Automatic sensing of communication or accessories for mobile terminals

• US 6,285,890 B1
• Filed: 01/26/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Panian, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ GUTIERREZ, RAFAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/237,587
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/426, 455/556, 455/550, 455/575, 455/90
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile communication device has data/fax capabilities to enable data/fax communications by a connected communication terminal. The mobile communication device includes a system interface that is used in a default mode to connect the phone to a phone accessory. The system interface is also used to connect a communication terminal to the phone for data/fax communications in a communication mode. The phone detects the presence of the communication terminal when a communication session is initiated by the communication terminal and automatically changes to a communication mode without user input.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a.) a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals;

b.) a modem operatively connected to said transceiver;

c.) a configurable system interface comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, said system interface having a default configuration corresponding to a default mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external phone accessory, and a communication configuration corresponding to a communication mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external communication terminal capable of data, fax and/or voice communications, wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said transceiver according to a first mapping in said default mode and according to a second mapping in said communication mode;

d.) a control unit operative in said default mode of operation to enable use of a connected phone accessory and in said communications mode to enable data, fax and voice communications by a connected communications terminal via said modem; and

e.) wherein said control unit is operative to change said system interface from said default configuration to said communication configuration in response to receipt of a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from said connected communication terminal.

2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein said control unit is operative to change said system interface from said communication configuration to said default configuration upon receipt of a second predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from said external communication terminal.

3. The mobile communication device according to claim 2 wherein said second predetermined input signal is a modem command from said external communication terminal.

4. The mobile communication device according to claim 3 wherein said second predetermined input signal is an AMPS AT command.

5. The mobile communication device according to claim 4 wherein said control unit is operative to configure said system interface in said default configuration at power on.

6. The mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein said control unit is operative to change said system interface from said communication configuration to said default configuration upon termination of a communication session by said external communication terminal.

7. The mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined input signal is a modem command from said external communication terminal.

8. The mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined input signal is a modem command recognized by the IS-135 protocol.

9. A method for configuring a system interface for a mobile communication device comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, that alternately connects to an external communication terminal or an external phone accessory comprising:

a.) placing said system interface in a default configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to circuits within said mobile communication device according to a first mapping to enable use of said mobile communication device with a connected phone accessory;

b.) receiving a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from an external communication terminal attempting to initiate a communication session for a data, voice or fax communication requiring a modem; and

c.) placing said system interface in a communication configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said circuits within said mobile communication device according to a second mapping in response to receipt of said first predetermined input signal to enable communications by said external communications terminal via said modem.

10. The method according to claim 9 further including placing said system interface in said default configuration upon termination of a communication session by said external communication terminal.

11. The method according to claim 9 further including changing said system interface from said communication configuration to said default configuration upon receipt of a second predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from said external communication terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said second predetermined input signal is a modem command from said external communication terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said second predetermined input signal is an AMPS AT command.

14. The method according to claim 9 wherein said first predetermined input signal is a modem command from said external communication terminal.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said first predetermined input signal is a modem command recognized by the IS-135 protocol.

16. The method according to claim 9 further including the step of configuring said system interface in said default configuration at power on.