Abstract:
A communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer, respectively. A method is also described and claimed.

Description:
PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/069,987, entitled MODULAR CELL-PHONE FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS, filed on Mar. 19, 2008 by inventor Itay Sherman. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the present invention is cellular communication. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventional laptop computers generally connect to the Internet using an internal or an external modem, such as a dial-up or a cellular modem. The connection between a laptop computer and an external modem may be via network cable, USB, PCMCIA or wireless. 
         [0004]    Despite ubiquitous connectivity available today, situations still abound where a laptop computer-does not have Internet connectivity, or where a laptop computer loses Internet connectivity during an ongoing Internet session. In such situations, a user may use his cell phone as a link to connect his laptop computer to the Internet via a cellular communication network. However, using standard connection protocols, such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), if a laptop computer&#39;s Internet connection is changed during an ongoing Internet session from linking to the Internet via a physical (wired) modem to linking via a wireless modem connection, or vice versa, a new IP address must be allocated. Allocating a new IP address disrupts the ongoing Internet connection session. 
         [0005]    It would thus be of advantage if a user could use his cell phone to connect his laptop computer to the Internet in such a way that the same IP address persists when his Internet connection is handed over from a physical link to a wireless link, or vice versa, during an ongoing Internet connection session. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    Aspects of the present invention relate to a wireless communicator that connects with a laptop computer by a physical USB connection and by a short range wireless Bluetooth connection, and to methods and systems that maintain the same IP address when switching from the USB over to the Bluetooth connection, and vice versa, during an ongoing Internet session. The laptop computer uses the wireless communicator as a link to connect to the Internet. When the wireless communicator is physically attached to the laptop computer, the laptop computer may use either the USB connection or the Bluetooth connection, or both connections, to transfer data to and from the wireless communicator. When the wireless communicator is not physically attached to the laptop computer, the laptop computer uses the Bluetooth connection to transfer data to and from the wireless communicator. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a unified driver, referred to herein as a connection wedge, that selectively uses one or both of the USB and Bluetooth connections, according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically attached to the laptop computer. In one embodiment the connection wedge is implemented as a software driver wedged between Bluetooth and USB low level communication drivers and the laptop computer&#39;s networking stack. 
         [0008]    In addition to providing a link to the Internet via the wireless communicator, the connection wedge is also advantageous in automatic Bluetooth pairing of the wireless communicator with the laptop computer. The connection wedge is further advantageous in instructing the Bluetooth connection to operate in a low power mode when the USB connection is active. 
         [0009]    More generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a laptop computer that uses a cell phone for Internet connections, and that has both a physical connection and a wireless connection to the cell phone. The physical connection is active when the cell phone is attached to the laptop computer. The wireless connection is active when the cell phone is in proximity of the laptop computer, whether or not the cell phone is physically attached thereto. Internet connections of the laptop computer are persisted during a connection session before, during and after attachment of the cell phone to the laptop computer and detachment of the cell phone from the laptop computer, without reallocation of IP address. 
         [0010]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer port, respectively. 
         [0011]    There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method of communication, including opening a data connection from a laptop computer to the Internet via a wireless communicator, wherein the wireless communicator connects to the Internet over a cellular network and wherein the laptop computer connects to the wireless communicator over a short range wireless link, a physical link, or both a short range wireless link and a physical link, selectively using at least one appropriate link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically attached to the laptop computer, and maintaining integrity of the data transmitted over the data connection before, during and after the selectively using. 
         [0012]    There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with a wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer port, respectively. 
         [0013]    There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for conducting a phone call via a cellular network, a microphone for providing audio input during the phone call, a speaker for providing audio output during the phone call, a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a microphone for providing audio input, at least one speaker for providing audio output, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer, and an audio bridge, for using the laptop computer microphone instead of the wireless communicator microphone to provide audio input during the phone call, and for using the laptop computer at least one speaker instead of the wireless communicator speaker to provide audio output during the phone call, when the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer port. 
         [0014]    There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method of communication, including detecting, by a laptop computer, that a wireless communicator has been physically attached to the laptop computer during an ongoing phone call being conducted via the wireless communicator, channeling audio input from the laptop computer microphone to the wireless communicator when the detecting occurs, and channeling audio output from the wireless communicator to one or more speakers of the laptop computer when the detecting occurs. 
         [0015]    There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a laptop computer including a microphone for providing audio input, at least one speaker for providing audio output, a port for physically connecting a wireless communicator to the laptop computer, and an audio bridge, for using the laptop computer microphone to provide audio input during an ongoing phone call being conducted via the wireless communicator, and for using the laptop computer at least one speaker to provide audio output during the ongoing phone call, when the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer port during the ongoing phone call. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a wireless communicator that attaches to a laptop computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a simplified diagram of a stack of communication drivers for the module cell phone of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a simplified block diagram of the laptop computer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a simplified diagram of a stack of communication drivers for the laptop computer of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator and the laptop computer of  FIG. 1  operating independently of one another, whereby the wireless communicator uses a cellular network and the laptop computer uses an Internet connection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator and the laptop computer of  FIG. 1  operating jointly within the cellular network when the wireless communicator is not physically attached to the laptop computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator and the laptop computer of  FIG. 1  operating jointly within the cellular network when the wireless communicator is physically attached to the laptop computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a simplified flowchart of switching an Internet connection between the laptop computer and the Internet, according to whether the wireless communicator is physically or wirelessly connected with the laptop computer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Aspects of the present invention relate to a wireless communicator that interoperates with a laptop computer. In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is an illustration of a wireless communicator  100  that connects to a laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , wireless communicator  100  may be physically attached to laptop computer  200 , or not physically attached but in proximity of short range wireless communication. Whether wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200  are connected physically or wirelessly, wireless communicator  100  enhances the capabilities of laptop computer  200 , and laptop computer  200  enhances the capabilities of wireless communicator  100 , as described hereinbelow. 
         [0027]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified block diagram of wireless communicator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator  100  includes six primary components, as follows: a connector controller  110 , a memory storage  115 , a base band modem  120  for sending and receiving voice and data communications, a power management subsystem  125 , a power amplifier  135  and a user interface  170 . 
         [0028]    Connector controller  110  executes programmed instructions that control the data flow between wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200 . Modem  120  controls the wireless communication functionality of wireless communicator  100 . In addition to enabling cellular communication, modem  120  also enables wireless communicator  100  with short range wireless communication, including inter alia one or more of Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC). 
         [0029]    Power management subsystem  125  includes charging circuitry for charging a battery  145 . Power amplifier  135  includes a radio frequency (RF) interface  136 , and is connected to an internal antenna  140 . User interface  170  includes a microphone  171  and an earpiece  173 . User interface  170  also includes an optional speaker  175 , an optional vibrator  177 , an optional keyboard  180  and an optional display  185 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that user interface  170  may include additional components. 
         [0030]    Wireless communicator  100  includes a laptop connector  150  for physically connecting wireless communicator  100  to laptop computer  200 . Laptop connector  150  may be inter alia a USB connector, or a proprietary connector that includes USB signal lines. Wireless communicator  100  optionally includes a subscriber identification module (SIM)  190 . 
         [0031]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interface between connector controller  110  and storage  115 , and the interface between connector controller  110  and modem  120  are SD interfaces. The interface between connector controller  110  and laptop connector  150  is a special purpose connector interface. 
         [0032]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention connector controller  110  includes a connection wedge  111  for selecting a physical mode of connection or a wireless mode of connection between wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200 , according to whether or not wireless communicator  100  is physically connected to laptop computer  200  via connector  150 , respectively. 
         [0033]    In this regard, reference is made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified diagram of a stack of communication drivers for module cell phone  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , wireless communicator  100  includes drivers  360  and  370  for low level physical and wireless communication protocols, such as USB and Bluetooth, respectively. 
         [0034]    Connection wedge  111  is implemented as a bridge driver  320 . Bridge driver  320  operates above a communication device class driver  330 , a dial up networking class driver  350 , and a GSM protocol stack  380 , which in turn operate above the phone&#39;s USB and Bluetooth drivers  360  and  370 , respectively. 
         [0035]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cellular connection tracker  340  notifies connection wedge  111  of a connection state from the physical and wireless low level communication drivers  360  and  370 , respectively. The connection state represents whether the physical and wireless connections are active or inactive. Each driver  360  and  370  detects whether or not there is a corresponding connection. Connection tracker  340  tracks and reports to connection wedge  111  which connections are available at a given moment. Based on the connection state, connection wedge  111  routes packets coming into and going out from the cell phone&#39;s networking stack to the appropriate one of the physical and wireless low level communication drivers  360  and  370 , respectively. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, bridge driver  320  and/or connection tracker  340  includes logic for prioritizing which connection to use. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment of the present invention, connection wedge  111  provides priority to the physical connection. As such, if both connections are active, when wireless communicator  100  is attached to laptop computer  200 , connection wedge  111  uses the physical connection for data transmission. Data received at either the physical or the wireless communication is routed to the networking stack. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment of the present invention, connection wedge  111  enables both physical and wireless communication to operate when the physical and wireless connections are both active. 
         [0038]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified block diagram of laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Laptop computer  200  includes five primary components, as follows: a laptop controller  210 , a memory storage  215 , a wireless modem  220 , a power management system  225  and a battery  245 . Laptop computer  200  includes a wireless communicator connector  260  for physically connecting wireless communicator  100  to laptop computer  200 . 
         [0039]    Laptop computer  200  includes a user interface  270  including a microphone  271 , mono or stereo speakers  275 , a keyboard  280  and a display  285 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that user. interface  270  may include additional components. 
         [0040]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention laptop controller  210  includes a connection wedge  211  for selecting a physical mode of connection or a wireless mode of connection between laptop computer  200  and wireless communicator  100 , according to whether or not wireless communicator  100  is physically connected to laptop computer  200  via connector  260 , respectively. Specifically, laptop computer  200  includes drivers for low level physical and wireless communication protocols, such as USB and Bluetooth, respectively, which serve as bridges to the laptop computer&#39;s networking stack. The specific low level communication protocols implemented in laptop computer  200  are transparent to the laptop computer&#39;s networking stack. 
         [0041]    In this regard reference is made to  FIG. 5 , which is a simplified diagram of a stack of communication drivers for laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Connection wedge  211  is implemented as a unified communication device bridge driver  420  that is wedged between the laptop computer&#39;s physical and wireless drivers  460  and  470 , respectively, and the laptop computer&#39;s networking stack  410 . Unified bridge driver  420  operates above a communication device class driver  430  and a dial up networking class driver  450 , which in turn operate above the laptop computer&#39;s USB and Bluetooth  360  and  370 , respectively. 
         [0042]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cellular connection tracker  440  notifies connection wedge  211  of a connection state from the physical and wireless low level communication drivers  460  and  470 , respectively. The connection state represents whether the physical and wireless connections are active or inactive. Each driver  460  and  470  detects whether or not there is a corresponding connection. Connection tracker  440  tracks and reports to connection wedge  211  which connections are available at a given moment. Based on the connection state, connection wedge  211  routes packets coming into and going out from the laptop computer&#39;s networking stack to the appropriate one of the physical and wireless low level communication drivers  460  and  470 , respectively. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, unified bridge driver  420  and/or connection tracker  440  includes logic for prioritizing which connection to use. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment of the present invention, connection wedge  211  provides priority to the physical connection. As such, if both connections are active, when wireless communicator  100  is attached to laptop computer  200 , connection wedge  211  uses the physical connection for data transmission. Data received at either the physical or the wireless communication is routed to the networking stack. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the present invention, connection wedge  211  enables both physical and wireless communication to operate when the physical and wireless connections are both active. 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, connection wedge  211  instructs the wireless connection to transfer to a low power state, such as Sniff or Park, in order to minimize power consumption. If the physical connection becomes unavailable, then connection wedge  211  resumes regular operation of the wireless connection. 
         [0046]    Connection wedge  211  is advantageous in reducing latency and complexity of the Bluetooth pairing process. By using the physical connection, connection wedge  211  communicates with mobile cell phone  100  and provides mobile cell phone with the necessary information for pairing with the laptop computer&#39;s wireless transceiver. Such information may include inter alia a PIN code and timing data, thereby simplifying the manual intervention required for pairing. 
         [0047]    The following logic is an exemplary connection prioritization logic, based on the discussion hereinabove. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary USB/Bluetooth connection priority logic 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Connection State 
                 Prioritization 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 One connection available 
                 Use available connection 
               
               
                 Both connections available 
                 Use USB connection and transfer 
               
               
                   
                 Bluetooth connection to park/sniff 
               
               
                 Bluetooth connection is 
                 Wait approximately 30 seconds before 
               
               
                 available and USB connection 
                 transferring to the USB connection 
               
               
                 becomes available 
               
               
                 USB connection is available and 
                 Use USB connection and perform 
               
               
                 Bluetooth connection becomes 
                 Bluetooth pairing to prepare 
               
               
                 available 
                 Bluetooth connection 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0048]    Connection wedge  211  may be preinstalled on laptop computer  200 , or may be stored on wireless communicator  100  and then automatically installed on laptop computer  200  when wireless communicator  100  is attached thereto. Wireless communicator connects as a USB mass storage device to laptop computer  200 , with AutoRun capability for automatic installation of connection wedge  211 . 
         [0049]    Each of wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200  is able to operate independently Of the other. Wireless communicator  100  operates as a cell phone, and laptop computer  200  operates as a computer with an Internet connection. In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a simplified block diagram of wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200  operating independently of one another, whereby wireless communicator  100  uses a cellular network  500  and laptop computer  200  uses an Internet connection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Cellular network  500  includes a base transceiver station (BTS)  510 , which terminates an over-the-air interface over which subscriber traffic is communicated to and from wireless communicator  100 . Cellular network  500  also includes a base station controller (BSC)  520 , which is a switching module that provides handoff functions and power level control in base transceiver stations. 
         [0051]    BSC  520  controls the interface between a serving GPRS support note (SGSN)  530  and BTS  510 . SGSN  530  services cellular communicator  100  by sending or receiving packets via BSC  520 . SGSN  530  is responsible for delivery of data packets to and from wireless communicator  100 , within a service area. SGSN  530  also performs packet routing and transfer, mobility management, local link management, authentication and charging functions. 
         [0052]    Cellular network  500  also includes a gateway GPRS support note (GGSN)  540 , which serves as a gateway to Internet  550 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , wireless communicator  100  connects to Internet  550  via cellular network  500 . Laptop computer  200  connects to the Internet either (i) via a modem  290 , or (ii) via a router  295  and modem  290 . In the former case, laptop computer  200  is physically connected to modem  290  via an Ethernet cable. In the latter case, laptop computer  200  is connected to router  295  via a wireless connection, such as a WiFi connection, and router  295  is physically connected to modem  290 . 
         [0054]    Although cellular network  500  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8  is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other the present invention may be employed with other wireless networks, including inter alia Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks and IEEE 802.11b WiFi networks. 
         [0055]    Although laptop computer  200  can operate independently of wireless communicator  100 , when laptop computer  200  does not have its own connectivity it can use wireless communicator  100  to provide connectivity. In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is a simplified block diagram of wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200  operating jointly within cellular network  500  when wireless communicator  100  is not physically attached to laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When wireless communicator  100  is not attached to laptop computer  200 , the two devices communicate using a short range wireless connection. As such, laptop computer  200  connects to Internet  550  via a combination of its short range wireless-connection with wireless communicator  100 , and the cellular connection between wireless communicator  100  and Internet  550 . 
         [0056]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which is a simplified block diagram of wireless communicator  100  and laptop computer  200  operating jointly within cellular network  500  when wireless communicator  100  is physically attached to laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When wireless communicator  100  is attached to laptop computer  200 , the two devices communicate using a physical connection. As such, laptop computer  200  connects to Internet  550  via a combination of its physical connection with wireless communicator  100 , and the cellular connection between wireless communicator  100  and Internet  350 . 
         [0057]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when laptop computer  200  connects to Internet  550  via wireless communicator  100 , the connection between laptop computer  200  and Internet  550  switches seamlessly, without reallocation of IP address, from the physical connection mode of  FIG. 8  to the wireless mode of  FIG. 7 . Similarly, when wireless communicator  100  is detached from laptop computer  200 , the Internet connection switches seamlessly, without reallocation of IP address, between the wireless mode of  FIG. 7  to the physical connection mode of  FIG. 8  when wireless communicator  100  is re-attached to laptop computer  200 . In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 9 , which is a simplified flowchart of switching the connection between laptop computer  200  and Internet  550 , according to whether wireless communicator  100  is physically or wirelessly connected with laptop computer  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0058]    At step  910  wireless communicator  100  is attached to laptop computer  200 , by attaching connectors  160  and  260 . Data is transferred between the two devices using a physical connection, as indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0059]    At step  920  connector switch  211  uses the physical communication mode of  FIG. 8 . Laptop computer  200  thus connects to Internet  550  using an Internet connection that goes physically from laptop computer  200  to wireless communicator  100 , and wirelessly from wireless communicator  100  to Internet  550 . 
         [0060]    At step  930  wireless communicator  100  is detached from laptop computer  200 . Data is transferred between the two devices using a short range wireless communication, as indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0061]    At step  940  connector switch  211  uses the wireless communication mode of  FIG. 7 . Laptop computer  200  switches to an Internet connection that goes wireless from laptop computer  200  to wireless communicator  100 , and wirelessly from wireless communicator  100  to Internet  550 . Since the low level communication protocol is transparent to the networking stack, the switch from using the physical communication mode of  FIG. 7  to using the wireless communication mode of  FIG. 8  is a seamless switch. The connection between laptop computer  200  and  550  persists, and the integrity of the data transfer between laptop computer  200  and Internet  550  is maintained before, during and after the switch. 
         [0062]    After step  940 , processing in  FIG. 9  returns to step  910  when wireless communicator  100  is re-attached to laptop computer  200 . As above, since the low level communication protocol is transparent to the networking stack, the switch at step  920  from using the wireless communication mode of  FIG. 8  to using the physical communication mode of  FIG. 7  is again a seamless switch. 
         [0063]    In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to the methods and systems described. Thus it may be appreciated that wireless communicator  100  may also be used in conjunction with audio I/O of laptop computer  200 . As such, a phone call may be initiated via wireless communicator  100 , using microphone  171  and speaker  175  for audio I/O. If wireless communicator  100  is attached into laptop computer  200  during the call then the audio I/O for the call switches over to microphone  271  and speakers  275 . I.e., the audio input of microphone  271  is channeled to wireless communicator  100 , and the audio output from wireless communicator  100  is channeled to speakers  275 . While wireless communicator  100  is attached to laptop computer  200 , wireless communicator  100  provides cellular connectivity, such as GSM connectivity, and laptop computer  200  provides a user interface. In addition to its microphone and speakers, the laptop computer&#39;s keyboard  280  and display  285 , and optionally a camera, may also be functional for use with the phone call. 
         [0064]    When wireless communicator  100  is detached from laptop computer  200 , but in communication therewith via short range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth communication, then wireless communicator  100  acts as a Bluetooth earpiece for laptop computer  200 . In addition, wireless communicator  100  may be used for dialing. 
         [0065]    In general, Bluetooth devices use a headset profile for defining properties of audio gateway devices and headset devices. An “audio gateway” serves as a gateway for audio input and output. A “headset” serves as the audio gateway&#39;s remote audio input and output mechanism. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator  100  is programmed to act as a Bluetooth earpiece, by using a headset profile that defines laptop computer  200  to be an audio gateway, and defines wireless communicator  100  to be a headset. 
         [0066]    If wireless communicator  100  is detached from laptop computer  200  during the call, and not in wireless communication therewith, then the audio I/O for the call switches back to microphone  171  and speaker  175 . 
         [0067]    It may also be appreciated that although the description above concerns a scenario where wireless communicator  100  provides connectivity for laptop computer  200 , the present invention applies to an opposite scenario where laptop computer  200  provides connectivity for wireless communicator  100 . 
         [0068]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.