WO2009030967A2

WO2009030967A2 - Wireless communication device and method for communicating in at least two different communication modi

Info

Publication number: WO2009030967A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/003948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nouhad El Hachem
Original assignee: Wnd Telecom, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2006-11-30
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: WO2009030967A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device (1) and a method for communicating in at least two different communication modi wherein a housing (9) of the communication device (1) has a first and a second user interface (5a, 5b), a first and a second activation unit (16a, 16b) and at least one controller (14) controlling said user interfaces (5a, 5b) and a radio communication unit (15) for communicating in at least two different communication modi. Preferably, each of the activation units (16a, 16b) can be activated by a different key card such as a SIM card enabling the user of such wireless communication device to communicate with the same device in two different networks with two different phone numbers and/or two different phone lines.

Description

"Wireless communiecTtion device and method for communicating in two different communication modi"

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device such as a mobile telephone of the type having a main apparatus housing, a user interface comprising a keypad and a display as well as a controller with a radio communication unit for communicating data such as speech, pictures or information via a wireless communication network to another user of such wireless communication network. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile phone which is able to coinmunicate with one or more other users of a mobile telephone network in a certain communication mode, e.g. a GSM mobile phone being able to communicate via a certain radio frequency in a mobile telephone network relating to a certain provider and in accordance with a certain telephone nu mber .

Such wireless communication devices are nowadays widely known and used in the market. Users are using these mobile phones for private or business purposes with publically known or secret telephone numbers as well as in various networks and by use of different mobile service providers. Such mobile phones as modern communication means have become a ubiquitous tool or both personal and work related tasks throughout the world. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) based cellular phones are very popular. However, the known mobile phones work with a certain activation unit such as a SIM card which enables the user of a mobile phone to be connected to a certain mobile network throughout the services of a certain mobile service provider thereby having a certain telephone number which is associated with the activation unit. If the user of such mobile phone would like to use the mobile phone for another purpose such as for private purposes, while it has been used for business purposes before, the user must exchange the SIM card in his mobile phone in order to be able to use another telephone number, another telephone network and/or another telephone provider. By doing so the user is obliged to remove the prior SIM card, to insert a new SIM card and to reboot his mobile phone which is then activated again to be used in a different communication mode.

EP 0 821 537 A2 (Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.) discloses a communication device which serves a dual function as a pager or a cellular phone. Selection between the dual functions is controlled by the user of the mobile station who may choose to operate the mobile station in either the cellular mode or the pager mode. When in the cellular mode the mobile station can roam, make calls to the system and receive calls from the system. When in pager mode the mobile station does not receive calls from the system but instead receives only paging messages.

US 6,714,802 (Ericsson) discloses a wireless communication device with a main apparatus housing, a first user interface with a first -key pad and a first display as well as a second user interface with a second keypad and a second display wherein the second keypad and the second display are detachably connectable to the main apparatus housing of the portable communication apparatus. Such second user interface is provided for text messages such as SMS (Short Messages Services in GSM) where a user of a telephone may generate a text message containing a predetermined maximum number of alpha numeric characters and then send it across the mobile telephone network to an intended receiver. Since the standard keypad in an ordinary mobile phone is too small, US 6,714,802 proposes to have a larger second keypad -such as a type writer keyboard- in order to facilitate the entry of text messages.

US 2003/006 0195 discloses a dual-mode telephone with a satellite communication adapter wherein a regular cellular- type hand portable phone is equipped with a connector for a satellite communication adapter accessory access to the handset's signal processing recourses which enables the user to operate in an alternative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing in the mobile phone.

However, none of the know devices enables the user of such wireless communication device to use the same device for more then one purpose at the same time that means that none of the prior art devices is activated simultaneously in two different communication modi so that the user is able to receive or transmit speech pictures or data simultaneously via two different networks or two different telephone lines or by use of two different telephone numbers. In order to have such functionality users nowadays use two mobile phones, each equipped with one SIM card which activates a respective activation unit in each of the communication devices which can then both be used at the same time.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a communication device for wireless communication purposes which is able to operate in at least two different communication modi simultaneously, so that the user of such wireless communication device is able to operate such device e.g. via two different wireless telecommunication networks or by using two different radio frequencies or by using two different telephone numbers without the necessity to carry- around two different mobile phones.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device which is more flexible then the prior art devices. More specifically, the communication device should appear compact in size, having a low weight and a low power consumption and should be usable by a regular mobile phone user without the necessity to read large instruction manuals, so the device should be usable instantaneously and intuitively.

The above objects are solved by the invention throughout the characterizing features of independent claims 1 and 10. Further features and advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized and claimed in the subclaims.

The wireless communication device of the invention comprises a housing with a first user interface, a first activation unit, a controller and a radio communication unit for communicating in a first communication mode wherein such housing has a second user interface, preferably on the opposite side with regard to said first user interface and the communication device comprises a second activation unit for communicating in a second communication mode simultaneously to said first communication mode .

According to the invention two regular wireless communication devices such as mobile phones are integrated with each other so that on each side of such mobile phone there is provided an independent user interface, each having a display and a keypad so that the user of such mobile phone can use each side of the phone independently or simultaneously wherein each side of the phone is activated through a respective activation unit which receives e.g. an activation card, such as a SIM card, which controls the communication mode of each side of the communication device.

Preferably, both user interfaces are integrated in one and the same housing of the communication device but it is also possible that both user interfaces are detachably interconnected throughout a separable housing wherein each side of the housing carries connecting devices such as clamps or snap-connectors for connecting both sides with each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention both user interfaces, however, use the same mobile phone resources such as a controller which comprises a central processing unit, a memory, a display driver circuit and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals coming from a radio communication unit which is connected to an antenna. The wireless communication device of the present invention has preferably a housing which carries each user interface on opposite sides which are connected to each other by gable sides which carry additionally functions such as power or data input, volume control of the communication device, slots for data or memory cards or a lens for picture or video functions.

Preferably, said first side and said second side of said housing each comprise a display, a keypad, loud speaker and a microphone, whereby each side of the communication device is independent and according to said preferred embodiment of the invention, whether both sides are detachably coupled to each other, wherein each side has a slot for receiving an activation card such as a SIM card or a RUIM or any other activation device, according to the standard of technology.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible that the wireless communication device has two distinct controllers, each working with one user interface in accordance with one software program for each of the controllers, thereby being able to handle two communication systems and/or two communication channels simultaneously at the same time.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention both sides are not detachably coupled to each other which makes it possible for both sides to use common resources such as battery power, loudspeaker, microphone, controller, antenna or radio communication unit. Such communication device has then a very slim appearance and has on each side preferably a key lock, so that the user does not activate the "back side" of the communication device when inputting data on the "front side" and vice versa.

Each user interface is preferably connected to a mode switch which is connected to a central controller so that each user interface can be activated independently by said first and second activation unit, respectively. It is however also possible to integrate the mode switch in the controller so that the controller receives signals from each of the user interfaces and both activation units then enable one of both user interfaces to be set into a communication status.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if each activation unit has a slot for receiving an activation card such as a SIM card which enables each user interface to be connected to the central controller. Thereby, the user of such communication device may insert different activation cards, each having an individual telephone number or an individual network provider so that the communication device can e.g. be used for private and office purposes, simultaneously.

If both sides are not detachably coupled to each other then it is possible that both user interfaces use a common loudspeaker and/or a common microphone which are preferably located on each gable side of the housing which connect the first and second sides on which the first and second user interfaces are placed.

As it is commonly known, the controller comprises a central processing unit, a memory, a display driver circuit and at least one transceiver for controlling at least one radio communication unit which is connected to an antenna which is able to transmit and receive radio frequencies in multiple bands for being connected to e.g. mobile phone networks or satellites in the Mh∑-band.

The radio communication unit has preferably means for receiving a variety of radio frequencies, enabling the controller to activate each of the user interfaces in different communication modi, depending on said activation units and depending on the incoming call or the incoming information which is connected to one of both user interfaces.

The method for communicating in two different communication modi of the present invention comprises the steps of activating a first user interface of a wireless communication device by means of a first activation unit for enabling said first user interface to communicate with a controller and a radio communication unit for communicating in a first communication mode and activating a second user interface by- means of a second activation unit for enabling said second user interface to communicate with said controller and said radio communication unit for communicating in a second communication mode. Both first and second activation units are preferably activated by activation cards such as SIM cards or other means which can be manually inserted into said housing of said wireless communication device.

Each of the communication modi is activated by either detecting an input on one of said first and second user interfaces such as a keystroke on the keypad or by receiving radio signals via said radio communication unit which activate a communication mode by comparing said radio frequency or data received via said radio frequency with a predetermined radio frequency or data, respectively, stored in said memory of said controller or inputted by said first and second activation units. Said radio communication unit operates in at least two cellular communication modi, two satellite communication modi or a cellular and a satellite communication mode, respectively/ so that the user of such communication device can e.g. make a telephone call on one side of the communication device and receives navigation data for the other side of the communication device where a GPS navigation program is running, informing the user about the way to go.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mobile telephone which comprises two key pads, two displays and two slots for receiving SIM cards each adapted to operate each side of the mobile phone via two different phone lines or two different phone numbers or two different telephone networks so that the user can use the mobile phone for a first private number and a second business number and is able to shut off each of "the side individually depending on the current use of the phone.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following disclosure of a preferred embodiment according to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 shows a first side of the communication device of the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows a second side of the communication device of the present invention and Fig. 3 shows schematically a preferred connection diagram of the functionality of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first side of the wireless communication device 1 of the present invention ^'which has the regular and commonly known features of a mobile phone such as a first user interface 5a with a first display 2a and a first keypad 10a as well as a first microphone 6a, a first loudspeaker 8a, an antenna 3 for receiving and transmitting radio signals, wherein such antenna 3 can also be integrated within the housing 9 of the communication device 1. The first side 11a of the communication device 1 is connected to the second side lib (compare Figure 2) with gable sides wherein a data port 7a and a power connector 12a, 12b is provided on one of the gable or flank sides, preferably the lower gable side of the housing 9 which is opposite to the antenna 3. The power connector 12a, 12b is preferably located in the middle of the lower gable side or in symmetry to the -middle of such gable side in order to enable the communication device 1 to be inserted in a stand which automatically connects to such power connector 12a, 12b in order to recharge the rechargeable batteries (not shown) of the communication device 1. The data port 7a can be used for importing or exporting data via known interfaces such as blue tooth or a cable interface for being connected to other communication devices or a personal computer.

Figure 2 shows the second side lib of the communication device 1 with a second user interface 5b having a second display 2b, a second keypad 10b, a second loudspeaker 8b and a second microphone 6b. Figure 2 shows the same power connector 12a, 12b and a second data port 7b whexein it is also possible that the power connector 12a, 12b and the data ports 7a, 7b are provided either once for both sides of the communication device 1 or twice on each side.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 1 has two key pads 10a, 10b, two displays 2a, 2b, two integrated antennas 3, two microphones 6a, δb, two loudspeakers 8a, 8b and one power connector 12a, as well as one data port 7a, as well as two central controllers 14 for each of the user interfaces 5a, 5b. Furthermore, such device has preferably two Bluetooth connections and one main battery or power accumulator.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 1 has one main housing with two user interfaces 5a, 5b, two key pads 10a, 10b, two displays 2a, 2b, two integrated antennas 3, two microphones 6a, βb, two loudspeakers 8a, 8b, two video/camera devices of 3M or 5M pixels, each, one power connector 12a and one data port 7a as well as one central controller 14, one Bluetooth connector and one battery.

Preferably, the communication device 1 has a USB-power connection which is also used for transferring and synchronizing data, e.g. with a PC. Data exchange is also possible via Bluetooth or GPRS or UTMS.

Furthermore, it is possible in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention that both sides 11a, lib of the communication device 1 use one and the same loudspeaker 8a and/or the same microphone 6a which are then preferably located on the gable sides of the device so that the user of such communication device 1 can easily understand and talk into the device 1.

The housing 9 of the communication device 1 has furthermore two slots 4a, 4b, each of them being able to receive an ' activation card such as a SIM card which determines the communication mode of the communication device 1. It is however possible that both slots 4a, 4b are on the same side or integrated into each other so that both activation cards are inputted into the same slot.

A preferred functionality of the communication device 1 is illustrated schematically in Figure 3. Each user interface 5a, 5b is connected to a mode switch 13 which receives data from said first and second activation units 16a, 16b which are provided with said slots 4a, 4b. The mode switch 13 connects each user interface 5a, 5b to a central controller 14 which comprises a CPU, a memory, a display driver circuit and a transceiver (all not shown) , all devices which are per se known from a regular mobile phone and which are also part of the communication device 1 of the present invention. Furthermore, the controller 14 is connected to a radio communication unit 15 which is connected to the antenna 3 wherein the radio communication unit 15 is able to transmit and receive radio frequencies or data in different communication modi dependent on the activation units 16a, 16b which send their data via the mode switch 13 to the controller 14. The controller 14 then activates the respective first or second loudspeakers 8a, 8b and first or second microphone 6a, 6b dependent on which of the user interfaces 5a, 5b is in use. Each side 11a, lib of the housing ^■ 9 of the communication device 1 is activated either throughout the recognition of a key stroke on the first or second keypad 10a, 10b or throughout a respective radio signal received via the antenna 3 and the radio communication unit 15 which is then analyzed by the controller 14 in accordance with predetermined radio frequencies or data as received and stored from said first and second activation unit 16a, 16b.

The user of the communication device 1 of the present invention can use two different SIM cards which are both inputted into the slots 4a, 4b so that the mobile phone can be used and activated in two different modi. The user can use the mobile phone with two different telephone numbers or two different networks or for two different telephone lines depending on her or his preference. He is no longer forced to carry around "two different mobile phones since he can use one and the same mobile phone simultaneously for two different purposes in two different communication modi which are both active simultaneously. Instead of using a SIM card as an activation device, it is also possible to use a RuIM or any other technology standard for programming/activating the activation units 16a, 16b.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device (1) comprising a housing (9) with a first user interface (5a), a first activation unit (16a), a controller (14) and a radio communication unit (15) for communicating in a first communication mode, characterized by said housing (9) having a second user interface (5b) and the communication device (1) comprising a second activation unit (16b) for communicating in a second communication mode.

2. The communication device of claim 1, characterized by said housing (9) having said first interface (5a) on a first side (lla) and said second .user interface (5b) on a second side (lib) of said housing (9) wherein said first and second sides (Ha, lib) are located on opposite sides of said housing

(9) -

3. The communication device of claims 1 or 2, characterized by said first side (Ha) and said second side (lib) of said housing (9) each comprising a display (2a, 2b), a key pad

(10a, 10b), a loud speaker (8a, 8b) and a microphone (6a, 6b) .

4. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by said first and second sides (11a, lib) are detachably coupled to each other wherein each side (lla, lib) has a slot (4a, 4b) for receiving an activation card.

5. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by said first user interface (5a) comprises a first display (2a) and a first key pad (10a) said second user interface (5b) comprises a second display (2b) and a second key pad (10b) each user interface (5a, 5b) being connected to a mode switch (13) which is connected to a central controller (14) so that each user interface (5a, 5b) can be activated independently by said first and second activation unit (16a, 16b) , respectively.

6. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by each activation unit (16a, 16b) having a slot (4a, 4b) for receiving an activation card which enables each user interface (5a, 5b) to be connected to the central controller (14).

7. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by both user interfaces (5a, 5b) use a common loud speaker (8a) and/or a common microphone (6a) which are each located in the vicinity of the gable sides of said housing (9) which connect said first side (lla) and said second side (lib) of said housing (9) .

8. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by said controller (14) comprising a central processing unit, a memory, a display driver circuit and a transceiver for controlling at least one radio communication unit (15) which is connected to an antenna (3) which is able to transmit and receive radio frequencies in multiple bands.

9. The communication device of one of the preceding claims, characterized by said radio communication unit (15) having means for receiving a variety of radio frequencies enabling the controller (14) to activate each of the user interfaces (5a, 5b) in different communication modi depending on said activation units (16a, 16b) .

10. Method for communicating in at least two different communication modi comprising the steps of:

activating a first user interface (5a) of a wireless communication device (1) by means of a first activation unit (16a) for enabling said first user interface (5a) to communicate with a controller (14) and a radio communication unit (15) for communicating in a first communication mode, and

activating a second user interface (5b) by means of a second activation unit (16b) for enabling said second user interface (5b) to communicate with said controller (14) and said radio communication unit (15) for communicating in a second communication mode.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said first and second activation units (16a, 16b) are activated by activation cards which can be manually inserted into said housing (9) of said wireless communication device (1).

12. The method of claims 10 and 11 wherein each of said communication modi is activated by either detecting an input on one of said first and second user interfaces (5a, 5b) or by receiving radio signals via said radio communication unit (15) which activate a communication mode by comparing said radio frequency or data received via said radio frequency with a predetermined radio frequency or data, respectively, stored in said memory of said controller (14) or inputted by said first and second activation units (16a, 16b) .

13. The method of claims 10 - 12 wherein said radio communication unit (15) operates in at least two cellular communication modi, two satellite communication modi or a cellular and a satellite communication mode, respectively.

14. A mobile telephone according to one of the claims 1 - 9, comprising two key pads (10a, 10b) , two displays (2a, 2b) and two slots (4a, 4b) for receiving an activation device, each adapted to operate each side (Ha, lib) of the mobile phone via two different phone lines or two different phone numbers or two different telephone networks in accordance with a method according to one of the claims 10 - 13.

15. A mobile telephone according to claim 14, wherein the activation device is a SIM card, a RUIM or a memory stick.