Multi-function adjunct device for use with a handheld wireless communication device

• US 8,285,248 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
• Inventors: Howard, John W., Cutler, Richard, Kennard, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Melody
• Application Number:
  US12/713,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20110212702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/575.6, 455/404.1, 455/418, 455/419, 455/3.06, 455/30.01, 455/3.03, 455/426.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.4, 455/550.1, 455/422.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/66.1, 455/466
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport

Abstract

An adjunct device includes a housing for coupling to a handheld wireless communication device via a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device. A device interface communicates application data with an application of the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates the application data with a remote wireless device.

Claims

1. An adjunct device for operation in conjunction with a handheld wireless communication device, the adjunct device comprising:

a housing for coupling to the handheld wireless communication device via a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device, the housing forming a case that encloses at least a portion of the handheld wireless communication device;

a device interface, coupled to the housing for communicating application data with an application of the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device;

a short-range wireless transceiver, coupled to the device interface, for communicating the application data with a remote wireless device; and

a user interface, coupled to the housing and the device interface, that generates a 911 signal in response an indication from the user;

wherein the device interface communicates the 911 signal to the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to initiate a 911 call via the handheld wireless communication device.

2. The adjunct device of claim 1, wherein the adjunct device further comprises:

a battery, coupled to provide power to the short-range wireless receiver and the device interface, wherein the battery is separate from a battery of the handheld wireless communication device.

3. The adjunct device of claim 2 wherein the adjunct device further comprises:

a charging port, coupled to the housing, for coupling a power signal from an external power source to charge the battery of the adjunct device.

4. The adjunct device of claim 3 wherein the device interface couples the power signal to the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to charge the battery of the handheld wireless communication device.

5. The adjunct device of claim 2 wherein the device interface couples the power from the battery of the adjunct device to the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to charge the battery of the handheld wireless communication device.

6. The adjunct device of claim 5 wherein the device interface operates in an auxiliary power mode to couples the power from the battery of the adjunct device to the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to charge the battery of the handheld wireless communication device, and wherein the device interface operates in a battery isolation mode to decouple the battery of the adjunct device from the battery of the handheld wireless communication device.

7. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the adjunct device further comprises:

a communication port, coupled to the housing, for communications with an external device;

wherein the device interface couples communications with the external device between the communication port of the adjunct device and the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device.

8. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the communication port operates in accordance with a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

9. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the application of the handheld wireless communication device includes a home automation application for controlling the remote wireless device via the application data.

10. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the remote wireless device includes a home media device and the application of the handheld wireless communication device includes a remote control application for controlling the remote wireless device via the application data.

11. The adjunct device of claim 10 wherein the short-range wireless transceiver communicates the application data with a plurality of remote wireless devices and the remote control application controls the plurality of remote wireless devices via the application data.

12. The adjunct device of claim 1 further comprising

an antenna, coupled to the device interface, for use via a long-range wireless transceiver of the handheld wireless communication device.

13. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the application of the handheld wireless communication device includes a two-way paging application and wherein the application data includes paging data.

14. The adjunct device of claim 1 wherein the application data includes a 911 signal received from the remote wireless device;

and

wherein the device interface communicates the 911 signal to the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to initiate a 911 call via the handheld wireless communication device.

15. An adjunct device for operation in conjunction with a handheld wireless communication device, the adjunct device comprising:

a housing for coupling to the handheld wireless communication device via a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device, the housing forming a case that encloses at least a portion of the handheld wireless communication device;

a device interface, coupled to the housing for communicating application data with an application of the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device;

a short-range wireless transceiver, coupled to the device interface, for communicating the application data with a remote wireless device;

wherein the application data includes a 911 signal received from the remote wireless device; and

wherein the device interface communicates the 911 signal to the handheld wireless communication device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to initiate a 911 call via the handheld wireless communication device.