Device for mobile communication with variable size

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for mobile communication with variable size, which can be configured with different sizes and capabilities to adapt to different usage scenarios. The device (100) comprises a typical equipment (101) for wireless communication such as a smartphone, which can be combined with a larger equipment (102) that provides better image and video effects and better features in terms of battery life, memory, camera, etc. The data required for the operation of the device (100) and the data of interest to the user are automatically synchronized when the combination occurs.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mobile communication that can be configured with different sizes and performances to adapt to different usage environments.

[0002] In some occasions (work, holidays, parties, etc.), it is convenient to have a phone of the right size, especially when people are dressed in outfits and accessories that are appropriate for the scene.

[0003] To meet this need, a person can have more than one phone and use the one that is most appropriate for the particular occasion by inserting a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) associated with his / her own phone number. However, in many modern smartphones, moving a SIM from one phone to another can be a time-consuming and annoying task, especially when the SIM shell is specific to a SIM of different size (mini-SIM, micro-SIM, nano-SIM). In addition, different phones must be kept up to date with information of interest that is not stored in the SIM. If such information is stored in an SD card, this SD card must also be moved from one phone to another and this task can also be time-consuming and annoying.

[0004] In addition, more and more telecommunication services are now provided by means of applications. Such services are mainly obtained through a WiFi connection, which leaves no trace on the phone operator's SIM and is not even saved to an SD card.

[0005] As an alternative to the use of an SD card, data can be stored in the "cloud". However, the use of a cloud service requires some know-how and data synchronization, and for some users, such a task can be difficult to perform. In addition, the use of a cloud system can mean recurring costs and privacy issues.

[0006] If the need of people could be satisfied with only two phones alternately used, the telephone operators would offer a service to allow an easy and immediate change of phone without moving the SIM. In fact, people could get from the operator two different SIMs with the same phone number, able to be inserted in two different smartphones. One of the two SIMs is set as primary and the other as secondary. With the two phones thus equipped, the cellular network allows different calls, even simultaneous ones. However, for incoming calls, if the phone with the main SIM is reachable, the phone will only be answered on that phone; otherwise (for example, when the phone with the main SIM is off), the incoming call will be answered through the phone with the secondary SIM. With this solution, in order to use the phone whenever he / she wants, the user can simply turn on the phone he / she wants to use and turn off the other one. The change of phone is thus very simple and easy, but, as in the previous solution, it is necessary to ensure in some way the synchronization of the data, for example on the cloud, and the communication service offered by the operator can mean an additional cost, often recurring, and privacy problems. It is also possible to get from the telephone operator a certain number (even up to ten) of SIMs with the same phone number, allowing all the devices in which they are inserted to ring simultaneously when there is an incoming call and making it possible to make a call from any one of such phones, the called party will be identified as coming from said single phone number.

[0007] However, the technical problem of these solutions is always the same. In addition to incoming or outgoing calls, there is still the problem of the different synchronization of the data in the various devices. In other words, when some multimedia operation is performed on one of the devices with a SIM having the same phone number, there will be no trace of these operations in the other devices.

[0008] The present invention avoids the need to perform complex data synchronization operations between different apparatuses and there are no additional recurring costs and no privacy problems. In fact, it is based on the use of a single phone (smartphone) of small size, hereinafter called "communication device", equipped with an accessory device, hereinafter called "extension device", associated with the smartphone to obtain an apparatus with a larger display, in which the extension device can be used to perform all the operations that can be performed on the communication device. The extension device comprises input / output devices in place of those of the smartphone, which are no longer available when the two devices are joined together.

[0009] By coupling, the displays of the smartphone and of the extended device will be located on opposite faces of the coupling device, as shown in the attached figures. In this case, the rear camera of the smartphone (communication device) and its flash unit and rear speaker will become unusable and will be replaced by equivalent or better elements of the extended device. Likewise, the extended device can replace the buttons located on faces of the smartphone that are not accessible, in particular the buttons located on its sides.

[0010] In this configuration, the display of the extended device can reproduce on a larger area the content shown on the display of the smartphone, or both displays can be used to show different images (for example, images acquired by the cameras on opposite faces of the coupling device).

[0011] The connection between the smartphone (communication device) and the extended device can take place by means of the micro-USB port normally equipped with the smartphone. However, this connection can also be implemented by other methods for the transmission of signals and information from the smartphone to the external device and vice versa. Wireless devices such as Bluetooth and WiFi can also be used as means for bidirectional communication.

[0012] In another embodiment, the coupling of the smartphone (communication device) with the extended device can be implemented so that the display of the smartphone will be located on the same side as the display of the extended device, embedded in the main body of the latter. In this case, the display of the smartphone becomes unusable, while the rear camera and the speaker remain usable.

[0013] In some embodiments of the application, the extended device can lack the functions of an autonomous communication device, in particular it can neither comprise any subscriber identification module nor any transceiver circuit.

[0014] On the contrary, in other embodiments, the extended device can comprise a transceiver circuit in compliance with various telecommunication standards, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, circuit for professional communication systems, etc., and can also comprise a circuit for the transmission / reception of cellular signals.

[0015] A particularly advantageous feature of the application is that it is possible to automatically synchronize all the data stored in the two devices or a part thereof, i.e. to update the data in the extended device according to the data stored in the smartphone (communication device) and vice versa, as long as the two devices are connected to each other. Thanks to this synchronization, the user will be aware that it is possible to access services and perform tasks in the same way as required by accessing the same services and performing the same tasks through the extended device coupled with the smartphone, and vice versa, by means of the simple smartphone (communication device).

[0016] Moreover, the possibility of actually having two phones with the same functions solves the technical problem of having, if the display of any of the two devices is accidentally damaged, the other one ready to perform all the functions of the faulty device.

[0017] In other embodiments of the application, the device for mobile communication of the application can comprise two or more expansion devices to provide a plurality of configurations with the same functions (smartphone, tablet, notebook).

[0018] In other embodiments, the device for mobile communication can also comprise two or more personal communication devices that can be coupled to the same expansion device, or to more expansion devices, so that members of a family or a group of people can share one or more expansion devices through their own personal communication devices. In this case, access to the expansion devices can be controlled by means of an account and a password to ensure the separation and confidentiality of personal data, applications and parameter settings, while common applications and data (such as Microsoft Office software, Google browser, etc.) can be jointly updated and used.

[0019] The features of the application will be more clearly understood from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example only, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] These and other advantages of the application will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example only, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] - Figure 1 The coupling of a communication device to an expansion device according to some aspects of the application is schematically shown;

[0022] - Figure 2 The architecture of an embodiment of a device for mobile communication according to some aspects of the application is shown.

[0023] Any reference in this specification to "an embodiment" will mean that a particular configuration, structure, or feature is considered to be included in at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or other similar phrases in various places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Thus, various configurations, structures, or features described herein can be combined in one or more embodiments as desired.

[0024] Finally, it must be pointed out that the reference signs used hereinafter are intended to facilitate the understanding of the application and do not limit the scope or extent of protection of the claimed embodiments.

[0025] Reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 2The following describes an apparatus 100 for mobile communication, comprising: at least one communication device 101 and at least one extension device 102, wherein the communication device 101 is adapted to receive and / or transmit information via a mobile telecommunications network; the extension device 102 is adapted to be connected to the communication device 101, wherein the communication device 101 is capable of synchronizing its content with the content of the extension device 102, and the extension device 102 is also adapted to improve the visualization performance of the communication device 101.

[0026] In some embodiments of the invention, the communication device 101 is a device with typical features and performance of a smartphone. Therefore, the communication device can provide its users with all the typical telecommunications services of a smartphone, ranging from telephone and messaging services to services available via the Internet. The communication device may also include typical smartphone applications, such as browsers, access to the cloud and social networks, music players, image and video players, clocks and calendars, software packages for reading and editing documents, and data processing, etc. Therefore, regardless of the presence of the extension device 102, the communication device 101 can be used for normal communication and processing needs.

[0027] The extension device 102 may include additional components, including Figure 2 The components shown, Figure 2 An example of elements that may be included in a device 100 for mobile communication according to the present invention is shown. These elements include:

[0028] - Interconnection devices 201 and 202, respectively, are used for communication device 101 and extension device 102, and are adapted to realize, detect and signal the interconnection between communication device 101 and extension device 102, so that they can interoperate;

[0029] - Transceiver devices 203 and 204 are used to receive and transmit information signals;

[0030] - Input / output devices 205 and 206 for interacting with the user;

[0031] - Memory devices 207 and 208 are used to store data necessary for operating the device 100 for mobile communication (included in the two devices 101 and 102) as well as data of interest to its users;

[0032] - Power supply devices 209 and 210 include energy storage devices for supplying power to their respective circuits;

[0033] Processing devices 211 and 212 communicate with the aforementioned devices via their respective communication buses 213 and 214, and are adapted to process data and execute commands and instructions.

[0034] The interconnection between the devices can be implemented by means of a physical link, preferably through a micro-USB connector, or by means of a wireless connection, for example via Bluetooth, WiFi or other transceiving systems.

[0035] In particular, when the communication device 101 is housed in a suitable cavity formed in the expansion device 102, the connection between the communication device 101 and the expansion device 102 can be established by means of mechanical and electrical connections, in which input and output electrical elements are also provided to allow interconnection with corresponding input / output electrical elements (USB-Lightning) contained in the communication device 101.

[0036] Said interconnection means can also provide for detection of the connection and disconnection between the communication device and the expansion device. This detection allows automatic initiation of data synchronization, which is an advantageous function of the device (100) for mobile communication according to the present application.

[0037] This synchronization can involve data relating to the operation of the device, data of applications installed in its device, and data of interest to the user and personal data. The set of data to be synchronized (hereinafter referred to as "synchronization dataset") can be predefined by the manufacturer of the device 100 for mobile communication or defined by its user, or can be partially defined by the former and partially defined by the latter.

[0038] Synchronization involves comparing the data in the synchronization dataset stored in the devices to be synchronized and replacing or integrating any old or missing data with the latest data, so that the two devices will contain the same data in their synchronization dataset and be aligned with the latest values.

[0039] The connection or disconnection of the devices can be detected by means of small switches suitably provided on the surface of the devices to come into contact with each other when the devices are joined together, or by means of various proximity sensors (optical, capacitive, magnetic, ultrasonic, etc.), in particular by means of the type of sensor widely used in smartphones for various purposes (turning on / off the hands-free function, display lighting, touch screen, etc.). In the case of physical connection via a USB connector, connection and disconnection can be detected by measuring the voltage level on the connection line, as known to those skilled in the art and implemented in many commercial devices. In other words, to detect that the two devices are mechanically connected to each other, it is possible to use the known technology normally used to couple a smartphone to a cable inserted into its micro-USB or Lightning (Apple) port.

[0040] When the communication device 101 is connected to the extension device 102, the processing means 211 and 212 provide a bidirectional synchronization of the data necessary for the operation of the device 100 for mobile communication and of the data of interest to its user, contained in the memory means 207 and 208 of both devices 101 and 102, and possibly also in external memory means connected to the communication device 101 or to the extension device 102, through the interconnection means 201 and 202.

[0041] Based on the data received from the interconnection means 201 and 202, the processing means 211 and 212 can therefore automatically start the bidirectional synchronization of the data in the synchronized data set as soon as a connection is established between the communication device 101 and the extension device 102.

[0042] In this way, as soon as a mechanical / electrical connection has been established between the two devices, these will become "clones" of each other.

[0043] The transceiving means in the communication device 101 first of all comprise at least one transceiver adapted to receive and / or send information through a mobile communication network, for example a cellular network according to one of the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) standards. This device can be supplemented with WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and other transceivers.

[0044] As regards the extension device 102, in some embodiments of the application the extension device 102 can comprise transceiving means 204 adapted to receive and send information signals through short-range (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) or medium or long-range (professional communication systems, cellular systems, etc.) transceiving systems.

[0045] As mentioned previously, WiFi can be used for the interconnection between the two devices, but also for updating the applications and the data, which can then be transmitted to the communication device 101 by means of the synchronization process described above. Bluetooth provides a simple procedure for sharing images, songs, documents, etc. between nearby devices.

[0046] The medium / long-range sending means that the extension device 102 can comprise are, for example, transceivers for communication systems designed for technicians who install and maintain the devices, for the drivers of vehicles, for personnel responsible for the safety of sites and personnel, and for other professional and recreational activities.

[0047] Finally, the extension device 102 can comprise transceiver circuits according to one or more standards of various 3GPP or CDMA generations, and can comprise a user identification module, such as the one known as SIM or of a different kind. The SIM of the extension device 102 can be independent of the SIM of the communication device 101, or can be its "twin SIM", and have the same phone number, the same functionalities and the same mobile scheme. In this case, the communication device 101 will be given priority in receiving calls and data, but when the user turns off the communication device 101, the phone calls and data will be automatically diverted to the extension device 102. With this variant of the extension device 102, if the communication device 101 (i.e. the smartphone) is lost or stolen, the user will immediately have at his disposal a cellular apparatus with the same phone number as the lost device and containing the same data.

[0048] The apparatus 100 for mobile communication can therefore be advantageously used for various purposes and activities and in various environments. For example, it can be used in environments where cellular communication is not possible due to lack or prohibition of radio coverage, but at the same time it can use other communication systems suitable for the activity that the user must perform. As mentioned previously, through appropriate extension devices 102 and data synchronization, the user will always have at his disposal the data obtained from the synchronization process, which can be used at will.

[0049] For interaction with the user of the apparatus, the communication device 101 and the extension device 102 can comprise all the input / output means normally contained in a smartphone (keys, touch screen, microphones, speakers, earphone connector, camera, proximity sensor, light sensor, vibrator, etc.). When the two devices are joined together, some input / output means can remain active and operate in parallel, while others of the communication device 101 can be deactivated. For example, the display for image visualization can remain active in both devices and can be configured to reproduce different images (for example, images taken by two different cameras), while in the communication device 101 some microphones, touch screen functionality and other means can be switched off. Activation and deactivation of the input / output means can be at least partially pre-set according to the mechanical configuration of the joining, while some activation and deactivation can depend on user-defined settings (for example, deactivation of the display of the communication device 101).

[0050] In any case, the processing means 211 and 212 can be configured to process the input / output means 205 and 206 of the communication device 101 and of the extension device 102 in such a way as to allow the user to use them in a combined manner (or at least partially so).

[0051] Each device comprised in the apparatus for mobile communication 100 comprises its own power supply device, in particular a dedicated energy storage device that can be recharged independently.

[0052] In some embodiments of the application, the processing devices 211 and 212 are configured to regulate the energy transfer from the power supply device 210 of the extension device 102 to the power supply device 209 of the communication device 101.

[0053] This energy transfer is regulated in such a way that the charging of the energy storage device comprised in the power supply device 209 of the communication device 101 is prioritized over the charging of the energy storage device comprised in the power supply device 210 of the extension device 102, and possibly simultaneously subtracting energy from the energy storage device of the extension device 102. This is useful to keep the energy storage device of the communication device 101 always fully charged, and advantageously minimizes the capacity requirements of the communication device 101 and therefore its size and weight.

[0054] In this regard, it must be pointed out that the size of the communication device 101 can be much smaller than the size of the extension device 102.

[0055] In an embodiment of the application, the apparatus for mobile communication 100 can comprise a communication device 101 and a plurality of extension devices 102, and the communication device 101 can be combined with any of the plurality of extension devices 102. The extension devices 102 can have different sizes and / or performances, so that the apparatus for mobile communication 100 can be used flexibly in various configurations and in various scenarios, for different activities (leisure, holidays, professional activities) and in various environments.

[0056] Also in this case, the above-mentioned data synchronization advantageously makes all the data and parameters set by the user immediately available to the communication apparatus, which is suitable for professional and non-professional use.

[0057] In fact, the communication device 101 can act as a reference, and when it is connected to an extension device 102, it can transmit the acquired data updates to that extension device, while it can receive from the extension device any updates that the extension device 102 can have received through other means without being connected to the communication device 101.

[0058] In another embodiment of the application, the device for mobile communication 100 can comprise both a plurality of communication devices 101 and a plurality of extension devices 102, and any one of the devices of the plurality of communication devices 101 can be associated with any one of the plurality of extension devices 102, so that the family members or workgroup members can advantageously share the use of the plurality of extension devices 102, each member by means of his / her own personal communication device 101, in the same way as described previously with reference to the case in which there is only one common extension device 102.

[0059] In another embodiment of the application, the device for mobile communication 100 can comprise both a plurality of communication devices 101 and a plurality of extension devices 102, and any one of the devices of the plurality of communication devices 101 can be associated with any one of the plurality of extension devices 102, so that the family members or workgroup members can advantageously share the use of the plurality of extension devices 102, each member by means of his / her own personal communication device 101, in the same way as described previously with reference to the case in which there is only one common extension device 102.

[0060] In the last two embodiments mentioned herein, when a communication device 101 belonging to the plurality of communication devices 101 is connected to an extension device 102, whether belonging to the plurality of extension devices 102 or not, the access password is asked before the two devices are synchronized, which will result in the synchronization of only a part of the data contained in said memory means, i.e. the data relating to that particular communication device 101 of the plurality of communication devices 101 that can be connected to the extension device 102.

[0061] Although this description sets forth embodiments of the application, it is not intended to limit the application to the described examples, as many modifications and variations can be made to the described examples, and other examples can be used that incorporate the same general principles described herein. Therefore, it is appreciated that the scope of the application is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the description of the exemplary examples.

Claims

1. A device (100) for mobile communication, comprising: - at least one communication apparatus (101) adapted to receive and / or send information through a mobile telecommunication network, and - at least one extension apparatus (102) adapted to be connected to said at least one communication apparatus (101) and to extend the performance of said at least one communication apparatus, wherein said at least one communication apparatus (101) and said at least one extension apparatus (102) each comprise: - interconnection means (201, 202) adapted to implement, detect and signal the interconnection between said at least one communication apparatus (101) and said at least one extension apparatus (102), - input / output means (205, 206) for interacting with a user, - memory means (207, 208) for storing data necessary for operating said device (100) for mobile communication and data of interest to the user of said device for mobile communication, - power supply means (209, 210) comprising energy storage means for supplying power to the respective circuitry, and - processing means (211, 212) in communication with said respective means through a communication bus (213, 214) and adapted to process data and to execute command and instruction programs, characterized in that said at least one communication apparatus (101) and said at least one extension apparatus (102) are used independently of each other and, when said at least one communication apparatus (101) is connected to said at least one extension apparatus (102), said processing means (211, 212) are configured to perform, through said interconnection means (201, 202), a bidirectional synchronization of said data necessary for operating said device (100) for mobile communication and of said data of interest to the user of said device for mobile communication, contained in said memory means (207, 208) of both said apparatuses (101, 102) and optionally in external memory means connected to said at least one communication apparatus (101) or to said at least one extension apparatus (102), said at least one communication apparatus (101) and at least one extension apparatus (102) are adapted, through said input / output means (205, 206), to allow the user to use said input / output means at least partially in combination.

2. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 1, wherein said processing means (211, 212) are configured to start said bidirectional synchronization automatically as soon as a connection is established between said at least one communication apparatus (101) and said at least one extension apparatus (102), based on data received from said interconnection means (201, 202) configured to detect the connection.

3. The device (100) for mobile communication according to claim 1, characterized in that When said at least one communication device (101) is housed in a suitable cavity formed in said at least one expansion device (102), said connection between said at least one communication device (101) and said at least one expansion device (102) is established by means of mechanical and electrical connections, in said at least one expansion device there are also provided input and output electrical elements which allow interconnection with corresponding input and output electrical elements (USB-Lightning) contained in said at least one communication device (101).

4. The device (100) for mobile communication according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Said processing means (211, 212) are configured to regulate the energy transfer from said power supply means (210) of said at least one expansion device (102) to said power supply means (209) of said at least one communication device (101).

5. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 4, wherein Said processing means are configured to regulate said energy transfer from said power supply means (210) of said at least one expansion device (102) to said power supply means (209) of said at least one communication device (101) so that the charging of said energy storage means comprised in said power supply means (209) of said at least one communication device (101) is prioritized with respect to the charging of said energy storage means comprised in said power supply means (210) of said at least one expansion device (102).

6. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Said at least one expansion device (102) comprises transceiving means (203) adapted to receive and transmit information signals through at least one short-range or medium- or long-range transceiving system.

7. The device (100) for mobile communication according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of extension devices (102), wherein, Said at least one communication device (101) can be associated with any one of said plurality of expansion devices (102).

8. The device (100) for mobile communication according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of communication devices (101), wherein, Said at least one expansion device (102) can be associated with any one of said plurality of communication devices (101).

9. The apparatus (100) for mobile communication according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 8, comprising a plurality of communication devices (101) and a plurality of extension devices (102), wherein, Any one of said plurality of communication devices (101) can be associated with any one of said plurality of expansion devices (102).

10. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 9, wherein When a communication device (101) belonging to a plurality of communication devices (101) is connected with an expansion device (102), and before the two devices start synchronizing, said processing means (211, 212) are also configured to interrogate a synchronization password, said synchronization password synchronizing only a portion of the data contained in said memory means.

11. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 6, wherein Said at least one short-range transceiving system is a WiFi or Bluetooth system.

12. The device (100) for mobile communications according to claim 6, wherein Said at least one medium- or long-range transceiving system is a professional communication system or a cellular system.

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