1. Apparatus for displaying information from a portable communications device, having a data output port and a scrollable display, on a remote projection display device having a data input port, the apparatus comprising:
a first data port associated with a cradle for receiving the portable communications device, the first data port adapted to be coupled to the data output port of the portable communications device, the first data port for receiving remote data from the portable communications device, the remote data including remote audio data and remote visual data;
a second data port that is adapted to be coupled to the data input port of the remote projection display device, the second data port coupled to a voltage control switch that senses a voltage when the portable communications device is received by the cradle, wherein automatically, upon placement of the portable communications device into the cradle, the second data port provides to the remote projection display device a representation of the remote visual data received from and displayed by the portable communications device; and
a processor coupled to the first data port and to the second data port, the processor establishing two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, wherein when a message is received at the portable communications device, then the processor exchanges the message with the remote projection display device and the remote projection display device displays the message, and after a predetermined period of inactivity then the processor ends two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, and when the portable communications device is removed from the cradle, then the processor commands the remote projection display device to resume displaying a speedometer input;
wherein the apparatus is configured to receive scrolling commands from a scroll controller, the scroll controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to provide a scrolling display of information that is simultaneously displayed on the scrollable display of the portable communications device such that the portable communications device and the remote projection display present the same information;
wherein the scroll controller comprises a scrolling control device that is integrated into an automobile steering wheel and is adapted to be electrically coupled to the remote projection display device and to the portable communications device such that the scrolling control device also controls the portable communications device and scrolls along the scrollable display of the portable communications device;
wherein the apparatus is also configured to receive commands from a display controller, the display controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to turn on and off the displayed information;
wherein the display controller also comprises a control device that is integrated into the automobile steering wheel and is adapted to be electrically connected to the remote projection display device;
wherein the cradle includes an audio serial port for receiving the remote audio data, a speaker for outputting the remote audio data, and a microphone for receiving audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device; and
wherein the cradle is also adapted to couple to a hands-free kit, such that when the cradle couples to the hands-free kit the hands-free kit outputs the remote audio data and receives the audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a data translator, coupled between the first data port and the second data port, that formats the remote visual data received from the portable communications device into a format from which the remote projection display device can provide a projected display.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is an Internet appliance.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is a cellular telephone.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable communications device is a personal digital assistant.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote projection display device provides the projected display on an automobile windshield.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the remote projection display device is a heads-up display device that is integrated into an automobile.
8. Apparatus for hands-free communication using a portable communications device, the apparatus adapted to receive remote data from the portable communications device via a wireless telecommunications link, the portable communications device having an externally accessible data output port and the remote data including remote audio data and remote visual data, the apparatus comprising:
a housing that is adapted to receive the portable communications device;
a voltage control switch that senses a voltage when the portable communications device is received by the housing;
a first interface for coupling the data output port of the portable communications device to the housing;
a second interface for coupling the housing to a data input port of a remote projection display device;
a processor for receiving the remote data from the portable communications device, converting the received remote visual data to a format displayable by the remote projection display device, and forwarding the converted remote visual data to the remote projection display device via the second interface for automatic display upon detection of placement of the portable communications device into the housing, the processor establishing two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, wherein when a message is received at the portable communications device, then the processor exchanges the message with the remote projection display device and the remote projection display device displays the message, and after a predetermined period of inactivity then the processor ends two-way communication between the portable communications device and the remote projection display device, and when the portable communications device is removed from the cradle, then the processor commands the remote projection display device to resume displaying a speedometer input;
a serial port for receiving the remote audio data;
a speaker for outputting the remote audio data; and
a microphone for receiving audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device;
wherein the apparatus is adapted to couple to a hands-free kit, such that when the apparatus couples to the hands-free kit the hands-free kit outputs the remote audio data and receives the audio data that is to be sent back through the portable communications device;
wherein the portable communications device includes a scrolling capability, and the processor includes a scroll controller that receives scrolling commands from a remote scroll control device that is adapted to be integrated into an automobile steering wheel and adapted to cause the remote projection display device to provide a scrolling display of the converted remote visual data based on the scrolling commands that is simultaneously displayed on the portable communications device such that the portable communications device and the remote projection display present the same information, the scroll controller also controlling the portable communications device and scrolling along a display of the portable communications device;
wherein the processor is configured to receive commands from a remote toggle controller, the remote toggle controller being adapted to cause the remote projection display device to toggle the display of the remote visual data between on and off states in response to actuation of the remote toggle controller;
wherein the second interface is a wireless interface that is adapted to couple the housing to a corresponding wireless interface of the remote projection display;
wherein the processor includes a data translator for the converting of the received remote visual data;
wherein the first interface is a serial port connector and the second interface is a serial port connector; and
wherein a connection between the first interface and the data output port of the portable communications device is achieved upon receipt of the portable communications device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An antenna assembly for a cellular telephone, comprising: a solid dielectric core, and a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly including an electrical conductor on said solid dielectric core; said electrical conductor being configured and dimensioned to be matched to the operating frequency band of the cellular telephone communication band and terminating at each of its opposite ends in a common feed point connection such as to provide a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly having an isotropic radiation pattern and reduced electromagnetic field radiation.
2. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor is configured to define a first electrically-conductive loop in a first plane, and a second electrically-conductive loop in a second plane orthogonal to said first plane; said first and second electrically-conductive loops being connected in series with said common feed point connection to provide said two-terminal balanced antenna assembly.
3. The antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first and second electrically-conductive loops are located and electrically connected such that: one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is connected at one end to a first feed point connection; said second loop is fully in said second plane orthogonal to said first plane and is electrically connected at one end to the opposite end of said one-half of the first loop; and the remaining one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is electrically connected between the opposite end of said second loop and a second feed point connection.
4. The antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said loops is of a length equal to one-half the wavelength of a predetermined frequency within the operative frequency band of the antenna assembly, such that the antenna assembly is of one full wavelength.
5. The antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said loops is of a length equal to one-quarter wavelength of a predetermined frequency within the operative frequency band of the antenna assembly, such that the antenna assembly is of a one-half wavelength.
6. The antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said loops is of rectangular configuration.
7. The antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said loops is of square configuration.
8. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor is of flat cross-section.
9. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor includes an electrically-conductive wire extending axially through said core, and an electrically-conductive helix extending around the outer surface of said core; one end of said electrically-conductive wire and one end of said electrically-conductive helix being electrically-connected together; the opposite ends of said electrically-conductive wire and said electrically-conductive helix constituting common feed terminals defining said common feed point connection.
10. The antenna assembly according to claim 9, wherein said dielectric core is of a cylindrical configuration.
11. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said solid dielectric core is a material selected from the group of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, zirconium oxide, and a ferroelectric dielectric.
12. A two-terminal balanced antenna assembly for a transceiver of a wireless communication device, comprising: a first electrically-conductive loop in a first plane; a second electrically-conductive loop in a second plane orthogonal to said first plane; and a solid dielectric core; said first and second electrically-conductive loops being connected in series with a common feed point connection, to provide a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly having reduced electromagnetic field radiation from the body of a transceiver when attached thereto in comparison to a monopole antenna of comparable gain.
13. The antenna assembly according to claim 12, wherein said first and second electrically-conductive loops are located and electrically connected such that: one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is connected at one end to a first feed point connection; said second loop is fully in said second plane orthogonal to said first plane and is electrically connected at one end to the opposite end of said one-half of the first loop; and the remaining one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is electrically-connected between the opposite end of said second loop and a second feed point connection.
14. An antenna assembly for a wireless communication device, comprising: a first electrically-conductive loop constituted of two half-loops both disposed in a first plane; and a second electrically-conductive loop disposed in a second plane orthogonal to said first plane and located between said two half loops; said first and second loops being connected together in series with a common feed point.
15. The antenna assembly according to claim 14, wherein: one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is connected at one end to a first feed point connection; said second loop is fully in said second plane orthogonal to said first plane and is electrically connected at one end to the opposite end of said one half-loop; and the other one-half of said first loop is in said first plane and is electrically-connected between the opposite end of said second loop and a second feed point connection.
16. The antenna assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first and second loops enclose a block of a solid dielectric material.
17. The antenna assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said loops is of rectangular configuration.
18. A two-terminal balanced antenna assembly for a transceiver of a wireless communication device, comprising: a dielectric core; an electrically-conductive wire extending axially through said core; and an electrically-conductive helix extending of at least one complete helical turn around the outer surface of said core; one end of said electrically-conductive wire and one end of said of electrically-conductive helix being electrically-connected together; the opposite ends of said electrically-conductive wire and said electrically-conductive helix constituting common feed terminals, such as to provide a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly having reduced electromagnetic field radiation from the body of a transceiver when attached thereto in comparison to a monopole antenna of comparable gain.
19. The antenna assembly according to claim 18, wherein said dielectric core is of a cylindrical configuration.
20. The antenna assembly according to claim 18, wherein the dielectric material of said dielectric core is selected from the group of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, zirconium oxide, and a ferroelectric dielectric.