FILE HISTORY
`60/532,000
`
`TITLE:
`
`ZIPPY INSTANT MESSENGER PORTABLE
`DEVICE
`
`APPLICATION
`NO:
`FILED:
`
`60/532,000
`
`2003-12-24
`
`COMPILED:(cid:3)
`
`(cid:21)(cid:19) (cid:45)(cid:56)(cid:47) 20(cid:21)(cid:19)
`
`1
`
`APMT 1093
`
`
`60/532,000
`
`TITLE:
`
`ZIPPY INSTANT MESSENGER PORTABLE
`DEVICE
`
`APPLICATION
`NO:
`FILED:
`
`60/532,000
`
`2003-12-24
`
`COMPILED:(cid:3)
`
`(cid:21)(cid:19) (cid:45)(cid:56)(cid:47) 20(cid:21)(cid:19)
`
`1
`
`APMT 1093
`
`
`
`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO
`
`U 5 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`0110212004 m1 m1maaooo
`
`m :c 2005
`
`80°”?
`
`PTO-1556
`
`(5/87)
`
`U5 Mwmmom m~mm
`
`2
`
`
`
`I
`
`d
`
`Please type a plus sign (+) inelde this box "IE
`
`Docket Number
`
`HEREDlA-m
`
`g gROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT COVER SHEET (Small Entrty)
`= “A'
`This Is a request for flllng a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT under 31 C F R 51 53(6)
`
`INVENTORSISllAPPLICANNS}
`
`E on Name (first and middle [If any])
`Raiael
`
`Heredia
`
`Residence (City and eilher State or Foreign Couniry)
`Easley South Carolina
`
`[:|
`
`Additional inventors are bemg names on page 2 attached hereto
`
`TITLE OF THE INVENTION (2313 CHARACTERS MAX}
`
`Zippy Instant Messenger Portable Dewce
`
`0
`
`G :
`“'0 .
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`threatl aI.‘ correspondence to
`
`E
`
`Customer Number 021281
`Robert P Bell
`Registered Patent Attorney
`8033 Washington Road
`Alexandria, VA 22303
`
`Ph {703) 763 0340
`
`FAX (703} TBS-6650
`
`Reg No 34546
`
`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS (check 3!! than apply)
`
`E Specmcalicm
`
`Number of Pages 26
`
`fl APPENDIX 31 pages
`Number of Sheets 15
`E Drawmg(s)
`METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FILING FEES FOR THIS PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT (check one)
`
`E A check or money order in the amount of Sea 00 is enclosed in cover the filing lees
`
`E The Commissmner is hereby authorized to charge filing fees or credit any overpayment to Deposd
`Account Number 50-1353
`
`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government 01 under a contract man an agency of the United
`
`Slates Government E No
`
`E] Yes the name of lhe'U S Gwemment agency and the Government contract number are
`
`RespeclfuIIy su
`
`ed
`
`RobertP Bell
`
`December 24 2003
`
`age 1 0
`
`ansziemamrn
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`e san
`‘EEE -*
`53%
`GE (2
`Egg g3
`g ._..|C)
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`Zippy" Instant Messenger Portable Dev1ce
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`45 [mm1]
`
`The present 1nventlon relates to portable messaging
`
`dev1ce
`
`In partlcular,
`
`the present anentlon 15 drrected toward a
`
`commun1oatlons devlce which allows users, partlcularly adolescents
`
`and chlldren,
`
`to communlcate qurckly. effectively, and
`
`1nexpens1vely, us1ng "W1-F1“ technology
`
`50
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`@002]
`
`Instant messaging has been 1ncorporated 1n several
`
`55 products, 1nclud1ng cell phones and pager~11ke dev1ces whlch
`
`enable users to send and receive IM messages but only as an
`
`adjunct to the dev1ce's primary functlon whlch 13 in most cases a
`
`cell phone
`
`Users have to subscrlbe to cell phone serv1ce 1n
`
`order to use the dev1ces
`
`In some of these cases,
`
`the dev1ces are
`
`60 spec1flc to one protocol such as Yahoo and do not support other
`
`protocols such as AOL's 1nstant messaglng protocol Motorola has
`
`a dev1ce called IMFree, whlch 1s a ded1cated AOL-only lustant
`
`messaglng dev1ce, but the dev1ce 1s tethered to a PC and requlres
`
`4
`
`
`
`Atty Docket NO HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`a dongle on the PC
`
`The dev1ce 15 also not WlFl compliant, Wthh
`
`would llmlt 1te use to home appllcetlons only and could not be
`
`used 1n all of the emerglng hotspote
`
`It also 13 not deslgned to
`
`be kld—frlendly, and does not have sound support
`
`moon
`
`Some PC appllcatlone support all three protocols such as
`
`the anux based GAIN package, AT&T's IM cllent, Trllllon and
`
`several others, but only on a PC
`
`mafia]
`
`Examples of exretlng IM—enabled products 1nc1ude T—
`
`Moblle's Sldeklck platform whlch 1s a product whlch appears to be
`
`GEM'ed from a company called Danger
`
`http //www danger com/products php
`
`It is prlmarlly a cell phone
`
`based product wrth support for 1M based on AOL‘s protocol but
`
`clalmlng to support other protocols 1n the future
`
`flmnsl
`
`Another example of ex1st1ng IM-enabled products 1ncludes
`
`Research 1n Motzon's Blackberry dev1ce
`
`Blackberry 15 a erelESS
`
`e-marl dev1ce whlch connects prrmar1ly to a corporate e—mall
`
`servrce but not exc1u51ve1y,
`
`to prov1de Wireless e—ma11
`
`communlcatlone
`
`It 15 a portable dev1ce w1th a bullt-ln LCD and
`
`keyboard
`
`http //www blackberry com/products/lndex shtml
`
`65
`
`70
`
`75
`
`80
`
`85
`
`5
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Dl
`
`PATENT
`
`Another example of exrstlng IM-enabled products 1ncludes
`m006]
`Motorola IMFree dev1ce Motorola's devrce re a wlreless rnstant
`
`messag1ng dev1ce whlch requlres a PC to operate
`
`It connects to a
`
`PC vra an RF 900Mhz Slgnal and requ1res close proxlmlty to the PC
`
`The PC must be on to operate and the PC 15 the devrce Wthh
`
`connects to the Internet Wrthout a PC,
`
`the dev10e 15 useless
`
`It also 13 11m1ted to one servtce and does not have the dedlcated
`
`IM spec1f1c functrons
`
`moon Whlle products are now startlng to appear 1n this space
`
`wthh have some flavors of Instant Messaging, such as the three
`
`aforementloned systems descrlbed above, what remalns a requlrement
`
`1n the art 13 an apparatus whlch can be operated independently of
`
`a PC or cell phone and whlch has features de51gned to make it
`
`appeallng to children and adolescents
`
`S
`
`Y OF THE I
`
`IO
`
`WBDM
`
`The present 1nventlon, known as Zippy“, 15 a portable,
`
`battery operated, dedlcated Wireless 1nstant messaglng devrce
`
`prlmarlly for ch11dren and adolescents whlch enables Chlldren and
`
`adolescents to have several conversatlons wlth other 1nstant
`
`messaging cllents runnlng on another lepy“ dev1ce or a PC or
`
`90
`
`95
`
`100
`
`105
`
`110
`
`6
`
`
`
`Atty DOCkEt No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`other IM dev1ce
`
`The devrce ls opt1m1zed for chlldren and
`
`adolescents usage patterns and offers a number of advantageous
`
`features
`
`115
`
`woufl
`
`The apparatus 1s provrded With a small keyboard wlth
`
`built-1n dedlcated IM features such as a "Buddy Button" whlch may
`
`call up a llst of active users available to chat w1th Dedlcated
`
`functlon keys may allow a user to sw1tch between chats. send
`
`Emotlcons, and a dedlcated Buddy Button
`
`Support 1s prov1ded for
`
`120
`
`preprogrammed and user deflnable Emotlcons
`
`125
`
`130
`
`W010]
`
`In addltlon, automatlc discovery and conflguratxon of
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`wlreless access pelnts and routers ls prov1ded,
`
`lncludlng saV1ng
`
`preferred sett1ngs "proflles" for multlple hotspots
`
`Automat1c
`
`logln of 1nstant messaglng serv1ce may be prov1ded,
`
`includlng
`
`sav1ng preferences
`
`Support for s1multaneous chats Wlth multiple
`
`users may also be pIOVlded from dlfferent serv1ces
`
`W01”
`
`A dedlcated full-screen wlndow may be prov1ded for each
`
`chat
`
`Support for Free and "For Pay" hotspots may also be
`
`prov1ded
`
`A "Keep Alive" mode may enable a user to remaln
`
`connected. but 1n deep sleep,
`
`thus conservlng battery power
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA~01
`
`PATENT
`
`{0012]
`
`Support for sounds through elther bunt-1n speaker or
`
`135
`
`headphone gas]:
`
`Support for upgrade of features
`
`
`
`140
`
`145
`
`150
`
`155
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013]
`
`Flgure 1 is a front new of the apparatus of the present
`
`1nventlon 111 an open pos1tlon
`
`{0014]
`
`Flgure 2 15 a perspectlve of the apparatus of the present
`
`1nventlon an an open peeltlon
`
`[0015]
`
`Flgure 3 IS a top Vlew of the apparatus of the present
`
`1nvent1on in a closed posnzlon
`
`[0016]
`
`Flgure 4 1s a screen shot of the Welcome screen and setup
`
`wlzard that a user sees when the dev1ce 3.5 first. powered
`
`[0017]
`
`Flgure 5 15 a screen shot of a sample that sess1on showmg
`
`the user's buddy list menu
`
`[0018]
`
`Figure 6 13 a screen shot of another screen in the setup
`
`w1zard 111ustrat1ng how proflles may he created and named
`
`8
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-ol
`
`PATENT
`
`m019]
`
`Flgure 7 15 a black dlagram of the apparatus of the
`
`present lnventlon
`
`[(3020]
`
`Figure 8 19 a front Vlew of an alternatwe embodlment of
`
`the present 1nventlon. 111ustrat1ng a sample chat sess;on
`
`W92”
`
`Fxgure 9 15 a front View of an alternatlve embodlment of
`
`the present :nventlon,
`
`lllustratzng a sample chat seesaon,
`
`showmng
`
`a user lnput message
`
`wozn
`
`Flgure lo 15 a front View of an alternative embodlment of
`
`the present 1nventlon,
`
`illustratlng a sample chat 5e531on, Showlng
`
`a drop down menu w1th favorite user (Erlends) names
`
`[0023]
`
`Flgure 11 1S an enlarged screen shot of the friends list
`
`from Figure 10
`
`W024]
`
`Flgure 12 18 a top View of a flrst embodlment of a
`
`keyboard for the present inventlon
`
`W035}
`
`Flgure 13 13 a top View of a second embodlment of a
`
`keyboard for the present 1nventlon
`
`160
`
`165
`
`170
`
`175
`
`180
`
`
`
`9
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`[0025}
`
`Frgure 14 15 a front perspectlve v1ew of the apparatus of
`
`the present inventlon in an open pOSltan
`
`NBZH
`
`Flgure 15 15 a perspectlve vrew of the apparatus of the
`
`185
`
`present inventzon 1n a closed p031tlon
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`@023]
`
`Figure 1 13 a front v1ew of the apparatus of the present
`
`1nvent10n 1n an open p031t1on
`
`Figure 2 13 a perspectrve of the
`
`apparatus of the present 1nvent10n in an open posltlon
`
`Flgure 3
`
`1s a top v1ew of the apparatus of the present 1nventlon 1n a1
`
`closed positron
`
`Flgure 14 1s a front perspective View of the
`
`apparatus of the present 1nventlon in an open p051t10n
`
`Figure 15
`
`13 a perspectlve Vlew of the apparatus of the present inventlon 1n
`
`a closed p051t10n
`
`These flve Views allustrate the contemplated
`
`outward phy31cal des1gn contemplated for the apparatus. as well as
`
`the layout of major controls and features of the dev1ce
`
`190
`
`195
`
`200
`
`W02”
`
`As lllustrated 1n Flgure 1,
`
`the dev1ce may comprrse two
`
`halves jolned wlth a hlnge 130
`
`The upper portlon 160 may
`
`contaln a display screen 110 whlch may comprlse a LCD or other
`
`type of flat panel display along wlth other Optional 1nd1cators
`
`10
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`205
`
`210
`
`215
`
`220
`
`225
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Dl
`
`PATENT
`
`The lower portlon 150 may lnclude a keyboard 120 whlch may
`
`comprlse a membrane type keyboard w1th or Without keys or buttons
`
`Var1oue 1nd1cators 140 and knobs (e g . volume. contrast] or
`
`plug—1n dev1ces (e g , dongles) 170. 130 may be prov1ded as well
`
`As 1llustrated 1n Figure 3, when folded the apparatus may form a
`
`compact package approx1mate1y the Slze of a cellular phone or
`
`calculator or Personal Dlgltal Asszstant
`
`(FDA)
`
`wfl3fl]
`
`Figure 4 ls a screen shot of the welcome screen and setup
`
`w1zard that a user sees when the dev1ce ls f1rst powered
`
`To
`
`enable a great out of box exper1ence,
`
`the Setup W1zard may gu1de
`
`the user an setting up a W1-F1 network conf1gur1ng the IM
`
`accounts, and deflnlng custom Emotlcons (smlleys)
`
`The Setup
`
`leard Process follows the steps as follows
`
`m03n
`
`Connect to a ereless Network
`
`If a wireless network 18
`
`found,
`
`the system automatlcally configures the dev1ce and
`
`connects
`
`If multlple networks are found,
`
`the dev1ce
`
`automatlcally trles each network untll 1t flnds one to whlch 1t
`
`can connect
`
`It wlll try to connect flrst to the strongest
`
`network and then to the second strongest network and so on
`
`This
`
`mlnlmlzes the un1ntended result of connectlng to a nelghbor's
`
`Slgnal flrst
`
`
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ul
`
`PATENT
`
`[0032]
`
`If a wlreless network rs found, but the dev1ce cannot
`
`230
`
`connect to rt,
`
`the user 15 asked to try to manually connect to the
`
`network
`
`If the user successfully conf1gures the dev1ce, it
`
`connects to a network
`
`If the user puts 1n incorrect data or
`
`doesn't know what to put 1n,
`
`they are grven a way to try a
`
`dlfferent network or scan agarn for other networks
`
`If no
`
`235
`
`wlreless networks are found,
`
`the user 13 asked to move to a
`
`dlfferent locatlon and then scan for networks agaln
`
`The user 15
`
`also g1ven a chance to manually conflgure the network
`
`”03”
`
`Upon flrst lnltlalrzatlon, lepy N111 dlsplay an anlmated
`
`240
`
`Z logo and then after two seconds,
`
`the setup wrzard Will run
`
`The
`
`flrst tlme the Wizard 15 run, 1t wlll detect that 1t 13 a new
`
`conflguratron and Will dlsplay a welcome screen as lllustrated 1n
`
`Frgure 4
`
`The welcome screen wrll descrrbe to the user the
`
`process 1t wrll undertake and begrn to guide the user through the
`
`245
`
`process
`
`WGSfl
`
`Once the user presses the lepyTH logo key, lepy w1ll
`
`automatically scan for and try to connect to an avallable W1reless
`
`network
`
`At any tlme,
`
`the user w1ll be able to use the PREV key
`
`250
`
`to go back to a prev1ous screen
`
`Slnce scannlng for, and
`
`connectlng to. networks could take an extended perlod of tlme,
`
`the
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`screen may be animated to 1nd1cate to the user that somethlng is
`
`-10-
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`255
`
`260
`
`265
`
`Atty Docket NO HEREDIA—Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`happen1ng and to keep the1r attent1on
`
`A more complete
`
`descr1pt1on of the 1n1t1a11zat1on process 15 descr1bed 1n the
`
`APPENDIX attached herewlth and 1ncorporated here1n by reference
`
`Wfl35|
`
`lepy“ enables user to commun1cate w1th other users
`
`whether they are on PCs. cell phones, or other Z1ppym based
`
`products
`
`It leverages the Instant Messaglng protocol, whlch 15
`
`perva51ve 1n PCs and 15 now mlgratlng to cell phones, PDAs and
`
`other dev1ces
`
`The key features wh1ch d1fferent1ete lepy” above
`
`the rest of the dev1ces 1n the market are as follows
`
`NDSSI
`
`IM spec1f1c keyboard Z1ppym's keyboard has certaln
`
`features whlch automate and reduce the complex1ty of IM
`
`conversatlons especially on a small dlsplay
`
`Flgure 12 15 a top
`
`v1ew of a flrst embodlment of a keyboard for the present
`
`1nvent1on
`
`Flgure 13 1s a top v1ew of a second embodlment of a
`
`keyboard for the present 1nventlon
`
`Elther embodlment of the
`
`270
`
`keyboard may 1nclude the followlng features
`
`Ififl3fl
`
`Buddy Button“ Z1ppym‘s Buddy Button (1llustrated as the
`
`large Z1ppy" logo button 1n the top center of the keyboards of
`
`Figures 12 and 13) 1s a 51ngle, dedrcated button, whlch may
`
`275
`
`automatlcally calls up the 11st of user 105 known to the Z1ppy"
`
`user
`
`In all Prlor Art embodrments,
`
`there 15 no dedicated
`
`-11-
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA‘DI
`
`PATENT
`
`"functxon key" whlch calls up the lrst of users or collapses 1t
`
`In Cell phones. even ones whlch support multlple serv1ces,
`
`the
`
`servrces are separated as well as the buddy lists
`
`The Buddy
`
`280
`
`button 15 used to look at the lrst of active users from across all
`
`serv1ces in a comb1ned llst and to close the llSt of users
`
`W038]
`
`Dre—programmed Emotscons
`
`Emotlcons are the "face"
`
`characters whlch users use to denote an expreSSLOH such as happy.
`
`sad, mad, surprlsed. and the 11ke
`
`lepym‘s keyboard has
`
`preprogrammed the most commonly used Emoticons, whlch with a touch
`
`of a Slngle button, enable the user to send the expression
`
`These
`
`buttons are 1llustrated, for example as the four emotlcons 1n the
`
`upper left hand corner of the keyboards lllustrated 1n Flgures 12
`
`and 13
`
`when one of these keys 15 pressed,
`
`the apparatus sends
`
`appropriate control characters over the IM protocol
`
`to another
`
`user
`
`Slnce the serv1ces sometlmes use different control keys to
`
`denote an expresslon, such as "
`
`" + ")" on Yahoo and " "+"-"+”"}".
`
`erpy‘m automatlcally re-maps and sends/receives the correct
`
`expre551on for the approprlate serv1ce
`
`Thls automatlc re-mapplng
`
`15 hldden from the user, who sees only that the emotlcon 15 sent
`
`and recelved
`
`N039]
`
`My Emotzconsfl
`
`Flgure 12 ls a top Vlew of a flrst
`
`embodlment of a keyboard for the present rnventlon
`
`Flgure 13 1s
`
`285
`
`290
`
`295
`
`300
`
`-12-
`
`14
`
`14
`
`
`
`Atty Becket NO HEREDIA—fll
`
`PATENT
`
`a top v1ew of a second embodtment of a keyboard for the present
`
`1nvent10n
`
`Users may be able to personalrze Zippy" by ESSlgnlng
`
`certaln Emotrcons to blank entry buttons on the keyboard (e g ,
`
`P1, P2, P3, and P4)
`
`The users may be presented With a setup
`
`305
`
`Screen enabling them to select whlch Emotlcon they want a351gned
`
`to whlch spec1f1c key
`
`The user may then be able to peel an
`
`approprlate label
`
`from a sheet Nthh contalns that Emoticon and
`
`paste that label on the key
`
`In an alternative embodiment, an LCD
`
`wlndow may be enabled 1n its place and dlsplay the Emotlcen
`
`310
`
`selected 1n that area of the keyboard
`
`315
`
`320
`
`w04m
`
`Dedlcatad Chat sessxon keys Figure 12 15 a top Vlew of a
`
`flrst embodlment of a keyboard for the present 1nventlon
`
`F1gure
`
`13 15 a top v1ew of a second embodlment of a keyboard for the
`
`present 1nventlon
`
`A palr of dedicated sessron keys are present
`
`which enable a user to swltch between actlve Conversations
`
`The
`
`keys are labeled Prev and Next and thelr sole functlon 15 to
`
`swltch between multlple srmultaneous conversatlons
`
`Once a Zippy“
`
`user starts talk1ng to mu1t1ple IM frlends.
`
`they may use the Prev
`
`and Next keys to go through the conversations
`
`If a new message
`
`came 1n,
`
`they may use the Func (control)
`
`+ Next key sequence to go
`
`to the w1ndow contalnlng the new message recelved
`
`Press1ng Func
`
`(control) + Prev may allow them ta SW1tCh to the last actlve
`
`conversatlon wlndow they where 1n
`
`_13—.
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`Atty DOCkEt NO HEREDIA~01
`
`PATENT
`
`325
`
`330
`
`335
`
`340
`
`345
`
`W04”
`
`Keyboard Desxgn
`
`Figure 12 is a top View of a first
`
`embodlment of a keyboard for the present 1nvent1on
`
`Flgure 13 15
`
`a top View of a second embodiment of a keyboard for the present
`
`1nventron
`
`The keyboard desrgn may comprlse a touch pad keyboard
`
`With a alngle membrane layer on top of it
`
`The layer may change
`
`dependlng on languages and the software may change accordlngly
`
`The phy51cal touch pad and electronlos may stay the same
`
`Other
`
`types of keyboards may be used w1th1n the splrlt and scope of the
`
`present 1nventlon
`
`mfl42]
`
`Figure 5 15 a screen shot of a sample chat sessron ShOW1ng
`
`the user‘s buddy llst menu
`
`The Buddy L15t ls actlvated by
`
`preselng the Buddy Buttonm (the Zippy“I Logo button lllustrated 1n
`
`the center of the top row 1n Flgures 12 and 13)
`
`The Buddy Llst
`
`may be used to dlsplay llsts of buddres currently logged on and
`
`using one of the 1nstant messenger serv1ces the user rs currently
`
`logged lnto
`
`The user may press thls button to select a buddy
`
`with whom to chat wlth
`
`W043]
`
`Preserng the Buddy Button Will dlsplay a pop up wrndow
`
`showxng all of the known, actlve users from all of the servlces
`
`the user is currently logged 1nto, as lllustrated 1n Figure 5
`
`It
`
`may only dlsplay actlve {currently logged on) users and W111 not
`
`-14-
`
`16
`
`16
`
`
`
`
`
`350
`
`355
`
`360
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`display users that the Zippy“ cannot have conversations with
`
`The
`
`user may then scroll up and down the list with the cursor keys on
`
`the keyboard and select the ID of the user they want to chat with
`
`by presSing the enter key on the keyboard
`
`N04“
`
`As illustrated in Figure 5,
`
`there may be two lists in the
`
`Buddy list separated by a thin line
`
`The first list is a list of
`
`active buddies the user is currently haVing conversations with
`
`A
`
`Window counter (described in section 3 5 of the attached APPENDIX)
`
`correlated to the number on the conversation screen header bar may
`
`precede the names of the users currently haying conversations with
`
`the Zippym user
`
`So if the user is currently engaged in 3 active
`
`conversations,
`
`the buddy list may first display the User 103 of
`
`the active conversations sorted by the number of the conversation
`
`It may then display the IN 105 of the other "online" buddies
`
`sorted alphabetically in the list
`
`A number may not precede this
`
`365
`
`list of buddies and the buddies on the active conversation list
`
`may not be displayed in this list
`
`[0045]
`
`Note that if a user pushes Pressing the Buddy Buttonm to
`
`display the list and then presses the Buddy Button" again, without
`
`370
`
`selecting a user,
`
`the devrce Will toggle the list of users on and
`
`then off again
`
`A conversation may start with the selected user
`
`only when the user has pressed the enter key
`
`The Buddy list may
`
`_ 15 _
`
`17
`
`17
`
`
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ul
`
`PATENT
`
`then disappear and a new chat session will be started With the
`
`recently selected buddy
`
`If the Zippy user selects the ID of a
`
`user who is already chatting With himlher,
`
`the previous chat
`
`sBSSion Will be displayed allow1ng the user to immediately go to
`
`that open conversation
`
`So if the Zippy user selects "breCio"
`
`from the buddy listr the conversation With "breCio" W111 be
`
`displayed on the screen after the buddy list disappears
`
`@046]
`
`Figure 7 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the
`
`present
`
`invention illustrating the major components
`
`The heart of
`
`the apparatus may comprise, for example. a Cirrus Logic E97312
`
`System on a Chip w/ARMTZUT operating at 74-90 MHz
`
`This chip is
`
`available from Cirrus Logic,
`
`Inc of Austin, Texas
`
`The Cirrus
`
`Logic EP7312 may be coupled to an External Peripheral bus which in
`
`turn connects to most of the other internal components of the
`
`apparatus
`
`These other components may include memory, such as the
`
`8MB SDRAM (32 bit) memory as well as a 2 MB Boot Block FLASH
`
`memory for storing software and various user settings
`
`An
`
`optional debugfexpanSion connector may be prOVided to allow the
`
`apparatus to he tested, debugged, or expanded by plugging into
`
`other deVices
`
`[0047]
`
`The Cirrus Logic EPT312 may also be coupled to the
`
`indicator LEDs
`
`(Power and Wireless Link as shown) which may be
`
`375
`
`380
`
`385
`
`390
`
`395
`
`18
`
`18
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`prov1ded on the case as lllustrated 1n Flgure 1-3 and 14-15
`
`Audlo output may be provzded through a 123 Drgltal Audlo output
`
`whlch may couple to a IOOdB DR DAC {Dlgltal to Analog Converter)
`
`which may then output analog audlo to the headphone Jack shown
`
`The Clrrus Logic EP7312 may also output a display Slgnal to the
`
`burlt—ln LCD screen
`
`The LCD screen,
`
`lllustrated 1n Figure 1—3
`
`and 14*15 may comprise, for exampleJr a 320x240 dot matrlx QVGA
`
`screen or the llke, With a bullt—ln controller, 1/240 duty cycle,
`
`4-b1t parallel 1nterface, w1th a reflectlve display operatlng 1n
`
`landscape mode
`
`[0048]
`
`Also coupled to the external perlpheral bus 1s the RF
`
`portlon of the apparatus
`
`Thls RF portlon comprlses an Agere
`
`WaveLAN WMAC and Agere WaveLan PHY chlps comprlslng an 802 11x WI—
`
`FI rece1VEr, whlch may receive WI—FI algnals through an 1nterna1
`
`antenna, or Vla an optlonal external antenna plugged into external
`
`antenna jack lllustrated 1n Flgure 1
`
`These components may
`
`comprlse,
`
`for example,
`
`the Agere WL1141 (WMAC) and the Agere
`
`FWBOZB (PH!) products manufactured by Agere Systems. Allentown
`
`Pennsylvania
`
`400
`
`405
`
`410
`
`415
`
`m04fi
`
`A power plug may also be prov1ded, as lllustrated 1n
`
`Flgure 7,
`
`to charge 1nterna1 llthlum—lon batter1e5 and/or power
`
`-17"
`
`19
`
`19
`
`
`
`420
`
`425
`
`430
`
`435
`
`440
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`the apparatus
`
`The apparatus may also be optlonally powered by
`
`dlsposable alkallne batterles or the llke
`
`WOSW
`
`lepy“ is a W1+F1 solutlon
`
`It enables communlcatlon
`
`through any wlreless free hotspot or "For Pay” hotspot Whlle it
`
`supports ”For Pay", 1t really does not requrre a "For Pay" serv1oe
`
`to oommunlcate to users
`
`Zippy" automatlcally detects and
`
`conflgure access p01nts in a home env1ronment
`
`The software
`
`allows the user to create profiles whlch are spec1f1c to
`
`locatlons, such as Home, Lrbrary, School. Mall, and the llke
`
`Flgure 6 l5 a screen Shot of another screen 1n the setup wrzard
`
`lllustratlng how proflles may be created and named
`
`Thls feature
`
`15 somethlng that some PC applicatlons can do, but regular
`
`communlcatlons devices do not
`
`The proflles may 1nclude
`
`1nformatlon such as WEP and I? settlngs
`
`NOSE
`
`Z1ppym also has sophlstlcated power management
`
`capabrlltles
`
`when the user closes the 11d, 1t may automatically
`
`enter a deep sleep mode but it may keep the W1—F1 llnk allve
`
`To
`
`other users, 1t may appear as 1f the person has stepped away from
`
`the keyboard and may dlsplay the "away" comment on thelr IM
`
`display next to the zlppym user's IM name
`
`If a person knocks or
`
`trles to send a conversatlon to a lepy“ user,
`
`the unit may begln
`
`to bllnk the LED and lepy"I may make a sound
`
`A two color LED on
`
`-13-
`
`20
`
`20
`
`
`
`445
`
`450
`
`455
`
`460
`
`465
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`lepy“ that denote the state of the un1t, 1nclud1ng
`
`on,
`
`low power
`
`moder conversatlon requested, battery low and off state
`
`[0052}
`
`A green LED 1nd1cates that the unlt 15 fully on
`
`Flashrng
`
`green 1ndlcates conversatlon requested
`
`Amber 1nd1cates that the
`
`un1t 15 1h low-power mode
`
`Flashrng amber lfldlcatBS battery 15
`
`runnlng low
`
`Off 1nd1cates that the unlt ls completely powered
`
`off and battery has been dlscharged
`
`W053]
`
`Figure 8 18 a front v1eu of an alternatlve embodrment of
`
`the present 1nventlon, 11lustrat1ng a sample chat sessron
`
`In
`
`th1s embodlment,
`
`the physrcal arrangement of the Z1ppym dev1ce ls
`
`sllghtly dlfferent than that 1n F1gure5 1-3 and 14-15, however the
`
`functlonallty is essentlally the same
`
`In F1gure 8, a In chat
`
`conversation lS taklng place betwaen "FlneZChlck" (another user of
`
`a lepy“ or other IM devrce) and "MamasBoy"
`
`(the user of the
`
`lllustrated dev1ce)
`
`The conversatlon ls one of four presently
`
`running, as 1nd1¢ated by the "1/4" 1n the upper corner
`
`Ind1v1dual chat sessrons may be labeled With the name of the other
`
`chat person ("F1neZCh1ck" 1n this 1nstance]
`
`A battery 1nd1cator
`
`may also be prov1ded as lllustrated 1n Flgure 8
`
`mosq
`
`Note the presence of the predefined emotlcon keys on the
`
`keyboard of th1s embodrment, as well as the presence of user-
`
`- 19 -
`
`21
`
`21
`
`
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`deflned keys
`
`Note that 1n all embodlments, user deflned keys or
`
`macros may be used to store text strzng messages or combinations
`
`of text and emoticons,
`
`so that user need not type entire phrases
`
`Thus, commonly used phrases may be reduced to a 11m1ted number of
`
`keystrokes or a Slngle key
`
`WOSS
`
`Flgure 9 15 a front v1ew of an alternatlve embod1ment of
`
`the present 1nvent10n,
`
`illustrating a sample chat 5e551on,
`
`showlng
`
`a user lnput message
`
`Thls message may appear 1n a dlfferent,
`
`user-deflnable font at the bottom of the screen before beLng sent
`
`when the user hits "enter" the message may be sent and appear as
`
`part of the chat SESSlon on the upper screen
`
`In an alternatlve
`
`embodlment, meseages may be wrltten 1n useng a stylus and
`
`character recognltlon software used to enter such messages
`
`Slmllarly, speech recognltlon or other 1nput dev1ces may be used
`
`to 1nput data
`
`W056}
`
`Flgure 10 15 a front Vlew of an alternatlve embodlment of
`
`the present 1nvent10n,
`
`illustrat1ng a sample chat sessxon, shoulng
`
`a drop down menu With favorlte user
`
`lfrlends) names
`
`By scrolling
`
`down through thls llst, the user may be able to select another
`
`chat 5e531on 1n progress, or attempt to lflltlallze a chat session
`
`With another user from the buddy llst
`
`Flgure 11 15 an enlarged
`
`470
`
`475
`
`480
`
`435
`
`490
`
`_ 20 _
`
`22
`
`22
`
`
`
`Atty Docket NO HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`screen shot of the frlends 115t from Figure 10
`
`In this example,
`
`the user has selected "HappyDude" from the 115t
`
`m05fl
`
`The lepy“ apparatus 15 prov1ded wlth a number of
`
`addltlonal novel features whrch are dlstlngulshable from the Prlor
`
`Art
`
`Some of these addltlonal novel features are as follows
`
`WUSN
`
`IM Spearfzc User 1nter£ace
`
`Slnce the LCD on lepym may
`
`be too small to accommodate multiple IM sess;ons at the same timeIr
`
`the UI has been desrgned to support multiple actlve conversatlons
`
`as follows
`
`495
`
`500
`
`NUS”
`
`Ordered Conversatrons
`
`The conversatlons may be numbered
`
`in the order that they are started
`
`For example,
`
`the frrst
`
`505
`
`conversatlon 15 labeled 1 of 1
`
`(1/1)
`
`The second conversatlon
`
`becomes 2 of 2
`
`(2/2)
`
`When the Zippy user sthches to
`
`conversation number 1, 1t may dlsplay on the screen 1/2
`
`WOGM
`
`Conversatron Context Switching
`
`The user may be able to
`
`510
`
`swrtch to the next conversation 1n the queue by us1ng the Next key
`
`on the keyboard
`
`If the user presses the Prev key,
`
`then the
`
`prev1ous conversatlon may be dlsplayed
`
`(see section above on
`
`keyboard capabllltles)
`
`- 21 -
`
`23
`
`23
`
`
`
`515
`
`520
`
`525
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`mflfiu
`
`IMessage Alerfi“ A pop-up alert may be dlsplayed to
`
`1nd1cate that a new message has been recelved from a use:
`
`In a
`
`typlcal 1mplementat1on, a new chat Window 15 automatlcally created
`
`1n 3 separate dlalog box
`
`In Zippy“,
`
`a small pop—up message 1s
`
`draplayed which dlsappears after a t1meout
`
`Th1s enables the
`
`actlve conversatlon to contlnue and not be lnterrupted but strll
`
`enable notlflcatron and the ablllty for a user to respond to the
`
`new message
`
`A sound 15 also played to tell the user that a new
`
`message has been received
`
`Wflfifi
`
`IMessaga Responsd”
`
`If the user wants to go to the new
`
`conversatlon,
`
`then they can switCh to the new conversatlon or
`
`recelved message by preselng the FN (cntrl)-Next button
`
`If they
`
`press the FN(cntrl)-Prev buttonIr
`
`they may be context sw1tched back
`
`to the prev1ou51y actlve conversatlon (the conversatton they last
`
`530
`
`typed somethlng 1n]
`
`[0063] Whlle the preferred embodlment and various alternatlve
`embodlments of the inventlon have been dlsclosed and descrlbed 1n
`
`detall hereln, it may be apparent to those Skilled in the art that
`
`535
`
`varlous changes 1n form and detall may be made there1n w1thout
`
`departlng from the sp1r1t and scope thereof
`
`24
`
`24
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIAwul
`
`PATENT
`
`Exemplary Claims {not for Examxnatron Purposes)
`
`CLAIMS
`
`1
`
`A Wl—Fl enabled dedlcated portable Instant Messenger
`
`appllance enablrng connect1v1ty v1a a wlreless home network and
`
`roamlng out51de of the house v1a hotspots around the world
`
`(wlthout belng tethered to a PC),
`
`the appliance 1nc1ud1ng
`
`Support for WEP, WPA as well as hotspot encryptlon (Borngo,
`
`Wayport).
`
`Plug n Play support to autometlcally detect and configure
`
`wlreless setup, and
`
`Automatlc launch and log—1n of user at power—on
`
`540
`
`545
`
`550
`
`
`
`2
`
`The appllance of clalm 1, further ComprlSlng
`
`Compatlblllty w1th all popular serv1ces (AOL, Yahoo, MSN) at
`
`555
`
`the same time
`
`3
`
`The appllance of clalm 1, further comprlslng an IM
`
`Spec1f1c keyboard anludlng
`
`560
`
`a keyboard With bullt—ln Emotlcons {preprogrammed and user
`
`deflned sm11ey face and other emotion lcons typrcally used by IM
`
`.723.-
`
`25
`
`25
`
`
`
`Atty Docket NO HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`users )
`
`Examples include
`
`Smrley face, D , sad face,
`
`—> Happy
`
`Face, and the like
`
`Users have instant access to several of the
`
`most commonly used Emotmcons avallable just by pre551ng a button
`
`565 on the keypad. and a set of user definable Emoticon buttons which
`
`the user can taller for their own use — allowing the user to
`
`personallze the dev1ce
`
`570
`
`4
`
`The appllance of clalm 1, further Comprl$1ng
`
`a elngle Buddy Button“ whlch calls up the list of logged—1n
`
`users
`
`From this llst, users may be able to eastly add and delete
`
`users from the buddy llst
`
`5
`
`The appllance of clalm a, whereln selectlon of a buddy
`
`from the buddy llst automatlcally opens up a full screen chat
`sesszLon
`
`6
`
`The appllauce of clalm 1.
`
`further comprls1ng
`
`dedlcated Conversatlon keys - Prev10us and Next buttons whlch
`
`cycle through IM 5e551ons
`
`575
`
`530
`
`585
`
`724..
`
`26
`
`26
`
`
`
`Atty Docket NO HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`7
`
`The appllance of clalm 1, further c0mpr151ng 1M SpeCLflc
`
`Software enhancements includlng
`
`Message Alerts, Message Response, context swltohlng, comblned
`
`115:, Emotloon translatlons {abstractlon}, Emotlcon
`
`59G personallzatlon, LED control and state dlsplay, and ordered
`
`Conversations
`
`“
`
`The appllance of clalm 1, further comprlslng
`
`595
`
`authorized Feature upgradeablllty (deteotlon of add-1n
`
`modules, reglstratlon and download of features {audlo
`
`enhancements/playback}
`
`
`
`
`27
`
`27
`
`
`
`Atty Docket No HEREDIA-Ol
`
`PATENT
`
`SOD
`
`lepf“ Instant Messenger Portable Devrce
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`lepy“ 15 a portable, battery operated, dedlcated wlreless
`
`605 1nstant messaglng dev1ce prlmarlly for chlldren and adolescents
`
`whlch enables children and adolescents to have several
`
`conversatlons With other 1nstant messaging cl1ents runnlng on a
`
`PC
`
`The dev1ce 1s optlmlzed for chlldren and adolescents usage
`
`patterns and offers a number of advantageous features
`
`The
`
`610 apparatus l3 prov1ded wlth a small keyboard w1th bullt-ln
`
`dedlcated IM features such as a "Buddy Button" whlch may call up a
`
`list of BCtIVE users avallable to chat thh
`
`Ded1cated EunCthn
`
`keys may allow a user to swltch between chats, send Emoticons,
`
`and
`
`a dedicated Buddy Button
`
`Support 15 prov1ded for preprogrammed
`
`615 and user def1nable Emotlcons
`
`In addltlon, automatlc dlscovery
`
`and conflguratlon of wireless access pelnts and routers 1s
`
`prondEd, 1nclud1ng sav1ng preferred settings ”proflles" for
`
`multiple hotspots
`
`Automatlc logln of 1nstant messaglng serv1ce
`
`may be prov1ded,
`
`including saVLng preferences
`
`_ 25 _
`
`28
`
`28
`
`
`
`ZIP-0001
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`
`
`Figure 1
`
`29
`
`29
`
`
`
`ZIP-0001
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`
`
`30
`
`30
`
`
`
`ZIP-0001
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`m:
`
`luuttcru tantrum
`
`
`
`Figure 3
`
`31
`
`31
`
`
`
`ZIP-0001
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`w .waezzrrmm‘ "2:: “ ‘”
`WW» :w-w;
`¢M#
`
`1.4M a~ gSemn meme '2: J
`
`Welcome to the Setup Wizard
`lepyttm) W111 now help you
`setup your network, your
`Instant Messagmg Accounts
`and your favonte Emotic
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