Function specific interchangeable cover piece for a mobile communication device

• US 7,305,260 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Vuori, Petri, Kasurinen, Heikki, Kostiainen, Pekka, Inha, Kai, Halkosaari, Heikki, Lahti, Saku
• Primary Examiner(s): Zewdu; Meless
• Application Number:
  US10/769,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.3, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455/566, 4554561-4566, 455/404.2, 455/457, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455557-558, 455/575.8, 455/552.1, 455/575.7, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.12, 342/350.1, 342/350.12, 342/350.13, 349/539.13
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

An interchangeable cover piece for a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone replaces the standard cover piece to enable the mobile communication device to provide a specific functionality such as Global Positioning System (GPS) position location and mapping functionality associated with the interchangeable cover piece.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a replacement cover for a wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality fabricated in a desired shape and suitably arranged for co-operating engagement with a main body element of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality so as to form an enclosure for the wireless communication device to replace the cover of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality, said replacement cover further configured and arranged with suitable electronic components operatively interconnected to add and enable a global positioning system (GPS) functionality in the wireless communication device subsequent to the purchase of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said replacement cover is further configured with a suitable global positioning system (GPS) antenna.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said replacement cover is further configured with an appropriately dimensioned, shaped and contoured global positioning system (GPS) antenna to fit within said replacement cover.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said replacement cover is further configured with a suitable global positioning system (GPS) antenna sized and shaped and arranged for carrying by said communications keypad.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said replacement cover is further configured with a communications keypad having a suitably arranged array of keys.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said suitable electronic components are further configured for detecting the geographic location of the wireless communication device with said added global positioning system (GPS) functionality and for generating position data identifying the detected geographic location.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further arranged for transferring said position data to a processing unit in the wireless communication device for providing a map representation on a display screen of the wireless communication device corresponding to the identified geographic location.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further arranged for providing a map representation on the display screen of the wireless communication device a route between the identified geographic location and a destination geographic location.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 further configured with a suitable memory device for storing position data correlating to a geographic location for providing a corresponding map representation.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality configured with a main body element having a cover, a display screen, a processing unit; and

a replacement cover configured in a desired shape and suitably arranged for co-operating attachment to said main body element so as to form an enclosure for the wireless communication device to replace the cover of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality;

the replacement cover further configured with an appropriately dimensioned, shaped and contoured GPS antenna to fit within the cover; and

further configured with suitable electronic components operatively interconnected and arranged for enabling a global positioning system (GPS) functionality in the wireless communication device for detecting the geographic location of the wireless communication device with said added global positioning system (GPS) functionality, and for generating position data identifying the detected geographic location, and for transferring said position data to said processing unit for providing a map representation on said display screen corresponding to the identified geographic location such that the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality is enabled with global positioning system (GPS) functionality subsequent to the time of purchase of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality.

11. A method, comprising:

a main body element of a wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality having a cover forming an enclosure for the wireless communication device responsive to a replacement of the cover of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality with a replacement cover arranged with an appropriately dimensioned, shaped and contoured GPS antenna configured to fit within the replacement cover and suitable electronic components operatively interconnected and arranged for enabling the global positioning system (GPS) functionality in the wireless communication device responsive to a GPS signal for detecting a geographic location of the wireless communication device with said added global positioning system (GPS) functionality and for generating position data identifying the detected geographic location and for transferring position data to a processing unit for providing a map representation on a display screen corresponding to the identified location such that the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality is enabled with global positioning system (GPS) functionality subsequent to the time of purchase of the wireless communication device without global positioning system (GPS) functionality.