Methods and apparatus for a multi-standard wireless communication and cellular telephone system

• US 20040121801A1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wivity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kantan, Inc.
• Inventors: Tom, Alfred
• Granted Patent: US 7,194,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems. The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system. A consumer may be thus provided with extended use the same flexible wireless telephone handset yet still migrate to a new wireless system by installing cartridges with desired featuresets within the selected wireless telephone system(s).

Claims

1. A universal wireless cellular telephone system comprising:

a wireless communication handset having a first set of at least one wireless communication component that supports at least a first and a second cellular system and a handset interface in communication with the first set of at least one wireless communication component;

a first modular cartridge having a second set of at least one wireless communication component that provides a first set of wireless communications features for the first cellular system and a first cartridge interface in communication with the second set of at least one wireless communication component and configured for removable connection to the handset interface; and

a second modular cartridge having a third set of at least one wireless communication component that provides a second set of wireless communications features for the second cellular system and a second cartridge interface in communication with the third set of at least one wireless communication component and configured for removable connection to the handset interface.

2. The universal wireless cellular telephone system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first cellular system and the second cellular system are the same wireless cellular system.

3. The universal wireless cellular telephone system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first set of wireless communications features and the second set of wireless communications features are the same.

4. The universal wireless cellular telephone system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handset interface has only one connector.

5. The universal wireless cellular telephone system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and/or second modular cartridges contain an antenna.

6. A universal wireless cellular telephone kit comprising:

a wireless communication handset having a first set of at least one wireless communication component that supports at least one cellular system and a handset interface in communication with the first set of at least one wireless communication component;

a first modular cartridge having a second set of at least one wireless communication component that provides a first set of wireless communications features for a first cellular system and a cartridge interface in communication with the second set of at least one wireless communication component configured for removable connection to the handset interface; and

a set of instructions for reconfiguring the wireless communication handset comprising the following steps of;

selecting a second modular cartridge having a third set of at least one wireless communication component that provides a second set of wireless communications features for a second cellular system and a second cartridge interface in communication with the third set of at least one wireless communication component configured for removable connection to the handset interface;

disconnecting the first modular cartridge interface from the handset interface; and

connecting the second cartridge interface to the handset interface.

7. The wireless communication handset as recited in claim 6 wherein the first and the second set of wireless communications features are the same and the wherein the first and the second cellular system are different.

8. The wireless communication handset as recited in claim 6 wherein the first and the second set of wireless communications features are different and wherein the first and the second cellular system are the same.

9. The wireless communication handset as recited in claim 6 wherein the first and the second set of wireless communications features are different and wherein the first and the second cellular system are different.

10. The wireless communications handset as recited in claim 6 wherein the handset interface has only one connector.

11. The wireless communications handset as recited in claim 6 wherein the first and second modular cartridges contain an antenna.

12. A method for reconfiguring a flexible wireless communication device comprising the steps of:

selecting a wireless handset having wireless communication componentry in communication with at least one handset interface and a first removable wireless communication cartridge with a first set of preselected features for a first wireless communication system that is removably connected to the handset through the at least one handset interface;

disconnecting the first removable wireless communication cartridge from the at least one handset interface;

selecting a second wireless communication cartridge with a second set of preselected features for a second wireless communication system that is configured for connection with the at least one handset interface; and

connecting the second wireless communication cartridge to the at least one handset interface to reconfigure the flexible wireless communication device for operation with the second wireless communication cartridge.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the first wireless communication system is the same as the second wireless communication system.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the first wireless communication system is different from the second wireless communication system.

15. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the first and the second removable wireless communication cartridges provide the same set of preselected features.

16. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the first and the second removable wireless communication cartridges provide a different set of preselected features.

17. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the removable wireless communication cartridge includes electronic components that support more than one wireless cellular communication system.

18. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the wireless handset includes electronic components that support more than one wireless cellular communication system.

19. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the wireless communication cartridges include an antenna.

20. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the wireless handset has a single handset interface.