Mobile communication device cover and method for its operation

• US 20060160560A1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Ahland, Andreas, Josenhans, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,536,199 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

A portable radio communication device has an exchangeable cover. Specifically the invention relates to a system of a mobile phone to provide multiple functionality and user interoperability to a mobile terminal device. The present invention provides a mobile communication device cover comprising a keyboard and a cover processor. The keyboard and the cover processor are interconnected. The cover is characterized by a bus interface, for connecting the cover processor to a mobile communication module, wherein the bus interface is adapted to operate with a plurality of mobile communication modules.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device cover comprising a keyboard, characterized by a cover processor which is connected to said keyboard and by a bus interface, for connection of said cover processor to a mobile communication module, wherein said bus interface is adapted to operate with a plurality of mobile communication modules.

2. The mobile communication device cover according to claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein said display is connected to said bus interface, for connecting said display to a processor of a mobile communication module.

3. The mobile communication device cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a controller.

4. The mobile communication device cover according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover further comprises a battery module.

5. The mobile communication device cover according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover further comprises a slot for receiving a communication module.

11. A mobile communication device characterized in that said mobile communication device comprises an intelligent mobile communication cover according to claim 1 and comprising a mobile communication module according to claim 6.

6. A mobile communication module comprising a radio interface for connecting to a mobile communication network characterized by a standardized bus interface, to connect said communication module to a cover having at least a keypad.

7. The mobile communication module according to claim 6, further comprising a display.

8. The mobile communication module according to claim 6, wherein said radio interface comprises a cellular telephone interface.

9. The mobile communication module according to claim 6, wherein said radio interface comprises a cordless telephone interface.

10. The mobile communication module according to claim 7, further comprising a battery and a minimal user interface to provide basic communication functionality.

12. A method for handling input data in mobile communication devices having a detachable intelligent mobile communication device cover and a mobile communication module, comprising:

receiving input at said cover,

converting said input according to a specified protocol,

transferring said converted input via a specified bus to said mobile communication module, and

processing said transferred input in said mobile communication module.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising a possibility for handling output data

generating/receiving data to be output in said communication module,

converting said output according to a specified protocol in said communication module,

transferring said converted output via a specified bus to said communication device cover, and

outputting said received output via a display in said cover.

14. A software tool comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 12 when said software tool is run on a computer or network device.

15. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 12 when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

16. A computer program product comprising program code, downloadable from a server for carrying out the method of claim 12 when said program product is run on a computer or network device.