Telephone computing system and devices

A system and devices for facilitating computing operations through a smartphone device and an associated shell unit, where the smartphone is configured to interface with a shell unit by connecting to a receiving port of the shell unit to provide computing functions and a data resource for the shell unit, where according to one embodiment, the smartphone device is configured as an improved smartphone that is configured to operate shell unit functions, such as, for example, a display of the shell unit, a keyboard of the shell unit, or other elements of the shell unit. The data may be carried on the smartphone device, used by the shell unit and smartphone, and the shell unit may be provided with a storage component, such as a hard drive, that may store backup data from the smartphone device. Logs may be used to sync the data on the smartphone device and the shell unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of computing devices and more particularly to devices that may be used for telephone communications and for computing operations.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Individuals utilize a variety of electronic devices, including personal electronic devices, such as, for example, smartphones, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, e-readers, and tablet computers. In many instances, these devices have individual operating systems and individual data platforms. For example, data maintained on a device, such as a smartphone, may be updated, and, in the event the data includes contacts, then users also must update another device, such as, for example, a laptop computer that also is to maintain the same data. In order for a user to use the information on a user's smartphone, the user is required to synchronize the smartphone with a computer. Data syncs between the smartphone and the computer are used so that the data may be updated in both places.

In some instances, data may be stored in a remote location, such as, for example, with cloud computing, where a server may be accessed by a smartphone or computer, and may contain data that may be accessed from each device. However, this type of data storage has drawbacks, in that the user never has the data unless a remote connection to the data is available. Therefore, in many instances, a smartphone will contain data, and a laptop or other computing device will also contain data which may be inconsistent, as the data on each component may be updated or changed independently of the other.

A need exists for a system and device that is capable of storing data in a usable manner that may be stored in a single location or on a single device and accessed by multiple computing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and devices for facilitating computing operations through a smartphone and an associated shell unit, where the smartphone is interfaced with the shell unit to provide computing functions and a data resource for the shell unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device is configured as an improved smartphone that is configured to operate one or more functions of an associated shell unit, such as, for example, a display of the shell unit, a keyboard of the computing unit, or other element of the shell unit.

According to other embodiments, a system is provided where a smartphone device and an associated shell unit are able to utilize data from one or the other or both.

According to another embodiment, a system is provided where a smartphone device and an associated shell unit are able to utilize data that may be stored on a storage component, such as a hard drive, flash memory, or removable storage media of the smartphone device that may be used to hold data for computing functions for both the smartphone device and the shell unit to access the stored data.

According to one embodiment, the smartphone device is configured with a first processor and the shell unit is configured with a second processor, and more preferably, the processors are symmetrical processors configured to utilize data stored on a storage component of the smartphone device.

According to another embodiment, a shell unit is provided that is constructed to associate with a mobile telephone, such as, for example, a smartphone. According to one embodiment, the shell unit has one or more components, such as, for example, a display, keyboard or other input mechanism, storage media, such as, for example, a hard drive, a processor and memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)).

It is an object of the invention to provide a system and devices for integrating a mobile telephone (e.g., a smartphone) and the functions of a shell unit, so that the mobile telephone may hold data and include processing capability, and further is configured to operate with the shell unit. According to some embodiments, the shell unit may share the processor of the mobile telephone when the mobile telephone is connected with the computing unit, or, according to preferred embodiments, the shell unit may have a processor and the mobile telephone may have a processor.

According to embodiments, the system and devices include software with instructions for implementing programs to manage data among the smartphone device and the associated shell unit. For example, according to one management program, the application data from the smartphone device is stored on the shell unit, and preferably may include archiving of data, such as older data files, from the smartphone to allocation on the storage component of the shell unit that receives the smartphone. Associations may be implemented to automatically recognize a particular smartphone, or particular smartphones with one or more particular shell units, so that there is controlled data exchange and backup to trusted locations (as opposed to a general use or publicly shell unit).

According to preferred embodiments, the smart phone device and shell unit may be configured to be operated in one or more modes, including a smartphone mode, where the smartphone is operably active to make and receive calls, a hybrid mode where the smartphone is operably active to make and receive calls and carry out data and computing functions with the shell unit. The modes may be user selected, or automatically configured (based on the connection), of the smartphone and the status shell unit. The hybrid mode may include a netbook mode where the shell unit is configured as a netbook and tablet mode where the shell unit is configured as a tablet. Optionally, according to alternate embodiments, the user may select between, or change operating modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5embodiments are shown illustrating a system for facilitating telephone computing. A smartphone device10is provided for use with a shell unit11. Preferably, the smartphone device10is configured having suitable dimensions, weight and size to be used as a mobile telephone. The smartphone device10is shown having a casing12and a screen display13. Though not shown, the smartphone device10preferably has a power source, such as, for example, a rechargeable or replaceable battery that may be accessed through a removable panel (not shown) provided on the casing12. The smartphone device10preferably has circuitry, and includes a number of circuit elements, such as, for example, a processor, a memory, a digital signal processor, a microphone, a speaker, an amplifier, an antenna, and analog to digital and digital to analog converters. The smartphone device10preferably may have other elements that are associated to operate with the circuitry of the smartphone device10, such as, for example, a camera. Preferably, a power port14is provided to facilitate charging of the battery and/or supplying power to the smartphone device10. The power port14may be configured to accept a compatibly provided power source that has suitable amperage and voltage to charge the battery or supply power to the circuitry, circuit elements and other accessibility elements of the smartphone device10. According to one embodiment, the power port14is provided as a separate port, while according to other embodiments, the power port is provided as part of a port that connects the smartphone device10with the shell unit11.

The smartphone device10preferably includes a connector port15that provides a connection with the circuitry of the smartphone device10, and more preferably, is configured to connect with a matingly compatible connection on the shell unit11. Preferably, the shell unit11has a housing20with a holder22. The holder22is shown comprising a slot23provided in the shell unit housing20for receiving the smartphone device10within the slot23. A matingly compatible connection is provided on the shell unit11shown comprising a connector24provided within the slot23for connecting with the connector port15of the smartphone device10. The shell unit11preferably links with the smartphone device circuitry through the connector24.

The shell unit11is configured to operate in conjunction with the smartphone device10. The shell unit11is shown having a housing20with a holder22in which the specially configured mobile telephone, such as, the smartphone device10may be releasably held. According to preferred embodiments, the shell unit holder22is configured as a slot23into which the smartphone device10is received. The slot23preferably is constructed to support the smartphone device10while including a connector24that interfits with a connector15aof the smartphone device connector port15. According to a preferred embodiment, the smartphone device10includes a link to connect the smartphone device power circuit with the power circuitry of the computing unit11to provide for recharging the smartphone device10power source, such as, the battery, when the smartphone device10is connected to the shell unit11. The power circuit of the shell unit11may be configured to power the smartphone device10, or may be selectively regulatable to power or charge the smartphone device10or its battery. The shell unit11may be powered with a battery that may be housed in the housing20of the shell unit11, or alternately or in addition thereto, may be powered with a power supply that connects with a standard power outlet that provides power supplied from an electric utility company.

The shell unit11may have an indicator, such as, one or more LED's, that indicate a condition of the smartphone device10being connected with the shell unit11, and in addition, the LED's may be used to indicate a power condition, such as, for example, the charging of the smartphone device10connected to the shell unit11.

The shell unit11preferably includes an interface operably associating the shell unit11with a mobile telephone. The shell unit11preferably includes circuitry, and the interface preferably includes software, hardware or both. Interface software may comprise software configured with instructions for implementing instructions to control the interaction between the smartphone device10and the shell unit11, including the shell unit display30and keyboard31, an optional additional components connected for use with the shell unit11, such as, for example, a mouse40, monitor41and keyboard42(seeFIG. 4). The hardware interface may comprise a connection for releasably connecting the mobile smartphone device10with the shell unit11, including the connector24of the shell unit11and the connector15aof the smartphone device10. The shell unit11preferably includes one or more computing components which preferably are operably configured to receive instructions from the mobile smartphone device10when the phone device10is releasably held in the holder22of the shell unit11. According to embodiments where the shell unit11is provided having its own processor, interface software may comprise software configured with instructions to control the processor of the shell unit11.

As shown inFIGS. 3aand3b, the shell unit111is illustrated in an alternate embodiment comprising a tablet configuration having a screen display130. The shell unit111may be constructed with a holder123and a connector124, similar to the shell unit11, and may be provided with software for implementing the functions to permit the smartphone device10to operate in connection with the tablet shell unit111. An ethernet port133preferably is provided. InFIGS. 3aand3b, examples of preferred dimensions and weight for an exemplary embodiment are provided.

According to one embodiment, the mobile smartphone10is configured with software that implements instructions to recognize the shell unit11and the components connected to or associated with the shell unit11, such as, for example, the mouse40, monitor41and keyboard42shown inFIG. 4. According to a preferred embodiment, the computing components of the shell unit11preferably include a processor, a memory and a storage component. The storage component may be configured as a removable storage component. The interface preferably operably associates the shell unit11with the operating system of the mobile smartphone device10. According to a preferred embodiment, the mobile smartphone device operating system is provided on the mobile telephone device10and is operable to control the display of the computing unit11

For example the shell unit11preferably includes a keyboard31, and includes a hardware circuitry and is configured to associate the mobile smartphone device10with one or more computing components, such as the peripheral keyboard40(FIG. 4), and provide operation of the keyboard40and other computing components through the mobile smartphone device10.

According to a preferred embodiment the shell unit11may have a processor that is symmetrical with the processor of the mobile smartphone device10.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connector15aof the smartphone device10is preferably provided as a universally standardized connector that permits the smartphone device10to be utilized with the shell unit11regardless of the carrier that provides the service to the smartphone device10. One example of this configuration is where the connection is an industry standard and all smartphone devices of several manufactures, such as, for example, the smartphone device10, have a female connection that permits the smartphone device10to connect with the shell unit11. According to preferred embodiments, components that the smartphone device10could plug into, such as, for example, an automobile, may include a matingly associated male connection for connection with the female connection of the smartphone device10. The shell unit11preferably is provided with the connection to connect with a smartphone connector, and the shell unit11, according to preferred embodiments, is configured to operate or be operated using a variety of smartphones, including those of different carriers. According to preferred embodiments, the shell unit11may receive and operate with a number of smartphones, so that a single shell unit11may be purchased and taken along a trip or to a show, and multiple users having different smartphones would be able to connect their smartphones to the shell unit11when the user needs to use the features of the shell unit11. According to one embodiment, there is provided an industry standard where there are a number of smartphone manufacturers and a number of expansion board\accessory (e.g., other components) from other manufacturers that the smartphone device10may plug into.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shell unit11includes a processor, RAM, and hard drive. The shell unit11may be configured with an Ethernet port33(FIGS. 2, and4). According to some embodiments, the shell unit11is configured so that an operating system may be installed on the memory or storage component of the shell unit11, such as, for example, a hard drive. According to this embodiment, the shell unit11may be optionally configured so that it may be booted up and used without the smartphone device10inserted. According to preferred embodiments, the operating systems, programs, and data of the smartphone device10and shell unit11are configured to sync when the smartphone device10is inserted into the shell unit11. According to a preferred arrangement, in order to sync the smartphone device10and shell unit11, a log is kept in each while the smartphone device10and shell unit11are separated. The logs preferably keep track of operating system configuration changes, programs installed, and new files put on the devices phone device10, shell unit11, and computing components that may be used therewith. Where the two hard drives are identical (such as, for example, a hard drive of the phone device10and a hard drive the shell unit11) once synced, this provides redundancy if one of the hard drives was ever damaged. Preferably, the hard drive on the shell unit11may be larger in capacity. According to some embodiments, a partition on a larger capacity hard drive of the shell unit11may be the same size as and mirror the hard drive on the smartphone device10. According to a preferred embodiment, the additional space on the larger shell unit11hard drive may be another partition used for archiving files not recently accessed.

The smartphone device10may be used in connection with conducting business, recreation or other types of communication and computing. For example, the smartphone device10may be used in connection with the shell unit11to facilitate reviewing and editing documents. The following examples are proposed illustrative uses of the smartphone device10, which, in the examples, is referred to as the Keystone device10, and the associated keystone shell unit11.

A businessperson, traveling home from work on the subway, receives on his Keystone smartphone device10, in smartphone mode, an urgent e-mail from his boss or employer saying he needs to look over and edit the attached proposal, in Word® format, and forward it on to a client ASAP. The attached document is cumbersome to view on the Keystone small smartphone device screen and even more cumbersome to edit given the small keyboard of the keystone device10. The businessperson pulls out from the business person's briefcase the Keystone shell11, configured as a tablet, and inserts the smartphone device10into shell unit11. Now, the businessperson can easily review and edit proposal and forward onto client given the larger screen display30and keyboard31of the shell11.

Texting Via Outlook

A person is in a coffee shop. The person previously had received a text message from a friend while the smartphone device10was in smartphone mode and now desires to respond using the Keystone device10in netbook mode. In the netbook mode, the smartphone device10is held within the holder22of the Keystone shell unit11. The user of the Keystone device10and shell unit11wants to respond to the previously received text message from a friend. The user desiring to respond to the text message, using the keyboard31of the shell unit11and viewing the display30of the shell unit11, opens an Outlook® program, which is configured or modified to send and receive texts, and responds to the text message.

Receive Phone Call while in Hybrid Mode

A person is in a coffee shop is using the Keystone device10and Keystone shell11in netbook mode, and the person receives a phone call. To answer, the person taps the appropriate place or button on the touchscreen of the device10and begins talking. The person using the Keystone device10and shell unit11in netbook mode prefers that the caller's voice not be heard by others, so the person using the device10and shell unit11taps a button (actual or touchscreen) which suspends the Keystone's operation in hybrid mode and ejects the Keystone smartphone device10from the shell unit11. The person then uses the smartphone device10, as a telephone, in smartphone mode, to continue the conversation, using the microphone and speaker of the smartphone device10. The person may use the smartphone device10and shell unit11in hybrid mode (e.g., as a netbook and phone) and prevent the incoming caller's voice from being broadcast to those nearby by using a Bluetooth® ear and microphone piece to talk through Keystone device10and Keystone shell unit11in hybrid mode.

Remotely Deposit Checks and have Transaction in Quickbooks

A contractor is handed a check from one of his customers. The contractor takes a picture of front and back of check with Keystone device10in smartphone mode and then deposits over the Internet with his bank (this is possible now with a few banks and is expected to become more widely available). With a couple of touches, the contractor can then sync this transaction with Quickbooks which is installed on the Keystone device10. The transaction is now in the Quickbooks database to be viewed, edited, or aggregated as part of a report when the contractor is back at his office using Quickbooks on the Keystone device10and Keystone shell unit11in netbook mode.

Keystone in Stationary Places

A Keystone user uses the Keystone device10and Keystone shell11in netbook mode continually at the same spot at the office or at home. To take advantage of an even larger screen (such as, for example, the monitor41inFIG. 4), multiple screens, an ergonomic keyboard, an ergonomic mouse, or printer, the user places the Keystone device10and Keystone shell11in netbook mode into a docking station50which is connected to the afore mentioned peripherals (shown inFIG. 4comprising a mouse40, monitor41and a keyboard42).

Keystone in Car

A user of the Keystone smartphone device10and Keystone shell11, while at the office using the Keystone smartphone device10and shell unit11in netbook mode, calls up directions via MapQuest to a destination that the user is thinking about visiting after work. After viewing the directions and deciding that destination is not too far out of the user's way when going home, the user saves directions to a file instead of printing it out. In this example, the file to which the directions are saved is at least stored on the smartphone device10. Later, when the user gets into the user's car, the user inserts the user's Keystone smartphone device10into a slot on the dashboard of the car which has a male connection like the shell unit11. The car has a touchscreen and a GPS system. Via the car's touchscreen, the user can retrieve and call up the file, and the GPS application of the car will now guide user to the user's destination. Also in this example, the Keystone device10is now connected to the car's satellite antennae system. The connection of the Keystone device10with the satellite antenna provides for reception of signals that the Keystone device10may receive and process for transmission or display on the car's screen or touch screen.

Keystone Watching Video

A Keystone device user is watching a movie over the Internet on the user's way home from work, on a subway, with the Keystone smartphone device10and Keystone shell unit11in tablet mode. When it is time to exit the subway and continue on the other steps of the user's commute, which, in this example, are not ideal for movie watching, the user pauses the movie. The user at this time also removes the Keystone smartphone device10from the shell unit11. When the user arrives home, the user then takes the Keystone device10(which is in smartphone mode) and inserts the smartphone device10into the user's flat screen TV, Internet ready TV, which has a male connection like the shell unit11for connecting with the smartphone device10. The user can now continue to watch the movie on the TV, and may continue from the point of the movie that the user previously had stopped watching the movie.

According to preferred embodiments, smartphone device10preferably is configured with a connector and interface that is an industry standard. For example, smartphone devices10may be constructed would having a female connector.

According to preferred embodiments, shell unit11may be converted from netbook to tablet, and the smartphone device10may be held inside of the shell unit11. The netbook mode permits use of the shell unit11and computing components attached thereto. The hybrid mode preferably is a configuration that permits the smartphone device10to function as a phone (to make and receive calls) and permits shell unit11to be used as a netbook type computer. The smartphone device10and shell unit11preferably are configured with software that implements one or more modes of operation (e.g., hybrid, netbook, phone) based on user selections or predetermined configuration settings. According to this arrangement, a user may easily just carry around the shell unit11in tablet mode with the smartphone device10tucked safely inside the shell unit11. The fact that the shell unit11has an additional processor, RAM and hard drive makes the smartphone device10combined with the shell unit11afully capable computer.

The smartphone device10may be economically produced to sell for about the average price of a smartphone (currently about $150-$200). The shell unit11may be about the price of an IPAD (currently about $400 to $600). As stated above, the Keystone smartphone device10and Keystone shell unit11, according to some embodiments, may operate separately from one another, and may be configured so they may be offered to the consumer as items the consumer may purchase separately, although, when paired together, the smartphone device10and shell unit11associate to provide features and advantages, as shown and described herein. Many consumers today have a smartphone and a computer. With the Keystone device10and shell unit11, people, when time to get a new smartphone or computer, may purchase smartphones or computers that are Keystone compatible (e.g., compatible with the smartphone device10and/or shell unit11).

According to embodiments where the shell unit11is provided having its own processor, interface software may comprise software configured with instructions to control the processor of the shell unit11, the processor of the smartphone10or both processors.

FIG. 5illustrates a schematic representation where communications are shown, including cellular communications, occurring on a voice band or connection and/or a data band or connection, that may be transmitted between the smartphone device10and the cellular network/tower100and to a local area network (LAN)101. The shell unit11also is illustrated with the smartphone device10received in the slot23of the shell unit holder22. The shell unit11may be operated to carry out communications, including those described in connection with the smartphone10, as well as wired LAN communications. The wired LAN communications may be utilized, for example, where the shell unit11is placed at a particular location, and where the smartphone10is connected for use at that location to the shell unit11. The shell unit11inFIG. 5is represented as a hybrid (tablet PC/netbook), and as shown inFIG. 5may be any one of the exemplary embodiments shown, including a hybrid11a, a tablet11bor a netbook11c. The shell unit111shown inFIGS. 3aand3b, may also be utilized in connection with the communications shown and described in conjunction withFIG. 5.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by the appended claims.