Modular mobile communication system

MODULAR MOBILE SYSTEM

This invention relates to personal mobile devices and similar compact, handheld data collection and communication devices.

Personal media and / or travel organizers, such as notebook computers or the like, which are compact, lightweight, portable and hand-held and / or hand-held workstations are already known. A number of peripherals and application programs providing service functions can be installed on such a personal device10 as needed.

For example, systems of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,475,441 to Parulski et al. Are known, in which a separate camera is connected to a portable computer by a flexible or fixed connection cable. Such a system is cumbersome for the user, who has to carry two separate devices and possibly also a connecting cable. Such a camera cannot be kept permanently attached to the main unit because the camera is attached to the main unit by an electrical connector, making it very sensitive to shocks or dropping the unit.

It is still known to build a camera inside a mobile station. Such an image e.g. Japanese Patent Publication No. 06268582A. In the system described in the publication, the camera is an integral part of the mobile communication. The system includes a camera unit that reads image data into digital form, a mobile unit that provides radio communication, a bus to which the camera unit and the mobile unit are connected, and a control unit that controls the operation of the camera unit and the mobile unit. Such a solution eliminates most of the disadvantages of the system described above, but the disadvantage here is the solidity of the camera: the buyer of the system also has to pay for the camera part, even if he does not need it. In addition, the camera part can only be used in connection with 30 mobile stations in which the camera part is integrated.

Finnish patent application 942334 (Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.) describes a system in which a camera built on a PCMCIA card can be connected to a mobile station.

The disadvantage of such a system is the exterior of the PCMCIA card camera: it is attached to a connector on the side of the main unit, which enlarges the main unit and changes its appearance. In addition, the camera may come off due to impact. In addition, the structure of the PCMCIA camera presented in that application is complex: it comprises, inter alia, an image processing unit for processing images on a camera card.

The object of the invention is to implement a system for personal data collection and communication, the features of which can be easily modified by the user. It is a further object of the invention to implement a system to which new functions and features can be added even after the main unit of the system has been manufactured. It is also an object of the invention to implement a system in which the main device forms a fixed unit even when the expansion card is connected to the main source. It is a further object of the invention to implement a system which, in addition to voice and text communication, enables visual communication.

The objectives are achieved by implementing a modular system that includes a main unit as well as expansion cards that can be adapted to the main unit, and by implementing some of the system's functions for expansion cards. In this case, the user can add a new function to the main unit by installing an expansion card in the main unit's slot. In the system according to the invention, the expansion card and the connection slot are implemented in such a way that the expansion card connected to the connection slot is inside the housing of the main device, whereby the assembly formed by the main device and the expansion card feels like one device. The hardware outside the expansion card related to the function implemented with the expansion card, such as the optical unit of the digital camera, may also be partially or completely outside the housing of the main device, depending on the purpose of said hardware. The expansion cards preferably comprise, in addition to the expansion card hardware, also the programs required to control the expansion card, whereby the programs are transferred to the main device with the expansion card and exit when the expansion card is removed from the main device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new expansion card by means of which a camera 30 can be incorporated into portable devices, in particular mobile stations, as an integral part of said device.

This object is achieved by implementing a digital camera in connection with the expansion card, which comprises an image sensor, an optical unit and a memory means for storing a program controlling the functions of the camera.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device for personal communication to which a user of a device can simply add new accessories and additional functions without having to separately install accessory control software, and said device already equipped with the accessory control software.

This object is achieved by implementing an expansion card slot in the device, and by arranging the device to read identification information from the expansion card connected to the slot, which allows the device to launch a program that controls the functions of the expansion card on the expansion card.

The system according to the invention is characterized in that the main device comprises at least 10 single connection slots for expansion cards, and the system further comprises at least one expansion card adapted to be installed inside the main device to add an additional function to the main device's function range.

The expansion card according to the invention is characterized in that a digital camera is arranged on the expansion card, which comprises an image sensor, an optical unit and a memory means for storing a program controlling the functions of the digital camera.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that the device is arranged to read identification data from an expansion card connected to the expansion card slot and to determine whether said identification data indicates a program required for controlling an expansion card comprising an expansion card, and an expansion card identification program indicating an expansion card. to control the functions of the expansion card by means of a program necessary for controlling said expansion card.

The invention relates to a modular system for personal data collection and communication, preferably a cellular telephone system, the functionality of which can be increased by means of various expansion cards. Thus, the main device of the system according to the invention, for example a mobile station, does not have to be equipped with all the possibly necessary functions at the manufacturing stage, but some of the functions can be implemented with expansion cards, whereby the system user can add the desired function to the main device. Expansion cards are small in size and are installed substantially inside the main unit, for example a mobile station, so that the assembly formed by the main unit and the expansion card feels like a single, compact device to the user. Expansion cards preferably comprise, in addition to the hardware required for their operation, also the programs required to control the operation of the modules.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an expansion card of a system according to the invention with a digital camera, Figure 2 shows a system according to the invention when a digital camera implemented on an expansion card is connected to an expansion card Fig. 3 shows another cover solution of the expansion card connection 10 slot of the system according to the invention, when the expansion card is connected to the main device in the expansion card connection slot, Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the expansion card of the system according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows an example block diagram of from the block diagram of the expansion card camera, and Figure 7 shows an example of a block diagram of another expansion card camera according to the invention.

In the figures, the same reference numerals and designations are used for the corresponding parts.

The features of the system according to the invention can be expanded by means of small expansion cards which are placed substantially inside the main device. The expansion cards 25 preferably comprise, in addition to the hardware required for the new function, the software required to control the functions of the expansion card, as well as identification information enabling the main unit to determine whether the expansion card has software and, if so, to start the software. With such a modular system, the user can add new functions to his mobile station if desired, and device manufacturers30 can provide users with access to completely new additional functions to mobile stations already purchased by users. The expansion cards are most preferably located inside the main device, whereby the system according to the invention forms one fixed entity and feels like a single device to the user. The main unit is preferably provided with more than one connection point for the expansion card, whereby the functions of the main unit 35 can be expanded in a very versatile manner. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main device further comprises a cellular telephone unit, whereby the main device can be used as a mobile station.

The system according to the invention can be advantageously applied to PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile stations, laptops and multifunctional devices. In this context, a multifunction communication device preferably means a portable device which can be used for communication in several different ways, for example as a cordless telephone, a computer terminal and a sending and receiving fax device.

If the same expansion card is used in more than one different type of main unit, the different structure of which prevents the use of the same control program 10 in all main units, more than one control program adapted to different types of main units can be stored in the expansion card memory. In this case, the main unit to which the expansion card is connected identifies the correct software version for that main unit based on the identification information of the expansion card. The expansion card can advantageously also be controlled by means of a program external to the expansion card, loaded into the main device, whereby the use of the expansion card is also possible in such main devices for which the expansion card does not have a suitable program.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the expansion card can be used to add an additional microphone to the system, the amplifier electronics required by the microphone and a connection program for combining the functions of the main unit and the expansion card. Such an auxiliary microphone is preferably adapted for recording, for example, sounds from a distance than the main unit's microphone in terms of sensitivity and directivity, whereby a system with an auxiliary microphone is particularly well suited for transmitting speeches to all parties in interview and meeting situations. 25

In another preferred embodiment of the system, the expansion card can be used to add security devices, such as encryption circuits and password modules, to the system to encrypt the messages to be sent.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, connections for external devices can be added to the system by means of an expansion card. With such a structure, additional devices can be connected to the main device, which it is not possible to connect in the main device itself. In such an embodiment, the expansion card has a program that integrates the functions of the accessory into the software of the main unit. With the help of such a structure, the implementation of the mechanical structure and software of the main unit does not require preparation for the connection of all possible accessories, which significantly simplifies the structure of the main unit.

Such connections are preferably, for example, a connection for an additional speaker, a connection for pointing devices such as a mouse or a digitizing table, a connection for a barcode reader so that the system can be used to inventory barcoded products, for example, or an external display for a larger display .

If necessary, some parts of the expansion cards that allow the connection of such external devices may also be located outside the main unit. An example of such an embodiment may be an expansion card enabling a printer connection, comprising a connector located outside the main unit and connected by a cable to an expansion card equipped with a printer connection control program. Such a structure allows the main unit to be connected to any conventional printer, if necessary, if a modern printer with an infrared connection is not available. With such a structure, the system can be provided, if necessary, with a connection which, due to the large size of the connector according to the prior art, cannot be implemented in a small main unit.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the system comprises 20 main units and a digital camera implemented on the expansion card. The camera comprises an expansion card 10 and an optical unit 65. The optical unit forms an image on an image sensor 66 located on the expansion card. The optics unit 65 comprises the optical elements necessary for forming the image, such as lenses, and preferably also a shutter. Preferably, the optical unit 65 of the camera enables, in addition to the taking of conventional images, also the so-called macro shooting, ie the description of small objects.

The image sensor 66 may be a CCD element according to the prior art or some other similar element, for example an element implemented with the CMOS pixel technology under development.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an expansion card camera mounted on a main unit according to an embodiment of the invention . Due to the large size of the optics unit and to allow imaging, the optics unit 65 is partially outside the housing 30 of the main unit. In this embodiment, the expansion card slot cover 32, which is part of the main unit, has an opening 34 for the optical unit 65.

Figure 3 shows by way of example an embodiment in which the cover solution of the connection point is implemented in a different way. In this embodiment, the cover 32 is a cover separate from the end device, fitted to the camera unit, which is pressed into place by the user after installation in the camera connection location.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical unit 65 of the camera is integrally connected to the expansion card 10, as shown in Figures 1-3. This makes the camera compact and easy to use. However, it is possible that a particular type of main unit is not designed for connecting a camera, in which case connecting an expansion card camera such as Figure 1 to such a main unit may be impossible due to lack of space required by the optical unit 65, or the shooting direction of the expansion card may be cumbersome. To avoid this problem, the expansion card camera can also be implemented as shown in Fig. 4. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the optics unit 65 is separate from the expansion card, wherein the image sensor 66 is fitted to the optics unit, and the image sensor and the optics unit are connected to the expansion card by an intermediate line. In this case, the attachment point of the optic unit 15 in the main device and the shooting direction with respect to the main device can be varied in a more versatile manner than in the embodiments shown in Figs. Such a structure allows the use of an expansion card camera in main devices where the connection point of the expansion card is at a disadvantage for the use of the camera.

To store images, such an expansion card camera can use the memory of the main unit or, more preferably, the memory placed on the expansion card, which reduces the amount of memory required in the main unit, thus lowering the price of the main unit.

In the system according to the invention, the user controls the camera via the user interface of the main unit. In one embodiment of the invention, the image recorded by the camera is displayed on the screen of the main device, and the main device always retrieves a new image on the screen at short intervals, allowing the user to follow the screen of the main device to focus the camera on the desired subject. The main unit saves the image when the user issues a save command, for example, by pressing a specific key.

Expansion cards in accordance with the new Miniature Card standard, for example, are preferably suitable for implementing such a modular system. The Miniature Card standard is a new expansion card standard designed for use in a variety of compact portable devices, such as portable audio devices, digital cameras, mobile devices, and laptops. The standard is described, for example, in the journal Electronic Engineering in March

1996 See page 25. The Miniature Card standard is a small 8-inch card that measures approximately 38 mm x 33 mm x 3.5 mm and is primarily used in a variety of memory units, such as system memory expansion cards and electronic disk drives. The expansion card according to the Miniature Card standard contains identification information, the so-called AIS information to enable the main unit to determine which type of expansion card is currently connected to the main unit. AIS data can be stored on a card in accordance with the Miniature Card standard, for example in the EEPROM memory on the card, from which the main unit can read it in serial I²Via the C interface. In addition, the Miniature Card-compliant expansion card has a parallel bus to enable fast data transfer. The Miniature Card standard10 expansion card is very easy to add to and remove from the main unit. A standard expansion card can also be added and removed from the main unit without turning off the main unit.

The Miniature Card standard is particularly well suited for implementing the expansion card15 camera described above. The parallel connection of the Miniature Card standard enables fast image data transfer from the expansion card camera to the main unit, so that the images can be stored in the main unit's memory if necessary.

Figure 5 shows an example of a possible block diagram of a mobile station with a Miniature Card connection 50. The mobile station includes a processor block 51, a signal processor block 52, and a mobile station user memory 53. The mobile station user interface comprises a user interface block 54, which may include a touch screen or keyboard, a display block 55, and an audio block 56 to which a speaker and microphone are connected. SIM block 57 is a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) smart card that '_; 25 includes e.g. the user's phone number. ASIC block 58 of the mobile station (SAB,

System Asic Block) is responsible for the digital connection of the transmitted and received signal and comprises e.g. buffer circuits for transmitting digital data in both directions. ASIC block 58 also handles digital modulation of the data.

The ASIC block 58 is connected to a radio frequency section 59 comprising radio frequency sections typical of a mobile station for connecting a mobile station by radio to a telecommunication network. The ASIC block comprises one or more ASIC circuits, i.e. an application-specific integrated circuit implemented according to the customer's requirements. The main device according to Figure 5 is used as an example in the following description of Figures 6 and 7.

: · 35 Figure 6 shows an example of a block diagram of a digital camera comprising a microprocessor * · ·. ·: · 61 or a digital signal processor 61 implemented on a Miniature Card. The EEPROM memory unit 62 is connected to the card's SIO (Serial Input / 'Output) bus. The master device can read, for example, information about the contents of the card as well as various start parameters via the S10 bus. The memory card 63 of the expansion card stores the control software of the expansion card, and the memory block also has free memory for images to be stored. The control block 61 of the expansion card controls the memory block 63 by means of one or more control signals CNTRL1. The control block 61 also compresses the image to be stored in the memory block and, accordingly, decompresses the compressed image when the image is read from the memory on the display of the main unit. Buffer block 64 is an ASIC that provides data and address bus routing between the expansion card control block 61 and the memory 63, between the expansion card control block 61 and the main unit, and between the expansion card memory 63 and the main unit. The buffer block 64 can be controlled by both the extended card control block 63 and the main processor. The optical block 65 forms an image for the image sensor 66, to which the amplifier block 67 connected to it amplifies and converts the signal into a form suitable for A / D conversion. The control block 61 collects the image data from the A / D converter 68. The expansion card is connected to the main unit via the connection 60.

The expansion card camera may also include an expansion card slot, in which case another expansion card, for example an additional memory card, can be added to the camera module implemented with the expansion card. Such an expansion card with an expansion card slot is, of course, larger than a conventional expansion card and may not fit completely inside the housing of the main unit.

The dashed blocks and connections in Figure 6 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which an expansion card camera has an expansion card slot 69 for an additional expansion card. In such an embodiment, the buffer block 64 also controls the additional expansion card by means of one or more CNTRL2 signals.

In addition, the buffer block 64 takes care of connecting the S10 bus to the expansion card's own EEPROM 62 or to the expansion card's EEPROM by means of a switching element 70 controlled by the control signal CNTRL3. Again, the buffer block 64 may be controlled by either the expansion card control block 61 or the main processor.

The operation of the expansion card camera according to Fig. 6 together with the main unit is as follows. When the main unit is turned on, the main unit reads the information of the expansion card via the S10 bus of the expansion card, whereby the main unit receives information about the type of expansion card. If the data indicates that the expansion card has an expansion card slot 69 for an additional expansion card, the main processor processes control the buffer block 64 oh35 to share a switch element 70 with the CNTRL3 signal to connect the expansion card interface to the expansion card S10. When the camera is operating, the image data from the A / D converter 68 is routed substantially unchanged through the expansion card control block 61, buffer block 64, and interface 60, 50 to the main unit bus and from there to the main unit display 55. The system updates the image substantially continuously. When the user of the device wants to take a picture, i.e. save the currently displayed image in the system memory, he presses a certain key, for example, or gives another corresponding indication by means of the user interface block 54. In this case, the processor of the main unit controls the control block 61 of the expansion card to start compressing the image. Upon completion of the compression, the expansion card control block 61 stores the compressed image in the memory 63 by the buffer block 64. When the user wants to view the image, he presses, for example, 10 specific second keys or provides another similar indication by means of the user interface block. In this case, the processor 51 of the main unit issues a command to the control block 61 of the expansion card, whereby the control block 61 retrieves the image from the memory 63 and decompresses the image. After completing the decompression, the expansion card control block 61 sends the image data to the main unit by means of a buffer block 64 and an interface 60, 50 15, whereby the main unit processor displays the image on the display 55.

Figure 7 shows an example of an embodiment of the invention in which an expansion card camera according to the invention does not comprise a microprocessor or a digital signal processor. The EEPROM memory unit 62 is connected to the S10 bus of the card. The main20 device can read, for example, information about the contents of the card as well as various start parameters via the S10 bus. The optical block 65 forms an image for the image sensor 66, to which the amplifier block 67 connected to it amplifies and converts the signal into a form suitable for A / D conversion. The buffer block 64 connected to the A / D converter 68 provides serial / parallel conversion of the image data if the output of the A / D converter 68 is serial. The pus25 disc block 64 only acts as a buffer if the output of the A / D converter 68 is parallel. The image data from the buffer block 64 is transmitted directly to the data bus of the main unit via the interface 60, 50. In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the operation of the camera is controlled by the processor of the main unit. The camera control software is then stored in the main unit's memory, and the images are stored in the main unit's memory.

The dashed blocks and connections in Figure 7 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which an expansion card camera has an expansion card slot 69 for an additional expansion card. The buffer block 64 takes care of connecting the S10 bus to the EEPROM memory 62 of the expansion card and to the memory of the additional expansion card EEPROM35 by means of the control signal CNTRL and the switching element 70. The main unit may also control the buffer block 64 to connect the signals of the additional expansion card directly to the own connection 60 of the expansion card.

h 104222

The operation of the expansion card camera according to Fig. 7 together with the main unit is as follows. When the main unit is turned on, the main unit reads the expansion card

The S10 bus uses the information on the expansion card, so that the main unit receives information about the type of expansion card. If the data indicates that the expansion card has an expansion card slot for an additional expansion card 69, the master processor uses a buffer block 64 to control the switch member 70 to connect the expansion card slot to the S10 bus of the expansion card slo bus. When the camera is operating, the image is continuously transmitted to the screen of the main unit, and the system updates the image substantially continuously. When the user of the device wants to take a picture, i.e. save the currently displayed image in the system memory, he presses a certain key or gives another corresponding indication by means of the user interface block 54. The main unit processor, in the example of Figure 5, either the digital signal processor 52 or the microprocessor 51, then compresses the image and stores it in the main unit memory 53.

When the user wants to view the stored image, the main processor 51, 52 retrieves the image from the memory 53, decompresses and displays the image on the display 55.

The block diagrams shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 are only examples of some possible embodiments. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the invention are not limited to these examples or to the other examples presented in this application, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

The mobile communication camera system according to the invention is a compact and compact unit forming one separate device, and the user does not have to carry accessories outside the channel, such as connection cables.

When purchasing a main unit, the user does not need to know if he ever needs a camera, because the modular design of the system allows the user to later add a camera to the main unit. On the other hand, since in the system according to the invention the camera is not an integral part of the main unit, the user does not have to pay the additional cost caused by the camera in the price of the main unit if he does not need the camera.

In addition, the camera of the system according to the invention can be connected to almost all main devices complying with the Miniature Card standard.

In the system according to the invention, the main unit does not have to be equipped with all possible additional devices and functions that some users may sometimes need, but less frequently needed functions can be implemented on expansion cards, thus simplifying the main unit and lower acquisition costs for the user.