Abstract:
A notebook computer including a controller for controlling operation of the notebook computer, a pouch in which to insert a cellular communicator, an amplifier connected to the controller, a speaker connected to the amplifier, a power supply connected to the controller, and circuitry, connected to the pouch and to the amplifier, for enabling the amplifier when the controller is powered off, in response to the cellular communicator being inserted in the pouch, and for causing the amplifier to generate a call alert when an incoming call arrives at the cellular communicator while the cellular communicator is inserted in the pouch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/613,026, entitled NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND CELL PHONE ASSEMBLY, and filed on Sep. 13, 2012 by inventors Dov Moran, Eyal Bychkov, Uri Ron and Itay Sherman. U.S. Ser. No. 13/613,026 is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/605,501, entitled NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND CELL PHONE ASSEMBLY, and filed on Oct. 26, 2009 by inventors Dov Moran, Eyal Bychkov, Uri Ron and Itay Sherman. U.S. Ser. No. 12/605,501 is a continuation-in-part of assignee&#39;s application U.S. Ser. No. 12/415,116, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR FIXED MOBILE CONVERGENCE, and filed on Mar. 31, 2009 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov and Uri Ron, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/043,179, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR FIXED MOBILE CONVERGENCE, and filed on Apr. 8, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov and Uri Ron. 
     U.S. Ser. No. 12/605,501 is also a continuation-in-part of assignee&#39;s application U.S. Ser. No. 12/151,079, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS, and filed on May 3, 2008 by inventor Itay Sherman, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/069,987, entitled MODULAR CELL PHONE FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS, and filed on Mar. 19, 2008 by inventor Itay Sherman. 
     U.S. Ser. No. 12/605,501 claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/108,610, entitled NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND CELL PHONE ASSEMBLY, and filed on Oct. 27, 2008 by inventors Dov Moran, Eyal Bychkov and Uri Ron. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computers with cell phone functionality. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People often travel with small computers, such as notebook computers, for mobile access to their data files and applications. People also often travel with cell phones, for cellular communication. It is thus of advantage to have one assembly that combines the notebook computers with the cell phone. Currently notebook computers have wireless modems, which are used to provide voice over IP services, such as Skype. Some notebook computers have small built-in cameras, which are used to provide video conferencing services. However, when conducting private conversations, users prefer to hold a small handheld device that can be conveniently held close to their ears and used quietly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a notebook computer that includes a small cell phone which can be detached from the notebook computer and used in private quiet conversation. When the cell phone is attached or otherwise in communication with the notebook computer, the notebook computer enables voice over IP, instant messaging, and other communication applications; and if the notebook computer includes a camera, then the cell phone further enables video conferencing. 
     As such, embodiments of the present invention provide a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, with a cell phone that “pops out” of the computer for use as a standalone handset. Moreover, there is a seamless transition with no interruption of cellular service when the cell phone is detached from or re-attached to the computer. 
     Further aspects of the present invention relate to enabling and powering an amplifier of the notebook computer when the cell phone is attached to the notebook computer, regardless of whether the notebook computer is in a normal power mode or in a power saving mode such as standby mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode or turned off. The amplifier is used to provide speaker output for a phone call, and to indicate that a call is incoming, or such other call status. 
     Three alternative embodiments for enabling and powering the amplifier, when the cell phone is attached to the notebook computer, may be used; namely,
         (i) powering the amplifier from the notebook computer battery regardless of the power state of the notebook computer,   (ii) powering the amplifier from the notebook computer battery when the notebook computer is in a normal power mode, and powering the amplifier from the cell phone power supply when the notebook computer is in a power saving node, and   (iii) powering the amplifier from the cell phone power supply regardless of the power state of the notebook computer.       

     Similar embodiments are used for powering an LED indicator of the computer, when the cell phone is attached to the computer. The LED indicator is lit to indicate an incoming call, an ongoing call, or such other call status. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a computer and cell phone assembly, including a communicator including a modem to communicate over a wireless network, and a notebook computer, including a pouch for physically to attach the communicator to the notebook computer, and a connection indicator to indicate arrival of an incoming phone call from the wireless network when the communicator is attached to the notebook computer, wherein the communicator is operative to receive the incoming phone call whether it remains attached to the notebook computer or whether it is subsequently detached from the notebook computer. 
     There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for communication, including indicating, by a notebook computer having a communicator attached thereto, arrival of an incoming phone call from a mobile network, and receiving, by communicator, the incoming call whether the communicator remains attached to the notebook computer or whether the communicator is subsequently detached from the notebook computer. 
     There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a communication system including a computer including a controller operable to transition between a plurality of power modes, including a normal power mode and at least one power saving mode, an amplifier that may be enabled or disabled by the controller, to receive audio data from said controller, and a battery to supply power to the controller and to the amplifier, and a communicator coupled to the computer, including a modem to communicate over a wireless network, to enable the amplifier, and to transmit audio data to the amplifier, and a power supply to supply power to the modem. 
     There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for enabling and powering an amplifier of a computer when a communicator is attached to the computer, including if the computer is operating in a normal power mode, then enabling, by the computer, the amplifier, if the computer is operating in a power saving mode, then enabling, by the communicator, the amplifier, and supplying power from a battery of the computer to the amplifier. 
     There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for enabling and powering an amplifier of a computer when a communicator is attached to the computer, including if the computer is operating in a normal power mode, then enabling, by the computer, the amplifier, and supplying power from a battery of the computer to the amplifier, and if the computer is operating in a power saving mode, then enabling, by the communicator, the amplifier, and supplying power from a power supply of the communicator to the amplifier. 
     There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for enabling and powering an amplifier of a computer when a communicator is attached to the computer, including if the computer is operating in a normal power mode, then enabling, by the computer, the amplifier, if the computer is operating in a power saving mode, then enabling, by the communicator, the amplifier, and supplying power from a power supply of the communicator to the amplifier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified flowchart of a method for operation of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified diagram of a circuit for activating a speaker of a notebook computer regardless of the power mode of the computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering a speaker amplifier, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering a speaker amplifier, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering a speaker amplifier, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified diagram of a circuit for activating an LED of a notebook regardless of the power mode of the computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a notebook computer and cell phone assembly. The cell phone is used in conjunction with the computer for telecommunication applications, including inter alia Skype, Instant Messenger and video conferencing. In addition the cell phone detaches from the computer for use as a standalone handset in private quiet conversation. 
     When the cell phone is attached to the notebook computer, incoming calls to the cell phone are detected by the computer, and the computer activates an indicator to notify a user of the call. The indicator may be inter alia a blinking LED or such other visual indicator, or a ringing speaker or such other audio indicator, or both. Activation of the indicator occurs whether the computer is in normal power mode, standby mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode, or turned off. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified block diagram of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 1  is a notebook computer  100  with a pouch  110  for inserting a cellular communicator  200 , a connector  120  for connecting to a corresponding communicator connector  220 , a controller  130 , an amplifier  140  with a speaker  150  for an audio system of the computer, a visual indicator  160  such as an LED indicator, and a battery  170 . Communicator  200  includes an antenna  210  for signal reception and transmission, and a modem  230  for communicating over a wireless network  300 . Modem  230  is generally both a modem and a controller for communicator  200 . 
     Notebook computer  100  includes conventional memory units for storing programs and data, input devices including inter alia a mouse and keyboard, and an output display device (not shown). The memory units and the device drivers for the mouse, keyboard and display are coupled communicatively with controller  130  using a conventional data bus. It will be appreciated, however, from the description hereinbelow, that the present invention may also be implemented with computing devices other than notebook computers, provided that such devices include processing means, program and data storage means, and input and display means that inter-communicate. The present invention may be implemented within a standalone computer or within one or more networked computers. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, pouch  110  is sufficiently deep so that communicator  200  is encased within notebook computer  100  when fully inserted in pouch  110 . Pouch  110  includes a push-pop mechanism to eject communicator  200  for detachment from notebook computer  100 . In order not to interfere with signal reception of communicator  200 , the housing of notebook computer  100  is manufactured using non-intrusive material that does not interfere with reception, at least for portions of the housing surrounding antenna  210 , such as the portions designated as  180  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, notebook computer  100  is operative to detect an incoming call for communicator  200 , and to activate an indicator, such as blinking of visual indicator  160 , to notify a user of the incoming call. Alternatively or additionally, the indicator may be ringing of speaker  150 . Communicator  200  is able to receive the incoming call whether it is attached to or detached from notebook computer  100 . 
     A feature of this embodiment of the present invention is the capability of activating the indicator, regardless of whether notebook computer  100  is in normal power mode, standby mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode, or turned off. As such, communicator  200  is operative to receive incoming calls and to notify the user of the calls, regardless of the power saving mode of notebook computer  100 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, such operation is accomplished by using battery  170  as a power source, when communicator  200  is attached to notebook computer  100 , regardless of the power mode of notebook computer  100 . 
     Generally today, notebook computers, including those that run Windows XP and Vista, have power saving modes, such as “standby mode”, “hibernate mode” and “sleep mode”. Standby mode shuts down all but the essential components of notebook computer  100 . When in standby mode, the monitor of notebook computer  100  is blank and notebook computer  100  is unusable. 
     However, notebook computer  100  quickly comes out of standby mode, in a matter of a few seconds, when a button is pressed. For some computers, any button on the keyboard may be pressed to bring the computer back from standby mode to normal operation. For other computers, the power button must be pressed to bring the computer back to normal operation. When notebook computer  100  transitions from standby mode to normal operation, notebook computer  100  is in the same condition that it was prior to entering standby mode. 
     While in standby mode, notebook computer  100  consumes a small amount of power. If battery  170  were to fail while notebook computer  100  is in standby mode, all unsaved data is lost. 
     Hibernate mode saves a snapshot of the state of notebook computer  100 , and then shuts the computer completely off. Currently unsaved data is saved, as during a normal shut down. When notebook computer  100  is turned back on, it appears the same as it did before entering hibernate mode. 
     Notebook computer  100  comes slowly out of hibernate mode, often lasting several minutes, since it was completely shut down. While in hibernate mode, notebook computer  100  consumes no power. 
     Sleep mode puts notebook computer  100  into standby mode, and subsequently into hibernate mode if one or both of the following events occur:
         i. battery  170  becomes critically low;   ii. a pre-specified user configurable time delay is reached.       

     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, irrespective of its power mode, notebook computer  100  is powered by battery  170  when communicator  200  is attached to notebook computer  100 . Optionally, visual indicator  160  and amplifier  140  are also powered when communicator  200  is attached to notebook computer  100 , irrespective of the power mode of notebook computer  100 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified flowchart of a method for operation of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart of  FIG. 2  is divided into two columns, the left column indicating steps performed by a notebook computer and the right column indicating steps performed by a cellular communicator that attaches to and detaches from the notebook computer. 
     At step  1010 , while the communicator is attached to the notebook computer, the notebook computer detects an incoming call intended for the cell phone. Step  1010  is performed when the notebook computer is in normal power mode or power saving mode. At step  1020  the notebook computer activates an indicator, such as a blinking LED or a ringing speaker, notifying the user of the incoming call. At step  1030 , the communicator receives the incoming call, whether the communicator is attached to the notebook computer or detached from the notebook computer. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified diagram of a circuit for activating speaker  150  of notebook computer  100  regardless of the power mode of computer  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit shown in  FIG. 3  enables speaker  150  to operate in conjunction with communicator  200  when computer  100  is in normal power mode, or in a power saving mode such as standby mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode, or turned off. 
     Shown in  FIG. 3  is amplifier  140  and speaker  150  of notebook computer  100 . Computer  100  and communicator  200  are each able to transmit input to amplifier  140 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  is an enable line, via which computer  100  and communicator  200  can each enable or disable amplifier  140 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 , amplifier  140  is automatically enabled. 
     When communicator  200  is detached from computer  100 , then amplifier  140  is powered by battery  170  whenever computer  100  enables amplifier  140 . Typically, computer  100  enables amplifier  100  when operating in normal power mode, and computer  100  disables amplifier  140  when operating in power saving mode. 
     Regarding the source of the power supplied to amplifier  140  when communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 , one of three alternative embodiments may be used in accordance with the present invention. In the first embodiment, amplifier  140  is powered from battery  170  whenever amplifier  140  is enabled. 
     In the second embodiment, amplifier  140 , when enabled, is powered from battery  170  when computer  100  is operating in normal power mode, and is powered from a power supply of communicator  200  when computer  100  is operating in standby mode, in hibernate mode, in sleep mode, turned off or in such other power saving mode. 
     In the third embodiment, amplifier  140  is powered from the power supply of communicator  200  whenever amplifier  140  is enabled. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering amplifier  140 , in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , at step  1105  a determination is made as to whether or not communicator  200  is attached to or detached from computer  100 . If communicator is attached to computer  100 , then at step  1110  a further determination is made as to whether computer  100  is operating in a normal power mode, or in a power saving mode. If computer  100  is operating in a normal power mode, then at step  1115  amplifier  140  is enabled by computer  100 , and at step  1120  power is supplied to amplifier  140  from battery  170 . Otherwise, if computer  100  is operating in a power saving mode, then at step  1125  amplifier  140  is enabled by communicator  200 , and at step  1130  power is supplied to amplifier  140  from battery  170 . 
     If communicator  200  is detached from computer  100 , as determined at step  1105 , then at step  1135  a further determination is made as to whether computer  100  is operating in a normal power mode, or in a power saving mode. If computer  100  is operating in a normal power mode then at step  1140  amplifier  140  is enabled by computer  100 , and at step  1145  power is supplied to amplifier  140  from battery  170 . Otherwise, if computer  100  is operating in a power saving mode, then at step  1170  amplifier  140  is disabled by computer  100 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 5 , which is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering amplifier  140 , in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The steps of  FIG. 5  are similar to the corresponding steps in  FIG. 4 , except for step  1230 . In the case where communicator  200  is attached to computer  100  and computer  100  is operating in a power saving mode, then a power supply of communicator  200  supplies power to amplifier  140 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 6 , which is a simplified flowchart of the logic of the circuit of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering amplifier  140 , in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The steps of  FIG. 6  are similar to the corresponding steps in  FIG. 5 , except for step  1320 . In the case where communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 , amplifier  140  is always powered by the power supply of communicator  200 , regardless of whether computer  100  is operating in normal or power saving mode. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , which is a simplified diagram of a circuit for activating an LED of a notebook regardless of the power mode of the computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit shown in  FIG. 7  enables LED  160  to operate in conjunction with communicator  200  when computer  100  is in a normal power mode, or in a power saving mode such as standby mode, hibernate mode sleep mode, or turned off. 
     Shown in  FIG. 7  is indicator  160  of computer  100 . Computer  100  and communicator  200  are each able to light indicator  160 . Also shown in  FIG. 7  is an enable line, via which computer  100  and communicator  200  can each enable or disable indicator  160 . When communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 , indicator  160  is automatically enabled. 
     When communicator  200  is detached from computer  100 , then indicator  160  is powered by battery  170  whenever computer  100  enables indicator  160 . Typically, computer  100  enables indicator  160  when operating in normal power mode, and computer  100  disables indicator  160  when operating in power saving mode. 
     Regarding the source of the power supplied to indicator  160  when communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 , the same three alternative embodiments described hereinabove with reference to the system of  FIG. 3  for enabling and powering amplifier  140 , may be used with the system of  FIG. 7  for enabling and powering indicator  160 . These embodiments correspond to the flowcharts of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     Since indicator  160  generally requires only a small amount of power for its operation, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  may be more practical for powering indicator  160  when communicator  200  is attached to computer  100 . 
     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.