Travel converter for a mobile telephone

• US 6,108,562 A
• Filed: 08/15/1997
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Kornby, Michael, Wingren, Tord Martin, Rydbeck, Nils Rutger Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, SIMON
• Application Number:
  US08/911,251
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552, 455/553, 455/95, 455/551, 455/558, 455/426, 455/550, 455/575, 455/414, 455/417, 375/220, 375/222
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for effectuating communication between a mobile telephone and at least one communication network not supported by the mobile telephone. A converter interfaces to a mobile telephone to effectuate communication between the mobile telephone and the communication network.

The converter includes a controller for controlling operation of the converter and further for selecting a communication network for communicating with the mobile telephone. Communication protocol functionality within the mobile computer effectuates communication between the mobile telephone and the selected communication network and an interface provides for communication between the mobile telephone and the communication network.

Claims

1. A mobile telephone for communicating with a plurality of communication networks using a plurality of communication protocols comprising:

a man machine interface having at least a microphone and an earphone;

a plurality of communication modules, each module containing functionality for effectuating communication with an associated communication network using a distinct communication protocol;

a converter for selecting a communication network and a communication module from the plurality of communication modules, the selected communication module having functionality to effectuate communication using the protocol of the selected network, the converter further for effectuating communication between the man machine interface and the communication module;

means for coupling the plurality of communication modules to the converter to permit communication with the converter; and

wherein each communication module includes a memory containing protocol information identifying the communication protocol of the communication module, the protocol information being read by the converter.

2. The mobile telephone recited in claim 1, further including a means for interfacing the man machine interface to the converter.

3. The mobile telephone recited in claim 2, wherein the means for interfacing the man machine interface to the converter is a fiber optic cable.

4. The mobile telephone recited in claim 3, wherein the means for interfacing the man machine interface to the converter is a wireless radio frequency communication link.

5. The mobile telephone of claim 4, wherein the wireless radio frequency communication link is an infrared communication link.

6. The mobile telephone of claim 2, wherein said means for interfacing includes a semiconductor chip socket.

7. The mobile telephone recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication protocols include at least one of the following:

a Global System for Mobile communication;

an Advanced Mobile Phone Service; and

a Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service.

8. The mobile telephone recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile telephone is incorporated into a personal computer and the means for coupling includes the plurality of communication modules physically and electrically mated to the mobile telephone via the personal computer using a personal computer memory card interface association connector.

9. The mobile telephone of claim 1, wherein said means for coupling includes means for physically and electrically mating the plurality of communication modules to the converter.

10. The mobile telephone recited in claim 9, wherein the means for physically and electrically mating the plurality of communication modules to the converter comprises a plurality of slots positioned on the converter and an edge connector positioned on each of the communication modules for inserting into one of the plurality of slots.

11. The mobile telephone recited in claim 9, wherein the means for physically and electrically mating the plurality of communication modules to the converter comprises, a ribbon cable.

12. The mobile telephone recited in claim 9, wherein the means for physically and electrically mating the plurality of communication modules to the converter comprises, a personal computer memory card interface association connector.

13. The mobile telephone of claim 1, wherein said means for coupling includes a wireless communication link.

14. The mobile telephone of claim 13, wherein said wireless communication link is an infrared communication link.

15. The mobile telephone of claim 1, wherein the selected network is a satellite network.

16. A mobile telephone for communicating with a plurality of communication networks using a plurality of communication protocols comprising:

a man machine interface having at least a microphone and an earphone;

a plurality of communication modules, each module containing functionality for effectuating communication with an associated communication network using a distinct communication protocol;

a converter for selecting a communication network and a communication module from the plurality of communication modules, the selected communication module having functionality to effectuate communication using the protocol of the selected network, the converter further for effectuating communication between the man machine interface and the communication module;

means for physically and electrically mating the plurality of communication modules to the converter; and

said converter including a sensor for detecting the presence of communication modules mated to the converter.

17. The mobile telephone of claim 16, wherein said converter includes a controller for selecting the communication network and further for selecting the communication module, and a switch for electrically connecting the man machine interface to the selected communication module, the switch being controlled by the controller, and wherein said sensor is operable for communicating the presence of the communication modules to the controller.

18. A method for selecting a communication network and a communication module in a mobile telephone comprising the:

detecting the presence of communication modules coupled to the mobile telephone;

reading from respective memories of the detected communication modules protocol information identifying respective communication protocols of the communication modules;

identifying the communication networks currently available; and

selecting, according to a defined criteria, the communication network and communication module from the intersection of the set of communication networks identified as being available and the communication modules coupled to the mobile telephone.

19. The method recited in claim 18, further including the step of connecting a man machine interface of the mobile telephone to the communication module.