Microsoft patents "SMART INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES"
Abstract
A universal smart interface and peripheral management system for portable devices such as mobile phones. The smart system includes a connector interface that connects peripherals to a phone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA), through the smart system. The smart system includes a cradle for receiving a cell phone and interfacing the phone to external systems such as peripherals, networks and other systems through a USB hub and other suitable connector interfaces. The peripheral devices to which the smart system can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays (e.g., television), external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). The smart system also facilitates connectivity to large display systems such as TVs, computer displays and monitors.
Description
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/959,732 entitled "PORTABLE DEVICE MULTIPLE INTERFACE HUB" and filed Jul. 16, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Dkt. No. 321550.02) entitled "PASSIVE INTERFACE AND SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION FOR PORTABLE DEVICES" filed on ______.
BACKGROUND
[0002]Mobile communications devices such as cell phones are ubiquitous in personal and business settings. Advances in the design and computing capabilities of such devices serve as the catalyst for demanding more access to these capabilities by consumers. For example, cameras, text messaging, display systems are some features provided in addition to the basic call functionality originally provided for such devices. Moreover, the ability to now connect to services on both IP and cellular communications networks further drives the demand for more systems that provide convenient access to these services and functionality.
[0003]This becomes particularly desirable in emerging markets where the average user may have a handheld mobile communications device but not a home computer. This is because voice communications between users may typically be considered more valuable to the user than a computing system. Moreover, the cost of cell phones is significantly less than computing systems at many levels. For example, the phones can be obtained for free or at a nominal cost based on the dialing plan to which the user subscribes. However, the cell phone is rapidly evolving into a smart communications device that can provide sufficient computing power and functionality to drive a wide variety of peripherals as well as access network services. A major impediment to taking advantage of this evolving technology in the cell phone, for example, is the inability to connect the phone to peripheral devices and systems.
SUMMARY
[0004]The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
[0005]The disclosed mechanism is a multipurpose smart system (or interface system) that functions to connect a mobile communications device (e.g., a cell phone) or data device (e.g., PDA) to different peripheral devices (e.g., printers, displays, input devices, external storage entities, etc.) and networks (e.g., IP network, home networks, etc.).
[0006]The smart system includes a housing having a cradle portion into which the mobile communications device can be seated. When seated in the cradle, the mobile communications device mechanically and electrically engages the functionality of the smart system. The cradle is designed into the housing such that when seated in the cradle, the mobile communications device is positioned and oriented for convenient user interaction with an optimum number of features such as the keypad, device display, audio output (e.g., speakers), audio input (e.g., microphone), device camera (e.g., lens for capturing images), and so on.
[0007]In an alternative embodiment, the mobile communications device is not seated into the cradle of the smart system, but interfaces to the smart system using a tether (e.g., mini-USB cable) via which the device user has more freedom to move the device.
[0008]In still another embodiment, the mobile communications device interfaces to the smart system and associated functionality via a wireless link (e.g., Bluetooth.TM., Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, IrDA, etc.).
[0009]The smart system provides a set of standard modular connectors for a wide variety of peripheral systems. The smart system includes a USB hub subsystem having a set of USB ports and controller for managing connections to USB-capable devices. The smart system also includes a physical network connection (e.g., Ethernet) for connecting to IP networks, for example. The USB and/or the network connection facilitate interconnecting one mobile device to another through the smart system, and/or through multiple systems.
[0010]The peripheral devices to which the hub can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays, external monitors (e.g., television), input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). Adding these peripherals allows the user to fully take advantage of the computing resources of the mobile communications device phone.
[0011]When seated into the smart system cradle, the mobile communications device automatically configures itself to not only operate with the smart system but also with peripheral systems connected to the smart system. An application and driver installed on the mobile communications device facilitates interaction with the functionality of the smart system and the connected peripherals, as well as the smart system and peripherals receiving information about the connected device.
[0012]To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
A universal smart interface and peripheral management system for portable devices such as mobile phones. The smart system includes a connector interface that connects peripherals to a phone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA), through the smart system. The smart system includes a cradle for receiving a cell phone and interfacing the phone to external systems such as peripherals, networks and other systems through a USB hub and other suitable connector interfaces. The peripheral devices to which the smart system can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays (e.g., television), external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). The smart system also facilitates connectivity to large display systems such as TVs, computer displays and monitors.
Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/959,732 entitled "PORTABLE DEVICE MULTIPLE INTERFACE HUB" and filed Jul. 16, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Dkt. No. 321550.02) entitled "PASSIVE INTERFACE AND SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION FOR PORTABLE DEVICES" filed on ______.
BACKGROUND
[0002]Mobile communications devices such as cell phones are ubiquitous in personal and business settings. Advances in the design and computing capabilities of such devices serve as the catalyst for demanding more access to these capabilities by consumers. For example, cameras, text messaging, display systems are some features provided in addition to the basic call functionality originally provided for such devices. Moreover, the ability to now connect to services on both IP and cellular communications networks further drives the demand for more systems that provide convenient access to these services and functionality.
[0003]This becomes particularly desirable in emerging markets where the average user may have a handheld mobile communications device but not a home computer. This is because voice communications between users may typically be considered more valuable to the user than a computing system. Moreover, the cost of cell phones is significantly less than computing systems at many levels. For example, the phones can be obtained for free or at a nominal cost based on the dialing plan to which the user subscribes. However, the cell phone is rapidly evolving into a smart communications device that can provide sufficient computing power and functionality to drive a wide variety of peripherals as well as access network services. A major impediment to taking advantage of this evolving technology in the cell phone, for example, is the inability to connect the phone to peripheral devices and systems.
SUMMARY
[0004]The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
[0005]The disclosed mechanism is a multipurpose smart system (or interface system) that functions to connect a mobile communications device (e.g., a cell phone) or data device (e.g., PDA) to different peripheral devices (e.g., printers, displays, input devices, external storage entities, etc.) and networks (e.g., IP network, home networks, etc.).
[0006]The smart system includes a housing having a cradle portion into which the mobile communications device can be seated. When seated in the cradle, the mobile communications device mechanically and electrically engages the functionality of the smart system. The cradle is designed into the housing such that when seated in the cradle, the mobile communications device is positioned and oriented for convenient user interaction with an optimum number of features such as the keypad, device display, audio output (e.g., speakers), audio input (e.g., microphone), device camera (e.g., lens for capturing images), and so on.
[0007]In an alternative embodiment, the mobile communications device is not seated into the cradle of the smart system, but interfaces to the smart system using a tether (e.g., mini-USB cable) via which the device user has more freedom to move the device.
[0008]In still another embodiment, the mobile communications device interfaces to the smart system and associated functionality via a wireless link (e.g., Bluetooth.TM., Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, IrDA, etc.).
[0009]The smart system provides a set of standard modular connectors for a wide variety of peripheral systems. The smart system includes a USB hub subsystem having a set of USB ports and controller for managing connections to USB-capable devices. The smart system also includes a physical network connection (e.g., Ethernet) for connecting to IP networks, for example. The USB and/or the network connection facilitate interconnecting one mobile device to another through the smart system, and/or through multiple systems.
[0010]The peripheral devices to which the hub can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays, external monitors (e.g., television), input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). Adding these peripherals allows the user to fully take advantage of the computing resources of the mobile communications device phone.
[0011]When seated into the smart system cradle, the mobile communications device automatically configures itself to not only operate with the smart system but also with peripheral systems connected to the smart system. An application and driver installed on the mobile communications device facilitates interaction with the functionality of the smart system and the connected peripherals, as well as the smart system and peripherals receiving information about the connected device.
[0012]To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
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