Abstract:
A communication system, including a modular wireless communicator, including a modem for transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly, and a touch-sensitive display, and a mobile computer, including a housing with a cavity for inserting the modular wireless communicator therein such that the touch-sensitive display is exposed through the housing and accessible for user inputs, and a processor, mounted within the housing, for controlling the modem and for running an operating system that performs computer tasks in response to user inputs detected by the touch-sensitive display, when the modular wireless communicator is inserted in the housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/257,073, entitled DUAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATOR AND HUMAN INTERFACE DEVICE, filed on Nov. 2, 2009 by inventors Dov Moran, Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov and Uri Ron. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the present invention is modular wireless communicators. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most mobile computers have a keyboard and a pointing device built in. The pointing device may be a touch pad, a track ball or a pointing stylus. Users often connect a corded or cordless mouse to a mobile computer, for easier operation. However, a separate mouse is cumbersome for a user to carry with him. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    Aspects of the present invention relate to a combined smart phone and netbook computer. A “netbook computer”, also referred to as a notebook computer and a sub-notebook computer, is a small, lightweight and inexpensive laptop computer suited for general computing and for accessing web-based applications. The smart phone has a modular form factor and inserts into a jacket that includes a keypad, a large display, and additional storage in the form of a hard disk drive of a solid-state disk. The jacket converts the smart phone into a fully functioning connected netbook. 
         [0005]    The present invention is of advantage to consumers, in avoiding the extra cost and data synchronization complexity of separate independent phone and netbook. The consumer carries a single combined device, and has ready access to all of his personal data, which is always synchronized. Moreover, the combined device switches easily between netbook and phone form factors and functionality, by simply inserting and detaching the phone module from the netbook jacket. 
         [0006]    The present invention is also of advantage to operators, in providing a low cost netbook (under $100) that can be subsidized to users. The phone and modem of the netbook share the same SIM, and thus operators can achieve greater average return per unit. 
         [0007]    Further aspects of the present invention relate to a modular communicator that has a dual function as a human interface device (HID) and as a wireless communicator. For the HID, the modular communicator functions as a touch pad for a mobile computer when connected thereto. The modular communicator includes a touch-sensitive display which positions at a surface of the mobile computer when the modular communicator is engaged with the mobile computer. The touch-sensitive display is thus visible and accessible to a user of the mobile computer, and functions as a touch pad for the user to input pointing commands to the mobile computer. 
         [0008]    The touch-sensitive display may be further operable to display system messages and notifications for the mobile computer, when the modular communicator is engaged with the mobile computer. Such system messages and notifications include inter alia a power bar, a network status and a storage capacity. 
         [0009]    The touch-sensitive display may be further operable as a touch-based user interface for specific applications, and may be further operable to provide soft keys for specific commands. 
         [0010]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer has its own pointing device. When the modular communicator is engaged with the mobile computer, the communicator&#39;s touch-sensitive display functions either as a secondary pointing device in conjunction with the mobile computer&#39;s pointing device, or as a primary pointing device in lieu of the mobile computer&#39;s pointing device. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer does not have its own pointing device. 
         [0011]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a communication system, including a modular wireless communicator, including a modem for transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly, and a touch-sensitive display, and a mobile computer, including a housing with a cavity for inserting the modular wireless communicator therein such that the touch-sensitive display is exposed through the housing and accessible for user inputs, and a processor, mounted within the housing, for controlling the modem and for running an operating system that performs computer tasks in response to user inputs detected by the touch-sensitive display, when the modular wireless communicator is inserted in the housing. 
         [0012]    There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a modular wireless communicator, including a modem for transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly, a touch-sensitive display, an electrical connector, coupled with the modem and with the touch-sensitive display, for connection to a mobile computer, wherein the modem serves as a modem for the mobile computer and the touch-sensitive display serves as a touch-based input device for the mobile computer, when the electrical connector is connected to the mobile computer. 
         [0013]    There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a mobile computer, including a housing with a cavity for inserting a modular wireless communicator therein, the modular wireless communicator including a modem and a touch-sensitive display, wherein the touch-sensitive display is exposed through the housing and accessible for user inputs when the modular wireless communicator is inserted in the housing, and a processor, mounted within the housing, for controlling the modem and for running an operating system that performs computer tasks in response to user inputs detected by the touch-sensitive display, when the modular wireless communicator is inserted in the housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a modular communicator that inserts into a netbook computer to function as a component thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the modular communicator of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a simplified block diagram of the netbook computer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a simplified illustration of a communication system, with a mobile computer, and with a modular wireless communicator that has dual functionality as a touch-sensitive input device for the mobile computer when the modular wireless communicator is connected to the mobile computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a simplified illustration of a configuration of the mobile computer and the modular wireless communication with the touch-sensitive input device facing the outside of the mobile computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a simplified illustration of the mobile computer and the modular wireless communicator when the mobile computer is closed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a simplified illustration of the mobile computer and wireless communicator for a mobile computer having a tablet form factor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a simplified illustration of a configuration of the mobile computer and the modular wireless communicator for a mobile computer having a tablet form factor with the touch-sensitive input device facing the back of the mobile computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Aspects of the present invention relate to a combined smart phone and netbook computer. A “netbook computer”, also referred to as a notebook computer and a sub-notebook computer, is a small, lightweight and inexpensive laptop computer suited for general computing and for accessing web-based applications. The smart phone has a modular form factor and inserts into a jacket that includes a keypad, a large display, and additional storage in the form of a hard disk drive of a solid-state disk. The jacket converts the smart phone into a fully functioning connected netbook. 
         [0024]    Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is an illustration of a modular communicator  100  that inserts into a netbook computer  200  to function as a component thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also made to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which are respective simplified block diagrams of modular communicator  100  and of netbook computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Modular communicator  100  includes six primary components, as follows: a connector controller  110 , a memory storage  115 , a base band modem  120  for sending and receiving voice and data communications, a power management subsystem  125 , a power amplifier  135  and a user interface  170 . 
         [0026]    Connector controller  110  executes programmed instructions that control the data flow between modular communicator  100  and netbook computer  200 . Modem  120  controls the wireless communication functionality of modular communicator  100 . 
         [0027]    Power management subsystem  125  includes circuitry for charging a battery  145 . 
         [0028]    Power amplifier  135  includes a radio frequency (RF) interface  136 , and is connected to an optional internal antenna  140 . 
         [0029]    User interface  170  includes a microphone  171 , an earpiece  173 , and touch-sensitive display  185 . User interface  170  also includes an optional speaker  175 , an optional vibrator  177  and an optional keyboard  180 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that user interface  170  may include additional components. 
         [0030]    Modular communicator  100  may include an optional camera. 
         [0031]    Modular communicator  100  includes a mobile computer connector  150  for electronically connecting wireless communicator  100  to network computer  200 . Modular communicator  100  optionally includes a subscriber identification module (SIM)  190 . 
         [0032]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interface between connector controller  110  and storage  115 , and the interface between connector controller  110  and modem  120  are SD interfaces. The interface between connector controller  110  and mobile computer connector  150  is a special purpose connector interface. 
         [0033]    In one implementation of the present invention, modular communicator  100  is a core Android-based smart phone, with a QUALCOMM MSM7230 chipset. Modular communicator  100  has a small form factor, for ease of carrying and use, and supports full touch operation. Modular communicator  100  supports  3 G (HSPA/EvDo), WLAN, BT, FM and GPS communication. 
         [0034]    Netbook computer  200  may be a notebook computer, a sub-notebook computer, an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a mobile Internet device (MID), or such other portable computer. Netbook computer  200  includes six primary components, as follows: a computer controller  205 , a connector controller  210 , a memory storage  215 , a wireless modem  220 , a power management system  225  and a user interface  270 . 
         [0035]    Power management subsystem  225  includes circuitry for charging a battery  245 . 
         [0036]    User interface  270  includes a microphone  271 , mono or stereo speakers  275 , a keyboard  280  and a display  285 , typically a 5″-11″display. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that user interface  270  may include additional components. 
         [0037]    Regarding connectivity, network computer  200  includes a communicator connector  250  for electronically connecting modular communicator  100  to netbook computer  200 . Network computer  200  may also include a USB hub and a plurality of USB connectors, in order to allow connection of additional peripherals. Additionally, other connectors, such as video out HDMI, DVI, VGA and S-video connectors, may also be included. 
         [0038]    Netbook computer  200  includes a slot for modular communicator  100 , and serves as a jacket for modular communicator  100  when modular communicator  100  is inserted in the slot. Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, modular communicator  100  serves as a touch pad for netbook computer  200 , or as a secondary display for notebook computer  200 , when modular communicator is inserted into the slot. 
         [0039]    Netbook computer  200  may include an optional camera. 
         [0040]    Netbook computer  200  optionally includes one or two antennas for diversity. “Antenna diversity” is the use of two or more antennas to improve the quality and reliability of a wireless link. Antenna diversity generally provides greater capacity and performance benefits than standard antennas. In some embodiments of the present invention, one antenna is in netbook computer  200 , and another antenna is in modular communicator  100 . In other embodiments of the present invention, two antennas are in netbook computer  200 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna(s) in network computer  200  cooperate with antenna  140  in communicator  100 . 
         [0041]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, modular communicator  100  is able to operate at least two operating systems; namely, a mobile phone operating system such as Android, and a netbook computer operating system, such as Chrome. Modular communicator  100  functions as a full Android phone, when operating independently as a smart phone. In one implementation of the present invention, modular communicator  100  continues to operate as an Android phone with a modified user interface that conforms to the netbook experience, when inserted into the slot of netbook computer  200 . In a second implementation of the present invention, modular communicator  100  switches to the Chrome operating system when inserted into the slot of netbook computer  200 . 
         [0042]    Phone calls received or initiated by netbook computer  200  continue on modular communicator  100 , when modular communicator  100  is detached from netbook computer  100 . Data on modular communicator  100  is synchronized with netbook computer  200 , and no data is lost when modular communicator is inserted in or detached from netbook computer  200 . Moreover, data on modular communicator  100  may be backed up on the hard disk drive or solid-state disk drive of netbook computer  200 . 
         [0043]    While modular communicator  100  is inserted into the slot of netbook computer  200 , modular communicator  100  is charged from the power supply of netbook computer  200 ; i.e., from the internal battery of netbook computer  200  or from an external power supply to netbook computer  200 . 
         [0044]    It will be appreciate by those skilled in the art that various alternative hardware architectures may be implemented in modular communicator  100  and netbook computer  200 , all within the scope of the present invention. One such alternative architecture is for modem  120  of modular communicator  100  to serve as controller of netbook computer  200 , when modular communicator  100  is attached to netbook computer  200 . In this embodiment, controller  205  is not present in netbook computer  200  and, as such, netbook computer  200  cannot function independently of modular communicator  100 . 
         [0045]    Further aspects of the present invention relate to a modular wireless communicator that has a dual function as a human interface device (HID). For the HID, the modular communicator functions as a touch pad for a mobile computer when connected thereto. Specifically, the wireless communicator includes a touch-sensitive display screen, which provides pointer input commands to the mobile computer, when the wireless communicator is inserted therein. 
         [0046]    Reference is made to  FIGS. 4-8 , which are simplified illustrations of a communication system with modular communicator  100  and netbook computer  200 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a simplified illustration of a configuration with a touch-sensitive input device facing the inside of netbook computer  200 .  FIG. 5  is a simplified illustration of a configuration with the touch-sensitive input device facing the outside of netbook computer  200 .  FIG. 6  is a simplified illustration of the configuration of  FIG. 5  when netbook computer  200  is closed.  FIG. 7  is a simplified illustration with netbook computer  200  having a tablet form factor, and with the touch-sensitive input device facing the front of netbook computer  200 .  FIG. 8  is a simplified illustration with netbook computer  200  having a tablet form factor, and with the touch-sensitive input device facing the back of netbook computer  200 . 
         [0047]    When modular communicator  100  is connected to netbook computer  200 , modular communicator  100  has dual functionality as a touch-sensitive input device for netbook computer  200 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , when modular communicator  100  is inserted in netbook computer  200 , a surface portion of modular communicator  100  that includes a user interface is visible and accessible to a user through an opening in a surface of netbook computer  200 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface of modular communicator  100  includes a touch-sensitive display screen  185 , which is positioned at the surface of netbook computer  200  close to keyboard  280 , when modular communicator  100  is connected to netbook computer  200 . 
         [0049]    In accordance with applicant&#39;s co-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 12/151,079, filed on May 3, 2008, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS and co-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 12/415,116, filed on Mar. 31, 2009, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR FIXED MOBILE CONVERGENCE, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, when modular communicator  100  is connected to netbook computer  200 , it is operable in conjunction with netbook computer  200  for communication and for data sharing. Moreover, the user interface of modular communicator  100  becomes part of the user interface of netbook computer  200 . 
         [0050]    As such, touch-sensitive display screen  185  functions as a pointing device for netbook computer  200 . In a first embodiment of the present invention, netbook computer  200  has its own pointing device, such as a touch pad, and touch-sensitive display screen is operative in lieu of or in addition to the pointing device of netbook computer  200 . In a second embodiment of the present invention, netbook computer  200  does not have its own pointing device, and touch-sensitive display screen  185  provides the pointing device for netbook computer  200 , when modular communicator  100  is connected to netbook computer  200 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that netbook computer  200  may be manufactured more compact and light-weight when designed for the second embodiment, than when designed for the first embodiment. 
         [0051]    In the first embodiment mentioned hereinabove, touch-sensitive display screen  185  may function as (i) a secondary pointing device for netbook computer  200 , (ii) a user interface for one or more applications that run on netbook computer  200 , and/or (iii) soft keys for netbook computer  200 . 
         [0052]    In both embodiments of the present invention, touch-sensitive display screen  185  may display system messages and notifications for netbook computer  200 , when modular communicator  100  is connected to netbook computer  200 . Such system messages and notifications include inter alia a power bar, a network status and a storage capacity. 
         [0053]    For netbook computers with covers that open and close, modular communicator  100  may be connected to netbook computer  200  in either of two configurations. According to the first configuration, display screen  185  is visible and accessible when the cover of mobile computer  200  is open, as shown in  FIG. 4 . According to the second configuration, display screen  185  is visible and accessible when the cover of netbook computer  200  is closed, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0054]    For netbook computers with tablet forms factors, which do not have covers that open and close, configurations with display screen  185  facing the front and the back are shown respectively in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0055]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modular communicator  100  is generally carried by a user for use as cell phone. As such, unlike prior art pointer devices which are cumbersome to carry, there is no additional burden on the user of carrying touch-sensitive display screen  185  with him. 
         [0056]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.