Mobile device system and mobile device

• US 7,953,440 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Ide, Takayuki, Minakata, Hiroyuki, Kohashi, Atsushi, Omaki, Minoru, Nagata, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US11/903,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20080081619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/556.2, 455/566
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Abstract

A plurality of mobile devices interoperate without configuration operation. A mobile device system including a plurality of mobile devices is provided. Each mobile device is operable in one of an independent-operation mode in which the mobile device operates with priority over the other mobile devices and a dependent mode in which the mobile device operates dependently on another mobile device and includes a control unit having a start-up-order detection unit configured to detect the start-up order of the mobile device with respect to the other mobile devices. A first mobile device operates in the independent-operation mode when the start-up order of the first mobile device detected by the start-up-order detection unit is earlier than the start-up order of a second mobile device and operates in the dependent-operation mode when the start-up order is later than the start-up order of the second mobile device.

Claims

1. A mobile device system comprising:

a plurality of mobile devices,

wherein each mobile device is operable in one of an independent-operation mode in which the mobile device operates with priority over the other mobile devices and a dependent mode in which the mobile device operates dependently on another mobile device and includes a start-up-order detection unit configured to detect the start-up order of the mobile device with respect to the other mobile devices,

wherein a first mobile device operates in the independent-operation mode when the start-up order of the first mobile device detected by the start-up-order detection unit is earlier than the start-up order of a second mobile device and operates in the dependent-operation mode when the start-up order is later than the start-up order of the second mobile device, and

wherein when an input operation is carried out with the first mobile device operating in the dependent-operation mode, a content of the input operation is sent to the second mobile device operating in the independent-operation mode, and the second mobile device operating in the independent-operation mode carries out processing corresponding to the input operation.

2. The mobile device system according to claim 1,

wherein the mobile devices each include a display unit, and

wherein when the start-up order detected by the start-up-order detection unit of the first mobile device is later than the start-up order of the second mobile device, the content displayed on the second mobile device is displayed on the display unit of the first mobile device.

3. A mobile device comprising:

a start-up-order detection unit configured to detect the start-up order of the mobile device with respect to other mobile devices, wherein each mobile device is operable in one of an independent-operation mode in which the mobile device operates with priority over the other mobile devices and a dependent mode in which the mobile device operates dependently on another mobile device,

wherein a first mobile device operates in the independent-operation mode when the start-up order of the first mobile device detected by the start-up-order detection unit is earlier than the start-up order of a second mobile device and operates in the dependent-operation mode when the start-up order is later than the start-up order of the second mobile device, and

wherein when an input operation is carried out with the first mobile device operating in the dependent-operation mode, a content of the input operation is sent to the second mobile device operating in the independent-operation mode, and the second mobile device operating in the independent-operation mode carries out processing corresponding to the input operation.

4. The mobile device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a display unit,

wherein when the start-up order detected by the start-up-order detection unit of the first mobile device is later than the start-up order of the second mobile device, the content displayed on the second mobile device is displayed on the display unit of the first mobile device.