Apparatus and method for using a smartphone

• US 9,178,976 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitab Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mitab Incorporated
• Inventors: Djordjevic, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US13/882,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20130217442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• 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: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for using a smartphone is provided. The apparatus can include a tablet having a slot for receiving a cartridge configured to receive and interface with the smartphone. The tablet can further have a touch screen configured to operate the smartphone when loaded into the cartridge and inserted into the cartridge slot. The tablet can further have an external or auxiliary antenna disposed in the housing configured to interface with the smartphone.

Claims

1. An apparatus for using a smartphone, comprising:

a tablet further comprising a housing;

a touch screen disposed on the housing;

a cartridge slot disposed on the housing;

a cartridge configured to receive the smartphone, the cartridge further configured to be inserted into the cartridge slot, wherein the smartphone comprises a screen, and wherein the screen of the smartphone is enclosed by the housing when smartphone is received by the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge slot; and

means for interfacing with the smartphone wherein the touch screen is configured to operate the smartphone.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one control button disposed on the tablet for controlling a function of the smartphone.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising audio interface means.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising power supply means.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an external or auxiliary antenna configured to interface with the smartphone.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, further comprising means for transmitting or receiving radio frequency (“

RF”

) wireless signals.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the RF wireless signals comply with IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi™

or Bluetooth™

wireless communication protocols.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a lid configured to enclose the smartphone in the housing when the lid is attached to the housing.

9. A method for using a smartphone, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus for using the smartphone, comprising;

a tablet further comprising a housing,

a touch screen disposed on the housing,

a cartridge slot disposed on the housing,

a cartridge configured to receive the smartphone, the cartridge further configured to be inserted into the cartridge slot, wherein the smartphone comprises a screen, and wherein the screen of the smartphone is enclosed by the housing when the smartphone is received by the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge slot, and

means for interfacing with the smartphone wherein the touch screen is configured to operate the smartphone;

inserting the smartphone into the cartridge;

inserting the loaded cartridge into the cartridge slot; and

operating the smartphone by operating the touch screen.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one control button disposed on the tablet for controlling a function of the smartphone.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises audio interface means.

12. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises power supply means.

13. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises an external or auxiliary antenna configured to interface with the smartphone.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting or receiving radio frequency (“

RF”

) wireless signals.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the RF wireless signals comply with IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi™

or Bluetooth™

wireless communication protocols.

16. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a lid configured to enclose the smartphone in the housing when the lid is attached to the housing.