CUSTOMIZABLE MODULAR MULTI-FUNCTION COMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20100321899A1
• Filed: 07/09/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ziba Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aria Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Crisp, Thomas, Sayler, Dave, Vossoughi, Sohrab, Knaub, David Randall, Ballerstedt, Felix
• Granted Patent: US 9,118,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/728
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0252 by means of a snap-on mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A configurable modular communication device is composed of an information delivery module and an information input module that are matable to each other. The information delivery module is a single base unit that can work with a touchscreen keypad or a number of modular keypad or other information input attachments. The information input module enables a user to change the look of the modular communication device according to personal taste and enhances its functionality to fit the exact occasion and mode of use. The information delivery module acts on its own as the navigation key and provides on its display screen menu (including an on-screen touch sensing keypad) user access to all functionality including telephone, PDA (personal digital assistant), camera, clock, GPS, and MP3 music player. User-controlled navigation takes place on or in the vicinity of the display screen, whether by hard or soft key actuation.

Claims

1. An information input module that is matable with a portable information delivery module to form a unitary modular multi-functional communication device, the portable information delivery module including delivery module circuitry and a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors communicating with the delivery module circuitry, the portable information delivery module having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, and the portable information delivery module including a display communicating with the delivery module circuitry to present information to a user, comprising:

a housing containing input module circuitry that facilitates communication of information between the information input module and the portable information delivery module, the housing including opposing major surfaces at least one of which includes an opening that is sized to accept placement of the portable information delivery module, the opening defined by an inner boundary that encompasses the perimeter of the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening;

an input device supported by the housing and in communication with the input module circuitry, the input device being operable to generate user-produced command signals for transmission to the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening; and

a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members and matable with the receptacle of the portable information delivery module, the connecting member configured to assume, in response to a securing force, a mated condition in which the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening in the information input module and the electrical contact members make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate transmission of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module, the user-produced command signals including signals in which the portable information delivery module responds by producing information for presentation on the display for observation by the user.

2. The information input module of claim 1, in which the connecting member assumes the mated condition by movement to a position within the opening.

3. The information input module of claim 1, in which the connecting member moves between first and second positions to assume the mated condition, the first position facilitating placement of the portable information delivery module in the opening and the second position representing placement of the information input module in the opening, and in which the connecting member in the second position occupies a greater amount of space within the opening than the connector member occupies in the first position.

4. The information input module of claim 1, in which the connecting member is part of a moveable circuit board that is extendable and retractable, and in which the connecting member is extended within the opening to assume the mated condition.

5. The information input module of claim 1, in which the set of spaced-apart electrical contact members facilitates transmission of electrical power between the information input module and the portable information delivery module when the connecting member is mated with the receptacle.

6. The information input module of claim 1, in which the information input module corresponds to a game pad module, and in which the input device includes a game control actuator that allows the user to control video game information presented on the display of the portable information delivery module.

7. The information input module of claim 6, in which the game pad module includes one or both of data storage for storing video data and a graphics chip.

8. The information input module of claim 6, in which the portable information delivery module is operable to function as a cellular telephone, and in which placement of the portable information delivery module in the opening of the information input module causes the portable information delivery module to operate in a gaming mode.

9. The information input module of claim 1, in which an electrical contact member of the set of spaced-apart electrical contact members is spring-biased so as to provide a releasable snap fit for the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening.

10. The information input module of claim 9, in which the electrical contact member is a first electrical contact member positioned at a first location along the inner boundary of the opening and the set of spaced-apart electrical contact members includes a second electrical contact member positioned at a second location along the inner boundary opposite the first location.

11. A portable information delivery module that is matable with an information input module to form a unitary modular multi-functional communication device, the information input module including input module circuitry and a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members communicating with the input module circuitry, and the information input module including an opening and an input device communicating with the input module circuitry and generating user-produced command signals, comprising:

a body having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, the body sized and configured for placement in the opening of the information input module, and the body containing delivery module circuitry to produce information for delivery to a user;

a display supported on one of the opposing major surfaces of the body and communicating with the display module circuitry to present at least some of the information to the user; and

a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors communicating with the delivery module circuitry and matable with the connecting member of the information input module, the receptacle assuming a mated condition with the connecting member in which the electrical conductors make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical contact members of the connecting member to thereby facilitate transmission of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module, the portable information delivery module responding to the user-produced command signals by producing the information that is presented on the display.

12. The portable information delivery module of claim 11, in which the portable information input module includes one or both of an audio speaker and an image capturing device supported on the major surface opposite the major surface supporting the display.

13. A modular multi-functional communication device that is customizable in aesthetic appearance, operational function, or both, by selectable substitution of modular components, comprising:

a portable information delivery module including a display and associated display module circuitry communicating with the display, the display module circuitry producing information for presentation on the display for observation by a user, the portable information delivery module having generally planar opposing major surfaces with outer boundaries that define a perimeter, and the portable information delivery module having a receptacle with a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors; and

an information input module including an input device that is operable in response to user-produced command signals to which the portable information delivery module responds by producing the information for presentation on the display, the information input module including a housing having opposing major surfaces at least one of which includes an opening that is sized to accept placement of the portable information delivery module for releasable electrical and mechanical connections, the opening defined by an inner boundary that encompasses the perimeter of the portable information delivery module when it is placed in the opening of the information input module, the information input module including a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members, the connecting member being matable with the receptacle of the portable information delivery module and configured to assume, in response to a securing force, a mated condition in which the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening and the electrical contact members make electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate communication of the user-produced command signals from the information input module to the portable information delivery module.

14. The modular multi-function communication device of claim 13, in which the modular multi-function communication device is configured to function as one or more of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a smart telephone, an audio player, a camera, a gaming device, a business telephone, and a global positioning system device when the portable information delivery module is placed in the opening of the information input module.

15. The modular multi-function communication device of claim 13, in which the portable information delivery module includes a control actuator in communication with the display module circuitry to control operation of the portable information delivery module.

16. The modular multi-function communication device of claim 13, in which the display of the portable information delivery module is a first display having a first screen size, and further comprising a second display for displaying images for observation by the user, the second display having a second screen size that is larger than the first screen size of the first display.