Abstract:
A system that permits a cell phone user to insert a cell phone, which has a PCMCIA compliant connector, directly into a computer&#39;s PC card socket. The cell phone is hinged about a first component and a second component. The first component includes a keypad appropriate for dialing up an Internet service provider (ISP), and the second component is PCMCIA compliant to couple directly in an existing PC socket of the computer. Thus, the cell phone requires no additional cables or modified ports to provide a seamless connection to a dial-up ISP.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to wireless communication, and in particular to wireless phones used to connect a computer with a computer network. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a cell phone that can be directly plugged into a computer to provide wireless communication between the computer and the computer network using an existing port or socket in the computer.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     While most early generation and many present generation computers are hardwired when connected to a network, a popular alternative is wireless connections. Such wireless connections are usually to a local area network (LAN) via a radio connection in compliance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. A typical LAN/computer connection is illustrated as a LAN  100  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0005]     A computer  102  is connected to a wireless transceiver  104 . Wireless transceiver  104  communicates via radio waves to a wireless router  106 , which connects to a network  110  (typically the Internet) via a modem  108 , which may be a true modulator/demodulator if the connection to network  110  is an analog dial-up connection, or simply a router or hub if the connection to network  110  is via a digital line, such as a cable, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) adapter, etc.  
         [0006]     With reference to  FIG. 2   a , wireless transceiver  104  is often connected to computer  102  via a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) PC card socket  202 , shown in  FIG. 2   b.  Communication between computer  102  and wireless router  106  is accomplished by entering commands using a keyboard  204 . For purposes of clarity later, note that keyboard  204  is part of a base  210 , which couples to a display  206  using display hinges  208 .  
         [0007]     A limitation to LAN  100  is that wireless transceiver  104  must be within range of wireless router  106 , typically less than  150 ′. If a user wishes to be able to connect to network  110  and be able to move about farther away, then another wireless system must be employed. For example, a cell phone system, such as shown in  FIG. 3 , may be used. Computer  102  can connect to a modem  302 , which if external must be connected to computer  102  via a cable  310  connecting port  306   a  to port  306   b,  as shown. Modem  302  must connect to an external cell phone  304 , which connects via another cable  312 , which is inserted into ports  308   a  and  308   b.    
         [0008]     In the system depicted in  FIG. 3 , a user calls a dial-up Internet Service Provider (ISP)  306 , which provides a gateway to network  110 . Such systems are cumbersome, however, as they require connection cable  312  between modem  302  and cell phone  304 , as well as appropriate and often proprietary (customized) ports  308   
         [0009]     Thus, there is a need for a method and system that allows a user to utilize a cell phone to provide a wireless communication to an ISP without the need for external cables or customized ports.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     As will be seen, the foregoing invention satisfies the foregoing needs and accomplishes additional objectives. Briefly described, the present invention provides a system that permits a cell phone user to insert a cell phone, which has a PCMCIA compliant connector, directly into a computer&#39;s PC card socket.  
         [0011]     The cell phone is hinged about a first component and a second component. The first component includes a keypad appropriate for dialing up an Internet service provider (ISP), and the second component is PCMCIA compliant to couple directly in an existing PC socket of the computer. Thus, the cell phone requires no additional cables or modified ports to provide a seamless connection to a dial-up ISP.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as the preferred modes of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a prior art Local Area Network (LAN) using an IEEE 802.11 connection;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 2   a - b  illustrate the use of a PC card socket for connecting an IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi transceiver;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts a system using a dial-up Internet Service Provider (ISP);  
         [0016]      FIGS. 4   a - c  depict a cell phone having an integrated PC Card interface;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   d  illustrates the cell phone inserted in a PC Card socket in a computer;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 5   a - c  depict the cell phone having a USB compliant plug;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   d  illustrates the cell phone inserted in a USB port in the computer;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary cell phone system used by the present invention; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the computer using the inventive cell phone.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements or steps throughout the several views, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In general, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for connecting a cell phone to a computer.  
         [0023]     With reference now to  FIG. 4   a , there is depicted a cell phone  400  in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cell phone  400  includes a first component  402  permanently connected to a second component  404  by hinges  410 . First component  402  includes an internal speaker  406 , a display  420  for displaying telephone numbers, messages, etc., a keypad  408  for dialing telephone numbers, searching databases, etc., and an antenna  422 . Second component  404  includes an internal microphone  412  and an electrical connector  414 .  
         [0024]     In a preferred embodiment, second component  404  has dimensions that allow physical insertion into an existing interface port of a computer, such as PC card socket  202  shown in  FIG. 2   b.  To be capable of such a physical insertion, second component  404  preferably has a width of 54.0 millimeters (mm) and a length of 85.6 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of second component  404  is 5.0 mm, in order to mimic a Type II PC Card. Alternatively, the thickness of second component  404  is 3.3 mm, in order to mimic a Type I PC Card, or the thickness of second component  404  is 10.5 mm., in order to mimic a Type III PC Card. Note that all references herein to PC Cards and PCMCIA are understood to refer to devices that are compliant with PCMCIA Standard Release 2.1/JEIDA 4.2—July 1993 and/or earlier/later releases, and/or PC Card Standard 8.0 Release—April 2001 and/or earlier/later releases, published by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.  
         [0025]     In an alternative embodiment, cell phone  400  has an external microphone  416 , shown in  FIG. 4   b,  that hinges about a swivel  418 . External microphone  416  can swing down, as shown in  FIG. 4   c,  when cell phone  400  is being used as a standalone voice telephone.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 4   d,  when second component  404  is inserted into PC card socket  202 , first component  402  is able to swivel around hinges  410 . Thus, if the reception quality of cell phone  400  varies according to the position of antenna  422 , hinge  410  permits first component  402  to swing as shown, permitting the repositioning of antenna  422  to achieve optimal reception.  
         [0027]     With reference now to  FIGS. 5   a - c,  an alternative embodiment of cell phone  400  utilizing a serial plug  502  is illustrated. Serial plug  502  may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compliant connector, an IEEE 1394 (often referenced as “FireWire”TM) compliant connector, or other similar high-speed serial connector.  FIG. 5   b  depicts a top view of cell phone  400 , and  FIG. 5   c  illustrates a front view of cell phone  400 .  
         [0028]     As known to those skilled in the art of computer peripheral device interfaces, the USB specification was prepared by representatives of Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Intel Corporation, Lucent Technologies Inc., Microsoft Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Royal Philips Electronics (Philips). Peripheral device interfaces that comply with the specification are referred to as USB interfaces and have been included in many recently developed personal computer systems. Such USB devices are generally referenced as either low-speed devices, capable of transferring data at a rate of 1.5 Megabits per second (Mb/s); or high-speed devices (also called full-speed devices) capable of transferring data at 12 Mb/s. Under the USB 2.0 specification, full-speed devices are capable of using 40× multipliers for a transfer rate of 480 Mb/s, and such USB devices are typically known as true high-speed devices.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 5   d,  serial plug  502  is directly physically inserted into a serial port  506 , which corresponds with the type of serial plug  502 . That is, if serial plug is IEEE 1394 compliant, then serial port  506  is likewise IEEE 1394 compliant in physical size and dimensions, as well as electrical and communication protocols. Similarly, if serial plug is USB compliant, then serial port  506  is likewise USB compliant.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is depicted an exemplary block diagram of a wireless telecommunications system for implementing the present invention. Cell phone  400  communicates with a base station  604 , which transceives signals to a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO)  600 . MTSO  600 , also known as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), aggregates and switches calls from cell phones in network of mobile phones. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, MTSO  600  also has a signal identifier  610  that identifies what type of signal is being received from cell phone  400 . That is, the signal may be either a modulated signal, or it may be a packet.  10029 ] If the signal is a modulated signal, then data from computer  102  is modulated onto a carrier signal, which may be either digital or analog. This modulated signal is circuit switched, like a voice signal, to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  614 . PSTN  614  then routes the modulated signal to a dial-up Internet Service Provider (ISP)  306 , which connects to network  110 , which is preferably the Internet. In this preferred embodiment, a modem  602  is required to modulate the carrier signal with data from computer  102 . As the dotted lines indicated, modem  602  may be integrated into cell phone  400 , may be integrated within computer  102 , or it may be a standalone device. In the preferred embodiment, modem  602  is integrated into either cell phone  400  or computer  102 , in order to take advantage of the direct connection afforded between cell phone  400  an a port in computer  102 .  
         [0031]     If the signal from cell phone  400  is identified by signal identifier  610  as a data packet, then MTSO  600  utilizes a packet converter  608 . If cell phone  400  is communicating using digital data packets, these data packets must be compliant with industry standards. For example, these data packets must be compliant with a protocol such as General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Global System for Mobile wireless service (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), X.25 protocol of Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), etc. All cited protocol standards are cited by reference in their entirety.  
         [0032]     Communication with the Internet requires data to be in a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Therefore, data packets from cell phone  400  must be converted from the cell phone data packet protocol (such as GPRS) to TCP/IP using packet converter  608 . Once converted into the TCP/IP format, the data packet is then sent to a gateway  612 , preferably part of an ISP (not shown), which accesses Internet network  110 . While the data packet conversion has been shown for exemplary purposes only as going from GPRS to TCP/IP format, it is understood to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention that this data packet conversion may be from any format broadcasted from cell phone  400  to any format used by network  110 .  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is depicted a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of computer  102 . Within computer  102 , a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  702  connects via a processor interface bus  704  (also referred to in the art as a “front side bus,” “host bus,” or “system bus”) to a North Bridge  706 . North Bridge  706  is a chip or chipset arbiter logic circuit having a memory controller  708  connected to a system memory  710 . A video controller  712  is coupled to North Bridge  706  and a video display  714 . Also connected to North Bridge  706  is a high speed interconnect bus  720 . North Bridge  706  is connected via interconnect bus  720 , which may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, to a South Bridge  722 .  
         [0034]     South Bridge  722  is a chip or chipset Input/Output (I/O) arbiter that includes the necessary interface logic to convey signals from interconnect bus  720  to (typically slower) I/O interfaces, including a Super I/O  734 . Super I/O  734  is a chip or chipset including necessary logic and interfaces for a parallel port  736  and a non-USB (Universal Serial Bus) serial port  744 , as are understood in the art of computer architecture. Super I/O  734  may also include controllers for non-USB devices such as a keyboard controller  740  for a non-USB keyboard and an Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics (EIDE) port  742 , to which is connected a Compact Disk—Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive (not shown). Also connected to Super I/O  734  is a floppy disk controller  738 , which supports an interface with one or more floppy disk drives (not shown).  
         [0035]     If interconnect bus  720  is a PCI bus, that a PCI/PC card controller  716  can be used to interface with a PC Card socket  718 , which includes one or more 68-pin PC Card sockets. Similarly, coming off South Bridge  722  may be an International Standard Architecture (ISA) bus  746 , which communicates with an ISA/PC Card controller  728 , which provides an interface between ISA bus  746  and PC Card socket  730 , which may be the same as PC Card socket  718  is appropriate control circuitry (not shown) is provided. In addition, South Bridge  722  can support a Card Bus  746 , which provides a 32-bit connection directly to a PC Card socket  732 , which may also be the same as PC Card sockets  730  or  718 .  
         [0036]     Coupled with South Bridge  722  is a USB host controller  724 , which provides a USB socket  726  from USB compliant devices (not shown) to computer  102  and CPU  704 . USB compliant devices may be floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, keyboards and other peripheral devices that are configured to comply with the “Universal Serial Bus Specification” release 2.0, Apr. 27, 2000 (USB.org), which release or later is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, USB socket  726  may be directly connected to USB serial plug  502  shown in  FIG. 5a . USB host controller  724 , which is likewise USB compliant, may be implemented in a combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.  
         [0037]     Although not shown in  FIG. 7 , a modem may be incorporated to modulate data onto a carrier signal being sent to any PC Card socket. This modem may be oriented in any technically feasible location within computer  102 .  
         [0038]     The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments that are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion.