APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FUNCTION SPECIFIC ACCESS TO A MOBILE TERMINAL VIA AN EXTERNAL DEVICE

• US 20100248626A1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Goransson, Magnus, Lekeberg, Tina, Sjostedt, Alexander, Kierysch, Matthias
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing customizable interaction with a mobile terminal using external input devices are provided. A first activation signal that corresponds to a first function in the mobile terminal is received into the mobile terminal from a first external input device of the plurality of input devices that is configured to receive a first activating input from a user. The first function is activated in the mobile terminal responsive to receiving the first activation signal. A second activation signal is received into the mobile terminal from a second external input device of the plurality of external input devices that is configured to receive a second activating input from the user. The second activation signal corresponds to a second function in the mobile terminal. The second function is activated in the mobile terminal responsive to receiving the second activation signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for activating a first function in a mobile terminal, the apparatus comprising:

a user input component that corresponds to the first function in the mobile terminal and that is configured to receive an activating input from a user;

a first communication component that is configured to send a first activation signal to the mobile terminal in response to the activating input from the user that corresponds to the first function in the mobile terminal and that causes the mobile terminal to activate the first function;

a first fastening component that is configured to engage the mobile terminal and to removably attach the apparatus to the mobile terminal; and

a second fastening component that is configured to engage a first fastening component of a second apparatus that is configured to activate a second function in the mobile terminal that is different from the first function in the mobile terminal, the second fastening apparatus further configured to removably attach the apparatus to the second apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second apparatus that is removably attached to the first apparatus via the first and second fastening components on the first apparatus and the second apparatus, respectively; and

a third apparatus that is removably attached to the second apparatus via the first and second fastening components on the second apparatus and the third apparatus, respectively.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication component comprises a conductive element that is configured to transmit an electrical signal from the apparatus to the mobile terminal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conductive element and the first fastening component are integrally configured, wherein when the first fastening component is engaged with the mobile terminal, the apparatus and the mobile terminal are conductively engaged.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication component comprises a wireless communication component that is configured to wirelessly send the first activation signal to the mobile terminal that corresponds to the first function in the mobile terminal and that causes the mobile terminal to activate the first function.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second communication component that is configured to receive a second activation signal from the second apparatus that corresponds to the second function in the mobile terminal, wherein the first communication component is further configured to send the second activation signal to the mobile terminal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second communication component comprises a conductive element that is configured to receive an electrical signal from the second apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second communication component comprises a wireless communication component that is configured to wirelessly receive the second activation signal from the second apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user input component comprises a physical activator that can be engaged by a user.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user input component comprises a touch technology that can be actuated by positioning the apparatus in close proximity with the mobile terminal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image display component that is configured to provide a first function image that is associated with the first function.

12. A method of providing customizable interaction with a mobile terminal using a plurality of external input devices, the method comprising:

receiving, into the mobile terminal, a first activation signal that corresponds to a first function in the mobile terminal from a first external input device of the plurality of input devices that is removably attached to the mobile terminal and is configured to receive a first activating input from a user;

activating the first function in the mobile terminal responsive to receiving the first activation signal;

receiving, into the mobile terminal, a second activation signal that corresponds to a second function in the mobile terminal from a second external input device of the plurality of external input devices that is removably attached to the first external input device and is configured to receive a second activating input from the user; and

activating the second function in the mobile terminal responsive to receiving the second activation signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

removably attaching the first external input device to the mobile terminal via a first mechanical connection; and

removably attaching the second external input device to the first external input device via a second mechanical connection.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first mechanical connection comprises a first communication component that is configured to transmit the first activation signal from the first external input device to the mobile terminal, and

wherein the second mechanical connection comprises a second communication component that is configured to transmit the second activation signal from the second external input device to the mobile terminal via the first external input device.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein receiving, into the mobile terminal, the first activation signal comprises wirelessly receiving the first activation signal from the first external input device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein receiving, into the mobile terminal, the second activation signal comprises:

receiving, into the first external input device, the second activation signal from the second external input device; and

wirelessly receiving, into the mobile terminal, the second activation signal from the first external input device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein receiving, into the first external input device, the second activation signal comprises conductively receiving, into the first external input device, the second activation signal from the second external input device.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein receiving, into the first external input device, the second activation signal comprises wirelessly receiving, into the first external input device, the second activation signal from the second external input device.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein receiving, into the mobile terminal, the second activation signal comprises wirelessly receiving, into the mobile terminal, the second activation signal from the second external input device.

20. A system for providing customizable interaction with a mobile terminal, the system comprising:

a plurality of external input devices that correspond to a respective plurality of functions in the mobile terminal, the plurality of external input devices configured to transmit a respective plurality of activation signals to be received by the mobile terminal, the plurality of external input devices configured to be arranged in a serial arrangement that is removably attached to the mobile terminal, and the plurality of external input devices are communicatively coupled to one another and/or the mobile terminal;

wherein respective ones of the plurality of external input devices comprise;

a user input component that corresponds to a respective function in the mobile terminal and that is configured to receive an activating input from a user;

a communication component that is configured to send a respective activation signal to the mobile terminal that corresponds to the respective function in the mobile terminal and that causes the mobile terminal to activate the respective function;

a first fastening component that is configured to engage the mobile terminal and/or another one of the plurality of external input devices and to removably attach the apparatus to the mobile terminal and/or the other of the plurality of external input devices; and

a second fastening component that is configured to engage a first fastening component of another one of the plurality of external input devices.