HK1018558A - Method and apparatus for automatically configuring a control program for a mobile radio communication device - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for automatically configuring control program for wireless mobile communication device

The present invention relates to wireless mobile communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for automatically configuring a control program to control operation of a wireless mobile communication device.

The most popular form of wireless mobile communication device is the mobile phone. A typical mobile telephone consists of a handset including a speaker, microphone, keypad and display. The handset has a printed circuit board with transmitting and receiving circuitry necessary for wireless communication and voice processing circuitry necessary for encoding and decoding voice communications. The control circuit includes a programmable controller that controls the operation of the mobile telephone in accordance with a control program stored in a memory.

Most mobile phone manufacturers offer multiple models, each with different features and functions. For example, different models of phones may have different keypads and displays. The model differences need not be limited to differences in the hardware structure of the mobile phone. There are usually multiple software options available for any model of phone. Typical software options include (without limitation), memory storage, speed dialing, auto redial, memory scrolling, timed calling, etc.

The possible hardware and software options for different models complicate the manufacture of mobile phones. Different hardware may require different printed circuit board structures and different programs for controlling the operation of the hardware. Even if there is a common circuit board structure available for all models, each model still requires a different program. Sometimes, changes in customer requirements necessitate reprogramming of existing phones. Once a model has been programmed, it is time consuming and expensive to reprogram it.

Accordingly, there is a need for a mobile phone that can use a common circuit board structure while providing greater freedom in meeting customer requirements without having to reprogram the phone.

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device in a wireless mobile communication system. The present invention uses a common printed circuit board structure for a series of different models of communication devices. The printed circuit board includes a programmable controller to control operation of the communication device in accordance with a control program stored in the memory. The control program includes a number of program structures corresponding to the possible models. A program selector is mounted on an interchangeable part of the wireless mobile communication device, such as a housing. The program selector includes one or more detectable selector elements that represent a particular program structure. A detection circuit on the printed circuit board is operatively coupled to the programmable controller to detect the selector element and generate a configuration signal representative of the selected program structure. The programmable controller is responsive to the configuration signal from the detection circuit to configure the control program according to the selected program structure.

The program selector allows for changing the programming configuration of the device by simply interchanging a part, such as the front cover of a wireless mobile communication device. This interchangeability simplifies production and provides greater flexibility for merchandise management. Production is simplified because only one circuit board structure is required for a number of different models. Merchandise management is more flexible because parts can be simply interchanged without having to reprogram the phone to respond more quickly to changes in customer demand.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of a mobile phone made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a mobile phone manufactured according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a view of the inside of the front cover of a mobile phone showing the program selector.

Fig. 4 illustrates in a schematic diagram one embodiment of a detection circuit for use in the present mobile phone.

Fig. 5 illustrates in a schematic diagram yet another embodiment of a detection circuit for use in a mobile phone.

Fig. 6 illustrates a front cover of a mobile phone corresponding to the first embodiment in a front view.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the jumper of the front cover of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates a front cover of a mobile phone corresponding to the second embodiment in a front view.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the jumper of the front cover in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 illustrates in a top view the printed circuit board used in the mobile phone with the present front cover of fig. 6-8.

Fig. 11 illustrates a routine structure of a microprocessor in a flowchart.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the above figures. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is capable of many embodiments and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of a mobile telephone made in accordance with the present invention and designated by the numeral 10. The mobile telephone 10 includes a microprocessor 12 for controlling the operation of the mobile telephone 10 and a memory 14 for storing programs used by the mobile telephone 10. Input/output circuit 16 connects keypad 18, display 20, sound processing circuit 22, receiver 24, transmitter 26 and microprocessor 12. The sound processing circuit 22 provides basic analog sound output to a speaker 28 and receives analog sound input from a microphone 30. Conventional signal combiner 32 allows bi-directional communication via common antenna 34.

Referring to fig. 2, there is shown an exploded view of the mobile telephone 10. The mobile phone 10 includes a housing 40 that is comprised of a back cover 42 and a front cover 44. The front cover 44 of the mobile telephone 10 houses the keypad 18, display 20, speaker 28, microphone 30 and antenna connection. The rear cover 42 typically includes a battery pack receptacle (not shown). Within the housing 40 is a printed circuit board 46. The printed circuit board 46 has the microprocessor 12, the program memory 14, the input/output circuit 16, the sound processing circuit 22, the receiver 24, the transmitter 26, and the signal combiner 32.

Most mobile phone manufacturers offer multiple models of mobile phones, each model having different features and functions. For example, different models of mobile phones may have different keypads 18 or displays 20. There may be many software choices, the most expensive model offering the most choice of functions.

To simplify the production of a variety of different models of mobile phones, the mobile phone 10 of the present invention uses a common printed circuit board structure in a variety of different models. These different models of mobile phones have interchangeable front covers 44. The printed circuit board 46 has all the circuitry necessary for each model. In addition, the program memory 14 stores a control program having a different program structure for each model. The front cover 44 has a program selector 60 thereon, and the detection circuit 50 on the printed circuit board 46 detects the program selector 60 (see fig. 4 and 5). The detection circuit 50 generates a configuration signal that tells the microprocessor 12 which program structure to use. Thus, the present invention provides a method and apparatus to automatically configure control programs by interchanging the front cover 44.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the program selector 60. In the disclosed embodiment, the jumper wire of the program selector 60 is attached to the inside of the front cover 44. The jumper includes a jumper seat 62, which is preferably made of a resilient material having good insulating properties. In the disclosed embodiment, jumper socket 62 has pin holes that can accommodate up to 4 jumper plugs 64 connected by conductive elements 66. Different models of phones have different arrangements of jumper plugs 64. The number and location of the jumper plugs 64 reflects the particular programming configuration corresponding to that model.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the detection circuit 50. The detection circuit 50 detects the jumper plug 64 on the jumper 60 and generates a configuration signal or signals representing a selected program configuration, which correspond to a particular model of the mobile telephone 10. The detection circuit 50 includes a series of contacts 52 that are exposed on the surface of the printed circuit board 46 as shown in fig. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four contacts 52 that correspond to four possible plug positions on the patch cord 60. 3 of the four contacts 52 (labeled C)₁-C₃) Through a pull-up resistor R₁-R₃Continuous voltage V_sRespectively output voltage V₁-V₃. Fourth contact 52 (labeled C)_G) The ground, referred to as the ground contact. Normally, pull-up resistor R₁-R₃Maintaining respective output voltages V₁-V₃Is high. When contact C₁-C₃Continuous grounding contact C_GWhile passing through a pull-up resistor R₁-R₃The supply voltage of (2) is reduced, thereby causing an output voltage V₁-V₃And decreases. Output voltage V₁-V₃To microprocessor 12 via input/output circuit 16. Output voltage V₁-V₃The state of (c) represents the selected program structure. The configuration signals are used to configure the control program used by the microprocessor 12 to control the operation of the mobile telephone 10.

When the mobile phone 10 is assembled, the jumper plug 64 on the jumper wire 60 is mated to the corresponding contact 52 on the printed circuit board. With a jumper plug 64 leading to the earth contact C_GWith the remaining jumper plugs directed to selected contacts C₁-C₃. Contact C connected to jumper plug 64₁-C₃Output voltage V of₁-V₃Drops to a low level while the contacts not connected to the jumper plug remain high. Possible output voltage combinations equal to 2ⁿWherein N is except the grounding contactTotal number of contacts. The four plug indicator shown allows for 8 different voltage combinations and thus can represent 8 different models.

Fig. 5 is another embodiment of the detection circuit 50. The detection circuit 50 of fig. 5 uses a series circuit instead of a parallel circuit. Contact C₁-C₃Through a resistance R₁-R₄Connected to a supply voltage V_s. Resistance R₁-R₃Are connected in parallel with each other and then R₄Are connected in series. The detection circuit 50 of fig. 5 generates an output voltage signal V_out. Output voltage V generated by the detection circuit 50_outWill follow the jumper plug 64 and contact C₁-C₃The connection of (a) is changed. Table 1 below gives the output voltages for 8 different connection detection circuits 50. It is assumed here that: the power supply voltage is 4V, and the resistance values are R respectively₁=500Ω；R₂=1500Ω；R₃=5000Ω；R₄=700 Ω. In table 1, the number "1" represents the contact to which the jumper plug 64 is connected.

TABLE 1 output Voltage of series detection Circuit

Input device	C1	C2	C3	Output voltage Vout
					0	0	0	0	4
1	0	0	1	3.509
					2	0	1	0	2.727
3	0	1	1	2.49
					4	1	0	0	1.667
5	1	0	1	1.575
					6	1	1	0	1.395
7	1	1	1	1.33

The main advantage of the series detection circuit 50 shown in FIG. 5 is that it requires only one pin on the I/O chip, whereas the parallel detection circuit shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to 2ⁿFor this connection, n pins are required. However, the series detection circuit requires analog to digital conversion to convert the configuration signal into a signal readable by the microprocessor 12. Whether a parallel or series detection circuit is employed depends on the configuration of the mobile telephone 10.

The disclosed embodiment of the present invention utilizes jumpers to connect to contacts on printed circuit board 46, which are readily distinguishable from other sensing circuits in the art. In general terms, the present invention utilizes some form of sensing device that is coupled to the microprocessor 12 to sense the status of the interchangeable components of the mobile telephone 10. The sensed condition may be, for example, a mechanical structure, a magnetic field characteristic, an optical characteristic, an acoustic characteristic, or other electrical characteristic of the housing 40 or other interchangeable part. The sensing device may include a mechanical switch, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, or other sensor capable of generating an electrical signal. This list is not exhaustive and merely illustrates that many different ways of implementing the invention are possible.

To apply the present invention, the printed circuit board 46 includes the necessary components and circuitry for each type. For example, if different models of mobile phones use different types of keypads, the printed circuit board 46 will include circuitry for each different model keypad. Likewise, if different display screens are used for different models, the printed circuit board 46 will require circuitry to drive each display screen 20. A control program for controlling each mobile phone is written in the program memory 14. A portion of the program memory 14 is used to store configuration data for each of the different models of control programs. Table 2 below is an example of a look-up table in which configuration data for six different program structures correspond to six different models. When the mobile telephone 10 is powered on, however, the microprocessor 12 executes a configuration program using the configuration data stored in the look-up table to configure the control program for the selected model of mobile telephone.

TABLE 2 program Structure look-up Table

Structural value	Keyboard type	Acoustic indexing	Memory location	Alarm feature	User memory	Redialing
							1	Map A	G=20	30	Whether or not	Whether or not	Whether or not
2	Map B	G=21	30	Whether or not	Whether or not	Is that
							3	Map C	G=18	30	Whether or not	Is that	Is that
4	Map A	G=20	75	Whether or not	Is that	Is that
							5	Map B	G=21	90	Is that	Is that	Is that
6	Map C	G=18	106	Is that	Is that	Is that

Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the microprocessor 12 executes the configuration program. The configuration routine is executed once each time the mobile telephone 10 is turned on. The microprocessor 12 first reads in configuration signals from the detection circuit 50 and then uses the configuration signals to determine the selected program structure. The program structure may be determined, for example, by consulting a structure value through an indication table stored in program memory 14. Table 3 is a representative example of an indicator table showing each program structure and its corresponding structure value. The first column represents the configuration signal values from the circuit shown in fig. 4. A "1" here also represents a contact that is connected to the jumper plug 64, which will produce a logic low level.

TABLE 3 indicator

Encoding a signal	Structure of the product	Structural value
			001	Basic type A	1
010	Basic type B	2
			011	Basic type C	3
100	Type A enhancement mode	4
			101	B-type enhancement mode	5
110	C-type enhancement mode	6

Having determined the program structure, the microprocessor 12 looks up configuration data corresponding to the selected structure from a table of program structures stored in the program memory 14. The configuration data is then stored in a temporary storage unit, such as a random access memory (not shown) used by the microprocessor 12. Alternatively, the instruction table may contain an address to a section of the program memory 14, which contains configuration data corresponding to the selected program structure. This address can be used to determine a pointer in temporary memory to the configuration data without transferring the configuration data to temporary memory. The latter approach may be better because it utilizes less storage space.

Fig. 6-10 illustrate two different models of front covers 44 for the mobile phone 10. The phone in fig. 6 is of the a-type basic type (see table 3) and comprises 5 function keys. Fig. 7 illustrates schematically the position of the jumper plug for a type a base mobile phone. As can be seen in fig. 7, the jumper plug 64 appears at the ground point and point 3. As can be seen from fig. 8, the enhanced type B phone has 6 function keys. As can be seen in fig. 9, the jumper 60 includes plugs at the ground, first and third points.

Fig. 10 shows a plan view of a printed circuit board 46 that may be used with either of the front covers 42 of fig. 6 and 8. The printed circuit board 46 includes a plurality of key contacts 48. The key contacts 48 may work with 6 function keys in fig. 6 or 5 function keys in fig. 7. In addition, the printed circuit board 46 includes 4 contacts 52 that correspond to the four pins of the patch cord 60. After the front cover 44 is in place, the jumper plugs 64 are brought into contact with the corresponding contacts 52. The output voltage of the detection circuit 50 varies depending on the front cover 44 mounted.

At initialization, the microprocessor 12 reads in configuration signals from the detection circuit 50 and refers to configuration values in an indicator table. For type a base, the structure value is 1. For type B enhancement, the structure value is 5 (see table 3). Using the configuration values, the microprocessor looks up the configuration from a configuration table stored in the program memory 14. If, using the bezel of FIG. 6, the microprocessor 12 writes the following configuration data into the temporary memory.

Keyboard type = MapA;

acoustic graduation = 20;

memory location = 30;

alarm characteristic = disable;

user memory = disabled;

redial = prohibit.

On the other hand, if the front cover in fig. 8 is used, the following configuration data will be written to the temporary memory:

keyboard type = MapB;

acoustic graduation = 21;

memory location = 90;

alert characteristic = active;

user memory = boot;

redial = start.

The microprocessor 12 uses the configuration data to control the operation of the mobile telephone. The keyboard type tells the microprocessor which keyboard is in use, from which the appropriate mapping and key assignments can be used. The acoustic indexing is used to determine the programmable amplification level in the sound processing circuit 22 because the acoustic properties of the phone will change slightly when the front cover 44 is interchanged. The memory location tells the microprocessor 12 the number of addresses in memory to allocate memory to store the telephone number. The alert feature, user memory and redial are selectable software options that may be enabled or disabled.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention provides a convenient way to automatically change the program configuration of the control program by simply interchanging the front cover 44 or other interchangeable parts of the mobile telephone 10. The present invention provides more flexibility to the vendor to manage the goods, which allows the vendor to react more quickly to fluctuations in the user's needs.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. For example, the dimensions of a prototype convection oven made in accordance with the invention are not included in the claims, but are presented as examples only. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the scope of the appended claims are to be embraced therein.

Claims (29)

1. A programmable controller for a wireless mobile communication device comprising:

a) a programmable controller for controlling operation of said wireless mobile communication device in accordance with a configurable control program having a plurality of selectable program configurations;

b) a program selector mounted on an interchangeable part of said wireless mobile communication device, said program selector including one or more selector elements to indicate a selected program configuration;

c) a detection circuit for detecting the selector element and generating a configuration signal to indicate the selected program configuration, the programmable controller being responsive to the configuration signal to configure the control program in accordance with the selected program configuration.

2. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein said program selector comprises a jumper and said selector element comprises one or more electrically conductive jumper plugs.

3. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 2, wherein said detection circuit includes one or more conductive contacts that contact corresponding jumper plugs on said jumpers.

4. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein selected contacts are connected to a discrete output, said discrete output being in a first state when said contacts are in contact with a jumper plug; when the contact and the jumper plug are not in contact, the discrete output is in a second state.

5. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein said detection circuit produces a variable analog output.

6. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 5, wherein said variable analog output is a voltage signal having a value whose magnitude is indicative of the selected programming configuration.

7. A wireless mobile communication device capable of automatic configuration, comprising:

a) a housing with a removable front cover;

b) a programmable controller for controlling operation of said wireless mobile communication device in accordance with a configurable control program, said control program having a plurality of selectable program configurations;

c) a memory connected to said programmable controller for storing said control program;

d) a program selector mounted on the cover of the housing, the program selector having one or more selector elements representing a selected program configuration;

e) a detection circuit coupled to the programmable controller to detect the selector element on the program selector and to generate a configuration signal representative of the selected program configuration, the programmable controller being responsive to the configuration signal from the detection circuit to configure the control program in accordance with the selected program configuration.

8. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein said program selector comprises a jumper and said selector element comprises one or more electrically conductive jumper plugs.

9. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein the detection circuit includes one or more conductive contacts that are connected to corresponding jumper plugs on said jumpers.

10. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 9, wherein said selected contacts are connected to a discrete output, said discrete output being in a first state when said contacts are in contact with a jumper plug; when the contact and the jumper plug are not in contact, the discrete output is in a second state.

11. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 9, wherein said detection circuit produces a variable analog output.

12. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein said variable analog output is a voltage signal having a value whose magnitude is indicative of the selected programming configuration.

13. A programmable controller for a wireless mobile communication device, comprising:

a) means for storing a control program for controlling operation of said mobile telephone, said control program comprising a plurality of selectable program configurations;

b) means for storing configuration data corresponding to the plurality of different program structures;

c) detecting means for detecting a status of an interchangeable part of the wireless mobile communication device, the status representing a selected program configuration, and generating a configuration signal representing the selected program configuration.

d) A programmable controller to control operation of the wireless mobile communication device, the programmable controller being responsive to the configuration signal to configure the control program with configuration data corresponding to the selected program structure.

14. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 13 wherein said means for detecting includes means for detecting a mechanical configuration of said interchangeable part.

15. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 14 wherein said detection means includes a detection circuit for detecting the presence of at least one conductive selector element on said interchangeable part.

16. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein said sensing circuit includes one or more contacts coupled to said selector element, said contacts being electrically coupled to respective outputs, said discrete output being in a first state when said contacts are coupled to the selector element and being in a second state when said contacts are not coupled to the selector element.

17. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein said detection circuit produces a variable analog output.

18. The wireless mobile communication device of claim 17, wherein said variable analog output is a voltage signal having a value whose magnitude is indicative of the selected programming configuration.

19. A method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program structures, comprising:

a) detecting a state of an interchangeable part of said wireless mobile communication device that is indicative of a selected process configuration;

b) generating a configuration signal representative of the selected program structure;

c) inputting a configuration signal to a programmable controller;

d) configuring the control program in accordance with the selected program structure using the programmable controller.

20. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program configurations of claim 19, wherein the step of sensing the status of the interchangeable part includes sensing the mechanical configuration of the housing part.

21. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program configurations of claim 20, wherein the step of detecting the mechanical configuration of the housing parts comprises detecting the presence of a conductive selector element on the housing.

22. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program structures of claim 19, wherein the configuration signal generated is a digital signal.

23. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program configurations of claim 19, wherein the configuration signal generated is an analog signal.

24. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a plurality of program configurations of claim 23, wherein the analog signal is a variable voltage signal.

25. A method of automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a programmable controller and a program memory storing the control program, comprising:

a) storing configuration data for a plurality of alternative program structures in a section of the program memory;

b) detecting a selector element on an interchangeable part on the wireless mobile communication device, the selector element representing a selected program structure;

c) generating a configuration signal representative of the selected program structure;

d) a configuration signal is input to the programmable controller, which configures the control program in response to the configuration signal in accordance with configuration data corresponding to the selected program structure.

26. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a programmable controller and a program memory storing the control program of claim 25, wherein the step of detecting the selector element comprises detecting the presence of a conductive selector element on the housing.

27. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a programmable controller and a program memory storing the control program of claim 26, wherein the configuration signal generated is a digital signal.

28. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a programmable controller and a program memory storing the control program of claim 26 wherein the configuration signal generated is an analog signal.

29. The method for automatically configuring a control program for a wireless mobile communication device having a programmable controller and a program memory storing the control program of claim 28 wherein the configuration signal is a variable voltage signal.