Dual-mode mobile telephone terminal

• US 6,580,921 B1
• Filed: 11/03/1998
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Inoue, Seiya, Seo, Kozo
• Primary Examiner(s): APPIAH, CHARLES NANA
• Application Number:
  US09/180,135
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552, 455/553, 455/12.1, 455/426, 455/575, 455/550, 455/425, 455/437, 455/440, 455/442
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations

Abstract

A portable-type dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus including a satellite wireless communication controller 2 for performing satellite communications via a communications satellite and a cellular wireless communication controller 8 for performing cellular communications via a ground station, and interfacing means 21 for making interfacing between the satellite wireless communication controller 2 and the LCD/keypad junction unit 14 of the cellular wireless communication controller 8. The interfacing means 21 performs software interfacing under the control of a program while address decoders and input and output ports perform electrical interfacing.

Claims

1. A dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus comprising a satellite wireless communication controller for performing satellite communications with another terminal apparatus via a communications satellite, a cellular wireless communication controller, including an input/output junction unit, for performing cellular communications with another terminal apparatus via a ground station, and interfacing means, arranged between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller, for making interfacing between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller,

wherein the cellular wireless communication controller outputs in/out-of-area information that indicates whether the apparatus is in or out of a cellular communication service area while the satellite wireless communication controller receives the in/out-of-area information from the cellular wireless communication controller, and when the satellite wireless communication controller determines that the apparatus is in the cellular communication service area, the satellite wireless communication controller causes the cellular wireless communication controller to perform cellular communications, and when the satellite wireless communication controller determines that the apparatus is out of the cellular communication service area, the satellite wireless communication controller performs satellite communications.

2. A dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus comprising a satellite wireless communication controller for performing satellite communications with another terminal apparatus via a communications satellite, a cellular wireless communication controller, including an input/output junction unit, for performing cellular communications with another terminal apparatus via a ground station, and interfacing means, arranged between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller, for making interfacing between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller,

further comprising a plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers of different cellular communication system types, first interfacing means for making software interfacing under the control of a program compatible with the cellular communication system of one cellular wireless communication controller in use, out of the plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers, and a plurality of second interfacing means, respectively arranged for the plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers, for performing electrical interfacing, wherein when one of the plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers performs cellular communications, the first interfacing means makes software interfacing under the control of the program compatible with the cellular communication system of the one cellular wireless communication controller while the second interfacing means makes electrical interfacing compatible with the one cellular wireless communication controller, in connection with the interfacing activity between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controllers.

3. A dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus comprising a satellite wireless communication controller for performing satellite communications with another terminal apparatus via a communications satellite, a cellular wireless communication controller, including an input/output junction unit, for performing cellular communications with another terminal apparatus via a ground station, and interfacing means, arranged between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller, for making interfacing between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controller,

further comprising, in the interfacing means, first interfacing means for making software interfacing under the control of a program compatible with the cellular communication system of one cellular wireless communication controller actually mounted, out of a plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers of different cellular communication system types expected to be mounted, a plurality of second interfacing means, respectively arranged for the plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers, for performing electrical interfacing, with the first interfacing means arranged separately from the plurality of second interfacing means, and selection means for selecting one second interfacing means, among the plurality of second interfacing means, compatible with the mounted cellular wireless communication controller, wherein when one of the plurality of cellular wireless communication controllers performs cellular communications, the first interfacing means makes software interfacing under the control of the program compatible with the cellular communication system of the one cellular wireless communication controller, while the second interfacing means makes electrical interfacing compatible with the one cellular wireless communication controller selected by the selection means, in connection with the interfacing activity between the satellite wireless communication controller and the input/output junction unit of the cellular wireless communication controllers.

4. A dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the CPU that executes the program in the satellite wireless communication controller to perform satellite communications further makes software interfacing under the control of the program of the first interfacing means for the first interfacing program.

5. A dual-mode mobile telephone terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the CPU that executes the program in the cellular wireless communication controller to perform cellular communications further makes software interfacing of the first interfacing means for the first interfacing means.