Abstract:
A handheld mobile station system capable of automatically answering voice calls is disclosed. The system is comprised of a handheld mobile station, a magnet detection system within the mobile station, a magnet within a mobile station holster located in close proximity to the magnet detection system when the mobile station is stored in the holster wherein the mobile station is operable in a first, second, and third state. The first state occurs when the mobile station is stored in the holster and is ready to receive a voice call. The second state happens when the mobile station is stored in the holster and receiving an incoming voice call. The third state occurs when the mobile station is removed sufficiently out of the holster such that the magnet detection system no longer detects the close proximity of the magnet thereto thereby automatically answering the incoming voice call.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/481,234, which was filed on Jul. 5, 2006, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,226, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/016,957, filed on Dec. 7, 2001 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,267. The entire disclosure and the drawing figures of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates to mobile devices. Specifically, this application relates to dual-mode communication devices for providing voice and data communications. 
     2. Description of the State of the Art 
     Mobile devices are known. Example mobile devices include cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), wireless data devices like two-way pagers, voice/data communicators, etc. Recently, many companies have attempted to provide a mobile device that serves a variety of communication and organisational needs, such as data communication, voice communication or PDA functionality. For example, companies that primarily manufacture cellular telephones for voice communication, such as Nokia and Ericsson have integrated PDA functionality into their products. Firms that primarily manufacture PDA devices, such as Palm and Handspring, have integrated a wireless data modem into their products to provide data communication. And firms that primarily manufacture wireless data devices, such as Motorola and Research In Motion, have combined the functionality of a wireless data device, such as a two-way pager, with PDA functions. 
     Typically, in order to initiate or end an incoming voice communication on a mobile device, a key must be depressed. Usually, keys are dedicated on the keypad or keyboard solely for this function, such as ‘TALK’ or ‘SEND’ buttons to answer an incoming call, or ‘END’ to hang up a call. 
     Most PDA devices come with a holster or other carrying means. To answer an incoming voice call when a device is within a holster, the user would have to pull the device out of the holster and then press one or more buttons. A user needs to be able to quickly answer calls without searching for keys to press in order to connect the phone call. A user also needs to be able to quickly end calls without searching for keys to press. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system and method for changing the state for a dual-mode communication device or a handheld mobile station is provided. The system includes a mobile station with a magnet detection system, a magnet in a holster located in close proximity to the magnet detection system when the mobile station is stored in the holster wherein the mobile station is operable in a first, second and third state. The first state occurs when the mobile station is stored in the holster and is ready to receive a voice call. The second state occurs when the mobile station is still in the holster and receives an incoming voice call. The third state happens when the mobile station is sufficiently removed from the holster such that the magnet detection system no longer detects the close proximity of the magnet and thereby automatically answering the incoming voice call with no further input from the user. The device includes a transceiver, a display mounted within the front surface of the device housing, a QWERTY keyboard mounted below the display and within the front surface of the device housing, a microphone and a speaker, and a system for detecting that the device is within the holster. 
     The method includes steps of receiving an incoming voice call on the device, notifying the user of the voice call, removing the device from its holster, detecting that the device has been removed from the holster and then automatically answering the voice call without further input from the user. 
     The method continues with steps of detecting that the device has been returned to the holster and then changing from the third state to the first state upon detection, thereby hanging up the phone call. 
     Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the one or more embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a handheld mobile station; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the device; 
         FIG. 2A  is a view of the back of the PCB shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is rear view of a holster for the device; 
         FIG. 3A  is a rear view of the holster in  FIG. 3  with the device in the holster; 
         FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of the magnetic detection system; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram describing the method in which the dual-mode device changes from a first state to a second state while in the holster and to a third state when removed from the holster. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a dual-mode mobile communication device  10  or mobile station (herein referred to as device). The device  10  includes a transceiver  11 , a microprocessor  38 , a display  22 , Flash memory  24 , RAM memory  26 , auxiliary input/output (I/O) devices  28 , a serial port  30 , a keyboard  32 , a speaker  34 , a microphone  36 , a magnet detection system  37 , a short-range wireless communications sub-system  40 , and may also include other device sub-systems  42 . The transceiver  11  preferably includes transmit and receive antennas  16 ,  18 , a receiver  12 , a transmitter  14 , one or more local oscillators  13 , and a digital signal processor  20 . Within the Flash memory  24 , the device  10  preferably includes a plurality of software modules  24 A- 24 N that can be executed by the microprocessor  38  (and/or the DSP  20 ), including a voice communication module  24 A, a data communication module  24 B, and a plurality of other operational modules  24 N for carrying out a plurality of other functions. 
     The mobile communication device  10  is preferably a two-way communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. Thus, for example, the device may communicate over a voice network, such as any of the analog or digital cellular networks, and may also communicate over a data network. The voice and data networks are depicted in  FIG. 1  by the communication tower  19 . These voice and data networks may be separate communication networks using separate infrastructure, such as base stations, network controllers, etc., or they may be integrated into a single wireless network. 
     A magnet is also shown in  FIG. 1 , outside of the device, in close physical proximity to the magnet detection system. This magnet is preferably located on a holster that is preferably used for storing the device. Thus, when the device is stored in the holster, the magnet of the holster is in close proximity to the device&#39;s magnet detection system. 
       FIG. 2  shows a handheld mobile communication device assembly  10  which has a first device housing section  60  and a second device housing section  62  which as described above cooperate to couple together, using fasteners. It should be appreciated that fasteners are but one example of possible components that may be used to couple the device housing sections together. However, the device housing sections are preferably coupled together using releasable fasteners such as screws. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a PCB (printed circuit board)  64 , upon which most of the internal components of the mobile communication device are preferably mounted. The keyboard  32  is preferably formed by positioning a key web  33 A over a plurality of switches  33 B on the PCB  64 . The key web  33 A and plurality of switches  33 B are preferably configured such that each key in the key web  33 A contacts and operates one of the switches  33 B when the key is depressed. Other configurations may also be implemented, in which the number of switches  33 B may be less than the number of keys on the key web  33 A. The key web  33 A and switches  33 B on PCB  64  are also positioned such that the apertures  35  at least partially expose the keyboard  32 . As will be apparent from  FIG. 2 , portions of the key web  33 A will be exposed by the apertures  35  to provide key surfaces that may be depressed by a user of the device  10  to provide data input to the device  10 . Such data input may for example be used to generate data communications on the device  10 . In the example device  10  shown in  FIG. 2 , the auxiliary key  28 E is adjacent to the keyboard  32 , such that the auxiliary key  28 E is shown as part of the key web  33 A and at least partially exposed by the aperture  29 E. However, in alternate embodiments, the auxiliary key  28 E or other auxiliary keys (not shown) need not be provided as part of the key web  33 A. Such keys may be separate from the key web  33 A. 
     The display  22  is also preferably mounted on the PCB  64 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the first device housing section  60  and second device housing section  62  are coupled together, the aperture  23  in the first device housing section  60  at least partially exposes the display  22 . For example, the aperture  23  in the first device housing section  60  and the display  22  on the PCB  64  may be positioned such that a viewing area  25  of the display is exposed. The frame and other components associated with the display  22  are preferably hidden from view when the first and second device housing sections  60  and  62  are coupled together. 
     The speaker  34  is preferably mounted at or near the top of the PCB  64 . One or more apertures  50  in the first device housing section  60  are positioned to at least partially expose the speaker  34  when the first and second device housing sections  60  and  62  are coupled together. 
     In the example assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , the microphone  36  is preferably mounted in the second device housing section  62 . The microphone  36  is at least partially exposed by the aperture  39  in the second device housing section, and coupled to the PCB and other device components. Audio or voice inputs to the microphone  36  may be used for example to generate voice communications. 
     The device housing sections may include further apertures to expose or partially expose other device components. In the first device housing section  60 , apertures  70 ,  72  and  74  are configured to partially expose the auxiliary I/O devices not shown in  FIG. 2 . The aperture  68  is similarly positioned in the second device housing section  62  to at least partially expose an auxiliary I/O device (not shown) which is preferably an IrDA (Infrared Data Association) port. As described above, the aperture  29 E at least partially exposes the auxiliary key  28 E. The aperture  66  in the second device housing section  62  may be provided to accommodate a power supply such as a battery. Other apertures may also be provided in the device housing as necessary. 
     The first and second device housing sections, when coupled together, form a handheld mobile communication device housing enclosing the PCB and internal components therein. The apertures  50 ,  23 ,  35  and  39  at least partially expose the speaker  34 , display  22 , keyboard  32  and microphone  36 , respectively. Partial exposure of these components allows a user to make use of these components while at the same time protecting the components from damage. Apertures  29 E,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  similarly expose and protect auxiliary I/O devices. When access to a component will normally be required relatively infrequently, a removable cover element may be provided for a corresponding device housing aperture. In the above example of a device power supply, a cover (not shown) is preferably provided for the aperture  66 . Access to the power supply is thereby possible when required; yet the battery remains protected when access thereto is not necessary. 
     Auxiliary I/O device  28 A is a thumbwheel input device (seen in  FIG. 2A ) and is preferably mounted along the right hand side surface of the device housing  60 ,  62  immediately adjacent to the display  22 . The thumbwheel input device  28 A is used to select information on the display screen  22 , and is thus optimally positioned adjacent to the display screen  22 . Other mounting positions of the thumbwheel input device  28 A are also possible, such as on the left side surface or in the front surface. The auxiliary input key  28 E may be a device power key, a backlight key for turning a backlight for the display  22  on and off, a mode key for switching between voice communication, data communication and possibly other device functional modes, for example. 
       FIG. 2A  shows the back of the PCB from  FIG. 2 . This view of the PCB  64  shows the auxiliary input device  28 A as a thumbwheel. It is preferably mounted in the top right-hand corner of the PCB  64  in this view. This view also shows the location of the magnet detection system  80 . The components for the magnetic detection system  80  are preferably located close to the centre of the PCB  64  near the bottom. Other internal components of the device  10  may also be mounted on the PCB  64 . The device components are interconnected to provide for at least data and voice communication functionality, possibly in addition to further local non-communication functions and short-range communication functions. The internal components of the device  10  are interconnected as necessary, through wired connections, PCB tracks, other types of connectors or connections, or possibly combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 3  shows the rear view of a typical holster for a device. The holster  104  preferably comprises a back  108  and sides  106  and bottom  110  that extend toward the front to form a repository for a mobile handheld device. Specifically, the holster  104  is generally open and includes curved side portions  106  and a bottom  110  formed to conform to the shape of the mobile handheld device. 
     The holster  104  will preferably have a clip assembly  114  that includes a clip that is spring loaded and attached to the back  108 . The manner of attachment and assembly of the clip to the back  108  is described in Patent Application No. 09/305174 Retaining Clip Assembly filed May 4, 1999. 
     The holster  104  will preferably have a magnet  124  preferably located on the back  108  above the portion that forms the bottom  110  of the holster. The magnet  124  will be positioned preferably at an equidistant location from the sides  106  of the holster. The location of the magnet  124  is preferably in conjunction with the location of the magnet detection system  80  in the device when the device is placed in the holster. 
       FIG. 3  also shows how the device  10  is inserted into the holster  104 . The device  10  preferably slides vertically downwards into the opening of the holster from the top of the holster  104 . The device  10  is positioned such that the display screen  22  is facing the inside of the back of the holster  108  and the bottom of the device is pointing downwards such that the bottom of the device preferably engages the bottom of the holster when it is properly inserted. When the device  10  is properly inserted, the magnet  124  of the holster will preferably line up with the magnet detection system  80  of the device. 
       FIG. 3A  shows the device inserted into the holster. The back of the holster  108  preferably obscures the display screen  22  of the device. Because the screen  22  is obscured, the device may shut off the screen when stored in the holster to conserve battery power. When in the holster, the device&#39;s magnet detection system  80  preferably lines up with the holster magnet  124  so that the magnet  124  is in close physical proximity to the magnet detection system  80 . 
       FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of the preferred embodiment of the magnet detection system. The circuit preferably utilizes a Hall effect magnetic proximity sensor to detect the near presence of a permanent magnet mounted in the device&#39;s holster. This information is used by system software to alter operation modes in order to effect power saving and user notification differences between the in-holster and out-of-holster states. 
     The proximity sensor makes use of the Hall effect phenomenon, in which a material with a current flowing through it and a magnetic field passing through it in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the current flow, will develop a voltage across it in a direction that is orthogonal to, and a magnitude that is proportional to the magnitudes of both the current and the field 
     In  FIG. 4 , the magnet itself is not shown schematically, but its presence in close proximity to the sensor device  140  causes that device to change its output from a high level signal to a low level signal. This signal appears on  142 , which is preferably read at a digital input port of the system&#39;s microprocessor  38 . The VCC and GND labels refer to the sensor power supply. Capacitor  144  decouples from the power supply current glitches that occur during switching of the sensor output. Resistor  146  preferably increases the output  144  when the magnet  124  is not present, as this signal is not actually driven to a high level by the sensor  140 . Capacitor  148  preferably decouples high-frequency interference that appears on the output signal line  142 , especially when the system wireless is transmitting, from the sensor device  140 . The sensor device  140  uses very little operating current, and operation may be adversely affected by high-frequency disturbances being rectified by parasitic diodes inside the device. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram describing the preferred method in which the device changes from a first state to a second state while in the holster and to a third state when removed from the holster. A device is initially in a first state or an idle state while in its holster, ready to accept a voice call. In step  200 , the device enters a second state when it receives a phone call while still in the holster. If the user has set the device to accept all calls, then in step  206 , the device preferably changes to the third state by automatically answering the voice call, and displaying the caller information when the user takes the device out of the holster. The device preferably changes from the second state to the third state once it no longer senses the magnet in the holster. When the user has finished the voice call, the user will replace the device in the holster in step  208 . In step  210 , the device will sense the presence of the holster magnet, and preferably ends the voice call and returns to the first or idle state. 
     If the device is not set to accept all calls in step  204 , usually because the user wishes to see the caller information before answering the voice call, then in step  210 , the device will display the caller information on the screen when the user pulls the device from the holster and the device will prompt the user to accept or reject the call. If the user chooses to accept the call in step  212 , then the device will answer the call in step  214 . Once the user has finished the voice call and replaces the device in the holster in step  208 , the device will sense the presence of the holster magnet, and return to the first or idle state. 
     If the user does not choose to accept the call in step  214 , then the call will be rejected and forwarded to voicemail in step  216 . 
     Another embodiment of the invention would be for the device to only answer certain calls by pulling the device from the holster. This could be accomplished by allowing the user to select phone numbers from which the user wishes to receive calls. If a call comes in to the device from one of these phone numbers, then the device will notify the user of the call and answer the call as soon as the user pulls the device from the holster with no further input from the user. The notification may be a type of sound, such as a ring, or vibration. If a call comes in and is not from one of the user-selected phone numbers, the device may notify the user with a different type of notification to allow distinguish from the user-selected phone calls. Once the user pulls the device from the holster, the caller information may be displayed on the screen and the device will preferably prompt the user to accept or reject the call. If the user does not wish to accept any other calls except for the phone numbers the user has selected, the user may be able to forward the unwanted voice calls to voice mail. 
     A further embodiment of the invention would include the pre-processing of data messages when the device is in the holster. Encrypted and compressed data messages take time to decrypt and decompress. If the device is in the holster and the magnet detection system detects the magnet, then when an encrypted, compressed data message is received by the device, rather than immediately notifying the user of the arrival of the message, the device may first decrypt and decompress the message. Once the message has been processed thusly, the device preferably notifies the user of the message arrival. When the user removes the device from the holster, the device preferably automatically opens the message for the user to view. 
     It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations disclosure will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the application as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.