GB2541590A

GB2541590A - Smartphone-bound attachable/detachable plug-and-play tablet combo peripheral

Info

Publication number: GB2541590A
Application number: GB1620060.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constantine Paul; Constantine Alexandra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-28
Filing date: 2016-11-28
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201620060D0

Abstract

A touchscreen display A like a tablet computer is connectible to a smartphone C to provide a larger screen and interface for the smartphone C. The tablet A does not operate alone, and has no operating system (OS). The tablet A functions only in conjunction with the smartphone C, the tablet A being slave and the smartphone C being master. The smartphone C connects to the expanded screen by means of an adaptor or dongle B. The screen or tablet A, smartphone C and dongle or connector B are held together by magnets. The dongle B may provide connectivity to many kinds of smartphone C, and the system is compatible with any mobile operating system (mOS). The tablet or screen A may have internal memory, and may thereby provide expanded memory to the smartphone C when in use.

Description

1. DESCRIPTION

Smartphone-bound attachable/detachabie plug-and-piay touchscreen tablet combo peripheral.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The tablets emerged worldwide in 2010 following a growing demand for smartphones with larger displays.

The tablets’ processing power and functionality match that of the top of the range smartphones and access mobile communications or the Internet content via Wi-Fi, or when pairing with a smartphone, or have full autonomous access when SIM-enabled. Based on industry statistics, 95% of tablets' use replicates smartphone functionality. This is represented predominantly by Internet browsing, emailing, movie watching, light gaming and to a lesser extent document/presentation editing.

The recent manufacturers' attempt of a compromise between a tablet and a smartphone, or the ‘phablets’ (smartphones with displays between 5.5” and 5.9”), had and has a niche market response since the phablets are too large for the mobile phone functions for a significant share of the population, and too small for the intended purpose of the tablet. The price for a phablet is equivalent with the price for a bundle consisting of a top-brand higher-specifications 4G medium-size display smartphone and a top-brand entry-level 7” W-Fi tablet.

The current tablet market choices are based on brand, price, display size, processing power and memory. The tablets with powerful processors (on the par with their smartphone peers originating from the same brand), with larger HD displays and memory (128 GB+) command a price tag 250%+ higher than the baseline tablet versions. The most common choice is the ~10” tablet, followed by the 7” tablet, with the market research studies showing the dominance of the 32GB tablets followed by the 64GB models, a choice determined by the price tag. The tablets enabled for telecommunications (SIM-enabled / mobile modems) add another 15-20% to the sales price. The top-of-the-range tablets have similar processors, memory and price characteristics as their top-of-the-range smartphones counterparts, and similar price tags.

The fundamental differences between top specifications smartphones and their tablet peers remain the display size, the installed memory, and the practicality of interfacing to a keyboard (Bluetooth or physically interfaced), mostly when there is a need for productivity software use i.e. business document drafting/editing.

In conclusion, to satisfy the need for a smartphone with extended multimedia capability (i.e. a larger display with higher resolution, improved sound and expanded memory), one has to double or triple the expenditure already made for a premier brand, high-end specifications smartphone.

In the alternative of an additional need for another tablet with a smaller or larger display than the one already acquired, then this expenditure has to be duplicated yet again.

The present-day multimedia content is characterized by ultra-rich data. Any HD movie download requires between 8GB and 12GB; one such film download is translated in some 15% to 30% from the available tablet memory. Memory extension in the form of a micro SD memory module is not any longer an option for the premium brands, with the only alternatives for the owner of such a tablet either the purchase of a Cloud-based data hosting plan (not accessible when disconnected from the internet), or the purchase of a dedicated external data storage unit, or both. Irrespective of the Cloud-based data plans appeal, the hardware-based or extension-based memory capability remain of the essence for both private and business use and this statement is comprehensively proven by the main mobile technology manufacturers trend which increased the installed ROM on all their hardware lineups.

The owner of a smartphone, who purchased a license-based software application for the smartphone, will need to duplicate this expenditure to install the application on the tablet (in some cases if the tablet’s display exceeds 10.1”). This doubles the total cost of ownership for software applications.

It is common that owners of smartphones using a specific mobile operating system (mOS), though entirely satisfied with their choice, cannot find a satisfactory choice for a tablet using the same mOS, and they are left with the sole option to acquire a tablet using a mOS incompatible with the mOS of their smartphone. This leads to networking incompatibility, or significant issues, mOS emulators which cannibalise the ROM availability and software expenditure duplication / redundancy.

It is with respect to this background information that this invention has evolved into the present form.

The invention is a smartphone-bound Plug-and-Play (PnP) combo peripheral -agnostic to either brand or the mobile operating system - comprising a buttons/toggles-free, ultra-slim touchscreen display tablet and a two-way multiple interface cable-free dongle, connecting the tablet to the smartphone with either a physical connector, or wirelessly.

The invention provides an extension for the smartphone, expands its multimedia capability and gives the smartphone access to considerable tablet in-built and external (micro SD) memory, with all the smartphone functions operated from the tablet’s touchscreen display (with the functionality exemplified by that of a full touchscreen monitor’s functions), when connected to the smartphone via the dongle.

The invention is reducing the tablet’s hardware complexity footprint and the associated costs, when compared to the current tablet models, which mainly replicate the smartphones functionality, with the most substantial difference represented by the display size.

The invention provides the owner of a top of a range smartphone, enhanced multimedia capability (display size and image resolution and superior sound capability), and expands the smartphone’s memory capability, reducing in the process the hardware and software total cost of ownership.

The utilities of this invention, named hereof the Plug-and-Play (or PnP) tablet combo peripheral, are outlined hereof:

OPERABILITY UTILITY

Direct smartphone functions access

All smartphone functions, such as voice, text and data, together with all applications in the smartphone’s repository are accessed/interacted on the PnP combo’s touchscreen display with the capability to interface with any keyboard (Bluetooth or physically interfaced), when the PnP combo peripheral is connected to the smartphone.

Smartphone to tablet PnP conversion

The PnP combo peripheral may be disconnected from the smartphone when one desires to use only the smartphone (mostly for mobility purposes), and then reconnect it, converting the smartphone into a tablet, and benefiting from the memory extension when connected to the PnP combo peripheral. The wireless smartphone-bound interface dongle does not require a physical interface disconnect.

Keyboard use

The PnP combo peripheral follows the established tablet standard providing keyboard connectivity, either via Bluetooth (paired with the smartphone), or physically interfaced to the PnP tablet facilitating the use of smartphone-installed productivity software (presentations, document editing).

Wireless connectivity

The wireless dongle option (Wreless HDMI) will connect (pair) the touchscreen tablet to the smartphone, when either attached to the combo, or when in the PnP combo’s proximity.

PRACTICAL UTILITY

Smartphone to tablet functionality

The invention empowers smartphones to tablet-grade multimedia operability (when the smartphone is connected to the PnP combo peripheral), enabled by various HD touchscreen display sizes, enhanced sound and significant memory expansion.

Touchscreen display tablet scalability and interchangeability

The invention offers the option to interface interchangeable PnP combo peripheral tablets of various sizes (from 7” to 15”+), which will be interfaced to the smartphone via the same multiple-interface two-way dongle. Tablet size will be chosen based on necessity and purpose (larger sizes for entertainment/movies, gaming, CAD, business use and smaller sizes for mobile sales force, Internet browsing, emailing).

Memory expansion

The tablet provides a memory repository accessible by the smartphone, with both in-built memory, customizable to order, and a micro SD memory module.

Software license

The invention makes possible the use of one single software license per application registered with the standalone smartphone, which may be used/accessed on both smartphone and the touchscreen display tablet. This is a quick win when compared to the conventional tablet.

Roaming

Conventional Wi-Fi tablets require pairing with a smartphone to access data when Wi-Fi hotspots are not reachable, and the access by pairing is subject to additional roaming charges requested by mobile network operators. These charges are not applicable to this invention, since the PnP combo peripheral is not a standalone data processing unit, hence another quick win over the conventional tablet.

Lightweight and simplification

The ultra-slim tablet profile is achievable due to the absence of key components in a conventional tablet, components which require space and add to energy consumption: the heavy-duty CPU/motherboard, the W-Fi module, the buttons and toggles and corresponding circuitry, and for the SIM-enabled tablets, the 3G/4G/5G mobile communications modem and antenna.

Button/toggie free access

It is well known that the mechanical moving parts of both smartphones and tablets are generators of faults / extensive repairs. The invention invention does not present any moving parts eliminating the fore mentioned risk.

BENEFICIAL UTILITY

Cost reduction

The invention reduces the total cost of ownership of a tablet with a two-to threefold factor, with the cost reduction achieved by the tablet’s hardware reduced complexity.

Standardisation

The dongles support the standard smartphone interfaces, irrespective of brand, with a reduced number of dongle distinctive models supporting smartphones operating on different mobile operating systems with specific interfaces (micro MHL® HDMI /micro USB®, Lightning®). DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION (28)

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 (Page 1/14) is a front view representation of the tablet (the touchscreen display).

Figure 2 (Page 1/14) is a perspective front view representation of the combo (the touchscreen display).

Figure 3 (Page 2/14) is a representation of the rear view of the touchscreen display tablet (7”+ and smaller than 10”).

Figure 4 (Page 2/14) is a representation of the rear view of the large-sized touchscreen display tablet (10”+).

Figure 5 (Page 3/14) is a representation of the tablet-facing side view of the multiple-interfaces dongle.

Figure 6 (Page 3/14) is a representation of the top-view of the multiple-interfaces dongle.

Figure 7 (Page 3/14) is a side view representation of the multiple-interfaces dongle.

Figure 8 (Page 4/14) is a representation of the tablet-facing side of the multiple-interface dongle with the wireless connection to the smartphone.

Figure 9 (Page 4/14) is a representation of the top-view of the multiple-interfaces dongle with the wireless connection to the smartphone.

Figure 10 (Page 4/14) is a representation of the tablet-facing side of multiple-interfaces dongle with the wireless connection to the smartphone.

Figure 11 (Page 5/14) is the side view representation of the first assembly step of the PnP tablet combo: the connection of the smartphone with the dongle.

Figure 12 (Page 5/14) is the side view representation of the second and final step of the assembly: the connection of the smartphone-dongle assembly to the rear of the tablet.

Figure 13 (Page 6/14) is the side view representation of the first assembly step of the PnP tablet with the dongle with the wireless connection (WFIDMI) for the smartphone: the connection of the dongle to the tablet.

Figure 14 (Page 6/14) is the side view representation of the second and final step of the assembly: the attachment to the back of the smartphone to the WFIDMI dongle-tablet assembly.

Figure 15 (Page 7/14) is the rear view representation of the first assembly step of the PnP tablet combo: the connection of the smartphone to the dongle

Figure 16 (Page 7/14) is the rear view representation of the second and final step of the assembly: the connection of the smartphone-dongle assembly to the rear of the tablet.

Figure 17 (Page 8/14) is the rear view representation of the first assembly step of the PnP tablet with the dongle with the wireless connection (WFIDMI) for the smartphone: the connection of the dongle to the tablet.

Figure 18 (Page 8/14) is the rear view representation of the second and final step of the assembly: the attachment to the back of the smartphone to the WHDMI dongle-tablet assembly.

Figure 19 (Page 9/14) is the side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 7” - 10” displays tablets.

Figure 20 (Page 9/14) is the side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 10”+ displays tablets.

Figure 21 (Page 10/14) is the side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 7”- 10” displays tablets, for the WFIDMI smartphone-bound dongles.

Figure 22 (Page 10/14) is the side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 10”+ displays tablets, for the WHDMI smartphone-bound dongles.

Figure 23 (Page 11/14) is the rear view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) for the 10”+ displays tablets with the additional battery/power bank.

Figure 24 (Page 11/14) is the top view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet).

Figure 25 (Page 12/14) is the rear view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) with the WHDMI dongle and the 10”+ displays tablets with the additional battery/power bank.

Figure 26 (Page 12/14) is the top view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) for the WHDMI dongle.

Figure 27 (Page 13/14) is the rear perspective view of the 7”-10” of the attached combo components with the smartphone (smartphone-dongle-tablet).

Figure 28 (Page 14/14) is the rear perspective view of the 7”-10” of the attached combo components with the smartphone (smartphone-WHDMI dongle-tablet).

DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND EXAMPLES

Figure 1 (Page 1/14) is a representation of the front view of the tablet combo, showing the case 1 with very narrow bezels, the touchscreen display 2, the side loudspeakers 3, the micro-SD memory slot 4, the front camera 5 and a physical interface to a keyboard 18 as an alternative to the smartphone Bluetooth keyboard.

The touchscreen display art shows narrow bezels of the tablet, with the upper side hosting the front-view camera. There is no homing/main menu button on the lower side, with all menu and functions navigation carried out on the touchscreen display, when the Plug and Play (PnP) combo is interfaced with a smartphone.

The very narrow bezel is left to provide space for both the front camera and for a grip area while avoiding any touch interference with the content on the touchscreen display when the smartphone is connected to the PnP combo.

Figure 2 (Page 1/14) is a front view perspective representation, showing the ultra-slim profile of the case 1 and the absence of the buttons for activation (on/off), volume, or menu navigation (homing), the touchscreen display 2 with the narrow bezels, the side loudspeakers 3, the micro-SD memory slot 4, the front camera 5.

The ultra-slim tablet profile is achievable by eliminating the mechanical components (buttons/toggles/switches) and their corresponding circuitry, the complex CPU/motherboard, the Wi-Fi module and the mobile modem and antenna.

Figure 3 (Page 2/14) is a representation of the rear view of the touchscreen display tablet, larger than 7” and smaller than 10”.

The figure shows the main components with the dashed lines representing essential features, which are concealed from the view (located on the opposite front side).

The rear camera 6 is located in the central top position, and is activated when the PnP tablet is connected to the smartphone and is operated similarly to a peripheral camera by the smartphone, with the controls accessible on the tablet’s display, with the front camera 5 operating identically for the front-view side.

The either standard micro USB or bespoke female interface 9 is based on the slim superMHL/HDMI® standard and subsequent upgrades to support subsequent derived standards connect the tablet to dongle.

All the components from Figure 1 and Figure 2 are represented, either concealed because of their location on the opposite side (the touchscreen display 2), or visible, as it is the case for the tablet case 1, the side loudspeakers 3, and the micro-SD memory slot 4 with access to the micro SD card reader.

The interface 18 provides the option to connect a micro-USB keyboard (as an alternative to the smartphone-bound, Bluetooth-paired keyboard), with the magnet 8 used to hold the dongle, and the magnets 7 bound for the smartphone.

The magnets are made of neodymium, which provides the most efficient grip for an extremely small magnet footprint. The pulling power of the neodymium magnets is calculated to ensure that the assembly components (smartphone-dongle-tablet) are held together and none of the components of the assembly moves from the set position when subject to handling or abrupt/sudden movements up to an acceleration of 9g+, and to also ensure the stable interface between the components of the PnP combo and the smartphone.

The central position of the neodymium magnets 7, corresponds to the position of the smartphone when attached/interfaced to the PnP combo. The choice for this position is to ensure a stable position when the assembly is on a plane surface (desk), on a bespoke or agnostic model / brand stand, or when hand-held.

When hand-held, the pulling power of the magnets (withstanding accelerations of 8g - 9g+), will allow handling the tablet combo-smartphone system by holding with one hand the smartphone located at the back of the tablet, leaving the whole touchscreen display accessible for use.

The female interface/connector 9 variants are based on two alternative interfaces types: 1. A micro USB 3, micro USB C for the DisplayLink® USB video technology for medium-rich content and multimedia manipulation; 2. An interface/connector based on the slim superMHL®/HDMI®-standard and subsequent upgrades to support subsequent derived standards. The super MHL®/HDMI® interface standard ensures high quality standards for data-rich content/multimedia, up to UHD-standard (4K - ultra-high definition) films, games, VOIP and HD video streaming, 7.1 surround sound and all of the connected smartphone’s functions and applications access in real-time.

Figure 4 (Page 2/14) is a rear view representation of the touchscreen tablet, with the display larger than 10”. It shows all the components specified in Figure 3, with the additional battery/power bank 17. The additional battery/batteries will be sized to ensure the tablet up time will exceed 10 hours for the larger format (>10”) HD or UHD displays.

Figure 5 (Page 3/14) shows the bespoke two-way multiple interface dongle B, with a cable-free case 10, which accommodate the circuitry for multiple interfaces, with the either standard micro USB or bespoke tablet-bound interface 11 corresponding to the female connector 9 (Figure 3, Figure 4), based on the fore mentioned various standards such as: 1. Micro USB 3, micro USB C with the corresponding DisplayLink® USB circuitry and subsequent standards for low to medium data content volume and user interaction (light gaming, video, document processing, CAD, etc.), and 2. Bespoke slim superMHL/HDMi® standard-based interface/connector and subsequent upgrades for data-rich content and extensive real-time interaction (HD and UHD movies, HD gaming, VR content, complex ACAD), and the smartphone-bound microUSB ’n’ HDMI/Lightning® interface 13, where ‘n’ is any type of micro-USB / micro HDMI interface.

The interface 13 will be attached to an adjustable connector base 19 which will adjust the height of the connector 13 on a vertical plan to match the position of the smartphone’s matching female, micro USB/micro HDMI/Lightning® interfaces to ensure the smartphone-dongle assembly base will be level when attached to the tablet.

Different dongles types are envisaged, which will support the smartphones interfacing standards: I. A dongle type with a micro USB tablet-bound interface connector used to interface to the dongle-hosted DisplayLink® USB video technology and subsequent developments and a micro USB/HDMI smartphone-bound interface for the Android® and Microsoft® operated smartphones, and II. A dongle type with a micro USB tablet-bound interface connector used to interface to the dongle-hosted the DisplayLink® USB video technology and subsequent developments and a micro Lightning® smartphone-bound interface for the iOS® operated smartphones, and III. A dongle type with a tablet-bound bespoke slim superMHL®/HDMI®- type interface and subsequent developments and a micro HDMI smartphone-bound interface for the Android® and Microsoft® operated smartphones, and IV. A dongle type with a tablet-bound bespoke slim superMHL®/HDMI® -type and subsequent developments interface type bound for the tablet and a micro HDMI USB type C® smartphone-bound interface for the Android® and Microsoft® operated smartphones, and V. A dongle type with a tablet-bound bespoke slim superMHL®/HDMI® and subsequent developments type interface and any successor of the micro HDMI output smartphone interface for the Android® and Microsoft® operated smartphones, and VI. A dongle type with the bespoke slim superMHL®/HDMI®and subsequent developments-type interface for the tablet-bound connection, and the Lightning® interface for Applets/ iPhones®, and VII. A dongle type with the bespoke slim superMHL®/ HDMI® and subsequent developments-type interface for the tablet-bound connection, and any successor of the Lightning® interface for Apple®’s iPhones®.

The use of the fore-mentioned standards will be subject to agreements with the owners of the patents (MHL Consortium®, Apple®, etc.).

The list of interfaces is used for exemplification and is not intended to create any limitation or exclusions, with the likelihood of use of other interfaces/connectors standards either currently in use or future ones; 3. A slim superMHL/HDMI® standard and subsequent upgrades to support subsequent derived standards. The super MHL/HDMI® interface standard ensures high quality standards for data-rich content and multimedia, transfer, for up to UHD-standard (4K - ultra-high definition) films, games, VOIP and mobile data video streaming, 7.1 surround sound and all of the connected smartphone’s functions and applications access in real-time.

The male connector 11 will have a perpendicular position on the dongle body 10, and will be significantly shorter, to fit the ultra-slim tablet profile.

The dongle comprises the circuit ECB6 is based according to the standard employed for the use of either the DisplayLink® USB video technology or the slim super MHL® / HDMI® standard and subsequent developments-type standards, the smartphone-bound interface circuit ECB7, and the adaptor/circuit ECB8 for the interface adaptor 14, to connect to power sources and other devices such as but not limited to RCs/CEC, TV tuner, TV. The adaptor 14 will serve as the tablet power loading interface / connector.

The magnet metal back disk 12 will correspond to the neodymium magnet 8 from the tablet (Figure 3, Figure 4).

Figure 6 (Page 3/14) is a top view (or smartphone-facing) of the twin-interface dongle B, with the same components described in Figure 5, with the case 10 of the dongle accommodating the circuitry and interfaces, with the smartphone-bound interface connector 13, the tablet-bound interface 11, the interface adaptor 14 to connect to power sources, remote control - RCs, CEC, TV tuner, TV, and the self-adhesive magnet metal back 12.

Figure 7 (Page 3/14) is a side view of the twin-interface dongle, with the same components as described in Figure 5 and Figure 6, and it is presented with the purpose of providing the longitudinal profile view of the dongle, which will be aligned with the smartphone to ensure seamless connectivity and handling, with the connector base 19 adjustable on a vertical plan to ensure the connection to any smartphone irrespective of the smartphones’ height will be level when attached to the tablet, with the condition the smartphone’s interface is located either at the top or at the bottom of the smartphone.

The twin mobile-bound wireless dongle is removing the requirement for a physical connectivity between the smartphone and the touchscreen display. This entails a prerequisite, in the form of the adoption by the new 5G smartphones of the mmWave technology with the IEEE 802.11 ad standard, or equivalent.

Figure 8 (Page 4/14) is a representation of the dongle B with the adopted wireless mmWave, IEEE 802.11 ad connection or equivalent.

The micro USB / micro MFIL® smartphone-bound connector and the corresponding electronic circuit/board (13 and ECB7) will be replaced with a wireless HDMI (WHDMI)-type interface and the corresponding internal antenna (ECB9). All other components of the fore represented art in Figure 5 to Figure 7 are identical, with the exception of for the WFIDMI-linked component, components represented in Figure 5, with the case 10 expanded in width to accommodate the WFIDMI/mmWave/IEEE 802.11 ad interface and the antenna extended alongside the frontal side of the casing.

The tablet-bound interface 11 integrates the same characteristics of the wired dongle presented in Figure 5, with interface 14 serving the purposes explained before (power, RC, CEC, etc.). The electronic circuit boards (ECB6 and ECB8) will serve the purposes described at Figure 5.

The magnet metal back 12 will have the role unchanged, to attach the dongle to the tablet.

It is assumed that the use of the wireless smartphone-bound interface will lead to additional energy requirement - accessed by the dongle from the tablet’s batteries via the bespoke slim super MFIL®/FIDMI interface - which will need to be accommodated by the up scaling of the battery power (since the dongle will use the tablet battery resources), to ensure the tablet up time will not be compromised.

The change of the interfaces standards, the use of either mmWave or equivalent technology will not alter the invention and its utility and its transformation of a tablet in an ‘intelligent’ multimedia touchscreen display with significant memory expansion capabilities.

Figure 9 (Page 4/14) is a front view (or smartphone-facing) of the WFIDMI variant of the two-way multiple-interface dongle B, with the same components described in Figure 8, with the case 10 of the dongle, doubled in size to accommodate the circuitry and interfaces, the tablet-bound interface 11 and the corresponding circuit board ECB6, with the smartphone-bound interface WFIDMI (ECB9) replacing the micro USB/micro FI DM I® interface 13, the micro USB 14 circuit board ECB8, with the interface adaptor 14 to connect to power sources, remote control - RCs, CEC, TV tuner, TV, and the self-adhesive magnet metal back 12.

Figure 10 (Page 4/14) shows the side view of the WFIDMI dongle, with the components mentioned for the Figure 8 and Figure 9. The fundamental differentiator from Figure 7 (Page 3/13) is the absence of the physical smartphone-bound interface connector, replaced by the WFIDMI interface.

The following figures require an exemplification: The owner of a smartphone with a 4” to 5” display connects the smartphone to the tablet combo which is the subject of this invention by following two steps and a two one-time prerequisites for the initiation of the connection/pairing between the smartphone and the PnP tablet combo peripheral. 1. The first prerequisite is the installation on the smartphone of the software drivers library for the PnP combo peripheral, comprising the dongle drivers, the tablet drivers for the touchscreen display 2, sound (loudspeakers 3), cameras 5 and 6, keyboard (from an agreed OEM list) and memory (micro SD card reader 4), upload/installed from a dedicated support web page or if authorized by the main mobile operation systems owners, from the mobile applications ® ® ® repositories, such as Google Play , App Store or Microsoft . This procedure is standard for the installation of any peripheral hardware. 2. The second prerequisite is the application of the magnet metal back 16 on the back of the smartphone; the magnet metal back is a combo accessory, and the self-adhesive support paper’s contour is emulating the frame of the smartphone model (similar to the display protector foils or glass which are designed for multiple mobile brands and models).

The first step in Figure 11 (Page 5/14) is the side view representation of the first step of the assembly:

The dongle B is interfaced with the smartphone C, by connecting the smartphone-bound male interface 13 (with all variations explained for Figure 5) to the smartphone’s corresponding female micro USB connector 15. In the alternative the position of the dongle interface 13 will not correspond to the position of the smartphone’s corresponding connector 15, then the dongle’s connector base 19 will adjust by moving either up or down to match the position of the smartphone connector/interface to ensure the dongle and the smartphone base are level.

The second step of attaching the assembly from Figure 11 to the tablet is represented in Figure 12 (Page 5/14), which is as well a side view representation. The attachment of the dongle-smartphone assembly to the back of the tablet A is carried out by connecting the bespoke dongle male connector 11 to the tablet female connector 9, ensuring the metal backs of the smartphone 16 and the magnet metal back of the dongle 12 are positioned on the corresponding tablet magnets, 7 for the smartphone, and 8 for the dongle. The already connected dongle-smartphone assembly ensures the alignment of the mobile and the dongle at the time of connecting the interface of the dongle 11 and the tablet 9.

Once the PnP combo is connected to the smartphone, the user of the smartphone will pair the handset with the tablet (further to the installation of the software drivers preceding the assembly steps), accepting the link to the PnP combo suggested by a pop-up message, leading to the replication of the smartphone display on the tablet and the smartphone’s display automatically switched off to preserve energy. The user will have the option to keep both smartphone and the tablet displays active, but such an option would result in a functional redundancy for the smartphone connected with wired interfaces to the PnP combo.

The user is able to access on the tablet all the smartphone functionality, i.e. place calls on the mobile network or access the VOIP services installed on the smartphone, access all smartphone’s applications without any license limitation, access the smartphone memory while operating the smartphone’s functions on the tablet, and access the installed tablet on-board memory as well as access any micro SD card introduced in the micro SD card reader 4 from the tablet, use the front-view camera 5 and rear camera 6, just like any other peripheral camera, benefit from amplified, higher quality sound on the tablet’s in-built loudspeakers 3 and connect to any microUSB-connector enabled peripheral keyboard with the interface 13.

The same Plug-and-Play procedure is represented from a different angle, with the purpose of outlining the usability and practical utilities of the invention, with the central position of the smartphone when attached to the tablet providing the user a holding point for the tablet and easy access to the smartphone when the user may want to use the standalone smartphone.

Figure 13 (Page 6/14) is the side view representation of PnP combo connecting wireless with the smartphone with the first combo assembly step for the WHDMI dongle (wireless HDMI), connecting wirelessly the tablet with the smartphone. The prerequisite steps mentioned for the Figure 11 and Figure 13 applies hereof as well.

The dongle B is attached to the tablet A by connecting the interface 11 to the corresponding interface 9, with the dongle’s magnet metal back 12 connected to magnet 8.

Once the tablet B and the dongle A are interfaced, and the smartphone C is in the proximity of the tablet A, the user will use the smartphone to pair the smartphone with the tablet; the PnP combo application will identify on the smartphone the presence of the combo and will interrogate (i.e. pop-up message on the smartphone) the user to accept pairing with the combo. Further to accepting the pairing with the combo, the tablet’s display 2 replicates the smartphone’s C display, with the user having full interactive control of the smartphone via the tablet’s touchscreen.

The user may choose to keep the tablet-dongle combo connected and paired with the smartphone without attaching the smartphone to the PnP combo. In the alternative the user wants to have both the smartphone and the tablet in the same physical location, for reasons that equate convenience for the handling of the tablet (recommended), then the user shall follow the subsequent step:

Figure 14 (Page 6/14) shows the attachment of the smartphone to the combo; the smartphone, as the arrows indicate, may be attached to the smartphone-bound neodymium magnets 7, with the opposing magnet metal back 16, as well as detached for standalone use without losing the connection with the PnP combo.

The same Plug-and-Play procedure is represented under a different angle, with the purpose of outlining the usability and practical utilities of the invention, with the central position of the smartphone when attached to the tablet providing both a holding support and handy position for the smartphone when the user may want to use the smartphone without the touchscreen PnP combo.

Figure 15 (Page 7/14) is the rear view of the first step of the assembly described in Figure 11 and is represented to provide a view of the connection procedure simplicity. The dongle B interface 13 is connected with the smartphone’s C interface 15. After the interfacing of the dongle with the smartphone, the assembly is connected with the tablet. The subsequent Figure 16 (Page 7/14), represent the second and final step of the assembly as described in Figure 12.

Figure 17 (Page 8/14) is the rear view of the first step of the assembly as described in Figure 13 (the wireless dongle), with the rear view of the second and final step of the assembly represented in Figure 18 (Page 8/14), with all the components identical to the ones presented in Figure 14 and in the previous figures.

The following representations provide a comparative picture of the small-medium and medium to large combo tablets, with Figure 19 (Page 9/14), a side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 7” - 10” displays tablets and Figure 20 (Page 9/14), a side view of the combo-smartphone assembly for the 10”+ displays tablets, with focus on the central position of the smartphone for both embodiments and the inclusion of an additional battery / batteries 17 in the build of the 10”+-display tablet.

Figure 21 (Page 10/14) is the side view of the fully attached combo-smartphone assembly for the 7” - 10” displays tablets, for the WFIDMI smartphone-bound dongles, with Figure 22 (Page 10/14) presenting the same view for the fully attached combo-smartphone assembly for the 10”+ displays tablets using the Wireless WHDMI smartphone-bound dongles.

The Figure 23 (Page 11/14) is the rear view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) for the 10”+ displays tablets with the additional battery/power bank, with Figure 24 (Page 11/14), the top view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet), represented to emphasize the handling utility of the combo-smartphone assembly.

Figure 25 (Page 12/14) is the rear view of the PnP combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) with the WFIDMI dongle and the 10”+ displays tablets with the additional battery/power bank, with Figure 26 (Page 12/14), the top view of the combo-smartphone assembly (smartphone-dongle-tablet) with the WFIDMI dongle, with this embodiment of the invention serving the same purpose as Figure 23 and Figure 24.

Figure 27 (Page 13/14) is the rear perspective view of the 7”-10” of the attached combo components with the smartphone (smartphone-dongle-tablet) and Figure 28 (Page 14/14) is the rear perspective view of the 7”-10” of the attached combo components with the smartphone (smartphone-WHDMI dongle-tablet).

Both figures accompany the introductory Abstract, and are important in that they provide a 3D/spatial view of the combo, as well as to provide a visual aid for the ‘Utilities’ list, i.e. the smartphone’s position providing a handling support for the user, with the central position providing not only good weight distribution for the combo-smartphone assembly, but also allowing the use of current tablet standard architecture with the motherboard and critical components located in a ‘central bay’ located in the median part of the tablet.

Combo disconnection

The disconnection of the smartphone from the combo will be carried out in the following sequences: 1. A ‘Combo’ symbol is displayed on the touchscreen display when the combo is attached to the smartphone; the selection of the symbol will prompt the option to disconnect the smartphone, to transfer the touchscreen display functions to the smartphone, or to enable both the tablet and smartphone displays (useful for the wireless-enabled combo); the selection of the ‘disconnect’ option, deactivates the connection between the smartphone and the tablet; 2. For the wired combo-smartphone system, the smartphone C is pulled together with the dongle B, in a movement perpendicular to the tablet A, and then disconnected from the dongle. 3. The wireless-enabled combo benefits from the option of the smartphone being completely detached (but in immediate proximity) from the combo, and consequently alternatively used for convenience reasons. However, this requires the pairing with the selected option to have both displays active (smartphone and tablet). 4. With the smartphone disconnected form the combo the user will use the smartphone’s standalone functions.

SUMMARY

The utilities of this invention are outlined in Pages 4 to 6.

The PnP combo redefines the tablet as a peripheral for a mobile, irrespective of its operating system and provides scalability and flexibility for the tablet display size choice based on an interchangeability principle, adds access to significant memory upgrades, and re-assess the look and feel the smartphone transition to smaller dimensions backed by powerful microchips, and modularity, rather than the ongoing expansion of the smartphone dimension to accommodate displays which are hard to handle, but insufficiently large for the main purpose of the fusion between the tablet and the smartphone: internet browsing, movie and TV viewing, gaming, use of productivity software.

Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail, the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or example. None of the above description should be read as implying that any particular element, or function is essential.to the ongoing change and evolution of the components such as touchscreen displays, interfaces/connectors standards, wireless technology which are all components of this invention but not essential to define the invention.

No embodiment, feature, component, or step in this specification is intended to be dedicated to the public.

Claims

2. CLAIMS (16)

1. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system comprising an ultra-slim touchscreen display tablet and a multiple interfaces dongle, connected with one interface to the touchscreen display tablet and with the second interface connected to a smartphone, whereas the combo and the smartphone interfaced position and relative position to one another is maintained by magnets.

2. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to claim 1, wherein the touchscreen display tablet is an attachable / detachable peripheral for a smartphone, agnostic to the smartphone operating system, fulfilling a similar function as a multimedia touchscreen monitor, when interfaced with the smartphone, and enables full access and operability from the host touchscreen display tablet to the smartphone’s installed programs and functions;

3. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the touchscreen display tablet has no homing button, no volume control buttons/toggles or menu control wheels, no on/off buttons and no other toggles or switches, being activated only when interfaced with the smartphone and with all functions of the smartphone fully accessible on the tablet’s touchscreen display;

4. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to claim 3, in which the multiple-interface dongle will be a cable-free interface;

5. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all the claims before this claim, wherein the two-way multiple interface dongle will connect to the smartphone with one interface male connector to the matching smartphone female connector, while a second dongle interface male connector will be connected to the tablet matching female connector, while other interface(s) may be used to connect the tablet via the smartphone to external power, CEC, RC, TVs and other peripherals;

6. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all the claims before this claim, wherein the two-way multiple interface dongle will connect wireless to the smartphone, while a second dongle interface male connector will be connected to the tablet matching female connector, while other interface(s) may be used to connect the tablet via the smartphone to external power, CEC, RC, TVs and other peripherals;

7. A multiple interface dongle according to the claim 1, claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the tablet-bound interface will ensure the rendering and the required two-way interfacing of all smartphone functionality for data-rich content and multimedia - such as but not limited to, voice, document processing, 3-D design applications, HD and UHD films, games, VOIP and mobile data video streaming, 7.1 surround sound - accessed by the user on the touchscreen display of the tablet, when interfaced with the smartphone;

8. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to claim 3, claim 4 and claim 6, in which derivative versions of the multiple-interface dongle will interface wirelessly the touchscreen display with the smartphone using a two-way Wireless HDMI, fulfilling all the claimed functions of the physically-interfaced dongle according to claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 6, claim 7.

9. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all claims before, wherein dongle types are custom-build to support multiple interfaces standards adopted by smartphone manufacturers;

10. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all claims before, wherein the touchscreen display tablet may be interfaced with any smartphone powered by any operating system;

11. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to the claim 1 and claim 3, in wherein the interfaced touchscreen display/tablet, the dongle and the smartphone combo configuration are held in their set position by an array of magnets applied to the tablet and offset by metal backs or/and magnets of reverse polarity applied on the back of the smartphone and the tablet-facing side of the dongle;

12. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system, wherein the magnets according to the claim 7 have the magnets pull power calculated to ensure that the assembly comprising the combo and the attached smartphone will withstand any motion in any direction without the change of the assembly components’ position relative to each other;

13. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the touchscreen display includes both a touchscreen motherboard inbuilt memory unit, and at least one micro SD card reader and future derivatives for external micro SD memory cards, for data read and write purposes operated solely by the smartphone’s processor when the smartphone is connected to the Plug and Play combo, with the access to the memory carried out on the touchscreen display of the tablet;

14. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all claims before, in which the touchscreen display is detachable and may be interchanged with other detachable touchscreen display tablet of any size whereas any of the touchscreen display tablets are compliant with all the previous claims, and will use the same dongle used by the interchanged tablet to connect with the smartphone.

15. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to all claims before, in which interchangeable touchscreen displays tablets exceeding 10” will include in their case an additional battery or batteries to ensure extended up-time for the use of the touchscreen display tablet.

16. A smartphone-bound attachable/detachable Plug-and-Play tablet combo peripheral system according to claim 1, whereas the smartphone may be attached to the ultra-slim touchscreen display tablet by other means than magnets such as guiding micro-rails, custom-build bundle covers and bundle cases;