Smart interface system for mobile communications devices

• US 7,912,503 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Dehghan, David, Sun, Stanley, Liu, Bin, Chang, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US11/952,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/3.05, 455/552.1, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/558, 455/556.2, 455/559, 455/90.2, 455/90.1, 455/418, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A universal smart interface and peripheral management system for portable devices such as mobile phones. The smart system includes a connector interface that connects peripherals to a phone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA), through the smart system. The smart system includes a cradle for receiving a cell phone and interfacing the phone to external systems such as peripherals, networks and other systems through a USB hub and other suitable connector interfaces. The peripheral devices to which the smart system can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays (e.g., television), external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). The smart system also facilitates connectivity to large display systems such as TVs, computer displays and monitors.

Claims

1. A smart interface system for providing peripheral device operability with a mobile communications device, the smart interface system comprising:

an external interface component comprising a network interface and a universal serial bus (USB) hub for interfacing a mobile communications device to peripheral devices and a network;

a communications component for communicating data and signals between the mobile communications device and, the peripheral devices and the network;

a processor and memory component for storing and executing an operating system (OS) and one or more applications, the OS and one or more applications for processing instructions and signals in support of communications by the smart interface system with the mobile communications device and, the peripheral devices and the network; and

a configuration component for automatically sensing the mobile communications device, and establishing operability between the mobile communications device and, the peripheral devices and the network;

the external interface component, the communications component, the processor and memory component, and the configuration component as components of a smart core that simulates a personal computer (PC) interface for the mobile communications device to the peripheral devices and the network in which the smart core queries the mobile communications device for a device configuration that invokes a self-configuration of the smart interface system to match capability with the mobile communications device, and the smart core installs at least one of an application or a driver on the mobile communications device to simulate the PC interface for the peripheral devices and the network in which the mobile communications device is self-configured to match capability with the peripheral devices and the network.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cradle interface component for receiving the mobile communications device via a mechanical interface and facilitating communication of data and signals between the mobile communications device and, the peripheral devices and the network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device is a cell phone, or a personal digital assistant device with mobile communications functionality.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the network interface facilitates digital communications over an Internet protocol (IPS) network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration component automatically triggers the mobile communications device to operate with the peripheral devices according to a predetermined configuration.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security component for providing encrypted communications with the mobile communications device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a presentation component for presenting one or more of text, audio, images and video based on capabilities of the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration component automatically connects to the network to obtain updates for updating the smart interface system OS and one or more applications, and the mobile communications device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications component facilitates wireless communications between the smart interface system and the mobile communications device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device exchanges data with another mobile communications device via the smart interface device.

11. A smart interface system for providing peripheral device operability with a mobile phone, the smart interface system comprising:

an external interface component comprising a network interface and a USB hub for interfacing the mobile phone to peripheral devices and a network;

a communications component for communicating data and signals between the mobile phone and, the peripheral devices and the network;

a processor and memory component for storing and executing an OS and an application in support of communications between the mobile phone, the peripheral devices, and the network;

a presentation component for presenting one or more of text, audio, images, and video based on capabilities of the mobile phone and the peripheral devices;

a cradle interface component for receiving the mobile phone via an interface and facilitating communication of data and signals between the mobile phone, the peripheral devices, and the network; and

a configuration component that detects connectivity of the mobile phone to the smart interface system and automatically installs at least one of an application or a driver to the mobile phone which auto-configures the mobile phone to facilitate interaction with the peripheral devices and the network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the configuration component automatically connects the smart interface system to the network, which is an IP network, to download and store updates for updating the smart interface system, independent of the mobile phone being connected to the smart interface system.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the configuration component automatically triggers the mobile phone to operate with the peripheral devices according to a predetermined configuration.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the OS and application facilitate, memory management and browsing of the network via the smart interface system.

15. A method of providing connectivity between a mobile communications device and peripheral devices, comprising:

interfacing one or more peripheral devices to a mobile communications device through an interface system;

querying the mobile communications device to identify a capability of the mobile communications device;

installing a driver to the mobile communications device based on the identified capability of the mobile communications device in which the driver enables connectivity to the peripheral devices; and

simulating a PC interface based upon the capability of the mobile communications device and the installed driver in order to enable data communication between the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the interface system includes a USB hub for interfacing USB devices, an IP network interface for interfacing to an IP network, and a graphics port for interfacing to a display.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing configuration information in the interface system for interfacing the one or more peripheral devices to a cell phone, a portable digital assistant (PDA), and a game controller.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising triggering different behavior in the mobile communications device based on the one or more peripherals connected to the interface system.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising invoking a secure connection between the mobile communications device and the interface system.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising presenting media via the interface system based on the capabilities sensed in the mobile communications device.