Method and system for connecting a mobile communication unit to a personal computer

• US 20010021659A1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Okamura, Tatsuaki
• Application Number:
  US09/802,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021659A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A mobile communication unit is connected to a computer by a connector. The connector has a recess for holding the mobile unit in position and a number of connector ports. Switching circuitry is provided for selectively establishing a logical connection between the internal circuitry of the computer and the internal circuitry of the mobile unit through the connector ports. The DC power source of the computer is used to charge the rechargeable battery of the mobile unit. The mobile communication unit is controlled according to a command signal entered to the computer.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a mobile communication unit to a computer, comprising the steps of:

a) establishing a plurality of connections between internal circuitry of said mobile communication unit having a rechargeable battery and internal circuitry of a computer through a plurality of connector ports;

b) supplying power from a power source of said computer to said rechargeable battery of the mobile communication unit; and

c) controlling said mobile communication unit through one of said connections according to a command signal supplied to said computer.

2. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein step (c) comprises detecting a voltage generated by said power source of the computer and supplying power to said mobile communication unit when the detected voltage is higher than a specified voltage level.

3. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein step (c) comprises the step of providing power on-off control on said mobile communication unit according a command signal entered to said computer.

4. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein said mobile communication unit comprises a voice recognition circuit and a memory for storing a plurality of stored phone numbers and reading one of the stored phone numbers corresponding to an output signal of the voice recognition circuit, and wherein step (c) comprises supplying a voice signal from a microphone to said voice recognition circuit, receiving a phone number read from said memory in response to an output signal of the voice recognition circuit which is produced as a result of said voice signal, and displaying the received phone number on a screen of said computer.

5. The connecting method of

claim 1

, further comprising displaying a simulated image of said mobile communication unit on a screen of said computer.

6. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein said computer is provided with a voice input/output device, and wherein step (c) comprises controlling said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said voice input/output device and a mobile communication network.

7. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein said computer is provided with a packet processor, and wherein step (c) comprises controlling said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said packet processor and a mobile communication network.

8. The connecting method of

claim 1

, wherein said computer is provided with a facsimile transceiver, and wherein step (c) comprises controlling said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said facsimile transceiver and a mobile communication network.

9. A system for connecting a mobile communication unit from a computer, comprising:

a connector having a recess for holding the mobile communication unit and a plurality of connector ports;

switching circuitry for selectively establishing a connection between the internal circuitry of the computer and the internal circuitry of said mobile communication unit through said connector ports;

power supply circuitry for supplying power from a power source of said computer to a rechargeable battery of said mobile communication unit; and

control circuitry for controlling said mobile communication unit through said connection according to a command signal entered to said computer.

10. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said control circuitry is provided in an interface card which is located within a slot of said computer.

11. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said control circuitry is provided in an interface card which is located within said connector.

12. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said serial port is in accordance with specifications of Universal Serial Bus port.

13. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said control circuitry is responsive to a command signal for providing a power on-off control on said mobile communication unit.

14. The connecting system of

claim 9

, further comprising a voltage sensor for detecting a voltage generated by said power source of the computer and a battery charger for supplying said power to said mobile communication unit when the detected voltage is higher than a specified voltage level.

15. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said mobile communication unit comprises:

a voice recognition circuit; and

a memory for storing a plurality of stored phone numbers and reading one of the stored phone numbers corresponding to an output signal of the voice recognition circuit,

wherein said control circuitry is configured to supply a voice signal from a microphone to said voice recognition circuit, receive a phone number read from said memory in response to an output signal of the voice recognition circuit which is produced as a result of said voice signal, and display the received phone number on a screen of said computer.

16. The connecting system of

claim 9

, further comprising a graphics data source for displaying a simulated image of said mobile communication unit on a screen of said computer.

17. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said computer is provided with a voice input/output device, and wherein said control circuitry is configured to control said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said voice input/output device and a mobile communication network.

18. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said computer is provided with a packet processor, and wherein said control circuitry is configured to control said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said packet processor and a mobile communication network.

19. The connecting system of

claim 9

, wherein said computer is provided with a facsimile transceiver, and wherein said control circuitry is configured to control said mobile communication unit to establish a wireless link between said facsimile transceiver and a mobile communication network.

20. A connection device for establishing connections between a computer and a mobile communication unit having a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a connector having a recess for holding the mobile communication unit and a plurality of connector ports; and

an interface card connected through said connector ports to the internal circuitry of said mobile communication unit and connected through a serial port to said internal circuitry of said computer,

said interface card including;

power supply circuitry for supplying power from a power source of said computer to said rechargeable battery of the mobile communication unit;

switching circuitry for selectively establishing a connection between the internal circuitry of the computer and the internal circuitry of the mobile communication unit through said connector ports; and

control circuitry for controlling said mobile communication unit through said connection according to a command signal entered to said computer.

21. The connection device of

claim 20

, wherein said interface card is located within a slot of said computer.

22. The connection device of

claim 20

, wherein said interface card is located within said connector.

23. The connection device of

claim 20

, wherein said interface card is connected to said computer via a Universal Serial Bus port.