WO2005088947A1

WO2005088947A1 - Mobile phone system

Info

Publication number: WO2005088947A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/000371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benny Olander; Keld Berg; Terho KÄMÄRÄINEN
Original assignee: Swedect Ab
Priority date: 2004-03-17
Filing date: 2005-03-16
Publication date: 2005-09-22

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a mobile phone system that includes a mobile phone containing an electronic connection socket and a terminal containing an electronic connection device that is connectable to the connection socket. The invention is characterised by that the terminal can be connected to a computer, in such a way that, when the connection device is connected to the connection socket, and the terminal is connected to the computer, the computer, by means of an interface between the computer and the mobile phone, renders the telephone programmes located in the mobile phone, in such a way that a user can access the mobile phone's telephone functions through the computer.

Description

TITLE

Mobile phone system

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a mobile phone system, which contains a mobile telephone with an electronic connection socket and a terminal with an electronic connection device, which can be connected to the connection socket. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the aforementioned mobile phone system, as well as an interface that is contained within the system.

BACKGROUND ART

Previously, it has been common practice to use mobile phone systems for carrying out telephone functions such as SMS (text messages that are written and sent by means of the mobile phone, "Short Message Service"), image- and and/or video transfer, electronic mail and voice calls. The mobile phone system contains a mobile phone that is connectable to a terminal that can provide the mobile phone with power and/or can contain a microphone and loudspeakers that can replace the microphone and the loudspeakers that are contained in the mobile phone itself.

In previously known systems, the user utilises the telephone functions directly through the mobile phone. The user utilises the keypad, display, microphone and loudspeaker of the mobile phone. A problem with previously common technology is that everything is of a very small size, which makes it difficult for a user to easily write messages, etc.

Therefore, the desire for an improved mobile phone system exists.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the invention is to solve the aforementioned problem by means of a mobile phone system that consists of a mobile phone which contains an electronic connection socket and a terminal with an electronic connection device that is connectable to the connection socket.

The invention is characterised by that the terminal can be connected to a personal computer, in such a way that, when the connection device is connected to the connection socket, and the terminal is connected to the computer, the computer, through an interface between the computer and the mobile phone, renders telephone programmes contained within the mobile phone in such a way that a user can utilise the mobile phone's functions through the computer.

An advantage of this invention is that a user can easily access and use all telephone programmes contained within the mobile phone through the computer, and by this it's large keyboard and screen, without physical handling of the mobile phone being required.

In order for the user to be able to utilise a computer of his or her choice, with programmes of his or her choice, special software has been developed for this system. The software is installed on the computer, and constitutes the basis for the interface that enables the communication possibilities between the computer and the mobile phone.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the terminal comprises a microphone that is intended to replace the microphone in the mobile phone. An advantage of this version lies in the user being able to make him- or herself heard via the mobile phone, while being at a distance from the mobile phone. A user therefore doesn't have to hold the mobile phone in the vicinity of his or her mouth in order to be audible. The microphone doesn't need to be installed in the terminal, but can be located in the computer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the computer comprises a loudspeaker that replaces the loudspeaker in the mobile phone. Sound from the mobile phone is effectively fed through the computer's amplifier or a separate loudspeaker with am amplification facility. An advantage of this version is that a user can hear his or her conversation partner, without needing to hold the mobile phone against his or her ear. The loudspeaker does not need to be integrated in the computer, but can constitute part of the terminal or be connectable to the terminal.

An advantage of having the mobile phone at a distance during use is that the user is exposed to a minimum of radiation that is transmitted by the phone. An additional advantage lies in the fact that the user has both hands free for e.g. making notes, etc.

The mobile phone's functions include SMS and/or MMS and/or video and/or imaging and/or an Internet connection and/or electronic mail and/or voice calls.

By means of the interface between computer and mobile phone, the computer is set up to render the memory programme located in the mobile phone, in such a way that the user can access and edit the memory programme of the mobile phone through the computer. The memory programme of the mobile phone contains e.g. an address book and/or mobile phone functions and/or a notepad and/or a phonebook and/or an image directory and/or a sound file directory.

In one embodiment of the invention, the terminal contains a bottom plate to which the connection device is mounted or connected in such a way hat it can be removed. The terminal also features a lid that is connected to the bottom plate, in such a way that it can be opened and closed. In the upright, opened position, the lid supports the mobile phone when it is connected to the terminal by means of the connection device and the connection socket. The lid can, in it's closed position, conveniently be used to cover the bottom plate and the connection device. In addition, the terminal can contain a charging facility that can charge a battery in the mobile phone via the connection device. The charging facility can also be a separate unit that is not dependent on the placement of the connection device.

The terminal is conveniently designed, with a connection device and a charging device that enables different models of mobile phones to be used with this system. This can be achieved due to the fact that the connection device in the terminal can be exchanged, or by the fact that it has a design which fits a number of connection sockets.

The system can be equipped with an option that enables a private or open, so-called "hands-free" function. This is a function that gives the user the possibility to use the telephone without actually holding it. A private hands- free setting prevents other people from listening in. This can be achieved by means of e.g. the use of headphones, etc. An open hands-free setting enables people in your environment to follow the conversation, e.g. through a loudspeaker. Such a function can be realised by means of a switching contact that in one position activates a private hands-free function, and in the other position enables an open hands-free function. The contact can conveniently be placed in the terminal.

The terminal includes a convenient sound output, which enables sound to be transferred from the mobile phone to a loudspeaker, a pair of headphones and/or a sound input on the computer.

The invention also relates to a method for a mobile phone system, whereby a mobile phone containing an electronic connection socket is connected to a terminal, by means of a connection device in the terminal. The method is characterised by the terminal being connected to a computer, in such a way that the computer renders the telephone programmes that are installed on the mobile phone via an interface between the mobile phone and the computer, in such a way that the user can utilise the telephone functions of the mobile telephone through his or her computer.

The invention also relates to a processor that includes an interface which enables any of the aforementioned versions to function.

The telephone is not restricted to the use of high-frequency mobile phones with a high output, but can also be used with house telephones with a short reach and a lower output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Hereunder, the invention will be described in connection to a number of figures, whereby:

fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the mobile phone system according to the invention, and;

fig. 2 depicts an overview of the method that constitutes part of the invention and the system in figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile phone system 1 according to the invention, comprising a mobile phone 2, with an electronic connection socket 3, and a terminal 4, which comprises an electronic connection device 5, which is connected to the connection socket 3. The terminal 4, is connected to a personal computer 6, by means of cables 7, in such a way that computer 6, renders the telephone programmes from the mobile phone 2, by means of an interface between the computer 6, and the mobile phone 2, in such a way that a user can access the telephone functions of mobile phone 2, by means of the personal computer. Figure 1 depicts a keyboard 8, and a mouse 9, that are connected to the computer 6, by means of the cables 10. With the aid of the keys on the keyboard 8, and the mouse 9, a user can edit memory functions in the mobile phone 2, as well as edit and use the telephone functions of the mobile phone, 2. The terminal 4, contains a microphone 11, which registers sound instead of the microphone that is contained in the mobile phone 2. Connected to the computer 6, is a loudspeaker 12, which reproduces the sound from the mobile phone 2, instead of the loudspeaker that is located in the mobile phone 2.

The mobile phone 2, comprises a keypad 13, and a display 14. The personal computer 6, includes a screen 15, that reproduces what is rendered on the display 14. As an alternative to this, the display 14, can reproduce the telephone programmes and/or memory programmes from the mobile phone 2, without these being showed on the display 14.

Figure 2 demonstrates that the terminal 4, contains a bottom plate 16, in which the connection device 5, is mounted. The terminal 4, also features a lid 17, which is mounted on the bottom plate, and which can be opened and closed by means of a hinge 18. The lid can be placed in closed and opened position. Figure 1 shows the lid 17, in it's opened position, in which it supports the mobile phone 2, when it is connected to the terminal 4, by means of the connection device 5, and the connection socket 3. The lid 17, can conveniently be collapsed, so that it covers the bottom plate 16, and the connection device 5.

Figure 2 shows an overview of the method as per the invention, and the system in figure 1.

Square 21 illustrates the possibility to initiate and answer voice calls with the aid of the computer's 6 keyboard. Square 22 shows that it is possible to carry out a voice call with the mobile phone, i.e. speak and listen, without being in physical contact with the mobile phone. This constitutes the so-called hands-free feature, which is carried out with the use of the computer 6, and the terminal 4. The terminal 4, can be shaped as a desktop cradle, with openings or details that fit one or more models of mobile phones.

Square 23 indicates that, through the mobile phone system, it is possible to send and receive electronic mail, so-called e-mail. A user can utilise the computer's 6, keyboard and screen to write and edit e-mail messages. If the user then wishes to send e-mail, he or she instructs the computer to send the message, and to whom, with the aid of the mouse or the keyboard.

The computer subsequently converts all data into a format that complies with the mobile phone 2, and forwards these data via the interface to the mobile phone 2. When the mobile phone 2, has received all data, the e-mail message is sent through the mobile phone to the indicated recipient.

Square 24 illustrates that, through the computer 6, it is possible to use and edit the phonebook and address lists on the mobile phone 2. In addition, the computer can store a back-up copy of the phonebook and address lists.

Square 25 shows that it is possible to establish an Internet connection with the aid of he mobile phone 2. In this case, the user utilises the computer 6, to instruct the mobile phone 2, to dial a certain telephone number that enables the Internet connection. Once a connection has been established, the user has access to all previously known Internet functions, such as searching for documents or images, or the downloading of documents or images, etc.

Square 26 indicates that, with the aid of the computer 6, it is possible to change the settings on the mobile phone 2. Examples of such settings are ring tones, call-back functions, telephone answering functions, etc. Square 27 demonstrates that, through the computer 6, it is possible to send and receive messages with the so-called Multimedia Media Service (MMS), i.e. a service that supports multimedia messages. With MMS, the user can, by means of the mobile phone system, send and receive messages that contain images, sound files and voice notes. The user utilises the computer 6, to produce a MMS-message and subsequently send this to the desired recipient, via the interface and the mobile phone.

Square 28 illustrates that, with the aid of the computer 6, it is possible to edit photos/images and moving images (film). Through the interface, these images can be loaded from the mobile phone, and edited on the computer in order to subsequently store them on the mobile phone and/or the computer.

Square 29 shows that, through the computer 6, it is possible to send and receive SMS in real-time. When the user has created an SMS-message in the computer, he or she can choose to store the SMS-message in the mobile phone 2, and/or on the computer, in order to send it to the desired recipient at the desired time. In addition, the user can choose to send the SMS- message directly to the desired recipient, through the mobile phone. At that point, the user can also choose whether the message should be stored on the computer 6, or in the mobile phone 2.

Square 30 indicates that the battery of the mobile phone 2, can be charged via a power supply device in he terminal.

Square 31 depicts that the commands between the computer 6, and the mobile phone 2, can be carried out by means of AT-commands or, alternatively, in SDK- or SMIL-format, whereby "AT" stands for "Attention Code", "SDK" means "Software Development Kit (Microsoft)", and "SMIL" is the abbreviation for "Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language". The commands are used for the communication between the computer and the mobile phone.

Square 32 illustrates the possibility to toggle between voice- and data traffic, using the AT- or SDK-commands. The toggling refers to the switching between analogue and digital traffic.

Square 33 shows that the computer 6, and the mobile phone 2, contain a software that opens the mobile phone's 2, data communication port. This depends on the communication method of the mobile phone and may therefore not always be necessary.

Square 34 indicates that the sound from the mobile phone 2, is rendered by the computer, 6, e.g. by means of the computer's soundcard.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above, but can be modified within the framework of the following patent claims. As an example, it can be mentioned that the cables between the terminal and the computer can be exchanged by a wireless system. The same applies to the connection between keyboard, mouse and computer.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A mobile phone system that includes a mobile phone, which contains an electronic connection socket and a terminal with an electronic connection device, which can be connected to the connection socket, characterised by that the terminal is connectable to a personal computer, in such a way that, when the connection device is connected to the connection socket, and the terminal is connected to the computer, the computer, by means of an interface between the computer and the mobile phone, renders the telephone programmes from the mobile phone in such a way that a user can access the telephone functions of the mobile phone via the computer.

2. The mobile phone according to claim ^characterised by the terminal containing a microphone that is intended to replace a microphone located in the mobile phone.

3. The mobile phone according to claim ^characterised by the computer containing a loudspeaker that is intended to replace a loudspeaker in the mobile phone.

4. The mobile phone according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the telephone functions of the mobile phone including the functions for SMS and/or MMS and/or video and/or still images and/or an Internet connection and/or electronic mail and/or voice calls.

5. The mobile phone according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the computer, by means of an interface between the computer and the mobile phone, being set up to render the memory programme of the mobile phone in such a way that a user can, via the computer, access and edit the memory programme of the mobile phone.

6. The mobile phone according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the memory programme of the mobile phone including an address book and/or mobile phone functions and/or a notepad.

7. The mobile phone according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the terminal containing a bottom plate in which the connection device is mounted.

8. The mobile phone according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the terminal containing a lid, which is attached to the bottom plate and which can be opened and closed, whereby the lid in it's opened, upright, position supports a mobile phone when placed in the terminal, by means of the connection device and the connection socket.

9. The mobile phone according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the lid, in its closed position, covering the bottom plate and the connection device.

10. The mobile phone according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the terminal containing a charging device, which can, by means of the connection device, charge a battery contained in the mobile phone.

11.A processor including an interface in compliance with any of the claims 1-10.

12. A method for a mobile phone system, whereby the mobile phone, including an electronic connection socket is connected to a terminal, through a connection device in the terminal, characterised by the terminal being connected to a computer, in such a way that the computer, by means of an interface between he computer and the mobile phone, renders the telephone programmes in the mobile phone, in such a way that a user can access the telephone functions of the mobile phone through the computer.

13. A method according to claim 12, characterised by the terminal including a microphone that registers sound instead of the microphone located in the mobile phone.

14. A method according to 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the computer containing a loudspeaker that renders sound instead of a loudspeaker located in the mobile phone.

15. A method according to any of the claims 12-14, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the computer rendering telephone functions such as SMS and/or MMS and/or video and/or still images and/or and Internet connection and/or voice calls.

16. A method according to any of the claims 12-15, characterised by the computer, by means of an interface between the computer and the mobile phone, rendering memory programmes from the mobile phone, in such a way that a user can access and edit the mobile phone's memory programme through the computer.

7. A method according to claims 12-16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the computer, by means of an interface, rendering memory programmes in the form of an address book and/or mobile phone functions and/or a notepad.