ENHANCED INTERFACE FOR MOBILE PHONE

• US 20100137028A1
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Corporate Resources Group LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.), Verizon Data Telecom Parkway
• Inventors: HAO, Jianxiu, FARRIS, Jack M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,208,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/382 using universal interface adapter
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A docking station may provide an enhanced user interface for mobile communication devices. In one particular implementation, a device may include a base unit configured to provide connections to one or more user interface devices and an interface for connecting to a mobile phone, where the base unit connects the mobile phone to the one or more user interface devices to provide an enhanced interface for the mobile phone.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a base unit configured to provide connections to one or more user interface devices;

a slot, integrated in the base unit, to provide a physical interface for fixedly holding a mobile phone, where the base unit connects the mobile phone to the one or more user interface devices to provide an enhanced interface for the mobile phone.

2. The device of claim 1, where the device implements a docking station as part of a set-top box.

3. The device of claim 1, where the one or more user interface devices include a display.

4. The device of claim 3, where the base unit further includes:

a graphics accelerator to provide a video signal to the display.

5. The device of claim 1, where the base unit automatically detects insertion of the mobile phone into the slot.

6. The device of claim 1, where one or more of the user interface devices are integrated in the base station.

7. The device of claim 1, where the base unit includes a connection to a wide area network and provides the wide area network connection to the mobile phone.

8. A set-top box comprising:

a component to receive a television signal;

a video output port for outputting a video signal for display on a television set; and

an interface to connect to a mobile phone, where the set-top box, when connected to the mobile phone via the interface, transmits a video signal from the mobile phone to the television set via the video output port, the video signal providing a visual interface for interacting with the mobile phone.

9. The set-top box of claim 8, where the interface includes a slot integrated into the set-top box.

10. The set-top box of claim 8, where the interface includes a wired connection.

11. The set-top box of claim 8, where the interface includes a local wireless connection.

12. The set-top box of claim 8, where the mobile phone and the set-top box automatically detect a presence of one another when the mobile phone is connected to the set-top box via the interface.

13. The set-top box of claim 8, where the set-top box, when connected to the mobile phone via the interface, provides the mobile phone with an external broadband connection.

14. The set-top box of claim 8, where the set-top box receives commands relating to control of the set-top box from the mobile phone.

15. A method comprising:

detecting connection of a mobile phone to a docking station;

forwarding, in response to the detected connection, output signals from the mobile phone to at least one local output device not part of the mobile phone, the at least one local output device including a display; and

receiving, in response to the detected connection, signals relating to user input from at least one local input device and transmitting the signals relating to user input to the mobile phone, where the at least one local output device and local input device are used to enhance an interface of the mobile phone.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing the mobile phone with a broadband connection through the docking station.

17. The method of claim 15, where the docking station is integrated in a set-top box.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

controlling the set-top box using the mobile phone.

19. The method of claim 15, where the connection is made via a local area wireless network.

20. The method of claim 15, where the connection is made via a wired connection.

21. A device comprising:

means for detecting connection of a mobile phone to the device;

means for forwarding, in response to the detected connection, output signals from the mobile phone to at least one local output device not part of the mobile phone, the local output device including a display; and

means for receiving, in response to the detected connection, signals relating to user input from at least one local input device and transmitting the signals relating to user input to the mobile phone, where the at least one local output device and local input device are used to enhance an interface of the mobile phone.

22. The device of claim 21, where the device is integrated in a set-top box.

23. A method comprising:

connecting a mobile phone to a docking station that provides connectivity to one or more user interface devices; and

selectively using one or more of the user interface devices in place of corresponding user interface devices of the mobile phone.