Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Advancements in mobile device technology, such as cell phones, have expanded the limits of the capabilities of such devices far beyond just using the phone to make a wireless mobile call. Now, a user of a mobile device may watch television and videos, access the Internet, edit and email documents, take pictures, record video, and download and listen to music all. However, this miniaturization and consolidation of technology and services has presented a few problems. 
         [0002]    First, battery power on a mobile device is very limited. The only alternative for a user is to wait for a mobile device to recharge or to use the device while the device is attached to a cord of a recharger. Another disadvantage involves the viewing screen on mobile device. While improvements have been made in using larger viewing screens, the size of the viewing screen remains a problem for most users of mobile devices. The small size strains the user&#39;s eyes and leads to mistyped words, and incorrect services. Furthermore, the small screen size results in less use of the product within the home because the user is more comfortable in viewing and using larger keyboards and monitors located in their homes. In addition, the current size of mobile devices allows only one person at a time to share the enjoyment and services of the device. In a similar manner, such mobile devices facilitate games that can only be played by a single party using the device. 
         [0003]    It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    Embodiments are described for providing a docking station for a multimedia mobile device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking station includes a mobile device interface configured for coupling with a mobile device, the mobile device interface including contact for accessing the mobile device, a user interface for providing inputs to the docking station, a storage device for storing programs and data thereon, and a processor, coupled to the storage device and the mobile device interface, the processor being configured for processing files to be provisioned on a home device. 
         [0006]    These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a docking station that only provides audio content; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a system for providing a multimedia mobile device docking station and charger with built in accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method for providing multimedia mobile device docking station and charger with built in accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interface system for a mobile device is developed to provide new applications and experiences on the mobile device. By providing appropriate interfaces and interconnection with different devices, a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or smart phone, may act as the primary source for household information and entertainment. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a docking station  100  that only provides audio content. A user inserts an audio device, such as a MP3 player, iPod, etc., into a slot  110  in the docking device  120 . The docking device  120  includes an interface  112  for accessing files on the audio device. The docking device  120  then processes the audio files for playing the audio files on speakers  130  integrated with the docking station  100 . However, additional functionality is not provided. Controls  140  are provided to allow the user to select a volume, station, song, tone, etc. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a mobile device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile device  200  includes a display screen  210 . The display screen  210  may be used to present video  212  to a user. The display screen  210  may also be used to select games  272  and audio files or songs  282 . A user typically uses earphones or earbuds  230  to listen to the audio files  282  being played on the mobile device  200 . The mobile device  200  may also function as a mobile phone. A keypad  250  is provided for allowing a user to send messages and to dial phone number to call. However, once a user returns home, the user typically will stop using the mobile device  200 . Instead, the user will transition to use of a component music system, a television, or a computer for receiving information or entertainment content. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a system  300  for providing a multimedia mobile device docking station and charger with built in accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , a mobile device  310  is coupled to a mobile device interface  320 . The mobile device interface  320  provides accessibility to files and functions of the mobile device  310 . A processor  330  is coupled to the mobile device interface  320 . A charger  340  is also coupled to the mobile device interface  320 . The charger  340  may be used to provide recharging to the mobile device  310 . Power to the multi-media docking station for operating the docking station and recharging the docked multi-media device is supplied by a power supply  342 . The power supply  342  may be an internal or external power supply  342 . The power supply  342  may be configured to supply power by being plugged into an electrical outlet. 
         [0016]    Various user interfaces  350  are coupled to the mobile device interface  320  and the processor  330 . The user interface  350  may be a keyboard for data entry, a joystick, trackball or mouse for providing navigation and selection functions, a game controller for providing gaming commands and functions, a remote control device for providing remote control to associated electronic equipment; etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this list is not meant to be limiting, but rather is provided for illustration of a few embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Software and data files that the processor  330  accesses may be stored on the non-volatile storage device  360 . The processor  330  may provide signals to a speaker system  370 , a video controller  372  and a game controller  374 . Other devices may also be coupled to the processor  330  for provisioning of additional functions. 
         [0018]    A display device  380  may be coupled to the video controller  372 . The display device  380  may be a part of the system or may be separate from the system. Moreover, the display device  380  may be a television, a projector, or any other type of display device. The system  300  prevents customers from being tied down at home to watch television, listen to music, use the telephone, or surf the net. The system  300  provides all of these abilities while utilizing only one device. 
         [0019]    The system  300  provides an avenue that allows users to disconnect from home cable companies, wireline telecommunication providers, and Internet for a desktop or home based personal computers. At the same time, however, the system  300  offers users the convenience and familiarity of large home products while the user is home, and allows the user freedom to leave at any time without disruption to the activity the user was engaged in at home. In addition, the system  300  provides an incentive to a user to consolidate all their services with one provider to reduce costs. Thus, users will slowly start to disconnect services that they would normally use at home, e.g., cable TV, radio, desktop personal computer, home landline phone, etc., and substitute all of these services for the ones they receive under one price plan on a mobile device  310 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart  400  of a method for providing multimedia mobile device docking station and charger with built in accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , a mobile device is determined to be coupled to a mobile device interface  410 . A processor interfaces with the mobile device disposed at the mobile device interface  420 . In response to the interfacing of the processor with the mobile device, the processor presents a display to the user and/or processes user input provided by a user interface  430 . Power is applied to the mobile device through the mobile device interface  440 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram  500  of another embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , a mobile device interface  520  and charger  540  may be provided as was shown with reference to  FIG. 3 . A processor  530  is coupled to the mobile device interface  520 . However, in  FIG. 5 , the processor  530  is coupled to ports  532 ,  534  through various circuits  570 ,  572  to provide signals either directly or wirelessly to different devices  580 ,  582 ,  584  in the house. For example, game controller  580  receives a hard-wired signal from the direct transmission circuit  570  from the processor  530 . The display device  582  and the speaker system receive wireless signals that are received by wireless receiver  586  and audio electronics/wireless receiver  588 . The user may control what signals are being sent to which device. Software and data files that the processor  530  accesses may be stored on the non-volatile storage device  560 . 
         [0022]    Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  is not meant to be limiting. Rather, the system is configured to allow a user complete flexibility in selecting the arrangement of devices for receiving signals from the system. Moreover, the storage device  560  may be accessed by a user through the mobile device or through a configuration port  590 , e.g., a USB port, to allow the user to download files and software, to configure the software processed by the processor  530  and to control how the user enjoys the experience provided through the mobile device. Again various user interfaces  550  may be coupled to the mobile device interface  520  and the processor  530  to navigate and provide input to the system. 
         [0023]    Although the invention has been described in connection with various embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Technology Category: g