Expanded display and input-output device for mobile wireless telephone

• US 7,266,391 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2006
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter David Warren
• Original Assignee: Peter Warren
• Inventors: Warren, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US11/295,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 379/93.05, 379/435.36, 343/702
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• 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 keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Claims

1. A system for operating mobile wireless communication devices comprising:

a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices, each having a different physical configuration, a display screen for displaying a user interface, and a communication port,

a display device comprising a universal port for communicating with each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port, the universal port comprising a communication port and a cradle for physically supporting the mobile wireless communication device from the display device with the communication port of the mobile wireless communication device in functional communication with the communication port of the display device;

wherein the display device is configured to operate as an enlarged and analogous version of the display shown on the display screen of each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port; and

wherein the cradle comprises a retracting support movable between an open position and a closed position, is configured to receive and support a mobile wireless communication device proximate to the display device when in the open position, and further is configured for retraction to the closed position when the mobile wireless communication device is not received in the retracting support.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the display device comprises input components; and

the input components are functional to operate the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is functionally connected to the universal port of the display device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the mobile wireless communication devices comprises a keypad; and

the universal port is configured to receive the mobile wireless communication device and associated adapter with the keypad maintained in an inaccessible position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal port comprises a five-sided channel.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal port comprises a channel with a floor having a shape, further comprising an adapter that comprises an electrical connector that has a bottom side that conforms to the shape of the floor in the channel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal port with a received mobile wireless communication device is configured to pivotally articulate with respect to the display device between the open position in which the adapter is positioned to receive the mobile wireless communication device and the closed position in which the universal port and mobile wireless communication device are substantially positioned within a cavity within an outer housing of the computer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal port is configured to receive the mobile wireless communication device with an associated battery attached.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a battery charger configured to charge a battery connected to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is received within the cradle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal port comprise a wireless communication port operative for communicating with a wireless communication port of each mobile wireless communication device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the universal port comprises a Bluetooth communication port.

11. A mobile wireless communication device and computer system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices, each having a different physical configuration, a display screen for displaying a user interface, and a communication port,

a computer comprising a base portion, a display device pivotally attached to the base portion, and a universal port for communicating with each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port, the universal port comprising a communication port and a cradle for physically supporting the mobile wireless communication device from the computer with the communication port of the mobile wireless communication device in functional communication with the communication port of the display device;

wherein the display device of the computer is configured to operate as an enlarged and analogous version of the display shown on the display screen of each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port; and

wherein the display device comprises a display side and a rear side, and the cradle is configured to support the mobile wireless communication devices adiacent to the rear side of the display device.

12. The mobile wireless communication device and computer system of claim 11, wherein:

the mobile wireless communication device comprises a keypad; and

the universal port is configured to receive the mobile wireless communication device with the keypad maintained in an inaccessible position.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer comprises a battery charger configured to charge a battery connected to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is received within the cradle.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the universal port comprise a wireless communication port operative for communicating with a wireless communication port of the mobile wireless communication device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the universal port comprises a Bluetooth communication port.

16. A display device for use with a plurality of different types of mobile wireless communication devices, each having a different physical configuration, a display screen for displaying a user interface, and a communication port, comprising:

a display device comprising a display screen located within a display housing having a peripheral edge adjacent to a peripheral edge of the display screen;

a universal port for communicating with each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port, the universal port comprising a communication port and a cradle for physically supporting the mobile wireless communication device from the display device with the communication port of the mobile wireless communication device in functional communication with the communication port of the display device;

wherein the display device is configured to operate as an enlarged and analogous version of the display shown on the display screen of each mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is located in the universal port; and

wherein the cradle comprises a channel adjacent to the edge of the display housing for receiving the mobile wireless communication device with a first portion of the mobile wireless communication device received within the channel and a second portion of the device extending beyond the edge of the of the display housing.

17. The display device of claim 16, wherein:

the display device comprises input components; and

the input components are functional to operate the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is functionally connected to the port of the display device.

18. The display device of claim 16, further comprising a battery charger configured to charge a battery connected to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is received within the cradle.

19. The display device of claim 16, wherein the universal communication port comprises a wireless communication port operative for communicating with a wireless communication port of the mobile wireless communication device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the universal communication port comprises a Bluetooth communication port.