Method and systems to dynamically enable and control communication link optimizations on a communication device

• US 9,143,904 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharma, Sandeep, Shuman, Mohammed Ataur R., Subbaramoo, Shobha
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean
• Application Number:
  US13/785,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20130231100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/414.1, 455/517, 455/518, 455/519, 455/90.3, 455/575.1, 455/347
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services

Abstract

Embodiment methods and systems include external hardware that can be fitted to a wireless communication device that stores a communication application, communication presets and/or data that are downloaded to the wireless communication device where it may be implemented to optimize group communications on the wireless devices. The wireless device may be coupled to an external case configured with a physical button that enables group communication such as push-to-talk and other push-to-experience capabilities. Optimizations for push-to-talk communication may be implemented in a push-to-talk mode in response to detecting connection to the external hardware. Signaling between the external case and the wireless device allows detection of the switch to (or from) push-to-talk mode when a user depresses (or releases) the hard key.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a communication link on a wireless device, comprising:

detecting a connection between the wireless device and an external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons and a memory;

downloading a communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection; and

establishing a communication link from the wireless device to a remote server using the downloaded communication application, wherein the downloaded communication application provides the wireless device with authorized access to the remote server.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising deactivating the downloaded communication application in response to detecting a disconnection of the wireless device from the external structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the external structure is one of an external case and a holster configured to hold the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application, the method further comprising:

receiving a key-press code from the external structure in the wireless device;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the key-press code from the external structure is received in the wireless device in response to a depressing of one or more of the physical buttons on the external structure.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading communication optimization presets from the memory of the external structure to the wireless device; and

implementing the downloaded communication optimization presets on the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading one or more data presets from the memory of the external structure to the wireless device; and

implementing the one or more downloaded data presets on the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving in the wireless device an identifier from the memory of the external structure; and

transmitting the identifier to the remote server,

wherein the wireless device receives communication services from the remote server based on the identifier.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the identifier is an access code stored in the memory of the external structure and known to the remote server.

10. A system, comprising:

an external structure comprising a memory having stored thereon a communication application and one or more physical buttons; and

a wireless device comprising;

a radio frequency data modem;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the radio frequency data modem and to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations comprising;

detecting a connection with the external structure when the wireless device is positioned in the external structure;

downloading the communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection; and

establishing a communication link to a remote server using the downloaded communication application, wherein the downloaded communication application provides the wireless device with authorized access to the remote server.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor of the wireless device is configured to perform operations further comprising deactivating the downloaded communication application in response to detecting a disconnection of the wireless device from the external structure.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the external structure is one of an external case and a holster configured to hold the wireless device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application, and wherein the processor of the wireless device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a key-press code from the external structure;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the external structure is configured such that the key-press code from the external structure is in response to a depression of one or more of the physical buttons on the external structure.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor of the wireless device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

downloading communication optimization presets from the memory of the external structure; and

implementing the downloaded communication optimization presets on the wireless device.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor of the wireless device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

downloading one or more data presets from the memory of the external structure to the wireless device; and

implementing the one or more downloaded data presets on the wireless device.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor of the wireless device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

receiving an identifier from the memory of the external structure; and

transmitting the identifier to the remote server,

wherein the remote server provides communication services to the wireless device based on the identifier.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the identifier is an access code stored in the memory of the external structure and known to the remote server.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a wireless device to perform operations comprising:

detecting a connection between the wireless device and an external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons and a memory;

downloading a communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection; and

establishing a communication link from the wireless device to a remote server using the downloaded communication application, wherein the downloaded communication application provides the wireless device with authorized access to the remote server.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a wireless device to perform operations further comprising deactivating the downloaded communication application in response to detecting a disconnection of the wireless device from the external structure.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application, and wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a key-press code from the external structure;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the key-press code from the external structure is received in the wireless device in response to a depression of one or more of the physical buttons on the external structure.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

downloading communication optimization presets from the memory of the external structure; and

implementing the downloaded communication optimization presets on the wireless device.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

downloading one or more data presets from the memory of the external structure; and

implementing the one or more downloaded data presets on the wireless device.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

receiving an identifier from the memory of the external structure; and

transmitting the identifier to the remote server,

wherein the wireless device receives communication services from the remote server based on transmitting the identifier.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the identifier is an access code stored in the memory of the external structure and known to the remote server.

27. A communication system comprising:

a wireless device;

an external structure configured to couple with the wireless device;

means for detecting a connection between the wireless device and the external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons;

means for downloading a communication application stored in memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection; and

means for establishing a communication link on the wireless device to a remote server using the downloaded communication application, wherein the downloaded communication application provides the wireless device with authorized access to the remote server.

28. The communication system of claim 27, further comprising means for deactivating the downloaded communication application in response to detecting a disconnection of the wireless device from the external structure.

29. The communication system of claim 27, wherein the external structure is one of an external case and a holster configured to hold the wireless device.

30. The communication system of claim 27, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application, and wherein the communication system further comprises:

means for receiving a key-press code from the external structure in the wireless device;

means for interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

means for activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

31. The communication system of claim 30, wherein the external structure is configured such that the key-press code from the external structure is in response to a depression of one or more of the physical buttons on the external structure.

32. The communication system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for downloading communication optimization presets from the memory of the external structure to the wireless device; and

means for implementing the downloaded communication optimization presets on the wireless device.

33. The communication system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for downloading one or more data presets from the memory of the external structure to the wireless device; and

means for implementing the one or more downloaded data presets on the wireless device.

34. The communication system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for receiving in the wireless device an identifier from the memory of the external structure; and

means for transmitting the identifier to the remote server,

wherein the wireless device receives communication services from the remote server.

35. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the identifier is an access code stored in the memory of the external structure and known to the remote server.

36. A communication system, comprising:

a wireless device; and

a removable external structure,

wherein;

the removable external structure comprises;

a case structure configured to fit over the wireless device;

a physical button positioned on the case structure;

a first circuit coupled to the physical button;

a memory having stored thereon a communication application; and

a second circuit configured to cause a connection with the wireless device,

the wireless device and the removable external structure are configured to download the communication application to the wireless device in response to detecting the connection between the removable external structure and the wireless device;

the wireless device is configured to establish a communication link with a remote server using the downloaded communication application; and

the downloaded communication application provides the wireless device with authorized access to the remote server.

37. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure comprises a case for the wireless device.

38. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure comprises a holster configured to hold the wireless device.

39. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a processor configured to perform operations comprising communicating a key-press code to the wireless device.

40. The communication system of claim 39, wherein the physical button is configured such that depression of the physical button activates the first circuit, wherein the first circuit is configured to communicate the key-press code to the wireless device via the connection between the removable external structure and the wireless device.

41. The communication system of claim 40, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a connector port, wherein the first circuit is configured to communicate the key-press code to the wireless device via the connector port, and wherein the removable external structure receives power from the wireless device via the connector port when the wireless device is connected.

42. The communication system of claim 40, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a Bluetooth®

wireless transceiver, wherein the first circuit communicates the key-press code to the wireless device via a Bluetooth®

link.

43. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a battery that is independent of a wireless device battery.

44. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a memory configured to store at least one features set for the wireless device.

45. The communication system of claim 44, wherein the at least one features set comprises one or more data presets associated with group communications.

46. The communication system of claim 36, wherein the removable external structure further comprises a processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations comprising communicating an identifier to the wireless device.

47. The communication system of claim 46, wherein the identifier is communicated to the wireless device via a physical connection between the wireless device and the removable external structure.

48. A case for a wireless device, comprising:

a structure configured to connect with the wireless device;

a memory having stored thereon a communication application configured to cause the wireless device to establish a communication link with an external network and configured to provide the wireless device with authorized access to the external network; and

a communication connection configured to communicate the communication application to the wireless device when the wireless device is connected to the case.

49. A case for a wireless device, comprising:

means for connecting with the wireless device;

means for storing a communication application configured to cause the wireless device to establish a communication link with an external network and configured to provide the wireless device with authorized access to the external network; and

means for communicate the communication application to the wireless device when the wireless device is connected to the case.

50. A method for enabling a communication link on a wireless device, comprising:

detecting a connection between the wireless device and an external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons and a memory;

downloading a communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application;

establishing a communication link from the wireless device using the downloaded communication application;

receiving a key-press code from the external structure in the wireless device;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

51. A system, comprising:

an external structure comprising a memory having stored thereon a communication application; and

a wireless device comprising;

a radio frequency data modem;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the radio frequency data modem and to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations comprising;

detecting a connection with the external structure when the wireless device is positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons;

downloading the communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application;

establishing a communication link using the downloaded communication application;

receiving a key-press code from the external structure;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

52. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a wireless device to perform operations comprising:

detecting a connection between the wireless device and an external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons and a memory;

downloading a communication application stored in the memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application;

establishing a communication link from the wireless device using the downloaded communication application;

receiving a key-press code from the external structure;

interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.

53. A communication system comprising:

a wireless device;

an external structure configured to couple with the wireless device;

means for detecting a connection between the wireless device and the external structure associated with the wireless device being positioned in the external structure, the external structure comprising one or more physical buttons;

means for downloading a communication application stored in memory of the external structure in response to detecting the connection, wherein the downloaded communication application is a push-to-talk communication application;

means for establishing a communication link on the wireless device using the downloaded communication application;

means for receiving a key-press code from the external structure in the wireless device;

means for interpreting the key-press code received from the memory of the external structure as a push-to-talk activation event; and

means for activating a push-to-talk transmission in response to receiving the key-press code.