Personal communications server

• US 8,311,517 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Brass, Richard I., Wecker, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): BALAOING, ARIEL A
• Application Number:
  US11/949,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20080113653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,807 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/551, 455/41.3, 307/10.5, 340/426.35
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

An improved system and method for a personal communications server is provided. The system and method may provide seamless multi-functional wireless communications for different integrated applications desired by a user. To this end, a computing device with a telecommunications interface is provided for coupling to a mobile phone network. The computing device may be without an attached audio input and output device, but may include a network interface for coupling with an external audio input and output device to receive audio from the mobile phone network and/or to send audio to the mobile network. A computer with a network interface may also be coupled with the computing device to receive data from a mobile phone network and/or to send data to the mobile network.

Claims

1. A system for handling phone services, comprising:

a key fob that includes;

a mobile phone network interface that is configured to communicate signals formatted according to a mobile phone network protocol between the key fob and a mobile phone network, and

a personal area network interface that is separate from the mobile phone network interface and that is configured to connect to one or more personal area network devices, the personal area network interface also being configured to bridge the one or more personal area network devices to the mobile phone network, thereby enabling the one or more personal area network devices to communicate data over the mobile phone network, such that the key fob acts as a personal communications server for the one or more personal area network devices; and

a key that is coupled to the key fob, the key being configured to connect the key fob to a computer system of an automobile when the key is inserted into an ignition switch of the automobile, thereby enabling the key fob to transmit signals via the key to the computer system of the automobile to provide the key fob access to one or more of an antenna, a speaker, or a microphone that is connected to the computer system of the automobile to provide mobile phone services to a user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone network interface on the key fob is configured to receive signals from and transmits signals to the mobile phone network via the antenna of the automobile, the signals being communicated between the antenna and the key fob via the key.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone network interface on the key fob is configured to transmit audio signals derived from signals received from the mobile phone network to the speakers of the automobile, the audio signals being transmitted from the key fob to the speakers via the key.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein audio received by the microphone of the automobile is transmitted to the mobile phone network interface of the key fob via the key.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone network protocol comprises one of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or General Packet Radio Services (GPRS).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the key fob includes a button for providing input to the key fob.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the button comprises an application button that is dedicated to operating a particular application on the key fob or on the computer system of the automobile.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the key fob further includes an authentication interface operably coupling an authentication host to the computer system of the automobile.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein power is transmitted to the key fob via the key when the key is inserted into the ignition switch.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the key fob further includes a display.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the display comprises a notification indicator.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the display uses at least one member of the set comprising visual, audible, and tactile representations.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the key fob further includes:

a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface that is configured to connect the key fob to another computing device; and

an authentication host that communicates via the USB interface with the other computing device when the key fob is connected to the other computing device, the authentication host being configured to perform smart card functionality to authenticate a user of the key fob to one or more applications being hosted on the other computing device, such that the key fob acts as a readerless smart card.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more personal area network devices include at least one of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a telephone, a fax machine, a modem, a printer, or a smartcard.