Methods and apparatus for a flexible wireless communication and cellular telephone system

• US 6,690,947 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wivity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kantan, Inc.
• Inventors: Tom, Alfred C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US09/276,480
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 455/434, 455/418, 455/419, 455/422, 455/432, 455/435, 455/436, 455/550, 455/556, 455/557, 455/558, 455/90, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/422.1, 455/432.2, 455/435.2, 455/556.1, 455/90.1
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless communication system including flexible wireless handsets with modular electronic components selected for operation within multiple systems. The units may be configured for removable connection to a variety of cartridges to provide a versatile communication device. A cartridge may be selected for the replacement of one or more existing cartridges within the handset to provide varying degrees of flexibility including the selection of a different featureset for the handset and compatible operation within different wireless systems. Methods are further provided for upgrading and reconfiguring cellular telephones and wireless communication devices for operation within different systems. A flexible wireless telephone with an original removable cartridge may include later-substituted cartridges to improve or change the featureset of the telephone, and may also enable a user to replace the internal electronics of a handset with different internal electronics for use within a different wireless system. A consumer may be thus provided with extended use the same flexible wireless telephone handset yet still migrate to a new wireless system by installing cartridges with desired featuresets within the selected wireless telephone system(s).

Claims

1. A modular cellular telephone cartridge kit for updating a configurable cellular telephone handset comprising:

a replacement cellular cartridge having at least one electronic wireless communications component that provides a set of selected mobile telephone features for at least one cellular telephone system and an interface configured for connection to a cellular telephone handset that supports the operation of at least one cellular telephone system; and

a set of instructions for updating the cellular telephone handset by inserting the replacement cellular cartridge.

2. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component includes a RF/IF subsystem.

3. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 2 wherein the RF/IF subsystem includes frequency synthesis components.

4. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component includes a baseband subsystem.

5. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 4 wherein the baseband subsystem includes a digital signal processor.

6. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component includes a voice processing subsystem.

7. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component includes a power management subsystem.

8. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component includes wireless communication subsystems that are integrated onto at least one computer chip.

9. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one computer chip includes at least one microcontroller.

10. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one computer chip includes a central processing unit.

11. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one computer chip includes a digital signal processor.

12. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one cellular telephone system is an AMPS system that is supported by the at least one wireless communications component.

13. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one cellular telephone system is a GSM system that is supported by the at least one wireless communications component.

14. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one cellular telephone system includes an AMPS and a NADC system that is supported by the at least one wireless communications component.

15. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the replacement cellular telephone cartridge is substantially configured to PCMCIA standards.

16. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 15 wherein the replacement cellular telephone cartridge is a PC card.

17. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 15 wherein the replacement cellular telephone cartridge is provided with a Type II PCMCIA configuration.

18. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 15 wherein the replacement cellular telephone cartridge is provided with a Type III PCMCIA configuration.

19. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the interface of the replacement cellular telephone cartridge includes a plurality of interface pins configured for communication with a corresponding cellular telephone handset interface.

20. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 19 wherein the interface pins include operational and reserved pins.

21. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component of the cartridge is visible by an operator.

22. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one wireless communications component of the cartridge is housed in a casing and hidden from operator view.

23. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one cellular telephone cartridge includes an antenna for supporting wireless communications within at least one cellular telephone system.

24. The cellular telephone cartridge kit as recited in claim 23 wherein the antenna is detachable from the cartridge.

25. A wireless communications integrated circuit kit for upgrading a configurable wireless communications device comprising:

a modular integrated circuit having a plurality of wireless electronic components that provides an upgraded set of predetermined features within at least one wireless communication system and an interface configured for connection with a wireless communications device that supports the operation of the set of predetermined features; and

instructions to upgrade the configurable wireless communications device by connecting the modular integrated circuit to the device.

26. A universal wireless cellular telephone handset comprising:

at least one wireless communication component that supports a set of selected mobile telephone features for at least one cellular telephone network system; and

an interface configured for connection to a plurality of modular cellular telephone cartridges each having at least one electronic wireless communication component that provides a set of selected mobile telephone features.

27. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the at least one wireless communication component includes at least one microcontroller.

28. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the cellular telephone handset includes a microprocessor and a memory storage with a computer operating system.

29. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the interface substantially complies with a PC Card standard established by the PCMCIA.

30. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 29 wherein the interface is a Type III PCMCIA slot.

31. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the handset includes a plurality of interfaces configured as sockets.

32. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the handset includes an infrared port for infrared communications.

33. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the handset includes a data exchange interface for communication with other wireless or non-wireless devices.

34. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the handset is configured for use with hands-free cellular telephone accessories.

35. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 wherein the handset includes a smartcard interface.

36. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 further including a keypad.

37. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 further including a display.

38. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 further comprising a modular cellular telephone cartridge having at least one wireless communications component that provides a set of selected mobile telephone features for at least one cellular telephone system and a cartridge interface in communication with the handset interface to support the operation of the at least one wireless communications component for the at least one cellular telephone system.

39. The universal wireless cellular telephone handset as recited in claim 26 further comprising a set of instructions for changing the set of selected mobile telephone features or the cellular telephone network system supported by the handset by removably connecting different modular cellular telephone cartridges to the handset.

40. A universal wireless voice communication device comprising:

a wireless communication handset having a first set of at least one wireless communication component that supports at least one selected wireless communication system and a handset interface in communication with the first set of at least one wireless communication component configured for communication with at least one modular cartridge; and

a modular cartridge having a second set of at least one wireless communication component that provides a set of wireless communications features and a cartridge interface in communication with the second set of at least one wireless communication component that is removably connected to the handset interface to provide a shared coupling between the first and the second set of at least one wireless communication component.

41. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge includes at least one microcontroller for controlling the wireless communications device.

42. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge includes at least one integrated circuit selected from the group consisting of digital signal processor integrated circuits, read-only memory integrated circuits and flash-memory integrated circuits.

43. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge includes at least one wireless communications subsystem.

44. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 43 wherein the at least one wireless communications subsystem includes an integrated RF subsystem.

45. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 43 wherein the at least one wireless communications subsystem includes an integrated baseband processing subsystem.

46. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge includes a voice processing subsystem.

47. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge includes a power management subsystem.

48. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 47 wherein the wireless communication handset further comprises a smart battery for providing a controlled power source to the communication device.

49. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the wireless communication handset includes a moveable cover to retain and conceal the cartridge within the handset.

50. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the wireless voice communication device is a smartphone.

51. The universal wireless voice communication device as recited in claim 40 wherein the modular cartridge and the wireless communication handset are configured to substantially conform with a selected PCMCIA standard.

52. A mobile wireless telecommunication device comprising:

a modular cartridge including a first set of at least one electronic wireless communications component that provides a set of selected features for at least one wireless communication system; and

a wireless communication handset with a second set of at least one electronic wireless communications component formed with a handset interface configured for a plurality of modular cartridges in communication with the modular cartridge to provide access to the first set of at least one electronic wireless communications component.

53. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 52 wherein the wireless telecommunication device is a voice communication device.

54. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 53 wherein the at least one wireless communication system includes a cellular system.

55. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 52 wherein the wireless telecommunication device is a data exchange device.

56. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 55 wherein the data exchange device is a pager.

57. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 55 wherein the data exchange device includes at least one subsystem that supports communication within a local area network.

58. The mobile wireless telecommunication device as recited in claim 57 wherein the subsystem supports the transmission of voice, video and data signals.

59. A method of upgrading cellular telephones comprising the following steps of:

selecting a cellular telephone handset connected to a first removable cellular telephone cartridge that includes electronic wireless components to provide a preexisting set of features for a particular wireless system;

disconnecting the first removable cellular cartridge from the cellular telephone handset; and

replacing the first removable cellular telephone cartridge connected to the cellular telephone handset with a second removable cellular telephone cartridge that includes electronic wireless components to provide an upgraded set of features for the wireless system.