Multifunctional portable telephone

Claim 2

A personal communication device, comprising: a display for displaying data and video signals; a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal; a microphone for receiving an audio signal; a keypad for entering data; a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information; and an internal multi-position and multi-function reading head for producing an image signal when in a first position using a first lensing and for reading for image conversion using a second lensing when in a second position.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head is a camera.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head is a laser diode.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head is part of a clip-on unit.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head includes a rotational pivot which rotates to three positions.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5 , further comprising respective lensing at each of the three positions.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head includes a rotational reflective mirror.

Claim 9

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head includes a light source.

Claim 10

The device of claim 8 , wherein the reading head further includes a shroud for the light source.

Claim 11

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a thumbwheel for controlling the reading head.

Claim 12

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a servo motor for controlling the reading head.

Claim 13

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head and display are configured to allow simultaneous viewing of an object and the image signal representing the object.

Claim 14

The device of claim 1 , wherein the image signal is MPEG-4 compatible.

Claim 15

The device of claim 1 , wherein the reading head is for reading coded data, and the display is for displaying material corresponding to the coded data.

Claim 16

The device of claim 14 , wherein the coded data represents product identification codes.

Claim 17

The device of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications interface is for cellular communication.

Claim 18

The device of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications interface is for wireline communication.

Claim 19

The device of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications interface is for satellite communication.

Claim 20

The device of claim 1 , wherein the microphone, display and reading head are configured so that when the device is used as a telephone handset, a user can speak to the microphone while viewing an image on the display, and the reading head can pick up a frontal facial image of the user.

Claim 21

The device of claim 1 , further comprising encryption and decryption means having a key updatable via the telecommunications interface.

Claim 22

The device of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications interface includes frequency adjustment logic.

Claim 23

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a handheld unit.

Claim 24

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device consists of a handheld unit and a base unit connected by a wireless bidirectional data link.

Claim 25

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a plug for an earphone.

Claim 26

The device of claim 1 , further comprising interfaces for a keyboard and a video display unit.

Claim 27

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) interface.

Claim 28

The device of claim 1 , further comprising an interface for a PCMCIA card.

Claim 29

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a television receiver.

Claim 30

The device of claim 28 , further comprising storage for at least one television picture.

Claim 31

The device of claim 1 , further comprising rewritable storage, and means for selecting contents of the rewritable storage for display.

Claim 32

The device of claim 1 , further comprising microphone noise reduction circuitry.

Claim 33

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a touch screen.

Claim 34

The device of claim 1 , further comprising means for verifying the identity of a user.

Claim 35

The device of claim 33 , wherein the means for verifying is a recognizer for recognizing a written signature.

Claim 36

The device of claim 33 , wherein the means for verifying is a recognizer for recognizing a fingerprint.

Claim 37

The device of claim 33 , wherein the means for verifying is a recognizer for recognizing an image of the user.

Claim 38

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a handheld unit, and the reading head includes a rotational pivot which rotates to three positions, and further comprising: respective lensing at each of the three positions; a thumbwheel for controlling the reading head; interfaces for a keyboard and a video display unit; an interface for a PCMCIA card; and a touch screen.

Claim 39

A personal communication system, comprising: a display for displaying data and video signals; a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal; a microphone for receiving an audio signal; a keypad for entering data; a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information; a first interchangeable reading head for producing an image signal; and a second interchangeable reading head for one of character reading or encoded material scanning.

Claim 40

A personal communication system, comprising: a display for displaying data and video signals; a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal; a microphone for receiving an audio signal; a keypad for entering data; a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information; a first interchangeable reading head for producing an image signal; and a second interchangeable reading head for one of character reading or encoded material scanning.

Claim 41

The device of claim 38 , wherein the interchangeable reading head is part of a clip-on unit.

Claim 42

A communications system, comprising: a plurality of personal communication devices, each of the personal communication devices including: a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and an internal adjustable multi-function reading head moveable through a range of 180 degrees and having multiple settable positions, a first of the positions having a first lensing for producing an image signal and a second of the positions having a second lensing different from the first; and a central processing facility for communicating with the plurality of personal communication devices.

Claim 43

A communications system, comprising: a plurality of personal communication devices, each of the personal communication devices including: a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and an internal adjustable multi-function reading head moveable through a range of 180 degrees and having multiple settable positions, a first of the positions having a first lensing for producing an image signal and a second of the positions having a second lensing different from the first; and a central processing facility for communicating with the plurality of personal communication devices.

Claim 44

A communications system, comprising: a plurality of personal communication devices, at least one of the personal communication devices including: a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and a first interchangeable reading head for producing an image signal; at least another of the personal communication devices including a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and an internal adjustable multi-function reading head moveable through a range of 180 degrees and having multiple settable positions, a first of the positions having a first lensing for producing an image signal and a second of the positions having a second lensing different from the first; and a central processing facility for communicating with the plurality of personal communication devices.

Claim 45

A communications system, comprising: a plurality of personal communication devices, at least one of the personal communication devices including: a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and a first interchangeable reading head for producing an image signal; at least another of the personal communication devices including a display for displaying data and video signals, a loudspeaker for generating an audible signal, a microphone for receiving an audio signal, a keypad for entering data, a telecommunications interface for receiving and transmitting information, and an internal adjustable multi-function reading head moveable through a range of 180 degrees and having multiple settable positions, a first of the positions having a first lensing for producing an image signal and a second of the positions having a second lensing different from the first; and a central processing facility for communicating with the plurality of personal communication devices.