Integrated circuit for a multi-function handheld device

• US 20040083315A1
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SigmaTel Incorporated (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: SigmaTel Incorporated (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: May, Marcus W., Mulligan, Daniel, Grassian, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US10/280,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20040083315A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202

Abstract

An integrated circuit for a multi-function handheld device includes a host interface, a bus, a processing module, a memory interface, a multimedia module, and a DC-to-DC converter. The host interface is operable to receive or transmit data with a host device when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled to the host device. The processing module functions to place the multi-function handheld device in a first functional mode when the host interface is operably coupled to the host device and places the multi-function handheld device in a second functional mode when the host interface is not operably coupled to the host device. The memory interface is operably coupled to, when the multi-function handheld device is in the first functional mode, provide data received from the host device to memory for storage. The memory interface also provides data retrieved from the memory to the host interface for transmission to the host device. The multimedia module is operably coupled to, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, to convert data stored in the memory into rendered output data.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit for a multi-function handheld device comprises:

a host interface operable to receive or transmit data with a host device when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled, via the host interface, to the host device;

a bus operably coupled to the host interface;

processing module operably coupled to the bus, wherein the processing module places the multi-function handheld device in a first functional mode when the host interface is operably coupled to the host device and places the multi-function handheld device in a second functional mode when the host interface is not operably coupled to the host device;

memory interface operably coupled to the bus and memory, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the first functional mode, the memory interface provides received data of the data received from the host device to the memory for storage and provides transmitting data of the data transmitted to the host device from the memory to the host interface via the bus;

multimedia module operably coupled to the bus, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the multimedia module converts multimedia data of the data stored in the memory into rendered output data; and

DC to DC converter operably coupled to provide at least a first supply voltage to at least one of the host interface, the processing module, the memory interface, and the multimedia module.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of on-chip memory and off-chip memory.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the multimedia data further comprises at least one of digitized audio data, digital video data, and text data.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the multimedia module further functions to receive incoming multimedia data and provide, in a digital format, the incoming multimedia data to the memory.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprises:

the first functional mode including the multi-function handheld device functioning as extended memory for the host device;

the second functional mode including a playback mode for playback of the multimedia data stored in the memory.

6. The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein the second functional mode further comprises:

a record mode for receiving incoming multimedia data and storing, in a digital form, the incoming multimedia data in the memory.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the DC to DC further comprises:

a first output section that produces a first supply voltage for at least the processing module; and

a second output section that produces a second supply voltage for at least the multimedia module.

9. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the multimedia module further comprises at least one of:

an analog input port for receiving at least one of analog video data and analog audio data;

an analog to digital converter coupled to the bus and the analog input port, wherein the analog to digital convert converts the at least one of the analog video data and analog audio data into digital data;

an analog output port for providing at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

digital to analog converter operably coupled to the bus and to the analog output port, wherein the digital to analog converter converts output digital data into the at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

analog mixer operably coupled to mix one or more of the analog video data, the analog audio data, the analog output video data, and the analog output audio data to produce a mixed analog signal, wherein the mixed analog signal is provided to the analog output port;

digital input port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital input port receives at least one of digital input video data and digital input audio data; and

digital output port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital output port outputs at least one of digital output video data, digital text data, and digital output audio data.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises a section to store operational instructions that cause the processing module to facilitate the multi-function handheld device to function as a mass storage device in the first function mode and to facilitate the multi-function handheld device to function as an MP3 player/recorder in the second functional mode.

11. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the DC-to-DC converter further comprises:

battery charger circuit operably coupled to charge a battery when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled to the host device, wherein power for charging the battery is supplied by the host device.

12. A multi-function handheld device comprises:

an integrated circuit;

a battery operably coupled to provide a supply voltage to the integrated circuit;

memory operably coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes;

a host interface operable to receive or transmit data with a host device when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled, via the host interface, to the host device;

a bus operably coupled to the host interface;

processing module operably coupled to the bus, wherein the processing module places the multi-function handheld device in a first functional mode when the host interface is operably coupled to the host device and places the multi-function handheld device in a second functional mode when the host interface is not operably coupled to the host device;

memory interface operably coupled to the bus and the memory, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the first functional mode, the memory interface provides received data of the data received from the host device to the memory for storage and provides transmitting data of the data transmitted to the host device from the memory to the host interface via the bus;

multimedia module operably coupled to the bus, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the multimedia module converts multimedia data of the data stored in the memory into rendered output data; and

DC to DC converter operably coupled to provide at least a first supply voltage to at least one of the host interface, the processing module, the memory interface, and the multimedia module.

13. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12 further comprises at least one:

a clock source operably coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the clock source provides a reference clock to the integrated circuit;

at least one speaker coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the speaker renders the multimedia data audible;

at least one microphone operably coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the at least one microphone provides analog audio signals to the multimedia module, wherein the multimedia module converts the analog audio signals into a digital format for storage in the memory;

a display for displaying at least one video data and text data of the multimedia data;

video capture device operable to capture video images in a digital format and to provide digital video of the captured video images to the multimedia module, wherein the multimedia module provides the digital video to the memory interface for storage in the memory; and

input module operable to convert user inputs into text information and to provide the text information to the multimedia module, wherein the multimedia module provides the text information to the memory interface for storage in the memory.

14. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12 further comprises:

the first functional mode including the multi-function handheld device functioning as extended memory for the host device;

the second functional mode including a playback mode for playback of the multimedia data stored in the memory.

15. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12, wherein the second functional mode further comprises:

a record mode for receiving incoming multimedia data and storing, in a digital form, the incoming multimedia data in the memory.

16. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12, wherein the DC to DC further comprises:

a first output section that produces a first supply voltage for at least the processing module; and

a second output section that produces a second supply voltage for at least the multimedia module.

17. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12, wherein the multimedia module further comprises at least one of:

an analog input port for receiving at least one of analog video data and analog audio data;

an analog to digital converter coupled to the bus and the analog input port, wherein the analog to digital converter converts the at least one of the analog video data and analog audio data into digital data;

an analog output port for providing at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

digital to analog converter operably coupled to the bus and to the analog output port, wherein the digital to analog converter converts output digital data into the at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

analog mixer operably coupled to mix one or more of the analog video data, the analog audio data, the analog output video data, and the analog output audio data to produce a mixed analog signal, wherein the mixed analog signal is provided to the analog output port;

digital input port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital input port receives at least one of digital input video data and digital input audio data; and

digital output port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital output port outputs at least one of digital output video data, digital text data, and digital output audio data.

18. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises a section to store operational instructions that cause the processing module to facilitate the multi-function handheld device to function as a mass storage device in the first function mode and to facilitate the multi-function handheld device to function as an MP3 player/recorder in the second functional mode.

19. The multi-function handheld device of claim 12, wherein the DC-to-DC converter further comprises:

battery charger circuit operably coupled to charge a battery when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled to the host device, wherein power for charging the battery is supplied by the host device.

20. A method for providing multiple functions for a handheld device, the method comprises:

detecting a first external condition;

retrieving a first set of operational instructions to facilitate a first functional mode of operation for the handheld device;

detecting a second external condition; and

retrieving a second set of operational instructions to facilitate a second functional mode of the handheld device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the detecting the first external condition further comprises at least one of:

detecting the operable connection of the handheld device to a host device; and

detecting an input command.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the detecting the operable connection further comprises at least one of:

detecting a serial port connection between the handheld device and the host device;

detecting a parallel port connection between the handheld device and the host device;

detecting a wireless connection between the handheld device and the host device; and

detecting an infrared connection between the handheld device and the host device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the detecting a second external condition further comprises at least one of:

detecting absence of the operable connection; and

detecting a second input command.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprises:

retrieving, as the first set of operational instructions, a file system algorithm to facilitate a mass storage device mode of operation for the handheld device; and

retrieving, as the second set of operational instructions, an MP3 algorithm to facilitate an MP3 player/recorder mode of operation for the handheld device.

25. An apparatus for providing multiple functions for a handheld device, the apparatus comprises:

means for detecting a first external condition;

means for retrieving a first set of operational instructions to facilitate a first functional mode of operation for the handheld device;

means for detecting a second external condition; and

means for retrieving a second set of operational instructions to facilitate a second functional mode of the handheld device.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for detecting the first external condition further functions to detect at least one of:

the operable connection of the handheld device to a host device; and

an input command.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for detecting the operable connection further functions to detect at least one at least one of:

a serial port connection between the handheld device and the host device;

a parallel port connection between the handheld device and the host device;

a wireless connection between the handheld device and the host device; and

an infrared connection between the handheld device and the host device.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for detecting a second external condition further functions to detect at least one of:

absence of the operable connection; and

a second input command.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprises:

the means for retrieving the first set of operational instructions retrieving a file system algorithm to facilitate a mass storage device mode of operation for the handheld device; and

the means for retrieving the second set of operational instructions retrieving an MP3 algorithm to facilitate an MP3 player/recorder mode of operation for the handheld device.

30. An integrated circuit for a multi-function handheld device comprises:

a host interface operable to receive or transmit data with a host device when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled, via the host interface, to the host device;

a bus operably coupled to the host interface;

processing module operably coupled to the bus, wherein the processing module enables the multi-function handheld device to function in at least one of a first functional mode and a second functional mode, wherein the first functional mode enables the multi-function handheld device to transceived data via the host interface with the host device and wherein the second functional module enables the multi-function handheld device to at least one of playback stored data and record data;

memory interface operably coupled to the bus and memory, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the first functional mode, the memory interface provides received data of the data received from the host device to the memory for storage and provides transmitting data of the data transmitted to the host device from the memory to the host interface via the bus, and wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the memory interface retrieves the stored data from the memory for playback and provides the record data for storage in the memory;

multimedia module operably coupled to the bus, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the multimedia module processes the stored data for playback and processes the record data for storage in the memory; and

DC to DC converter operably coupled to provide at least a first supply voltage to at least one of the host interface, the processing module, the memory interface, and the multimedia module.

31. The integrated circuit of claim 30, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of on-chip memory and off-chip memory.

32. The integrated circuit of claim 30, wherein the stored data for playback further comprises at least one of digitized audio data, digital video data, and text data.

33. The integrated circuit of claim 30 further comprises:

the first functional mode including the multi-function handheld device functioning as extended memory for the host device;

the second functional mode including a playback mode for playback of stored MP3 data.

34. The integrated circuit of claim 30, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory.

35. The integrated circuit of claim 30, wherein the multimedia module further comprises at least one of:

an analog input port for receiving at least one of analog video data and analog audio data;

an analog to digital converter coupled to the bus and the analog input port, wherein the analog to digital convert converts the at least one of the analog video data and analog audio data into digital data;

an analog output port for providing at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

digital to analog converter operably coupled to the bus and to the analog output port, wherein the digital to analog converter converts output digital data into the at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

analog mixer operably coupled to mix one or more of the analog video data, the analog audio data, the analog output video data, and the analog output audio data to produce a mixed analog signal, wherein the mixed analog signal is provided to the analog output port;

digital input port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital input port receives at least one of digital input video data and digital input audio data; and

digital output port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital output port outputs at least one of digital output video data, digital text data, and digital output audio data.

36. A multi-function handheld device comprises:

an integrated circuit;

a battery operably coupled to provide a supply voltage to the integrated circuit;

memory operably coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes;

a host interface operable to receive or transmit data with a host device when the multi-function handheld device is operably coupled, via the host interface, to the host device;

a bus operably coupled to the host interface;

processing module operably coupled to the bus, wherein the processing module enables the multi-function handheld device to function in at least one of a first functional mode and a second functional mode, wherein the first functional mode enables the multi-function handheld device to transceived data via the host interface with the host device and wherein the second functional module enables the multi-function handheld device to at least one of playback stored data and record data;

memory interface operably coupled to the bus and memory, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the first functional mode, the memory interface provides received data of the data received from the host device to the memory for storage and provides transmitting data of the data transmitted to the host device from the memory to the host interface via the bus, and wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the memory interface retrieves the stored data from the memory for playback and provides the record data for storage in the memory;

multimedia module operably coupled to the bus, wherein, when the multi-function handheld device is in the second functional mode, the multimedia module processes the stored data for playback and processes the record data for storage in the memory; and

DC to DC converter operably coupled to provide at least a first supply voltage to at least one of the host interface, the processing module, the memory interface, and the multimedia module.

37. The multi-function handheld device of claim 36, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of on-chip memory and off-chip memory.

38. The multi-function handheld device of claim 36, wherein the stored data for playback further comprises at least one of digitized audio data, digital video data, and text data.

39. The multi-function handheld device of claim 36 further comprises:

the first functional mode including the multi-function handheld device functioning as extended memory for the host device;

the second functional mode including a playback mode for playback of stored MP3 data.

40. The multi-function handheld device of claim 36, wherein the memory further comprises at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory.

41. The multi-function handheld device of claim 36, wherein the multimedia module further comprises at least one of:

an analog input port for receiving at least one of analog video data and analog audio data;

an analog to digital converter coupled to the bus and the analog input port, wherein the analog to digital convert converts the at least one of the analog video data and analog audio data into digital data;

an analog output port for providing at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

digital to analog converter operably coupled to the bus and to the analog output port, wherein the digital to analog converter converts output digital data into the at least one of analog output video data and analog output audio data;

analog mixer operably coupled to mix one or more of the analog video data, the analog audio data, the analog output video data, and the analog output audio data to produce a mixed analog signal, wherein the mixed analog signal is provided to the analog output port;

digital input port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital input port receives at least one of digital input video data and digital input audio data; and

digital output port coupled to the bus, wherein the digital output port outputs at least one of digital output video data, digital text data, and digital output audio data.