Smart interface system for mobile communications devices

• US 8,185,155 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2011
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chang, Eric, Dehghan, David, Sun, Stanley, Liu, Bin
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John J
• Application Number:
  US13/026,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20110136541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 465 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/558, 455/552.1, 455/90.2, 455/550.1, 455/3.05, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/559, 455/418, 455/419, 455/90.1
• 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:

hardware for interfacing to the mobile communications device, peripheral devices, a network, and other systems; and

a smart core that includes software for establishing communications between the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems, wherein the smart core initiates a query to the mobile communications device for a device configuration, the query invokes self-configuration of the smart interface system to match capabilities with the mobile communications device based on the device configuration, and the smart core sends at least one of an application or a driver to the mobile communications device for installation thereon to facilitate communications between the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems via the smart interface system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core include a power component that powers at least one of the mobile communications device or an individual peripheral device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart core enables utilization of the mobile communications device as a network connection or a computing element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device is a computing element for the smart interface system to perform document processing, Internet browsing, and media playback.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware includes a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or IP address which enables remote access to the smart interface system to store data thereinto or retrieve data therefrom.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate wired and/or wireless output of audio to a speaker system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate communications with another smart system for data and settings synchronization.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate communications with another smart system to synchronize media and contacts.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate synchronization of data and settings between multiple mobile communications devices.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate receipt of data from sensors, cameras, and security devices, and pass the data to the mobile communications device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart core facilitates automatic backup of the mobile communications device when the mobile communications device interfaces to the smart interface system.

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

hardware for interfacing to the mobile phone, peripheral devices, a network, and other systems, wherein the hardware is addressable via a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or a network address which enables remote access to the smart interface system to store data thereinto or retrieve data therefrom; and

a smart core that includes software for establishing communications between the mobile phone and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems, wherein the smart core initiates a query to the mobile phone for a device configuration, the query invokes self-configuration of the smart interface system to match capabilities with the mobile phone based on the device configuration, the smart core sends at least one of an application or a driver to the mobile phone for installation thereon to facilitate communications between the mobile phone and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems via the smart interface system, and the hardware and the smart core include a power component that powers at least one of the mobile phone or an individual peripheral device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the smart core enables utilization of the mobile phone as a network connection, or a computing element for the smart interface system to perform document processing, Internet browsing, and media playback.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate wired and/or wireless output of audio from the mobile phone to a speaker system.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate communications with another smart system to synchronize data, settings, media, and contacts, and synchronization of data and settings between multiple mobile phones.

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

hardware for interfacing to the mobile communications device, peripheral devices, a network, and other systems, wherein the hardware is network addressable to enable remote access to store data thereinto or retrieve data therefrom;

a smart core that includes software for establishing communications between the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems, wherein the smart core initiates a query to the mobile communications device for a device configuration, the query invokes self-configuration of the smart interface system to match capabilities with the mobile communications device based on the device configuration, the smart core sends at least one of an application or a driver to the mobile communications device for installation thereon to facilitate communications between the mobile communications device and the peripheral devices, the network, and the other systems via the smart interface system, the hardware and the smart core include a power component that powers at least one of the mobile communications device or an individual peripheral device, and the smart core automatically connects to network services to upload and download data and programs; and

a security component that provides access security to functionality and components of the smart interface system, the other systems, and the mobile communications device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the hardware includes replaceable connectors which can be replaced for compatible interface to an external peripheral or system.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate capture and presentation of images and video by the smart interface system.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the hardware and the smart core facilitate download and storage of data from the network on behalf of the mobile communications device, when not connected.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the smart core facilitates the storage and recall of user preferences for content control and display screen size, resolution and orientation.