Patent Publication Number: US-2009227299-A1

Title: System and method for providing interchangeable modules for a mobile station

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to mobile stations and, more specifically, to a system and method for providing interchangeable modules for a mobile station. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wireless communications systems, including cellular phones, paging devices, and personal communication services (PCS) systems, have become ubiquitous in society. These and other types of user devices are frequently provided with additional capabilities, such as cameras, USB connectors, Bluetooth functionality, and the like. However, conventional mobile handsets implement these and other additional hardware capabilities as integrated components that are incapable of being upgraded after the manufacturing process of the handset is completed. Because of this, if components of different qualities are to be made available to consumers, a distinct handset model must be designed and maintained for each of these different quality components. As a result, the practical considerations associated with designing and maintaining different handset models limit the number of different quality components that are actually made available for purchase by consumers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An interchangeable module for use in a mobile station is provided that includes a housing, a component set, and a mobile station (MS) interface. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing is designed to allow the interchangeable module to be reversibly coupled to the mobile station. The component set is capable of providing functions associated with a specified feature for the mobile station. The MS interface is capable of providing communication between the interchangeable module and the mobile station. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobile station for use in a wireless network is provided that includes an interchangeable module (IM) controller and an IM interface. The IM controller is capable of allowing the mobile station to operate with one of a plurality of interchangeable modules. The IM interface is capable of providing communication between the one of the interchangeable modules and the IM controller. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing interchangeable modules for use in a mobile station is provided that includes detecting a model-identifying event. A current model identifier is determined for an interchangeable module coupled to the mobile station. The current model identifier is compared to a previous model identifier stored in the mobile station. When the current model identifier is different from the previous model identifier, a model-specific application for the interchangeable module is implemented that is different from a previously implemented model-specific application. 
     Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the term “each” means every one of at least a subset of the identified items; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a wireless network including mobile stations capable of providing interchangeable modules according to one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one of the mobile stations of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an interchangeable module for use with the mobile station of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are block diagrams of an interchangeable module for a mobile station according to one particular embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an interchangeable module for a mobile station according to another particular embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing interchangeable modules for the mobile station of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 6 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged device. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wireless network  100  that includes mobile stations that are capable of providing interchangeable modules according to the principles of the present disclosure. Wireless network  100  comprises a plurality of cells (or cell sites)  121 - 123 , each containing one of the base stations, BS  101 , BS  102 , or BS  103 . Base stations  101 - 103  communicate with a plurality of mobile stations (MS)  111 - 114  over code division multiple access (CDMA) channels according to, for example, the IS-2000 standard (i.e., CDMA2000). In an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, mobile stations  111 - 114  are capable of receiving data traffic and/or voice traffic on two or more CDMA channels simultaneously. Mobile stations  111 - 114  may be any suitable wireless devices (e.g., conventional cell phones, PCS handsets, personal digital assistant (PDA) handsets, portable computers, telemetry devices) that are capable of communicating with base stations  101 - 103  via wireless links. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to mobile devices. The present disclosure also encompasses other types of wireless access terminals, including fixed wireless terminals. For the sake of simplicity, only mobile stations are shown and discussed hereafter. However, it should be understood that the use of the term “mobile station” in the claims and in the description below is intended to encompass both truly mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, wireless laptops) and stationary wireless terminals (e.g., a machine monitor with wireless capability). 
     Dotted lines show the approximate boundaries of cells (or cell sites)  121 - 123  in which base stations  101 - 103  are located. It is noted that the terms “cells” and “cell sites” may be used interchangeably in common practice. For simplicity, the term “cell” will be used hereafter. The cells are shown approximately circular for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the cells may have other irregular shapes, depending on the cell configuration selected and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstructions. 
     As is well known in the art, each of cells  121 - 123  is comprised of a plurality of sectors, where a directional antenna coupled to the base station illuminates each sector. The embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates the base station in the center of the cell. Alternate embodiments may position the directional antennas in corners of the sectors. The system of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular cell configuration. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103  comprises a base station controller (BSC) and one or more base transceiver subsystem(s) (BTS). Base station controllers and base transceiver subsystems are well known to those skilled in the art. A base station controller is a device that manages wireless communications resources, including the base transceiver subsystems, for specified cells within a wireless communications network. A base transceiver subsystem comprises the RF transceivers, antennas, and other electrical equipment located in each cell. This equipment may include air conditioning units, heating units, electrical supplies, telephone line interfaces and RF transmitters and RF receivers. For the purpose of simplicity and clarity in explaining the operation of the present disclosure, the base transceiver subsystems in each of cells  121 ,  122  and  123  and the base station controller associated with each base transceiver subsystem are collectively represented by BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103 , respectively. 
     BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103  transfer voice and data signals between each other and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) (not shown) via communication line  131  and mobile switching center (MSC)  140 . BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103  also transfer data signals, such as packet data, with the Internet (not shown) via communication line  131  and packet data server node (PDSN)  150 . Packet control function (PCF) unit  190  controls the flow of data packets between base stations  101 - 103  and PDSN  150 . PCF unit  190  may be implemented as part of PDSN  150 , as part of MSC  140 , or as a stand-alone device that communicates with PDSN  150 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Line  131  also provides the connection path for control signals transmitted between MSC  140  and BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103  that establish connections for voice and data circuits between MSC  140  and BS  101 , BS  102  and BS  103 . 
     Communication line  131  may be any suitable connection means, including a T1 line, a T3 line, a fiber optic link, a network packet data backbone connection, or any other type of data connection. Alternatively, communication line  131  may be replaced by a wireless backhaul system, such as microwave transceivers. Communication line  131  links each vocoder in the BSC with switch elements in MSC  140 . The connections on communication line  131  may transmit analog voice signals or digital voice signals in pulse code modulated (PCM) format, Internet Protocol (IP) format, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) format, or the like. 
     MSC  140  is a switching device that provides services and coordination between the mobile stations in a wireless network and external networks, such as the PSTN or Internet. MSC  140  is well known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, communication line  131  may be several different data links where each data link couples one of BS  101 , BS  102 , or BS  103  to MSC  140 . 
     In wireless network  100 , MS  111  is located in cell  121  and is in communication with BS  101 . MS  112  is also located in cell  121  and is in communication with BS  101 . MS  113  is located in cell  122  and is in communication with BS  102 . MS  114  is located in cell  123  and is in communication with BS  103 . MS  112  is also located close to the edge of cell  123  and is moving in the direction of cell site  123 , as indicated by the direction arrow proximate MS  112 . At some point, as MS  112  moves into cell site  123  and out of cell site  121 , a hand-off will occur. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more of mobile stations  111 - 114  may comprise the capability to provide interchangeable modules for use in the mobile station  111 - 114 . For a particular example, a mobile station  111 - 114  may comprise an interchangeable camera module. For this example, the interchangeable camera module may be replaced by a different model in order to upgrade the capabilities of the camera function. In this way, the user of the mobile station  111 - 114  is able to select a better quality camera for his or her mobile station  111 - 114  without having to replace the entire mobile station  111 - 114 . 
     In addition, the mobile station  111 - 114  may be offered for sale with any one of a variety of interchangeable camera modules, allowing the consumer to select the quality of camera he or she desires upon purchase of the mobile station  111 - 114 . As an option, the consumer may also be able to select a null module that provides no camera function, resulting in a less expensive mobile station  111 - 114  for the consumer. This also allows the manufacturer of the mobile station  111 - 114  to design and maintain a single handset model for the mobile station  111 - 114 , instead of designing and maintaining different models of mobile stations  111 - 114  to provide different quality camera options. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates wireless mobile station  111  according to an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure. Wireless mobile station  111  comprises antenna  205 , radio frequency (RF) transceiver  210 , transmit (TX) processing circuitry  215 , microphone  220 , and receive (RX) processing circuitry  225 . MS  111  also comprises speaker  230 , main processor  240 , input/output (I/O) interface (IF)  245 , keypad  250 , display  255 , memory  260 , interchangeable module  270 , interchangeable module (IM) interface  275 , and optional memory card  280 . Memory  260  further comprises basic operating system program  261 , optional IM database  262 , model identifiers  263 , model-specific applications  264 , model-specific parameters  265 , and an IM controller  266 . 
     RF transceiver  210  receives from antenna  205  an incoming RF signal transmitted by a base station of wireless network  100 . RF transceiver  210  down-converts the incoming RF signal to produce an intermediate frequency (IF) or a baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to receive processing circuitry  225 , which produces a processed baseband signal by filtering, digitizing the baseband or IF signal, additional filtering, if necessary, demodulation and/or decoding. Receive processing circuitry  225  transmits the processed baseband signal to speaker  230  (i.e., voice data) or to main processor  240  for further processing (e.g., web browsing). 
     Transmit processing circuitry  215  receives analog or digital voice data from microphone  220  or other outgoing baseband data (e.g., web data, e-mail, interactive video game data) from main processor  240 . Transmit processing circuitry  215  encodes, modulates, multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to produce a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceiver  210  receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from transmit processing circuitry  215 . RF transceiver  210  up-converts the baseband or IF signal to a radio frequency signal that is transmitted via antenna  205 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, RF transceiver  210  may comprise a receiver architecture that is capable of minimizing the use of an external bandpass filter between a low-noise amplifier (LNA) stage and a first mixer stage in RF transceiver  210 . As described in more detail below in connection with  FIG. 4 , RF transceiver  210  may comprise any suitable number of LNAs in the LNA stage and any suitable number of mixers in the mixer stage. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, main processor  240  is a microprocessor or microcontroller. Memory  260  is coupled to main processor  240 . According to an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, part of memory  260  comprises a random access memory (RAM) and another part of memory  260  comprises a non-volatile memory, such as Flash memory, which acts as a read-only memory (ROM). 
     Main processor  240  executes basic operating system program  261  stored in memory  260  in order to control the overall operation of wireless mobile station  111 . In one such operation, main processor  240  controls the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by RF transceiver  210 , receive processing circuitry  225 , and transmit processing circuitry  215 , in accordance with well-known principles. 
     Main processor  240  is capable of executing other processes and programs resident in memory  260 . Main processor  240  can move data into or out of memory  260 , as required by an executing process. Main processor  240  is also coupled to I/O interface  245 . I/O interface  245  provides mobile station  111  with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. I/O interface  245  is the communication path between these accessories and main controller  240 . 
     Main processor  240  is also coupled to keypad  250  and display unit  255 . The operator of mobile station  111  uses keypad  250  to enter data into mobile station  111 . Display  255  may be a liquid crystal display capable of rendering text and/or at least limited graphics from web sites. Alternate embodiments may use other types of displays. 
     Interchangeable module  270  is capable of providing a particular feature for the mobile station  111  and is removable and replaceable by another interchangeable module that is capable of providing the same feature. For a particular example, interchangeable module  270  may comprise an interchangeable camera module that is capable of providing a camera feature for the mobile station  111 . However, it will be understood that interchangeable module  270  may comprise any other suitable type of module without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, interchangeable module  270  may comprise a module that is capable of providing a camcorder, a voice recorder, a music player or any other suitable type of feature for the mobile station  111 . Interchangeable module  270  is coupled to IM interface  275 . IM interface  275  provides mobile station  111  with the ability to communicate with interchangeable module  270 . 
     For an alternative embodiment, interchangeable module  270  may be capable of providing a particular feature for the mobile station  111  but may be replaced by another interchangeable module  270  that is capable of providing a different feature. For example, interchangeable module  270  may comprise an interchangeable camera module that is capable of providing a camera feature for the mobile station  111 . For this alternate embodiment, a user of mobile station  111  may replace interchangeable module  270  with another interchangeable module  270  that is capable of providing a music player for the mobile station  111 . 
     The optional IM database  262  is capable of storing data for interchangeable module  270 . For example, for an interchangeable camera module, IM database  262  is capable of storing images captured by the camera functionality of interchangeable module  270 . In addition to or instead of IM database  262 , mobile station  111  may comprise memory card  280 . Memory card  280  comprises an optional, removable data store that is also capable of storing data for interchangeable module  270 . For example, for an interchangeable camera module, memory card  280  is capable of storing images captured by the camera functionality of interchangeable module  270 . As another alternative, storage may be provided locally within interchangeable module  270  itself. 
     Memory  260  may also store a previous model identifier  263   a  and a current model identifier  263   b . As described in more detail below in connection with  FIG. 6 , a previous model identifier  263   a  may correspond to an interchangeable module  270  that has been coupled to mobile station  111  and is currently implemented through a corresponding model-specific application  264  and model-specific parameters  265 . A current model identifier  263   b  may correspond to an interchangeable module  270  that is currently coupled to mobile station  111  and that may or may not have been implemented yet. Thus, when an event occurs that prompts mobile station  111  to determine whether or not interchangeable module  270  has been replaced, a current model identifier  263   b  for a currently coupled interchangeable module  270  may be compared to the previous model identifier  263   a  in order to determine whether or not the model of interchangeable module  270  has changed. If such a change is detected, the currently coupled interchangeable module  270  may then be implemented. 
     Memory  260  may also store one or more model-specific applications  264  that are each capable of providing the software to operate a corresponding model of interchangeable module  270 . For some embodiments, memory  260  is capable of storing a model-specific application  264  for each possible interchangeable module  270  that may be used with mobile station  111 . For other embodiments, memory  260  may store a number of model-specific applications  264  but not one for each possible interchangeable module  270 . For still other embodiments, memory  260  may store only a model-specific application  264  for the interchangeable module  270  currently coupled to mobile station  111 . 
     In addition, memory  260  may also store model-specific parameters  265  for each model-specific application  264  that is stored. For example, the model-specific parameters  265  may include menu keys, control functions, hard keys, soft keys and/or the like that are either in the mobile station&#39;s  111  internal software or that are mapped into the software from hardware buttons or controls. 
     Main processor  240  is also capable of executing IM controller  266 , which is a program for communicating with interchangeable module  270 . As described in more detail below, IM controller  266  is capable of allowing mobile station  111  to operate with the interchangeable module  270  currently coupled to mobile station  111 , which includes responding to the replacement of a first model of interchangeable module  270  with a second model of interchangeable module  270 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an interchangeable module  270  for use with the mobile station  111  according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Interchangeable module  270  may be provided in a housing  305  that encloses and/or is coupled to the additional components of interchangeable module  270 . Housing  305  is designed to allow interchangeable module  270  to be interchangeable with other interchangeable modules  270  that share the same housing design. Thus, housing  305  is standardized to fit together with a mobile station  111  regardless of the additional components of interchangeable module  270 . In this way, different models of an interchangeable module  270  that provide a same feature (or possibly a different feature) for mobile station  111  may be used in place of each other due to the standardized design of housing  305 . Housing  305  may be formed from plastic, metal, composite, ceramic and/or the like, in accordance with the design of the mobile station  111  to which interchangeable module  270  will be coupled. 
     Interchangeable module  270  may also comprise a component set  310 , a mobile station (MS) interface  315 , a model implementer  320 , a model-specific application  325 , and model-specific parameters  330 . Component set  310  may comprise the actual hardware and/or software for providing the functionality associated with the feature provided by interchangeable module  270 . MS interface  315  is coupled to IM interface  275  of mobile station  111 . MS interface  315  provides interchangeable module  270  with the ability to communicate with mobile station  111 . 
     Model implementer  320  is capable of identifying a model of interchangeable module  270  for mobile station  111 . For example, for one embodiment, model implementer  320  may be capable of communicating with IM controller  266  in a process that identifies the model. In a particular example, model implementer  320  may store a model identifier  335  that may be used by IM controller  266  to identify the model of the interchangeable module  270 . 
     For some embodiments, model implementer  320  may also be capable of providing model-specific application  325  and/or model-specific parameters  330  to mobile station  111  for storage as a model-specific application  264  and/or model-specific parameters  265 , respectively. However, as previously described, if memory  260  stores all possible model-specific applications  264  and model-specific parameters  265 , interchangeable module  270  need not include model-specific application  325  and model-specific parameters  330 . Similarly, for one embodiment, mobile station  111  may communicate with any suitable component of wireless network  100  in order to request the model-specific application  264  and/or parameters  265 . Thus, in this case also, interchangeable module  270  need not include model-specific application  325  and model-specific parameters  330 . 
     For some embodiments, a null interchangeable module  270  may be provided that includes an empty component set  310  in order to provide a standard appearance to mobile station  111  even when the feature made available by interchangeable module  270  is not included with mobile station  111 . For this embodiment, a model-specific application  325  and model-specific parameters  330  are also unnecessary for anull interchangeable module  270 . The model implementer  320  may be included to communicate with the IM controller  266 . However, alternatively, the model implementer  320  may be omitted and the IM controller  266  may be able to determine by its absence that the interchangeable module  270  is a null module. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are block diagrams of an interchangeable module  270  for a mobile station  111  according to one particular embodiment of the disclosure. For this particular embodiment, interchangeable module  270  comprises an interchangeable camera module  400  that is coupled to a back side  402  of a mobile station  111 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a front view of interchangeable camera module  400 , while  FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of interchangeable camera module  400 . 
     Interchangeable camera module  400  comprises a lens assembly  405 , a camera sensor  410 , an optional flash  415 , and a coupling hole  420 , each of which is provided within a housing  425  for interchangeable camera module  400 . Housing  425  corresponds to housing  305 , while lens assembly  405 , camera sensor  410  and flash  415  correspond to component set  310 . 
     Lens assembly  405  comprises one or more lenses for focusing on an image. Camera sensor  410  is capable of sensing light provided through lens assembly  405  in order to capture an image for storage locally within interchangeable camera module  400  or within IM database  262  or memory card  280  of mobile station  111 . The optional flash  415  may be used to provide additional light for capturing images. Coupling hole  420  provides a means to attach interchangeable camera module  400  to mobile station  111 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , a screw  430  or other suitable coupling mechanism may be inserted through coupling hole  420  and into a corresponding attachment cavity  435  of mobile station  111  in order to hold interchangeable camera module  400  in place on mobile station  111 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 4B , interchangeable camera module  400  may comprise a pin interface  440  for a printed circuit board (PCB) within mobile station  111 , which may have a PCB cavity  445  for receiving the pin interface  440 . For this embodiment, the pin interface  440  may represent MS interface  315 , while the PCB within mobile station  111  may provide the IM interface  275 . 
     As an alternative to the screw  430  or other device capable of being inserted through coupling hole  420 , interchangeable module  400  may comprise no coupling hole  420  and may instead comprise a snapping mechanism or other suitable reversible coupling mechanism to provide selectable attachment and detachment of interchangeable module  400  to and from mobile station  111 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an interchangeable module  270  for a mobile station  111  according to another particular embodiment of the disclosure. For this particular embodiment, interchangeable module  270  also comprises an interchangeable camera module  500 . However, instead of being coupled to a back side of a mobile station  111 , interchangeable camera module  500  is coupled to a top side of a mobile station  111 . 
     Similar to interchangeable camera module  400 , interchangeable camera module  500  comprises a lens assembly  505 , a camera sensor  510 , an optional flash  515 , and a coupling hole  520 , each of which is provided within a housing  525  for interchangeable camera module  500 . Housing  525  corresponds to housing  305 , while lens assembly  505 , camera sensor  510  and flash  515  correspond to component set  310 . 
     In addition, a screw  530  or other suitable coupling mechanism may be inserted through coupling hole  520  and into a corresponding attachment cavity  535  of mobile station  111  in order to hold interchangeable camera module  500  in place on mobile station  111 . Also, interchangeable camera module  500  may comprise a pin interface  540  for a printed circuit board (PCB) within mobile station  111 , which may have a PCB cavity  545  for receiving the pin interface  540 . For this embodiment, the pin interface  540  may represent MS interface  315 , while the PCB within mobile station  111  may provide the IM interface  275 . 
     For the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , however, coupling hole  520  provides a means to attach interchangeable camera module  500  to an upper portion  550  of mobile station  111 . This upper portion  550  of mobile station  111  may be capable of pivoting about an axis  555  in order to allow interchangeable camera module  500  to rotate back and forth. This allows the user of mobile station  111  to select which direction to aim the interchangeable camera module  500  when taking photographs. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  600  for providing interchangeable modules  270  for the mobile station  111  according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Initially, IM controller  266  of mobile station  111  determines whether a model-identifying event has been detected (process step  605 ). A model-identifying event comprises an event that prompts IM controller  266  to identify a model type for interchangeable module  270  in order to determine whether or not a different model of interchangeable module  270  has been coupled to mobile station  111 . For example, model-identifying events may comprise a reboot of mobile station  111 , insertion of an interchangeable module  270 , the operation of a previously implemented model-specific application  264  to provide the feature associated with interchangeable module  270  and/or the like. 
     Once IM controller  266  detects a model-identifying event (process step  605 ), IM controller  266  then determines a current model identifier  263   b  for interchangeable module  270  (process step  610 ). For example, for one embodiment, IM controller  266  may send a request to interchangeable module  270  to identify itself, and model implementer  320  may send model identifier  335  to IM controller  266  in response. However, it will be understood that IM controller  266  may otherwise suitably determine the current model identifier  263   b  for interchangeable module  270 . 
     IM controller  266  then compares the current model identifier  263   b  to a previous model identifier  263   a  to determine whether or not the model identifier has changed (process step  615 ). If the model identifier has changed, signifying that a different model of interchangeable module  270  has been coupled to mobile station  111 , IM controller  266  stores the current model identifier  263   b  as the previous model identifier  263   a  for future comparisons (process step  620 ). 
     IM controller  266  then determines whether or not a model-specific application  264  corresponding to the current model identifier  263   b  is available in mobile station  111  (process step  625 ). For some embodiments, all possible model-specific applications  264  are stored in memory  260  and, thus, there is no need for IM controller  266  to make this determination. In this case, the method follows the Yes branch. In addition, for other embodiments, mobile station  111  may store only a currently-implemented model-specific application  264 . Thus, because a change in model identifiers  263  has been found, there is no need for IM controller  266  to make this determination in this case as well, and the method follows the No branch. 
     If a model-specific application  264  corresponding to the current model identifier  263   b  is not available in mobile station  111  (process step  625 ), mobile station  111  receives and stores a model-specific application  264  for interchangeable module  270  (process step  630 ). For example, for one embodiment, IM controller  266  may send a request to interchangeable module  270  to provide its model-specific application  325 , and model implementer  320  may send model-specific application  325  to mobile station  111  in response. IM controller then  265  stores the received application  325  as the model-specific application  264  in memory  260 . However, it will be understood that mobile station  111  may otherwise suitably receive and store a model-specific application  264  for interchangeable module  270 . For example, for one embodiment, mobile station  111  may communicate with any suitable component of wireless network  100  in order to request the model-specific application  264 . 
     IM controller  266  may then determine whether or not model-specific parameters  265  corresponding to the current model identifier  263   b  are available in mobile station  111  (process step  635 ). For some embodiments, all possible model-specific parameters  265  are stored in memory  260  and, thus, there is no need for IM controller  266  to make this determination. In this case, the method follows the Yes branch. In addition, for other embodiments, mobile station  111  may store only currently-implemented model-specific parameters  265 . Thus, because a change in model identifiers has been found, there is no need for IM controller  266  to make this determination in this case as well, and the method follows the No branch. 
     If model-specific parameters  265  corresponding to the current model identifier  263   b  are not available in mobile station  111  (process step  635 ), mobile station  111  receives and stores model-specific parameters  265  for interchangeable module  270  (process step  640 ). For example, for one embodiment, IM controller  266  may send a request to interchangeable module  270  to provide its model-specific parameters  330 , and model implementer  320  may send model-specific parameters  330  to mobile station  111  in response. IM controller then  265  stores the received parameters  330  as the model-specific parameters  265  in memory  260 . However, it will be understood that mobile station  111  may otherwise suitably receive and store model-specific parameters  265  for interchangeable module  270 . For example, for one embodiment, mobile station  111  may communicate with any suitable component of wireless network  100  in order to request the model-specific parameters  265 . 
     When no change in model identifiers  263  has been found (process step  615 ), or when model-specific application  264  and model-specific parameters  265  for a new model of interchangeable module  270  are available (process steps  625  and  635 ) or received and stored (process steps  630  and  640 ), IM controller  266  implements the model-specific application  264  associated with the current model of interchangeable module  270  using the corresponding model-specific parameters  265  (process step  645 ) until another model-identifying event is detected (process step  605 ). 
     Although the present invention has been described with one embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.