Mobile user apparatus and a mobile accessory apparatus for the mobile user apparatus

A mobile user apparatus including: user output circuitry including an integrated display for displaying content to a user; an interface configured to communicate with any of a plurality of accessory apparatus, in possession of different users; and processing circuitry configured to: execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application and a second application; provide output commands of the first application to the integrated display; and provide output commands of the second application to a mobile accessory apparatus in possession of the different user via the interface. A mobile accessory apparatus including an interface configured to communicate with a mobile user apparatus in possession of a different user that is configured to execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application at the mobile user apparatus and a second application, wherein the interface is configured to receive output commands of the second application via the interface; user output circuitry including an integrated display configured to respond to the received output commands of the second application; and user input circuitry configured to provide user input commands to the second application at the mobile user apparatus via the interface.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile user apparatus and a mobile accessory apparatus for the mobile user apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Mobile user apparatus are now commonly used. Examples include mobile cellular telephones, tablet personal computers etc.

The usability of a mobile user apparatus may be restricted because it is designed for mobility. This may constrain the hardware used in a mobile user apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a mobile user apparatus comprising: user output circuitry comprising an integrated display for displaying content to a user; an interface configured to communicate with any of a plurality of accessory apparatus, in possession of different users; and processing circuitry configured to:

execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application and a second application;

provide output commands of the first application to the integrated display; and

provide output commands of the second application to a mobile accessory apparatus in possession of the different user via the interface.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: executing multiple applications at the same time including a first application and a second application; providing output commands of the first application to an integrated display; and providing output commands of the second application to a mobile accessory apparatus in possession of the different user via an interface configured to communicate with any of a plurality of accessory apparatus.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a mobile accessory apparatus comprising: an interface configured to communicate with a mobile user apparatus in possession of a different user that is configured to execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application at the mobile user apparatus and a second application, wherein the interface is configured to receive output commands of the second application via the interface; user output circuitry comprising an integrated display configured to respond to the received output commands of the second application; and user input circuitry configured to provide user input commands to the second application at the mobile user apparatus via the interface.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: at a mobile accessory apparatus, communicating with a mobile user apparatus in possession of a different user that is configured to execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application at the mobile user apparatus and a second application,

at the mobile accessory apparatus, receiving output commands of the second application via an interface; at the mobile accessory apparatus, responding to the received output commands of the second application; and at the mobile accessory apparatus, providing user input commands to the second application at the mobile user apparatus.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising: a mobile user apparatus in possession of a user; a first accessory apparatus in possession of a first different user; and a second accessory apparatus in possession of a second different user

wherein the mobile user apparatus comprises: user output circuitry comprising an integrated display for displaying content to a user; an interface configured to communicate with the first accessory apparatus in possession of the first different user and configured to communicate with the second accessory apparatus in possession of the second different user; processing circuitry configured to:
execute multiple applications at the same time including a first application, a second application and a third application;
provide output commands of the first application to the integrated display; and
provide output commands of the second application to the first accessory apparatus in possession of the first different user via the interface; and
provide output commands of the second application to a second accessory apparatus in possession of the second different user via the interface;
wherein the first mobile accessory apparatus comprises: an interface configured to communicate with the mobile user apparatus and receive output commands of the second application from the mobile user apparatus; user output circuitry comprising an integrated display configured to respond to the received output commands of the second application; and user input circuitry configured to provide user input commands to the second application at the mobile user apparatus via the interface;
wherein the second mobile accessory apparatus comprises: an interface configured to communicate with the mobile user apparatus and receive output commands of the third application from the mobile user apparatus; user output circuitry comprising an integrated display configured to respond to the received output commands of the third application; and user input circuitry configured to provide user input commands to the third application at the mobile user apparatus via the interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate a system33comprising: a mobile user apparatus2in possession of a user8; a first accessory apparatus30A in possession of a first different user31A; and, optionally, a second accessory apparatus30B in possession of a second different user31B.

The mobile user apparatus2comprises:

user output circuitry4comprising an integrated display6for displaying content to the user8;

an interface10configured to communicate with the first accessory apparatus30A in possession of the first different user31A and, optionally, configured to communicate with the second accessory apparatus30B in possession of the second different user31B;
processing circuitry12configured to:
execute multiple applications18at the same time including a first application18A, a second application18B and, optionally, a third application18C;
provide output commands22of the first application18A to the integrated display6;
provide output commands24of the second application18B to the first accessory apparatus30A in possession of the first different user31A via the interface10; and
optionally, provide output commands24of the third application18C to a second accessory apparatus30B in possession of the second different user31B via the interface10.

The first mobile accessory apparatus30A comprises:

an interface32configured to communicate with the mobile user apparatus2and receive output commands24of the second application18B from the mobile user apparatus2;

user output circuitry34comprising an integrated display36configured to respond to the received output commands24of the second application18B; and

user input circuitry38configured to provide user input commands26to the second application18B at the mobile user apparatus2via the interface32.

The optional second mobile accessory apparatus30B comprises:

an interface32configured to communicate with the mobile user apparatus2and receive output commands24of the third application18C from the mobile user apparatus2;

user output circuitry34comprising an integrated display36configured to respond to the received output commands24of the third application18C; and

user input circuitry38configured to provide user input commands26to the third application18C at the mobile user apparatus2via the interface32.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is illustrated a mobile user apparatus2. The mobile user apparatus2may, for example, be a personal user apparatus that a user carries with them. It may be sized so that it is hand-portable, that is, of such dimensions that it can be carried in a palm of the hand or a jacket pocket.

The mobile user apparatus2may be a multi-functional apparatus that is configured to provide multiple applications to a user8of the mobile user apparatus2.

The mobile user apparatus2may, for example, have telecommunications functionality. It may, for example, be operable as a cellular mobile telephone.

The mobile user apparatus2may, for example, provide applications that involve the display of content on a display that varies in time such as satellite navigation functionality, video gaming functionality, photo album functionality, video playback functionality, e-book functionality, multimedia functionality.

The mobile user apparatus2comprises: user output circuitry4; a communications interface10, processing circuitry12and user input circuitry20.

The user output circuitry4comprises an integrated display6for displaying content to a user8. The user output circuitry4may, optionally, comprise additional circuitry such as audio output circuitry such as, for example, a loudspeaker or headphone jack or haptic output circuitry such as a vibrator.

The communications interface10is configured to communicate with any of a plurality of accessory apparatus30. Each of the plurality of accessory apparatus30may be in possession of a different user31.

The processing circuitry12is configured to execute multiple applications18at the same time.

The concurrently executed applications may, for example, including a first application18A and one or more additional application such as a second application18B and a third application18C.

The processing circuitry12provides output commands22of the first application18A to the integrated display6. The processing circuitry12is configured to limit control of the first application18A to control via the user input circuitry20.

The processing circuitry12, in this example, does not provide output commands24of the second application18B to the integrated display6but instead provides, via the communications interface10, output commands24of the second application18B to a mobile accessory apparatus30A in possession of the different user31A. This is illustrated inFIG. 2A.

This enables hardware, such as a display, present in the mobile accessory apparatus30A to be used to provide the second application to the different user31A while the mobile user apparatus2uses the integrated display6to provide the first application18A to the user8.

The second application18B may, for example, be an application for conveying content for consumption by the different user31A. The content may be time-varying content and it may be streamed via the output commands24of the second application18B. As an example, the second application18B may provide, at the mobile accessory apparatus30A satellite navigation functionality, video gaming functionality, photo album functionality, video playback functionality or e-book functionality, multimedia functionality.

The different user31A may be able to control aspects of the second application18B while being prevented from controlling aspects of other applications or controlling operation of the mobile user apparatus2. The processing circuitry12may be configured to receive input commands26from the mobile accessory apparatus30A via the communications interface10and provide them only to the second application18B.

If the third application18C is concurrently executed as well, the processing circuitry12may not provide output commands24of the third application18C to the integrated display6but may instead provide, via the communications interface10, output commands24of the third application18C to another accessory apparatus30B in possession of the different user31B. This is illustrated inFIG. 2B.

This enables hardware, such as a display, present in the mobile accessory apparatus30B to be used to provide the third application18C to the different user31B while the mobile user apparatus2uses the integrated display6to provide the first application18A to the user8.

The third application18C may, for example, be an application for conveying content for consumption by the different user31B. The content may be time-varying content and it may be streamed via the output commands24of the third application18C. As an example, the third application18C may provide, at the mobile accessory apparatus30B satellite navigation functionality, video gaming functionality, photo album functionality, video playback functionality or e-book functionality, multimedia functionality. The third application18C may be the same as or different to the second application18B.

The different user31B may be able to control aspects of the third application18C while being prevented from controlling aspects of other applications or controlling operation of the mobile user apparatus2. The processing circuitry12may be configured to receive input commands26from the mobile accessory apparatus30B via the communications interface10and provide them only to the third application18C.

The processing circuitry12may be any type of suitable processing circuitry. It may, for example, be one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or, as illustrated, it may be a combination of processor14and memory16.

The processor14is configured to read from and write to the memory16. The processor14may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor14and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor14.

The memory16stores computer programs (applications18) comprising computer program instructions that control the operation of the apparatus2when loaded into the processor14.

The computer program instructions of the first application18A provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus2to perform the method illustrated inFIG. 3. The processor14by reading the memory16is able to load and execute the computer program18A.

The apparatus2therefore comprises: at least one processor14; and at least one memory16including computer program code18A the at least one memory16and the computer program code18A configured to, with the at least one processor14, cause the apparatus2at least to perform the method ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates a method40performed at a mobile user apparatus2.

At block42, multiple applications are executed at the same time including a first application18A, a second application18B and (optionally) a third application18C.

At block44, output commands22of the first application18A are provided to an integrated display6.

At block46, output commands24of the second application18B are provided to a mobile accessory apparatus30A in the possession of the different user31A via the communications interface10.

Optionally, at a block not illustrated, output commands24of the third application18C are provided to a mobile accessory apparatus30B in the possession of the different user31B via the communications interface10.

The computer programs18A,18B,18C may arrive at the apparatus2via any suitable delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism may be, for example, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

Although the memory16is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

The communications interface10may be configured to operate as a standardized interface. It may, for example, provide the output commands24to a mobile accessory apparatus30in a standard format that is common to a plurality of different accessory apparatus30. It may, for example, receive input commands26from a mobile accessory apparatus30in a standard format that is common to a plurality of different accessory apparatus30. This enables the mobile user apparatus2to be used with different accessory apparatus30, which may be made by different manufacturers.

The communications interface10may be, for example, a wireless interface for local wireless communication. The wireless interface may, for example, comprise a radio transceiver that operates in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands (2.4 GHz) with a short range (less than 100 m).

Examples of suitable communication interfaces10include wired and wireless interfaces. For example, local area network (LAN), universal serial bus (USB), wireless universal serial bus (WUSB), Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), ZigBee etc.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of a mobile accessory apparatus30. In this example, the mobile accessory apparatus30comprises hardware e.g. a display that augments the hardware of the mobile user apparatus2and which can be used by a different person to the person using the mobile user apparatus2. The functionality of the mobile user apparatus2can therefore be extended to one or more additional persons31each of whom has a mobile accessory apparatus30that communicates with the mobile user apparatus2.

The mobile accessory apparatus30is described as an ‘accessory’ apparatus as it relies entirely or predominantly on a communicating mobile user apparatus2to realize its potential as an output and input apparatus.

The mobile accessory apparatus30comprises: a communications interface32, user output circuitry34comprising an integrated display36and user input circuitry38.

The communications interface32is configured to communicate with a communications interface10of a mobile user apparatus2.

The mobile user apparatus2executes multiple applications18at the same time and provides output commands34from such an application (the second application18B in this example) to the mobile accessory apparatus30via the communications interface32.

The user output circuitry34receives the output commands24. At least the display36is configured to respond to the received output commands24of the second application18B.

The user input circuitry38is configured to provide user input commands26to the second application18B at the mobile user apparatus2via the communications interface26. The user input circuitry38may be limited to provide user input commands26for only the application at the mobile user apparatus that is providing the received output commands24.

The mobile accessory apparatus30may have no independent operability. It may operate only or predominantly as a consequence of communication with a mobile user apparatus2. For example, the mobile accessory apparatus30may have no independent operability and may operate only while in communication with a mobile user apparatus2. Continuing this example, the mobile accessory apparatus30may provide output relating to the second application18B only while in communication with a mobile user apparatus2executing the second application18B.

The mobile accessory apparatus30is configured to operate with a plurality of mobile user apparatus2and is not restricted to operate with a particular mobile user apparatus2.

The mobile accessory apparatus30has limited processing capability compared to the mobile user apparatus2. The mobile accessory apparatus30may operate as a slave to the master mobile user apparatus2.

For example, the mobile accessory apparatus30may not execute applications and/or may not perform data processing such as, for example, decoding.

The mobile accessory apparatus30may not comprise processing circuitry and may be without a programmable processor. The mobile accessory apparatus30may be a hardware device without programmability.

The communications interface32may be configured to operate as a standardized interface. It may, for example, provide the input commands26to a mobile user apparatus2in a standard format that is common to a plurality of different mobile user apparatus2. It may, for example, receive the output commands24in a standard format that is common to a plurality of different mobile user apparatus2. This enables the mobile accessory apparatus30to be used with different mobile user apparatus2, which may be made by different manufacturers.

The communications interface32may be, for example, a wireless interface for local wireless communication. The wireless interface may comprise a radio transceiver that operates in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands (2.4 GHz) with a short range (less than 100 m).

Examples of suitable communication interfaces include wired and wireless interfaces. For example, local area network (LAN), universal serial bus (USB), wireless universal serial bus (WUSB), Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), ZigBee etc.

FIG. 5illustrates an example of a communications interface32in a mobile accessory apparatus30. The communications interface32in this example comprises a transceiver40for providing physical layer communication with the communication interface10of a mobile user apparatus2.

The output commands24from the second application18B after receipt at the transceiver40are provided by the transceiver40to an input buffer42where they are temporarily stored e.g. in a first in first out register.

The input buffer42provides the output commands24to an input controller44. The input controller44is configured to translate received output commands24of the second application18B from a standard format to a format for controlling the integrated display36.

The communications interface32in this example additionally comprises an output controller46. The output controller46is configured to translate user input commands26from the user input circuitry38to a standard format before provision to the transceiver40for transmission to the second application18B at the mobile user apparatus2.

In some embodiments, the output controller46may intercept user input commands26for local operation. For example, if a user input command26indicates that content streamed to the display38should be paused, the output controller46instead of sending the user input command26to the mobile user apparatus2may, instead, control the input buffer42to store incoming output commands24without providing them to the input controller44and hence to the display36.

The incoming output commands24may, for example, convey content for consumption by the different user31A of the mobile accessory apparatus30. The content may be time-varying content and it may be streamed via the output commands24of the second application18B. As an example, the second application18B may provide, at the mobile accessory apparatus30A satellite navigation functionality, video gaming functionality, photo album functionality, video playback functionality or e-book functionality, multimedia functionality.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a mobile accessory apparatus30. In this example, the mobile accessory apparatus30is a touch screen device. The display36and the user input38are integrated in a touch screen.

The mobile accessory apparatus30in this example has a substantially cuboid volume. The mobile accessory apparatus30in this example has a substantially rectangular front face and the display36occupies the majority of that front face.

The display36has functionality that is different to the display6of the mobile user apparatus2.

It may, for example, have a larger size or different aspect ratio so that it is better suited for displaying content to a user.

It may, for example, use different imaging technologies so that it has brighter colors, and/or higher contrast.

It may, for example, use different imaging technologies so that it has less contrast.

FIG. 7illustrates a use scenario in which a plurality of the mobile accessory apparatus30illustrated inFIG. 6are tessellated together to form a larger display. The mobile accessory apparatus30are arranged side by side to form an N by M array of mobile accessory apparatus30.

In this example, the integrated display36of each mobile accessory apparatus30comprises multiple edges. The mobile accessory apparatus30is configured to detect at which of the edges an additional adjacent mobile accessory apparatus is located and to inform the mobile user apparatus2. The mobile user apparatus2can then provide content to each of the mobile accessory apparatus30so that the displays36of the multiple mobile accessory apparatus30operate as a single large display.

FIG. 8illustrates a method60performed at a mobile accessory apparatus30.

At block62, the mobile accessory apparatus30communicates with a mobile user apparatus2in possession of a different user8. The mobile user apparatus2is configured to execute multiple applications18at the same time including a first application18A and a second application18B. The mobile accessory apparatus30receives output commands24of the second application18B via an interface32.

At block64, the display36of the mobile accessory apparatus30responds to the received output commands24of the second application18B.

At block66, the mobile accessory apparatus30provides user input commands26to the second application18B at the mobile user apparatus2.

Although it is described that the mobile user apparatus2communicates with one or more accessory apparatus in possession of one or more different users, it should be appreciated that while the mobile user apparatus is capable of communicating with one or more accessory apparatus in possession of one or more different users, the mobile user apparatus does not always have to communicating with one or more accessory apparatus in possession of one or more different users and may also be capable of communicating with one or more accessory apparatus in possession of the user of the mobile user apparatus.