Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
' CA 02289884 1999-11-18
Electronic System having Variable Functions
Field of the Invention
A modular communication and entertainment system is described enabling radio
communication
capabilities and entertainment capabilities through a base unit. The system
includes at least one
module which interfaces with a base unit which provides functionality to the
base unit. The system is
adaptable to permit development of the base unit and portable module
independently of one another.
Background of the Invention
Consumer electronics products are numerous and widespread in use and
functionality. Products such
as televisions, radios, cassette players, compact disk players, cellular
telephones, home phone systems,
video cameras and computers are purchased in large numbers each year.
Generally, a consumer
purchases a product to perform a specific function or a limited range of
functions. While each product
may have a number of elements common to other products such as speakers,
microphones, input
devices and displays, separate products are purchased for the primary function
of the product.
In recent years, there has been a large increase in the use of radio products,
both receiver products and
transceiver products. Examples of receiver products include televisions,
radios including AM, FM,
SW, MB and GPS and transceiver products such as walkie talkies, cellular
phones and CB and VHF
radios.
In addition, the use of credit card and debit card swipe devices have become
increasingly popular as
electronic commerce is becoming more commonplace.
It is also well known that certain electronics products such as cellular
telephones quickly become
obsolete with respect to the communications technology therein, requiring
replacement of entire
cellular phones as technologies change. For example, the cellular industry is
currently seeing the
movement from AMPS (analog) to CDMA/TDMA/GSM(USA)/GSM(Europe) digital as well
as the
introduction of dual mode AMPS/CDMA AMPS/TDMA, or even tri-mode AMPS/CDMA/GSM,
for
example. This constant shifting in cellular technologies results in large
numbers of phones being
replaced within short periods of time, as little as one year in many
instances. Thus, the consumer in
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
2
order to obtain a modest increase in the performance or functionality of a
cellular phone, for example,
is obligated to replace the entire phone.
With advances in communications technologies, and in particular, the
miniaturization of electronic
processors, the addition of functionality to a processor can be achieved
without significant increases in
the volume or power requirements of the processor.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a system which overcomes the problems
of changing or
enhancing the functionality of an electronics products and more specifically,
there has been a need for
a system that places specific radio communication or other functionality on a
portable module and that
permits selective integration of the portable module into a base unit.
More specifically and with respect to cellular phones, a cellular phone
provides the user with a highly
convenient and efficient mode of communication enabling the user to
communicate from almost any
location within a cellular network. Cellular phones are generally used by the
business person as a
business tool or by an individual for convenience and security.
In recent years, advances in the miniaturization of cellular phones have
resulted in a large increase in
their use as the phones have become smaller, more portable and less expensive.
At the present time,
the more popular phones on the market are those which are hand-held with an
overall size in the range
of a 6 inches long, 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick. These phones generally
include rechargeable
battery packs to provide the necessary power for portability.
These advances in miniaturization have also led to a decrease in the use of
specific cellular phones,
such as those specifically designed for use within an automobile, as greater
overall convenience to the
consumer can be achieved with a fully portable unit. Similar trends in
miniaturization can also be
seen in other electronic equipment, including radios, stereos, computers,
telephones and the like.
While individual electronic products are made smaller, there exists an
inherent inefficiency with
respect to this hardware because various electronic systems cannot interact
with one another and
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
share common features, if appropriate. This ultimately results in a
duplication of hardware with the
consumer purchasing separate components that perform the same functions.
For example, while cellular phones continue to be made smaller, certain
disadvantages remain in their
structure and use. Principally, cellular phones require unique power packs,
display screens, keypads
and antennae to operate, with each phone being built according to the specific
standard associated
with a particular manufacturer. For example, the power packs developed for use
with one phone
system cannot be used with another phone system. As well, a cellular phone
power pack can usually
only be recharged by connection to a specific manufacture's recharging unit.
Similarly, power packs
for portable computers, portable cassette players and portable compact disk
players are not
interchangeable with one another.
In the business world, a business person may, in addition to a cellular phone,
be carrying additional
hardware to form a virtual office, such as a portable computer, a paging unit
and a dictation machine.
For each piece of hardware, auxiliary power packs or chargers may be required
adding to the overall
volume and weight of the business hardware and leading to situations where a
briefcase is filled
strictly with the various peripheral pieces of charging hardware. Thus, the
requirement for multiple
pieces of peripheral hardware detracts from the overall portability of the
hardware and often leads to
situations where the desired hardware component cannot operate because of a
lack of power either
because the inconvenience of carrying an auxiliary power pack or charger
caused the auxiliary power
pack or charger to be left behind or because power cannot be obtained from
another piece of
equipment such as a portable computer.
In the personal use setting, a user is most likely to require a cellular phone
while in his or her car,
while walking or while exercising. Again, since cellular phones are generally
not adapted for use in a
car, the use of a portable phone in the car may be ineffective and may
compromise the user's driving
attention. Furthermore, a person walking or exercising may desire to use a
portable compact disc or
cassette player as well as carry a cellular phone. However, because of the
separate components, one
or other of the pieces of equipment may be left behind.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
4
Thus, in both the business and personal use setting, numerous situations exist
where portability
requires a number of pieces of auxiliary hardware and the user may decide
against carrying a cellular
phone because of the inconvenience of the auxiliary hardware.
Another problem created by the duplication of hardware is the necessity to
duplicate security
features. A business person or other individual might need a user
identification number, a
password, an access code or any combination of the above to use a cellular
phone, a car phone, a
voice mail system, a facsimile mail system or any other communication tool.
Generally, each such
tool is a discrete piece of hardware activated by a separate identification
number or access code.
Consequently, an individual having to use several communication tools is
inconvenienced by having
to remember multiple numbers and codes. If a particular device's
identification number or code is
forgotten or remembered imperfectly, the device will be inoperable. While a
user might write down
the required numbers and codes, the written information can be misplaced, lost
or stolen, resulting
in the corresponding devices becoming inoperable to the rightful user and
accessible to unauthorized
users. Even if the same identification number or access code is used for all
of a user's devices,
security is still compromised as an unauthorized individual discovering the
identification number or
access code will be able to access multiple devices in the rightful user's
absence.
Thus, there has been a need for a communication system that overcomes the
above problems through
its adaptability to the various environments in which a cellular phone is
required and to the hardware
in association with which or simultaneously with which the cellular phone may
be used in association
or simultaneously with.
In particular, there has been a need for a cellular phone system that provides
the convenience of a
standard battery powered cellular phone and that can also be conveniently and
efficiently adapted to
other hardware, such as computer systems including portable computers and
personal computers,
radios including car radios, home stereo systems and portable radios such as
portable compact disc or
cassette tape players, standard and wireless telephone systems, video displays
and other audio
equipment devices.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
S
Past systems have proposed the use of thin cards having particular electronics
on the card for
adaptation to various devices. However, the use of a card having specifically
defined physical
dimensions to enhance the functionality of a given device also presents
several disadvantages.
First, adapting an existing electronics device to receive a card requires
significant modifications to
the electronic device in order to provide an appropriate volume within the
interior of the device to
receive the card without interfering with the device's other functional
components. In the past,
devices have been modified to include a slot as such, the slot that receives
the card must have a very
specific size and shape.
Furthermore, insertion of the card into an adapted device requires a
relatively high level of
precision and dexterity, as the slot for receiving the card is typically very
narrow. Thus, insertion
of the card can present difficulties for individuals with lower visual acuity
or poor coordination.
As well, removal of the card from a slot, which typically involves either
activating a mechanical or
electrical-mechanical mechanism or pulling on a small end of the card
protruding from the host
device, can be difficult as well. In addition, a mechanical or electrical-
mechanical mechanism has
the potential to malfunction, preventing the card from being removed for use
in a different device
and necessitating repairs.
Furthermore, the connectors on the host piece of equipment are typically
hidden in a narrow slot.
The contacts are not visible for inspection in case problems arise when
attempting to connect the
card. They are not readily accessible for cleaning to improve the contact
surface. Nor are they
accessible for undertaking minor repairs.
Further still, the requirement that the card be manufactured according to the
standard dimensions of
the slot is very restrictive. The card must have a standard shape, reducing
manufacturers' options
for the arrangement of the electronic components within the card and largely
eliminating an
individual manufacturers' ability to distinguish their cards from those of
competitors through the
external design of the card. Rather, if a manufacturer desires to make a card
with more components
than will fit on a card of the standard size, the only option is to increase
the length of the card such
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
6
that it extends awkwardly out of the slot. Similarly, a manufacturer desiring
to provide an optional
component to a card to enhance or upgrade its functionality will be severely
restricted in its options
for connecting the add-on to the card, as such cards are typically very thin
and can only be made
larger in the one direction.
In addition, such cards' thinness makes them fragile and prone to breakage,
particularly if the card
protrudes from its host device. While a thicker standard card size may be
adopted, a thicker card
size would require more extensive modification of the host device to
accommodate a thicker internal
slot. While the required connectors could be placed on the exterior surface of
the host device, such
a connection may be disadvantageous, as the stability afforded by the walls of
the interior slot would
be lost. In addition, the card would protrude awkwardly from the host device,
detracting from both
the compactness and the aesthetic look of the complete system.
Thin cards are also more susceptible to damage when detached from the host
device.
Past systems have also proposed securing auxiliary devices to the periphery of
a cell phone. Typically,
this connection involves attaching the auxiliary device to the base of the
cell phone with a simple plug.
Although this design provides flexibility in size and shape, such systems do
not provide interface
stability and, in particular, rotational or axial loading which will often
lead to damage of both the
auxiliary device and cell phone. Furthermore, these past systems allow for the
operation of the
auxiliary device only through the standard interface of the phone body. In the
event that the auxiliary
device developer is unable to obtain relevant keyboard and screen protocols,
then auxiliary controls be
necessary in order to integrate the functionality of an auxiliary device.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a communication system in which the
portable
communication module can be selectively and securely integrated into the body
of an audio
equipment device or base unit, for example with a stabilized clip-on or snap-
on connection. In
particular, there has been a need for a system which takes advantage of
reduced battery sizes to
enable combined battery auxiliary function modules to be integrated to a base
unit or cell phone
body.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
7
Still further, there has been a need for a communication system in which the
portable
communication module can be manufactured in a wide range of shapes and sizes
with potential for
growth in at least one dimension.
A review of the prior art indicates that such a system has not been developed.
United States Patent 5,550,861 discloses a computer peripheral combining the
functionality of
multiple devices including a pager, a fax machine and a data modem. The patent
discloses a PCMCIA
format card containing modem circuitry and telephone interface circuitry which
may be connected
either to a portable computer or to the modular components of a pager. This
patent also describes
circuitry which enables selective communication between the computer and the
fax/modem or the
pager. This patent does not disclose a system enabling radio telephone
communication through a
plurality of different audio equipment devices.
United States Patent 5,512,886 describes a paging system having a selective
call receiver with
computer interface capable of receiving at least one message and communicating
the at least one
message to an electronic information processing device and a proposed
standardized communication
interface. This patent does not disclose a system enabling radio telephone
communication through a
plurality of different audio equipment devices.
United States Patent 5,537,558 describes an apparatus enabling communication
between a personal
computer and other devices which may have the same or different operating
protocols through a
PCMCIA interface. This patent does not disclose a system enabling radio
telephone communication
through a plurality of different audio equipment devices.
United Kingdom Patent Application 2,264,613 describes a car telephone system
comprising a
portable telephone unit adapted for independent use or for connection to a
conventional car
entertainment system. This patent does not disclose a system enabling radio
telephone
communication through a plurality of different audio equipment devices.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
8
United Kingdom Patent Application 2,289,555 describes a device for personal
communication, data
collection and data processing (a notebook computer) capable of receiving a
PCMCIA radio module
enabling telecommunication in all cellular mobile phone systems. This patent
does not disclose a
system enabling radio telephone communication through a plurality of different
audio equipment
S devices.
PCT International Patent Application WO 96/39751 describes a modular
telecommunication system
comprising a radio transceiver and modem module adapted to be selectively
secured within
electronic audio equipment. This patent does not disclose a radio telephone
communication module
that can be selectively securely and stably attached to the exterior of audio
equipment devices and
that can be manufactured in a wide range of shapes and sizes with potential
for growth in at least
two dimensions.
, , CA 02289884 1999-11-18
9
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the invention, an electronic system is provided, the
electronic system comprising:
a base unit and a portable module, the portable module for operative
connection to the base
unit via a docking interface, the portable module having electronics to
enhance or alter the
functionality of the base unit, the base unit including a base unit docking
plate on the base unit
for mating and operative connection with a portable module docking plate on
the portable
module, wherein the geometry of the base unit, base unit docking plate and
portable module
docking interface do not constrain the outer surfaces of the portable module.
In further embodiments of the invention, the base unit docking plate and
portable module docking
plate include an electrical interface for operative connection of the portable
module electronics to the
base unit or a wireless interface for operative connection of the portable
module to the base unit. The
wireless interface may be RF or infra-red.
In further embodiments, the base unit is a cellular telephone having an
auxiliary access plug and a
battery docking plate and the portable module includes a module access plug on
the exterior of the
module, the electronic system further comprising a communication plug for
operative connection
between the portable module and cellular telephone through the module access
plug and auxiliary
access plug.
Still further, the base unit may be a cellular telephone body having a first
module docking plate and a
transceiver docking plate, a cellular telephone body having a first module
docking plate and an
interface docking plate or a cellular telephone body having a first module
docking plate, a transceiver
docking plate and an interface docking plate.
In various embodiments, the portable module includes a battery for providing
power to the base unit
and electronics of the portable module.
Within the electronic system, the portable module may be provided with
different electronics enabling
various functions. These may includes any one of or a combination of radio
transceiver, radio
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
receiver, entertainment, card swipe or other functionality. Radio transceiver
and radio receiver
functionality can be selected from any one of or a combination of cellular,
walkie talkie, radio
frequency (RF), citizens band (CB), amplitude modulation (AM), frequency
modulation (FM), marine
band (MB), short wave (SW), and global positioning system (GPS). Entertainment
functionality may
5 be selected from any one or a combination of a cassette tape player, CD
player or mini-disk player.
Other functionality can be selected from any one of or a combination of
scanner, fax, computer,
calculator, fingerprint recognition, bar code scanning, card swipe devices
including credit card, cash
card, or smart card readers, digital camera, video camera, memory stick ,
cordless phone, video
display, personal data assistant, pager, game pad, or alarm clock
functionality.
In a preferred embodiment, the portable module is a card-swipe device.
In another preferred embodiment, the portable module has a control interface
for controlling the
function of the portable module.
In still further embodiments, the base unit includes an interface docking
plate and the system includes
an interface module, the interface module including a touch screen, voice
recognition system or a
keypad or a combination of a touch screen, voice recognition system and a
keypad and/or an RF
discrimination circuit for detecting cellular telephone use and means for
deactivating the module if the
RF discrimination circuit detects an incoming cellular call.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
11
Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the
following description in
which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE la is a rear view of a conventional cellular phone with the battery
removed;
FIGURE lb is a front view of a conventional cellular phone;
FIGURE lc is an end view of a conventional cellular phone;
FIGURE ld is rear view of a conventional cellular phone with a battery
attached to the cellular
phone;
FIGURE le is a rear view of a conventional battery for a cellular phone;
FIGURE if is a side view of conventional cellular phone with a battery
attached;
FIGURE 2a are top and bottom views of first embodiment of a module for
attachment to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2b are top and bottom views of second embodiment of a module for
attachment to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2c are top and bottom views of a third embodiment of a module for
attachment to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2d is a side view of a cellular phone with the module of Figure 2c
configured to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2e is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a headset;
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
12
FIGURE 2f is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a headset;
FIGURE 2g is a side view of a cellular phone with the module of Figure 2b
configured to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2h is a side view of a cellular phone with the module of Figure 2a
configured to a cellular
phone;
FIGURE 2i is a end view of a communication plug;
FIGURE 2j is a bottom view of a communication plug;
FIGURE 2k is an end view of a module;
FIGURE 3a is a rear view of a base unit having two docking plates;
FIGURE 3b is a front view of a base unit;
FIGURE 3c is a rear view of a base unit having two docking plates with two
modules engaged with
the base unit;
FIGURE 3d is a top view of a cellular transceiver module;
FIGURE 3e is a top view of a first module for attachment to a base unit;
FIGURE 3f is a bottom view of a cellular transceiver module;
FIGURE 3g is a bottom view of a first module;
FIGURES 3h, 3i and 3j are side views of a base unit having different cellular
transceiver modules
and first modules attached to the base unit;
- . , CA 02289884 1999-11-18
13
FIGURES 4a and 4b are front views of a base unit having a detachable interface
module showing the
interface module detached and attached to the base unit respectively;
FIGURES 4c and 4d are front and rear views of a first embodiment of an
interface module
respectively;
FIGURES 4e and 4f are front and rear views of a second embodiment of an
interface module
respectively; and,
FIGURE 5 is a broad-band RF detector circuit.
20
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
14
Detailed Description of the Invention
With reference to the figures, a modular electronics system including a base
unit and at lease one
portable module is shown. The base unit and portable module enable different
communication,
entertainment or other functionality through the base device when a portable
module is operatively
connected to the base device.
A conventional cell phone 2 is shown in Figures la-1~ The cell phone includes
a battery pack 1
which can be attached to the cell phone to provide power to the cell phone.
The battery pack 1
includes an engagement and locking system 4, 13 for securing the battery pack
to the cell phone body
2 and allowing a user to remove the battery pack for recharging. As shown in
Figure 1 e, the
engagement and locking system includes a lower pin extension 13 and a spring
fitting 4 for
engagement with the cell phone body 2 thereby permitting the user to
selectively engage and
disengage the battery pack 1 from the cell phone 2.
The battery pack 1 is engaged against a docking surface 10 on the cell phone
body 2 as shown in
Figure 1 d. The docking surface 10 includes respective slots 14, 12 for
receiving the lower pin
extension 13 and spring fitting 4 so as to releaseably secure the battery pack
1 against the cell phone 2.
The mating surfaces 10 and l0a of the battery pack 1 and cell phone
respectively are provided with
corresponding power input/output pins 11/1 la to permit power flow between the
battery pack 1 and
phone body 2 as shown in Figures 1 d and 1 e.
With reference to Figure lb, a typical cell phone 2 also includes a microphone
3, speaker 5, screen or
touch screen 6, microphone 7, keypad 8 and power switch 55. In addition, a
typical cell phone will
also include an access plug 9 (Figure lc) enabling transceiver, keypad,
screen, audio input and audio
output to and from the cell phone 2. A conventional cell phone 2 also includes
an integral transceiver
2 which includes the appropriate electronic circuits to permit the cell phone
to set up and break down a
call on the cellular networks. Typical cell phone standards may include but
are not limited to any one
or a combination of a CDMA transceiver operating at 800/800MHz AMPS/Digital or
1900MHz or
all three, a TDMA transceiver operating at 800/800MHz AMPS/Digital, or a GSM
transceiver
operating at 900/900 MHz AMPS/Digital, 1900MHz 1800MHz.
- _ . CA 02289884 1999-11-18
The cell phone 2 may also include a head set access port 52 for a headset 60
(Figure lf). The head
set will preferably include one or two earphones 44, microphone 46, docking
plug 45 and
optionally a supplementary antenna 47, explained in greater detail below.
5
In accordance with the invention, and as herein described, base units and
modules adaptable to one
another are described. With reference to Figures 2-4 , modules having
communications, entertainment
or other functionality are described which can be integrated into the body of
a base unit and can be
made functional.
A first series of embodiments of a module is shown in Figure 2. In these
embodiments, modules
includes appropriate electronics which may be interfaced to a cellular phone
having an integral
cellular transceiver. Accordingly, the Figure 2 embodiments describe modules
which provide
auxiliary functionality to the cell phone. These electronics may include
functionality enabling for
example, radio transceiver (including for example, cellular, walkie talkie,
VHF or citizens band),
radio receiver (including for example, AM/FM/MB/SW/GPS), scanner, fax,
computer, calculator, tape
player, CD player, mini-disk, fingerprint recognition devices, bar code
scanners, card swipe devices
including credit card, cash card, and smart card readers, digital camera,
video camera, memory stick,
cordless phone, video display, personal data assistant, pager, game pad, alarm
clock or battery
functionality.
With specific reference to Figure 2a, top and bottom views of a module 33 are
shown. Module 33
resembles an existing battery pack in terms of the connection system used to
physically connect the
module 33 onto the cell phone body. In this embodiment, the functionality of
module 33 is activated
via the keyboard 8 and/or screen 6 (or touch screen or voice recognition
system) of the cell
phone 2.
The electronics of the module 33 are interfaced to the cell phone 2 through a
direct hard link
provided by a communications plug 35 as shown in Figures 2d, 2g, 2h, 2i and
2j. The
communications plug includes a latching and contact system 36 which enables
operative connection
- . CA 02289884 1999-11-18
16
of the module 33 to the cell phone body 2. Preferably the module 33 has
dimensions to allow the
communications plug 35 to insert into the module connection area 10 of the
cell phone body 2
utilizing an existing auxiliary port 9 on the cell phone 2. As shown, the
connection plug 35
interfaces between the auxiliary port 9 on the cell phone and the data port 51
as shown in Figures
2d, 2g and 2h.
A battery may be integral to module 33 or, alternatively, the module may
include a further
connector for transferring power from an alternate battery which may be
located at other locations
on the phone.
With reference to Figure 2b, an alternate embodiment of an electronic module
40 is shown. In this
embodiment, the module includes function-specific electronics which may be
interfaced to the
cellular phone as described above. These electronics may include electronics
selected from the
electronics systems as identified above. In this embodiment, the module 40
includes an auxiliary
screen (or touch screen or voice recognition system) 39 and/or keyboard 57 and
card swipe 48
wherein the functionality of the module 40 is invoked via the auxiliary
keyboard 57, or screen 39.
The module 40 may include a separate power switch 54.
In another embodiment, the functionality of the module 40 may be invoked
through keyboard 8 on
the cell phone.
With reference to Figure 2c, a still further embodiment of an electronic
module 41 is shown. In this
embodiment, the module 41 has an alternate keyboard 58 and screen 43 (or touch
screen or voice
recognition system) layout which may be optimal for a specific electronics
system.
Still further, modules may include a headset audio I/O port 49 allowing direct
connection or
wireless connection of the module to a headset as shown in Figure 2d. This may
be desirable if
audio I/O cannot be fed through communication plug 35 or a wireless link or
during times when the
cell phone 2 was receiving/sending or engaged in a "Call".
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
17
Figures 2d, 2g and 2h show side views of different modules 33, 40 and 41
having different
thicknesses configured to a cell phone 2. As shown, modules 40, 41 may include
a card swipe
device with slots 48 or a mini-disk player 78 whereas module 33 may strictly
include entertainment
functionality.
In further embodiments, specific software and/or hardware can be used to
invoke actions for
activating, deactivating or enhancing functionality between the cell phone and
module, such as
suspending a module's functionality when required or invoking functionality
when the cell phone is
not actively engaged. In a specific embodiment, implementation of an RF
detector system (see
Figure 5)within a module 41 can suspend a module's functional operation during
the cell phones
"Call" sequence and then reactivate the module upon completion of a call.
In a still further embodiment, a dual plug headset 61 (Figure 2f) can be
utilized in order to access
both the cell phone access port 52 and module access port 49. A dual plug
headset may include
plug (s) 53 earphone (s) 62, microphone 63, and an optional supplementary
antenna 64. A
supplementary antenna may be required for the specific functionality of
certain radio
receiver/transceiver modules.
With reference to Figures 3a-3j, further embodiments are described. In these
embodiments, a base unit
50 includes speaker 5, antenna 3, power on/off switch 66, screen or touch
screen 6, keypad 8,
access connector 9, microphone 7 and headset I/O point 65 as described above.
In the embodiments
shown in Figure 3, the base unit 50 is generally similar to the cell phone
body 2 described above in
Figures 1 and 2.
The embodiments of Figure 3 are different to those described above by virtue
that the base unit 50
includes a second module docking plate 21 for operatively connecting a
cellular transceiver module
17 to the base unit 50. The second module docking plate includes a separate
attachment system on
the base unit 50 having corresponding connectors 20, 15 and 18, 16 as well as
corresponding
contacts 19, 28 for keyboard/screen/antenna/audio I/O/power interface
connections as necessary
between the base unit 50 and transceiver module 17. The cellular transceiver
module will include
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
1g
appropriate cellular transceiver electronics as described above. In this
embodiment, a specific base
unit 50 is developed to enable a cellular transceiver module to be operatively
connected to the base
unit 50 as well as other modules.
Figure 3a shows a rear view of an embodiment of a base unit 50 having the
general dimensions of a
typical cell phone. In this Figure, both the first and second modules are
removed. The first docking
plate 10 shows two series of electrical connectors, 11 and 22 for operatively
connecting the
electronics of the first module to the base unit 50 which may include power
connectors and data
connectors respectively. Similarly, the second docking plate 21 shows a series
of electrical
connectors 19 for operatively connecting the electronics of the second module
to the base unit 50.
Figure 3b shows a front view of the base unit 50. Figure 3c shows a rear view
of a base unit 50
having two modules 17, 1 mated with the base unit 50. Figures 3d and 3e show
top views of the
first and second modules 17, 1 respectively detached from the base unit 50.
Figures 3f and 3g show
bottom views of the modules 17, 1 detached from the base unit and their
corresponding connectors
29 and 28 for mating connecting with the corresponding connectors 11, 19 on
the base unit 50. Note
that Figure 3g illustrates a single set of connectors on module 1 indicating
that in this particular
embodiment of module 1, module 1 provides power only to the base unit 50.
As shown in Figures 3h, 3i and 3j , the dual module docking capabilities of
the base unit 50 allow
different sized modules 1, 25, 26, and 30 to be configured to the base unit 50
without requiring
modification of the base unit 50.
With reference to Figures 4a-4b, a further embodiment of a base unit 50 is
shown. Figures 4c-4f show
further embodiments of specific modules 69, 70. The base unit 50 is different
to the base unit 50
described above by virtue of a third docking plate 77. The third docking plate
77 and associated
module provides the added functionality of a customizable interface enabling
an application specific
interface to be configured to the base unit for the desired functionality of a
particular module which
may be configured docking plates 10 or 21. For example, an application
specific interface may be
configured to the base unit 50 in order to enable use of the device for
applications such as a barcode
scanner, finger printing device, digital camera, video camera or other device.
Appropriate
_ CA 02289884 1999-11-18
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interfaces for such systems may include a barcode readers, touch screens,
voice recognition systems
or camera input systems.
More specifically, Figures 4a and 4b show a front view of a base unit SO
having a third docking
plate 77, the docking plate having appropriate electrical connectors 11 and
22. Figure 4b shows
module 69 connected to the base unit 50. Figures 4c and 4d show front and rear
views of a module
69. Module 69 may be a typical cell phone keypad and would be provided with
electrical
connectors 31, 27 for connection to corresponding connectors 11 and 22 on the
base unit 50.
Figures 4e and 4f show an alternate example of an interface module 70 in which
the module
provides a touch screen for the input of data or commands to the base unit 50.
Similarly, as for
other embodiments, module 70 has connectors 67, 68 for connection to
connectors 11, 22
respectively on the base unit 50.
As in other embodiments, the module will include an appropriate latching and
connection system
71, 72 and 75, 76 enabling the modules 69, 70 to be operatively connected to
the base unit 50.
Geometry of the Docking plate
As indicated above, the base unit 50 includes at least one docking plate 10,
21, 77 for connecting a
module to the base unit 50 or cell phone 2. In particular, the geometry of the
respective docking plates
on both the portable modules and base unit permits portable modules having
different physical
dimensions to be attached to the base unit provided that the portable module
retains a common
docking plate mechanism. That is, the geometry of the docking plates permits
modifications in the
physical size of a portable module in at least one dimension (for example,
thickness) while still
permitting connection of the portable module to a base unit. Accordingly, the
system allows for the
functionality of a portable module to be modified without a corresponding
modification to the base
unit. In addition, the docking plate provides a secure and stable interface
connection which minimizes
the risk of torsional or rotational movement with respect to each other and
thus, the likelihood of
damage.
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
It is also possible to expand the dimensions of a particular module in three
dimensions provided the
mating connectors between the module and base unit is respected. That is, a
module can be wider than
the base unit and/or wrap around the base unit, if desired.
5 In further embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that a wireless
infra-red link or RF link
may be utilized between the module and the base unit. Accordingly, if the
module and base unit are
designed to include a wireless data link, attachment of a module to a base
unit may establish or
activate wireless exchange of data between the module and base unit.
10 Base Unit
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4, the base unit is shown as generally
corresponding to that of
a cell phone. However, the base unit may also have a primary functionality not
strictly related to the
functionality which may be added to the base unit through a portable module.
For example, a base
unit may be an operative cellular phone, computer (portable and non-portable),
mini-disk player,
15 cassette player and/or recorder, compact disk players DVD player, digital
camera, video camera or
other electronic device.
Portable Modules
The portable modules which may be configured to a base unit may include any
one of or a
20 combination of the following functionalities including radio transceiver
(including for example,
cellular, walkie talkie, VHF or citizens band), radio receiver (including for
example,
AM/FM/MB/SW/GPS), scanner, fax, computer, calculator, tape player, CD player,
mini-disk,
fingerprint recognition devices, bar code scanners, card swipe devices
including credit card, cash
card, and smart card readers, digital camera, video camera, memory stick,
cordless phone video
display, personal data assistant, pager, game pad, alarm clock or battery
functionality. Specific
modules may combine the above functionalities.
In the specific examples of radio transceiver functionality, by attachment of
the appropriate portable
module to a base unit, the base unit may be operated so as to enable the user
to engage in two-way
radio communication. For example, a walkie-talkie module may configured to a
base unit enabling the
CA 02289884 1999-11-18
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use of a base unit, such a cell phone body, as a walkie talkie. Similarly,
another class of base unit,
such as a portable video camera could be configured with a walkie-talkie
module to enable operation
of the video camera as a walkie talkie.
In the specific examples of radio receiver functionality, through attachment
of the appropriate
portable module to a base unit, the base unit may be operated so as to enable
the user to tune and
listen to radio stations or receive and display GPS information.
In the specific example of a card swipe device, a card swipe/transceiver
module 20 or separate card
swipe and transceiver modules may be configured to a base unit enabling the
base unit to wirelessly
transmit and receive transaction data to and from financial institutions. A
card swipe module may be
capable of reading smart cards, debit cards and/or credit cards with a reader
slot. Optionally, the card
swipe module may be provided with an integral printer to provide a printed
record of a transaction
(not shown). An auxiliary screen may also be provided.
Other specific modules may provide functionality useful between different base
units and modules.
For example, a mute button can be provided on a module to mute sound from a
radio in the event of
an incoming call. Similarly, in the event that a radio receiver is configured
to the base unit, the user
could tune and listen to a radio station through the cell phone. In this case,
the portable module could
provide the additional functionality that if the user received a cell phone
call, the user would have the
option of allowing the caller to listen to the radio if the user chooses to
place the caller on hold.
Furthermore, specific functionality may be introduced to enable developers of
modules to effectively
interface their modules to existing base units for which the engineering
specifications of that base unit
may not be available. For example, in the case of a cellular phone for which
the keyboard and screen
protocols are not known by a module developer, the module developer may
incorporate specific
functionality within the module which will allow the use of the module while
the cell phone is not
being used and will shut-off the module in the event that a call is received
by the cell phone. By way
of example, a broadband RF detector circuit as shown in Figure 5 may be
incorporated into a portable
so as to detect an incoming call. In this case, the circuit would, upon
determining RF activity of the
cell phone provide an output signal to disable the function of the module.
Specifically, RF signals
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received by the antenna are half wave rectified by diode D1. The resulting
pumped DC voltage across
D1 will exceed the forward breakdown voltage of diode D2 causing capacitor C2
to charge. D2, C2
and RS will form a voltage peak detector circuit with a decay period
controlled by the ratio of RS to
C2.
The resulting detector voltage across CS is presented to the negative input of
the comparitor. When
the voltage across C2 exceeds that of the threshold voltage presented by V+,
Rl and R2, the
comparator output will change from a high voltage to OV. Discrimination for
recognizing the desired
RF signal from within a general RF environment is achieved in two phases.
Initially, the length of
the antenna stub of the cell phone provides a level of frequency
discrimination due to the resonant
length of the antenna. Secondly, the bandwidth of D1, the voltage drop across
D2, the comparator
peak detector frequency response and the comparison threshold level provide
the overall sensitivity of
the circuit. Further refinement of the frequency discrimination can be
achieved by including a
bandpass filter between the antenna and D1.
