Automatic sensing of communication or accessories for mobile terminals
AssigneeEricsson Inc.
InventorJim Panian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile communication device has data/fax capabilities to enable data/fax communications by a connected communication terminal. The mobile communication device includes a system interface that is used in a default mode to connect the phone to a phone accessory. The system interface is also used to connect a communication terminal to the phone for data/fax communications in a communication mode. The phone detects the presence of the communication terminal when a communication session is initiated by the communication terminal and automatically changes to a communication mode without user input.
Claims16
A mobile communication device comprising:
- a.) a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals;
- b.) a modem operatively connected to said transceiver;
- c.) a configurable system interface comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, said system interface having a default configuration corresponding to a default mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external phone accessory, and a communication configuration corresponding to a communication mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external communication terminal capable of data, fax and/or voice communications, wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said transceiver according to a first mapping in said default mode and according to a second mapping in said communication mode;
- d.) a control unit operative in said default mode of operation to enable use of a connected phone accessory and in said communications mode to enable data, fax and voice communications by a connected communications terminal via said modem;
- and
- e.) wherein said control unit is operative to change said system interface from said default configuration to said communication configuration in response to receipt of a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from said connected communication terminal.
A method for configuring a system interface for a mobile communication device comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, that alternately connects to an external communication terminal or an external phone accessory comprising:
- a.) placing said system interface in a default configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to circuits within said mobile communication device according to a first mapping to enable use of said mobile communication device with a connected phone accessory;
- b.) receiving a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from an external communication terminal attempting to initiate a communication session for a data, voice or fax communication requiring a modem;
- and
- c.) placing said system interface in a communication configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said circuits within said mobile communication device according to a second mapping in response to receipt of said first predetermined input signal to enable communications by said external communications terminal via said modem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.