COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE DETACHABLE COMMUNICATION MODULES

• US 20110237195A1
• Filed: 06/07/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Infanti, James C., Lazaridis, Mihal, Griffin, Jason T., Edmonson, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A wireless communication device has a docking cavity, a short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network. A wireless communication module includes a speaker and a microphone, and a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the device'"'"'s short-range transceiver. The module is configured to operate in first and second modes. In the first mode, the module is separated from the communication device. In the second mode, the module is mounted in the cavity. In both modes, communication between a user and the network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone and speaker, both short-range transceivers and the long-range transceiver.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication module including a microphone, a speaker and a short-range transceiver;

a wireless device that includes a microphone, a speaker, a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network; and

a wired communication device configured for wired communication with a wired network, and including a short-range transceiver for short-range communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver;

the apparatus being configured for first, second and third modes of operation;

in the first mode, communication between a user and the wireless network is conducted through the wireless device'"'"'s microphone, speaker and long-range transceiver;

in the second mode, communication between the user and the wireless network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone, speaker and short-range transceiver and through the wireless device'"'"'s short range transceiver and long-range transceiver; and

in the third mode, communication between the user and the wired network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone, speaker and short-range transceiver, and through the wired communication device'"'"'s short-range transceiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wired communication device includes a computer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless device includes a computer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless device is a cellular phone.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless device includes a docking cavity configured to receive the module.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the module is further configured to operate in a mounted operative mode in which the module is mounted in the docking cavity and conducts communication through the module'"'"'s speaker, microphone and transceiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the module is further configured to operate in a mounted inoperative mode in which the module is mounted in the docking cavity and is inoperative for conducting a communication.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further configured for a fourth mode of operation in which communication between the user and the wired network is conducted through short-range wireless communication between the short-range transceivers of the wireless device and the wired communication device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein, in the fourth mode, the communication is conducted, further, through short-range wireless communication between the short-range transceivers of the module and the wireless device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said communication between the user and the wired network includes data communication.

11. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication module including a microphone, a speaker and a short-range transceiver;

a wireless device that includes a microphone, a speaker, a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network; and

a wired communication device configured for wired communication with a wired network, and including a short-range transceiver for short-range communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver;

the apparatus being configured for first, second and third modes of operation;

in the first mode, communication between a user and the wireless network is conducted through the wireless device'"'"'s microphone, speaker and long-range transceiver;

in the second mode, communication between the user and the wireless network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone, speaker and short-range transceiver and through the wireless device'"'"'s short range transceiver and long-range transceiver; and

in the third mode, communication between the user and the wired network is conducted through short-range wireless communication between the short-range transceivers of the wireless device and the wired communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein, in the third mode, said communication is conducted, further, through short-range wireless communication between the short-range transceivers of the module and the wireless device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein, in third mode, said communication includes data communication.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein, in third mode, said communication includes both voice communication and data communication.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wired communication device includes a computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device includes a docking cavity configured to receive the module.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the module is further configured to operate in a mounted operative mode in which the module is mounted in the docking cavity and conducts communication through the module'"'"'s speaker, microphone and transceiver.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wired communication device includes charging terminals for charging the wireless device, and the wireless device is configured to be in a mounted position in which the wireless device is being charged through the wired communication device'"'"'s terminals while mounted on the wired communication device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein wireless communication device includes charging terminals for charging the module, and while the wireless device is in its mounted position the module can be mounted on the wireless communication device and charged through the wireless device'"'"'s charging terminals from electricity drawn by the wireless communication device from the wired communication device'"'"'s terminals.