Abstract:
A module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device is provided. A module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device, in which various types of personal service contents such as a diary function, a wallet function, and a portable computing function are made into functional modules so as to install and/or detach the functional modules to/from a common bus-based slot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0124583, filed on Dec. 3, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   Methods and apparatuses consistent with the following description relate to a digital portable device, and more particularly, to a module-based operating apparatus and method for a digital portable device. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Generally, digital device users carry a mobile phone at all times when commuting while in a mobile environment. Also, the digital device users use a diary, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, and the like in order to manage various types of schedules. When attending a meeting, the digital device users generally carry a diary and a notebook computer. Also, the digital device users carry multiple credit cards in their wallet. 
   However, when carrying various types of devices, it may be very inconvenient to carry many devices at one time and also it may be very difficult to be aware of operational procedures of the devices. 
   Currently, boundary breakdown between communication devices and computing devices accelerates a convergence phenomenon in portable terminals and also brings technical developments that include various types of contents in a single terminal using unification of technologies for portable terminal components. However, since a product model is generally manufactured based on a one-sided point of view from terminal manufactures, advancements in the field of portable terminals using an all-in-one scheme may not satisfy various types of demands from consumers. Also, general users desire simplicity and slimness of a digital device in order to improve the portability of the digital device. However, as more functions are included in software or the digital device, the general users need to be aware of even a function that the general users may not need to know about in reality. Therefore, it is inconvenient for the general users to use the digital device in their daily lives. Also, the general users have no choice but to purchase a portable terminal embedded with unsatisfactory and unnecessary contents for their own personal preference. In this case, the users may have a potential cost burden. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one general aspect, there is provided a module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device in which functions desired by a user are included in a single device based on a user preference. 
   In another aspect, there is provided a module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device in which various types of functions are provided and the apparatus/portable device is readily carried and used. 
   According to still another aspect, there is provided a module-based operation apparatus for a portable device that is applied to a detachable ultra slim functional module and an ultra slim main processing module enabling installation of the functional module, the apparatus including a common bus unit which includes a structure enabling installation of the functional module, a first interface unit which is connected with the functional module via the common bus unit and performs wired transmission and reception of data, a first wireless transceiver which wirelessly transmits and receives data to/from the functional module, a first touch screen unit which displays a user interface screen and receives a user input signal corresponding to the user interface screen, and a first control unit which activates either the first interface unit or the first wireless transceiver depending on whether the functional module is connected with the common bus unit, and receives the user input signal from the first touch screen unit, and processes the received user input signal. 
   According to yet another aspect, there is provided a module-based operating method for a portable device that is applied to a detachable ultra slim functional module and an ultra slim main processing module enabling installation of the functional module, the method including determining whether the functional module is installed, setting a wired communication mode with the functional module according to the installation of the functional module, and receiving data from the functional module and processing the data, using a touch screen interface. 
   Other features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a functional module of a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a power module of a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the module-based operating apparatus for the portable device according to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a module-based operating method for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   

   Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods and systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems and methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted to increase clarity and conciseness. 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the module-based operating apparatus for the portable device includes a common bus unit  110 , a first interface unit  120 , a first control unit  130 , a first touch screen unit  140 , and a first wireless transceiver  150 . 
   The common bus unit  110  includes a structure enabling installation of a functional module. When the functional module is installed, the common bus unit  110  functions to transfer data from the function module to the first interface unit  120 , and transfer data from the first interface unit  120  to the functional module. The common bus unit  110  may be in a connectivity deck structure of a folder-rotary type. However, it is only exemplary and is not limited thereto. Also, the common bus unit  110  may detect the installation of the functional module. In this case, the common bus unit  110  may generate an installation signal to inform that the functional module is installed in the common bus unit  110  and output the generated installation signal to the first control unit  130 . 
   The first interface unit  120  functions to receive data of the functional module from the common bus unit  110  and transfer the received data of the functional module to the first control unit  130 . Also, the first interface unit  120  functions to receive data from the first control unit  130  and transfer the received data of the first control unit  130  to the common bus unit  110 . 
   The first control unit  130  functions to receive the installation signal from the common bus unit  110  and determine whether the functional module is connected with the common bus unit  110  according to the installation signal. When the functional module is installed in and thereby is connected with the common bus unit  110 , the control unit  130  activates the first interface unit  120 . Conversely, when the functional module is separated from the common bus unit  110 , the control unit  130  activates the first wireless transceiver  150 , receives a user input signal from the first touch screen unit  140 , and processes the user input signal. The first control unit  130  may receive a wired/wireless mode selection signal from the first touch screen unit  140  and activate either the first interface unit  120  or the first wireless transceiver  150  according to a selection of the wired/wireless mode selection signal. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the first control unit  130  may simultaneously activate the first interface unit  120  and the first wireless transceiver  150  according to the selection of the wired/wireless mode selection signal. However, it is not limited thereto. 
   The first touch screen unit  140  functions to display a user interface screen, receive a user input signal corresponding to the user interface screen, and output the received user input signal to the first control unit  130 . According to an aspect, the first touch screen unit  140  may display a wired/wireless mode selection user interface screen, receive a wired/wireless mode selection signal according to the wired/wireless mode selection user interface screen, and output the received wired/wireless mode selection signal to the first control unit  130 . The first touch screen unit  140  may include a paper-like display (PLD) that includes a display function and a handwriting recognition function. However, it is not limited thereto. 
   When the functional module is separated from the common bus unit  110 , the first wireless transceiver  150  functions to receive data from the functional module using a wireless scheme and output the received data to the first control unit  130 . Also, the first wireless transceiver  150  functions to receive data from the first control unit  130  and transmit the received data using the wireless scheme. 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a functional module of a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the module-based operating apparatus includes a first bus installation unit  210 , a second interface unit  220 , a second control unit  230 , a second touch screen unit  240 , and a second wireless transceiver  250 . 
   The first bus installation unit  210  includes a structure enabling installation in the common bus unit  110 . When the first bus installation unit  210  is installed in the common bus unit  110 , the first bus installation unit  210  functions to transfer data from the common bus unit  110  to the second interface unit  220 , and transfer data from the second interface unit  220  to the common bus unit  110 . In this instance, the first bus installation unit  210  may be in a pin structure enabling installation in a connectivity deck of a folder rotary type. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the first bus installation unit  210  may detect that the first bus installation unit  210  is installed in the common bus unit  110 , generate an installation signal to inform about the above event, and output the generated installation signal to the second control unit  230 . 
   The second interface unit  220  functions to receive data of the common bus unit  110  from the first bus installation unit  210  and transfer the received data of the common bus unit  110  to the second control unit  230 . Also, the second interface unit  220  functions to receive data of the second control unit  230  and transfer the received data of the second control unit  230  to the first bus installation unit  210 . 
   The second control unit  230  functions to receive the installation signal from the first bus installation unit  210  and determine whether the first bus installation unit  210  is connected with the common bus unit  110 , based on the installation signal. When the first bus installation unit  210  is installed in and thereby is connected with the common bus unit  110 , the second control unit  230  may activate the second interface unit  220 . Conversely, when the first bus installation unit  210  is separated from the common bus unit  110 , the second control unit  230  may activate the second wireless transceiver  250 , receive a user input signal from the second touch screen unit  240 , and process the user input signal. In this instance, the second control unit  230  may receive a wired/wireless mode selection signal and activate either the second interface unit  220  or the second wireless transceiver  250  according to a selection of the wired/wireless mode selection signal. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the second control unit  230  may simultaneously activate the second interface unit  220  and the second wireless transceiver  250  according to the selection of the wired/wireless mode selection signal. 
   The second touch screen unit  240  functions to display a user interface screen, receive a user input signal corresponding to the user interface screen, and output the user input signal to the second control unit  230 . According to an aspect, the second touch screen unit  240  may display a wired/wireless mode selection user interface screen, receive a wired/wireless mode selection signal according to the wired/wireless mode selection user interface screen, and output the received wired/wireless mode selection signal to the second control unit  230 . The second touch screen unit  240  may include a PLD that includes a display function and a handwriting recognition function. However, it is not limited thereto. 
   When the first bus installation unit  210  is separated from the common bus unit  110 , the second wireless transceiver  250  functions to receive data from the first wireless transceiver  150  using a wireless scheme and output the received data to the second control unit  230 . Also, the second wireless transceiver  250  functions to receive data from the second control unit  230  and transmit the received data using the wireless scheme. The second wireless transceiver  250  may be integrally formed with a pin structure enabling installation in a connectivity deck of a folder rotary type. However, it is not limited thereto. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a power module of a module-based operating apparatus for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the module-based operating apparatus includes a second bus installation unit  310  and a power unit  320 . 
   The second bus installation unit  310  includes a structure enabling installation in the common bus unit  110 . When the second bus installation unit  310  is installed in the common bus unit  110 , the second bus installation unit  310  functions to transfer power of the power unit  320  using the common bus unit  110 . The second bus installation unit  310  may be formed in a pin structure enabling installation in a connectivity deck of a folder rotary type. 
   The power unit  320  functions to generate power and supply the generated power using the second bus installation unit  310 . The power unit  320  may include a flexible battery or a flat lithium ion battery. However, it is not limited thereto. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the module-based operating apparatus for the portable device according to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   Hereinafter, an operation of the module-based operating apparatus will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
   When a user desires to make a call, the user selects a call mode using a user interface screen displayed on the first touch screen unit  140  of a main processing module  410 . When the call mode is selected, a user interface view for making the call is displayed on the first touch screen unit  140  of the main processing module  410 . The user interface view may include a button portion for input of a telephone number and an image portion for a video call. However, it is not limited thereto. The user may touch the button portion of the first touch screen unit  140  and thereby make a call. In order to make a call, the first wireless transceiver  150  of the main processing module  410  may support a cellular communication function. 
   When the user desires to have a meeting, the user may install in the main processing module  410  a functional module  420  that enables notes using an electronic pen  440 . A deck structure that is used for installation may support a plug-and-play scheme. When the functional module  420  is installed in the main processing module  410 , the common bus unit  110  may detect the installation of the functional module  420  and generate an installation signal to inform that the functional module  420  is installed in the common bus unit  110 , and output the generated installation signal to the first control unit  130 . The control unit  130  may receive the installation signal from the common bus unit  110 , detect from the installation signal that the functional module  420  is installed in and thereby is connected with the common bus unit  110 , and activate the first interface unit  120  to make a wired communication with the functional module  420 . Also, the second interface unit  220  of the functional module  420  may be activated in a similar manner as above. When the user records notes of the meeting in the second touch screen unit  240  of the functional module  420 , the notes may be input into the second control unit  230  and be processed by the second control unit  230 . Data processed by the second control unit  230  may be transferred to the main processing module  410  via the second interface unit  220  and the first bus installation unit  210 . The data processed by the second control unit  230  may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the main processing module  410  or a storage unit (not shown) of the functional module  420 . Also, the first touch screen unit  140  of the main processing module  410  may interoperate with the second touch screen unit  240  of the functional module  420  to thereby display a single wide display screen. 
   When the user separates the functional module  420  and lets a counter party of the meeting use the functional module  420 , the common bus unit  110  may detect the separation of the functional module  420  and activate the first wireless transceiver  150 . The second wireless transceiver  250  of the functional module  420  may be activated in a similar manner as above. When the counter party records notes of the meeting in the second touch screen unit  240  of the functional module  420 , the notes may be input in the second control unit  230  and be processed by the second control unit  230 . The data processed by the second control unit  230  may be transferred to the first wireless transceiver  150  of the main processing unit  410 . The data processed by the second control unit  230  may be stored in the storage unit of the main processing module  410  or the storage unit of the functional module  420 . 
   The functional module  420  may provide a wallet function for a financial payment, a diary function for a schedule, a note, a memo, a messenger, and information searching, and a mobile computing function for working on documents and web browsing. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the second touch screen unit  240  may display in a lower portion of the second touch screen unit  240  a user interface that supports a screen save and play mode. However, it is not limited thereto. 
   A power-supply functional module  430  may be installed in the common bus unit  110  of the main processing module  410  and supply power to the main processing module  410  and the functional module  420  via the second bus installation unit  310 . 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a module-based operating method for a portable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   A single operating state of the main processing module  410  is maintained until the functional module  420  is installed in the main processing module  410 . A user may select the functional module  420  to be installed in the main processing module  410  according to a user preference. 
   In operation S 510 , the first control unit  130  of the main processing module  410  receives an installation signal from the common bus unit  110  and determines whether the functional module  420  is installed in the common bus unit  110 , based on the installation signal. 
   In operation S 520 , when the functional module  420  is installed in and thereby is connected with the common bus unit  110 , the first control unit  130  activates the first interface unit  120  and sets a wired mode. Conversely, when the functional module  420  is separated from the common bus unit  110 , the first control unit  130  activates the first wireless transceiver  150  and sets a wireless mode in operation S 530 . 
   In operation S 540 , the first control unit  130  receives from the functional module  420  a user input signal via the common bus unit  110  or the first wireless transceiver  150  and processes the user input signal, using a touch screen interface. 
   The main processing module  410  may provide a user interface screen that is compatible with the functional module  420  selected by the user. The user may perform a desired operation using the provided user interface screen. 
   The methods described above including the module-based operating method for a portable device may be recorded, stored, or fixed in one or more computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments. 
   A number of exemplary embodiments have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.