications network;
a plurality of separate electronic devices disposed in said container, said electronic devices each being capable of transferring display information to said display interface via one of said communications network and said transceivers, said electronic devices each being independent and individually removable from said container without affecting other said electronic devices.
2. The kit claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a portable power source, and a power distribution network integrated into said container, said power distribution network distributing power to one or more of the electronic devices from the portable power source.
3. The kit claimed in claim 2 , wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.
4. The kit claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a battery charger connected to the battery and a connector for connecting the charger to an external power source.
5. The kit claimed in claim 2 , wherein at least one electronic device includes its own power source.
6. The kit claimed in claim 2 , wherein the display device includes a display power source and the kit includes means for recharging the display power source from the portable power source.
7. The kit claimed in claim 6 , wherein the display power source is a power source selected from the group comprising a battery, and a capacitor.
8. The kit claimed in claim 2 , wherein the one or more of the electronic devices includes a device power source and the kit includes means for recharging the device power source from the portable power source.
9. The kit claimed in claim 2 , wherein the power source is a fuel cell.
10. The kit claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a keyboard, and wherein the keyboard includes a power source and the kit includes means for recharging the keyboard power source from the portable power source.
11. The kit claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a headset and wherein the headset includes a power source and the kit includes means for recharging the headset power source from the portable power source.
12. The kit claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a connector for connecting the battery to a charger external to the container.
13. The kit claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transceivers utilize a wireless standard selected from the group of Bluetooth, 802.11a or b, and 802.15.
14. The kit claimed in claim 1 , wherein said communications network and said transceivers further comprise a personal area network.
15. The kit claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a communication connection for communicating with an external device.
16. The kit claimed in claim 15 , wherein the external device is another electronic communications and user interface kit.
17. The kit claimed in claim 15 , wherein the external device is a computer network.
18. The kit claimed in claim 15 , wherein the communication connection is a wireless connection.
19. The kit claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is between 5×8 cm and 12×20 cm and has a resolution of between 40 and 100 display elements per cm.
20. The kit claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a speaker and microphone.
21. The kit claimed in claim 20 , wherein the speaker and microphone is a head set.
22. The kit claimed in claim 21 , wherein the headset is connected directly to the display device.
23. The kit claimed in claim 21 , wherein the speaker and microphone are connected wirelessly to one or more of the electronic devices.
24. The kit claimed in claim 20 , wherein the speaker and microphone are connectable to one or more of the electronic devices via one of said wired communications network and said transceivers.
25. The kit claimed in claim 20 , wherein the speaker and microphone are connected directly to one or more of the electronic devices independent of said wired communications network and said transceivers.
26. The kit claimed in claim 20 , wherein the speaker and microphone are connected directly to the display device.
27. The kit of claim 1 wherein said container has a plurality of pockets or bands, each said pocket or band securing a respective one of said electronic devices.
28. The kit claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic devices include one or more devices selected from the group of a cell phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a television receiver, an optical disk player, a global position indicator, an electronic game device, a digital camera, and a timekeeping device.
29. The kit of claim 1 wherein said display device includes a controller automatically switching said display interface between said first and second states.
30. The kit claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is an OLED display.
31. The kit of claim 1 wherein said display device includes a controller automatically switching said display interface between said first and second states.
32. The kit claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a keyboard with an interface to one of said communications network and said second transceiver.
33. The kit claimed in claim 32 , wherein the keyboard is connectable via the transceivers.
34. The kit claimed in claim 33 , wherein the transceivers utilize a wireless standard selected from the group of Bluetooth, 802.11a or b, and 802.15.
35. The kit claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a touch screen on the display device. wherein the container is a notebook with edge enclosures.
36. An electronic communications and user interface kit, comprising:
a portable container;
wired communications and power distribution networks integrated into said container;
a first transceiver located in said container, said first transceiver being connected to said wired communications network;
a display device disposed in said container, said display device having a display, a display interface, a power source, and a second transceiver, said display and display interface being operatively connected, said second transceiver being capable of communicating with said first transceiver, said display interface being switchable between a first state, wherein said display interface is operatively connected to said communications and power distribution networks and is disconnected from said power source and said second transceiver, and a second state, wherein said display interface is operatively connected to said power source and said second transceiver and is disconnected from said communications and power distribution networks;
a plurality of separate electronic devices disposed in said container, said electronic devices each being capable of transferring display information to said display interface via one of said communications network and said transceivers, said electronic devices each being independent and individually removable from said container without affecting other said electronic devices.
37. The kit claimed in claim 36 , wherein the container is a notebook with edge enclosures.
38. The kit claimed in claim 37 , wherein the notebook container has covers with integral restraints for restraining the electronic devices.
39. The kit claimed in claim 37 , wherein the communications and power distribution networks are integrated into the covers and a spine of the notebook.
40. The kit claimed in claim 36 , wherein the container is part of an article of clothing.
41. The kit claimed in claim 40 , wherein the article of clothing is a vest with pockets receiving the electronic devices and the display, and the communications and power distribution networks are integrated into the vest.