Multi Mode Mobile Computing Device

Abstract

A multi mode mobile computing device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a communication processor configured to facilitate wireless voice and data communication when the device is in a communication mode and an application processor configured to execute at least one computing application when the device is in a computing mode. The device further includes a configuration module configured to switch from the computing mode to the communication mode in response to user input of at least part of a telephone number.

Description

I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority from and is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 229,507, filed Aug. 27, 2002.II. FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to multi mode mobile computing devices such as wireless telephones that can also undertake ancillary computer functions.III. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003]Multi mode mobile computing devices have been proposed which have multiple capabilities. For example, mobile telephones might be expected to undertake personal computing tasks now undertaken by notebook computers, in addition to their communication functions.[0004]As recognized herein, multiple processors might be required to support multiple modes of operation. As also recognized herein, using the same internal operation independent of the operational mode means that a main processor typically functions as a master device that controls peripheral devices and that treats the other d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a multi mode mobile computing device that can perform multiple functions, such as wireless communication and executing applications. The device includes a communication processor and an application processor, which are powered by a battery. The main advantage of this design is that it allows for the separation of the main processor from other processors, reducing the power consumption of the main processor and simplifying software management. The device also has a communication mode and a computing mode, and the communication processor acts as a master processor in the communication mode. The invention also allows for the reuse of a large base of application software by architecting the hardware to appear as if it were in current single processor devices.

Problems solved by technology

In other words the main processor is mediating on behalf of the modem processor, because the hardware architecture does not allow the modem processor direct access to some of the hardware resources in the device.

Furthermore, requiring a single main processor to always function as a device master means that software and software changes that might apply only to a modem processor are coordinated or otherwise integrated with the main processor as well, complicating software management.

In particular, the large base of software presently available for cellular phone type devices, which functions on the modem processor cannot be used unchanged in a device in which the modem processor is a peripheral to a main application processor.

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