Customized hardware selection for a mobile phone

• US 8,971,969 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2013
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Eckhoff, Philip A., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Tuckerman, David B., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Siddiqui, Kashif
• Application Number:
  US13/765,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20130217445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751-5759
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone is provided. The method includes receiving shell selection information from a user input device, identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information, and outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components.

Claims

1. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information, wherein the compatibility is based on at least one size value; and

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selection from a set of mobile phone shells.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a set of mobile phone shells.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising causing a list of mobile phone shells to be displayed on a display screen.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising causing a plurality of mobile phone shell images to be displayed on a display screen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the compatibility is based on a shape.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a weight preference information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the compatibility is based on the weight preference information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the compatibility is based on an availability of the hardware component.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein an availability of the hardware component is based on a time to delivery of the hardware component.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indicia of interchangeability between hardware components of a subset of compatible hardware components.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a first hardware selection information;

identifying a set of second compatible hardware components, the set of second hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the second hardware components, the first hardware selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of second compatible hardware components.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises battery information.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a first hardware selection information;

identifying a set of incompatible hardware components, the set of incompatible hardware components generated based on an incompatibility between the incompatible hardware components, the first hardware selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of incompatible hardware components.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing an indication that the incompatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication that the compatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a battery size necessary to power a particular hardware component.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of hardware components comprises combinations of hardware components compatible with the shell selection information.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selection from a set of preconfigured mobile phones, the preconfigured mobile phones including at least one empty portion configured to receive a hardware component selected from a set of components having substantially the same size but different function, and wherein the list of hardware components compatible with the shell selection information comprises a subset of hardware components that are compatible with the at least one empty portion.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing the set of hardware components to be displayed as a list.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing the set of hardware components to be displayed as one or more images.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input device is located remotely across a network.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, and further comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information comprising a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components; and

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

23. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of compatible mobile phone shells, the set of mobile phone shells generated based on a compatibility between the mobile phone shells and the hardware component selection information, wherein the compatibility is based on at least one size value; and

outputting the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises a selection from a set of hardware components.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing a set of hardware components.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing auxiliary information relating to hardware components of the set of hardware components.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the auxiliary information comprises at least one of size, weight, and cost.

28. The method of claim 25 further comprising causing a list of hardware components to be displayed on a display screen.

29. The method of claim 25 further comprising causing a plurality of hardware components images to be displayed on a display screen.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one size value is a volume.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one size value is at least one of a width, a length, and a thickness.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the compatibility is based on at least one of a number and an arrangement of portions required by a hardware component corresponding to the hardware component selection information.

33. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

receiving a shell selection information;

identifying a set of second compatible hardware components, the set of second hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the second hardware components, the hardware component selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of second compatible hardware components.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises battery information.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the set of second hardware components is based on a compatibility of a power consumption value of the hardware component with the battery information.

36. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

receiving a shell selection information;

identifying a set of incompatible hardware components, the set of incompatible hardware components generated based on an incompatibility between the incompatible hardware components, the hardware component selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of incompatible hardware components.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing an indication that the incompatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria.

38. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving a shell preference information; and

identifying a set of mobile phone shells, the set of mobile phone shells generated based on a compatibility between the mobile phone shells, the hardware component selection information, and the shell preference information.

39. The method of claim 23 further comprising providing an indication that a first hardware component corresponding to the hardware component selection information is causing the hardware component selection information to be incompatible with a first mobile phone shell.

41. The method of claim 23, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises a selected hardware component, and further comprising:

receiving a shell selection information comprising a selected mobile phone shell from the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells; and

causing the selected hardware component to be assembled into the selected mobile phone shell.

65. The method of claim 23, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises a selected hardware component, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected mobile phone shell from the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells, and further comprising:

causing the selected hardware component to be assembled into the selected mobile phone shell.

42. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information, wherein the compatibility is based on a shape; and

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, and further comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information comprising a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components; and

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

44. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

receiving a weight preference information;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compatibility is based on the weight preference information.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, and further comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information comprising a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components; and

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

47. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information, wherein the compatibility is based on an availability of the hardware component; and

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the availability of the hardware component is based on a time to delivery of the hardware component.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, and further comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information comprising a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components; and

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

50. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information;

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components;

receiving a first hardware selection information;

identifying a set of second compatible hardware components, the set of second hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the second hardware components, the first hardware selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of second compatible hardware components.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises battery information.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components, and further comprising:

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

53. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information;

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components;

receiving a first hardware selection information;

identifying a set of incompatible hardware components, the set of incompatible hardware components generated based on an incompatibility between the incompatible hardware components, the first hardware selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of incompatible hardware components.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising providing an indication that the incompatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components, and further comprising:

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

56. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information;

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components;

providing an indication that the compatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a battery size necessary to power a particular hardware component.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components, and further comprising:

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

58. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a shell selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components;

wherein the shell selection information comprises a selection from a set of preconfigured mobile phones, the preconfigured mobile phones including at least one empty portion configured to receive a hardware component selected from a set of components having substantially the same size but different function, and wherein the list of hardware components compatible with the shell selection information comprises a subset of hardware components that are compatible with the at least one empty portion.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected shell, wherein the first hardware selection information comprises a selected at least one hardware component from the identified set of compatible hardware components, and further comprising:

causing the selected at least one hardware component to be assembled into the selected shell.

60. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of compatible mobile phone shells, the set of mobile phone shells generated based on a compatibility between the mobile phone shells and the hardware component selection information, wherein the compatibility is based on at least one of a number and an arrangement of portions required by a hardware component corresponding to the hardware component selection information; and

outputting the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises a selected hardware component, and further comprising:

receiving a shell selection information comprising a selected mobile phone shell from the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells; and

causing the selected hardware component to be assembled into the selected mobile phone shell.

62. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of compatible mobile phone shells, the set of mobile phone shells generated based on a compatibility between the mobile phone shells and the hardware component selection information;

outputting the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells;

receiving a shell selection information;

identifying a set of second compatible hardware components, the set of second hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the second hardware components, the hardware component selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of second compatible hardware components.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises battery information.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the set of second hardware components is based on a compatibility of a power consumption value of the hardware component with the battery information.

66. A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone, comprising:

receiving a hardware component selection information from a user input device;

identifying a set of compatible mobile phone shells, the set of mobile phone shells generated based on a compatibility between the mobile phone shells and the hardware component selection information;

outputting the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells;

receiving a shell selection information;

identifying a set of incompatible hardware components, the set of incompatible hardware components generated based on an incompatibility between the incompatible hardware components, the hardware component selection information, and the shell selection information; and

outputting the identified set of incompatible hardware components.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising providing an indication that the incompatibility of a hardware component with the shell selection information is dependent upon one or more criteria.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the hardware component selection information comprises a selected hardware component, wherein the shell selection information comprises a selected mobile phone shell from the identified set of compatible mobile phone shells, and further comprising:

causing the selected hardware component to be assembled into the selected mobile phone shell.