KR101070971B1 - Portable communication device and system with interchangeable accessory modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable communication device and system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a replaceable accessory module. This accessory module allows other accessory devices to be used in the portable communication device assembly. The accessory module and the portable communication device assembly form the portable communication device when the accessory module is secured to the portable communication device assembly. Accessory devices include sensors, music players, displays, GPS receivers, user interface devices, cameras, memory devices, and other devices.

Description

PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE ACCESSORY MODULES}

The present invention relates to a portable communication device and more particularly to a portable communication device and system comprising a replaceable accessory module.

In addition to communication functions, portable communication devices such as cellular telephones include more and more embedded accessories that perform various functions. For example, many portable communication devices include digital cameras, video cameras, recorders, music players, large color displays, and Bluetooth interface devices.

Portable communication devices generally have limitations in that the accessory is permanently mounted in the portable communication device. Typical portable communication devices are larger and much more complex than many applications. This is because unnecessary devices or software are included in the portable communication device. For example, some users may not use the camera even if the camera is mounted in the housing of the portable communication device. As a result, portable communication devices are larger, heavier and more expensive than necessary in situations where no camera is needed. In addition, manufacturing costs increase when several modules of the portable communication device are manufactured to include different accessories. Since new industrial and functional designs are needed to include the accessories, the apparatus is generally more limited in that design changes to include specific accessories for a relatively small number of units are not cost effective.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable communication device and system in which a user can replace an accessory module.

The detachable accessory module according to the present invention provides a battery for supplying power to a portable communication device, an attachment device for securing the accessory module to the portable device assembly to form a portable communication device, and exchange signals between the portable device assembly and the accessory device. It includes a module interface. Accessory devices include sensors, cameras, GPS receivers, memory devices, music players, and / or user interface devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order for the present invention to be fully understood and to have substantial effect, preferred embodiments of the present invention, but not limited thereto, are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a side exploded view of a portable communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a side of an accessory module connected to a portable communication device assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

3 illustrates a perspective view of a portable communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

4 shows a perspective view of an accessory module according to one embodiment of the invention.

5 shows a block diagram of an accessory application according to one embodiment of the invention.

6 shows a block diagram of a communication frame platform according to one embodiment of the invention.

7 shows a block diagram of an accessory module in which the accessory device includes a sensor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

8 shows a block diagram of an accessory module in which the accessory device comprises a music player according to one embodiment of the invention.

9 shows a block diagram of an accessory module in which the accessory device comprises a global positioning satellite receiver (GPS) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

10 shows a block diagram of an accessory module in which the accessory device includes an accessory user interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

11 shows a block diagram of an accessory module in which the accessory device includes a memory drive interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart of a method of managing an accessory module performed in a portable device assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of performing an initialization procedure.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with the accompanying drawings and examples.

A portable communication device and system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a user interchangeable accessory module that allows different accessories to be used in the portable communication device assembly. Once secured to the portable communication device assembly, each accessory module forms a portable communication device. In an embodiment, the accessory module includes a battery, an accessory device, and a module interface. The module interface connects the accessory device to device circuitry in the portable communication device assembly. The functionality of the portable communication device is extended by connecting accessory modules. Thus, many accessory modules can be used with one portable communication device to configure portable communication devices having different capabilities. Thus, since the accessory module is implemented in the battery module according to the embodiment, the functionality of the portable communication device is changed by exchanging the battery module.

1 and 2 are block diagrams illustrating aspects of a portable communication device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a side exploded view and FIG. 2 is a side view of accessory module 102 connected to portable device assembly 104. The blocks shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally illustrate the relevant configuration of the portable device assembly 104 and the accessory module 102. However, it is not necessary to indicate all the relative sizes or positions of the components shown. Once accessory module 102 is attached, device assembly 104 and each assembly module 102 form portable communication device 100. The functionality of the portable communication device 100 is extended by attaching the selected accessory module 102. As will be described in more detail below, the accessory module 102 can include any of sensors, cameras, integrated circuits (ICs), memory devices, music players and multimedia players, and various other electrical and mechanical devices. .

Portable device assembly 104 includes electrical and mechanical components that implement wireless communication and other functionality. In one embodiment, portable device assembly 104 includes input / output devices such as displays, keyboards, buttons, speakers, and microphones, and plastic housings 106, printed circuit boards, antennas, electrical circuits, and other components. . The device circuit 108 includes a processor 124 and radio frequency (RF) communication circuits, and hardware, software and / or firmware that performs functions other than RF communication. One or more assembly interfaces 110 connected to the device circuitry 108, using the module interface 112 of the accessory module 102, are connected between the device circuitry 108 and the accessory device 114 according to the interface standard 116. To form an electrical connection. The module interface 112 and the assembly interface 110 form the connection interface 122. Any of a number of mechanical and electrical configurations, and any of numerous physical layer protocols and communication protocols, can be used to implement module interface 112, assembly interface 110, and interface standard 116. As will be described in detail below, connection pads used to test and program the portable communication device are used in the embodiments to form the assembly interface 110. Thus, hardware, software and / or firmware used for other purposes may be used to form the connection interface in an embodiment. In some circumstances, the connection interface 122 may be a wireless interface, such as an RF, infrared or Bluetooth connection.

Accessory module 102 includes a module housing 118 at least partially surrounding accessory device 114. Module housing 118 may also function as a battery compartment door, in an exemplary embodiment. Battery 120 may be part of accessory module 102, but battery 120 may be inserted into portable device assembly 104 separate from accessory module 102, in some circumstances. Thus, in one embodiment, the accessory device 114 is added and modified by selecting and attaching a battery module that includes the accessory functionality desired by the user. For example, the user may replace the standard battery module with a camera battery module if he wants the functionality of the camera phone.

Accessory device 114 includes a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware that performs accessory functions such as data sensing, usage input reception, usage output provision, information storage, or information processing. Accessory device 114 performs a function in addition to standard communication functions performed by device circuitry 108 of portable device assembly 104. The accessory device may be, for example, a sensing device such as a camera, temperature sensor, radiation sensor, motion sensor (gyroscope), airborne particle detector, mold detector, smoke detector, or radio frequency detector. Furthermore, the accessory device may be an electronic device that performs a particular user function, such as a music player, a multimedia player, a memory device, or a GPS receiver.

As will be described in more detail below, an accessory interface application operating on the processor 122 facilitates the exchange of command, control, and data signals between the portable device assembly 104 and the accessory module 102. The processor 12 is any processor, controller, microprocessor, computer or computer device, which has a process power source suitable for performing the tasks described below, and in one embodiment is a portable device that assists in the excess functionality of the portable device 100. The main processor of the device assembly.

3 is a perspective view of portable device assembly 104, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of accessory module 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Portable device assembly 104 may have a variety of structures, shapes, or sizes. In a preferred embodiment, when the accessory module is secured to the portable device assembly 104 to form the portable communication device 100, the inner surface 302 of the portable device assembly 104 is the inner surface 402 of the accessory module 102. Towards). 3 and 4 show accessory module 102 having portable device assembly 104 and facing inner surfaces 302, 402. A securing mechanism allows the accessory module 102 to be removably attached to the portable communication device 100. In one embodiment, the plurality of securing tabs 404 on the accessory module 102 are received in a plurality of corresponding openings 304 in the portable device assembly 104 to form a securing mechanism. Depending on the specific design and configuration of the portable communication device 100, other kinds of fastening mechanisms may be used.

When accessory module 102 is secured to portable device assembly 104, two battery contacts 306 form an electrical connection with battery terminal 406. In one embodiment, assembly interface 110 is a mechanical interface, which includes electrical contact pads 308 arranged in two rows of sixteen. The electrical contact pads 308 are connected to the input and output ports of the processor 122, like other components of the device circuit 108. The assembly interface 110 can have any of a variety of structures, physical characteristics, or multiple connections. As described above, assembly interface 110 may be a wireless interface, such as an infrared, Bluetooth, or other RF interface. In some cases a single connection may be suitable, but in one embodiment, the assembly interface 110 includes seven or more connections to support data, control and device ID sensing signals for a particular accessory module. Exemplary pin configurations include pins for positive and negative transmit and receive signals, signal ground, device identification and clock signals (ie, + TXData, -TXData + RXData, -RXData, GND, and CLK). In one embodiment, power and ground (ground) for the accessory device are supplied from the battery. In some cases, however, power signals may be obtained from the portable device assembly 104. When the accessory module 102 is secured to the portable device assembly 104, an electrical connection pad 308 is arranged to connect spring loaded pins 408, such as pogo pins of the module interface 112. . The connection pads 308 are connected to input and output ports on the processor 122 or other portable communication device 100 in the portable communication device 100. Ports here may operate according to any of a number of interface standards, such as, for example, general purpose input / output (GPIO) and / or universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) interfaces. In one embodiment, the connectors 408 (pogo pins) need not be the same as each type of accessory module 102. For example, after the device ID sense pin is in the same location on each accessory module. However, pins for the + TXData, -TXData + RXData, and -RXData signals may be placed in different locations on different types of accessory module 102. In one embodiment, signals are transmitted between accessory device 114 and device circuitry 108 using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. Other standard protocols (eg Secure Digital I / O) may be used. Furthermore, in some cases, signals may be transmitted in accordance with non-standard or proprietary protocols. Parallel protocols can be used, but most serial protocols provide high bandwidth connections with fewer connection lines.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an accessory interface application 500 operating on the processor 122, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The application 500 may be software code executable (generates, transmits, receives, and decodes data, control, and command signals to control the accessory device 114). The accessory interface application includes one or more accessory drivers 502 that enable communication between the accessory interface application 500 and the accessory device 114. Thus, the driver 502 includes command, control and data processing information corresponding to the particular accessory device module 102. The accessory driver 502 acts as a translator between the generalized instructions of the accessory interface application and the specialized instructions required for the accessory module 102. An accessory driver is a code or set of instructions that allows an accessory module and application to communicate successfully. Examples of suitable accessory drivers include subroutines, plug-in software modules, and applets. In one embodiment, the accessory interface application is implemented as a Java application and the accessory driver 502 is a Java applet.

Accessory driver 502 can be loaded into a portable device assembly using one of a number of techniques. As some suitable examples, during the manufacturing process, when initiated by a user, or automatically in response to a detection result that a new accessory device is connected and not supported by the current accessory driver 502, non-volatile in the portable device assembly. Storing the accessory driver in a memory. Accessory driver 502 can be loaded via an electrical connector on portable communication device assembly 104 or via a wireless communication channel.

In an embodiment, the accessory driver 502 is stored in the memory of the accessory module 102 and loaded into the portable assembly when the assembly module is first connected and initialized. As will be described in more detail below, the application 500 identifies the accessory module based on the data received via the connection interface 120 and determines if a suitable accessory drive 502 is available. If accessory driver 502 is not yet loaded, it is transferred from accessory device memory to memory of portable device assembly 104.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a data frame 600 and a control frame 601 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, any of a number of protocols may be used to exchange communication signals between accessory devices and device circuits. Thus, the example protocols described with reference to FIG. 6 may be altered and replaced with other suitable protocols in accordance with certain implementations. Data signals are exchanged with respect to interface standard 116 using data frame 600 and control and command signals are exchanged using control frame 601. Each of data frame 600 and control frame 601 includes a frame header 602, stream ID 604, priority identifier 606, packet quantity indicator 608, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) 614. do. The payload in data frame 600 includes packet number identifier 610 and data 612. The frame header 602 is a 4-bit header that marks the beginning of the frames 600, 601, similarly to whether the frame is a control frame 601 or a data frame 600.

Stream ID 604 is a 4-bit identifier that indicates a stream that contains data or control information. In general, stream IDs allow a set of frames transmitted at different points in time to be associated with each other to form one contiguous series of data or “stream”. Frames with the same stream ID 604 belong to the same stream. Thus, a single stream may have several interleaved series of frame data or control data of the same type. All frames with the specified stream ID must have the same type (type). In one embodiment, each stream includes a control plane and a data plane. Priority indicator 606 indicates the priority of the frame and is a 4-bit identifier that facilitates 005 / LOS priority management. Packet quantity indicator 610 defines the total length of the payload in bytes. In the embodiment where the full length is indicated, the payload frame is a variable length frame. Within the payload packet, a rolling 8-bit packet header is used by the application to recombine the packets in the proper sequence in which the interleaved stream is transmitted. In one embodiment, an application operating on a portable communication device assembly needs to request a lost packet through negative acknowledgment. Thus, properly received payload packets are not acknowledged and only lost packets are identified. CRC 614 is a 16-bit CRC that maximizes frame integrity. If it is necessary to complete the frame to the end of the example data byte boundary, frame 600 includes padding bits. In some cases other fields in the data stream may be used.

The control frame 601 is in accordance with commands and responses and includes control fields 616 and control fields 618, where the command fields may include true / false indicators, numeric data, text data, or on / off indicators. Can be. Control field 616 includes basic functionality, and control field 618 includes instructions on how to handle the functionality. For example, for a LIST control request, the command is to list the type or object. The response may be a LIST control response, where the command field contains data corresponding to the desired command code sent for the request.

7 is a block diagram illustrating an accessory module 102 in which the accessory device 114 includes a sensor 700, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sensor 700 may be a sensing device that converts a physical condition into a signal. Examples of sensors 700 include temperature sensors, radiation sensors, optical sensors, microphones, motion sensors, magnetic sensors, orientation sensors such as electronic compasses, smoke detectors, mold detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Sensor 700 is coupled with interface circuit 701, which includes a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware for communicating with device circuitry 108. The interface circuit 702 may be a driver chip such as an integrated circuit (IC) that connects and communicates with a processor within the device circuit 108. Interface circuitry 302 communicates with device circuitry 108 in accordance with interface standard 116 to send and receive commands, control signals, and data.

During operation of the portable communication device 100, the sensor 700 converts a physical state, condition or characteristic into an analog or digital representation. This representation is received by the interface circuit 302, processed as needed, and provided to the device circuit via the module interface 112. In one embodiment, battery 12 in accessory module 102 provides power to accessory device 114. Accessory device 114 may include other components, circuits, or features. In some cases, for example, a power filter or circuit protection circuit may be included.

Once accessory module 102 is secured to the portable device assembly, the accessory interface application performs an initialization procedure. After confirming that the power supply and accessory module are attached, the clock signal is activated. The interface circuit in the accessory module is synchronized to the processor 124 using the clock signal, and a command frame 691 having a device identifier in the control field 616 and a device performance descriptor in the command field 618 is transmitted. Based on the received information, the accessory interface application checks whether the appropriate driver has been loaded or loaded the appropriate accessory driver 502. The clock signal is disabled to put the accessory device into sleep mode. When an accessory device is used, a clock signal is activated and a control frame 601 is sent to the accessory device to control the device. The sensed data is processed and formed into data packets and frames and sent to the accessory interface application via the connection interface 120. The accessory interface application receives and decrypts the data and passes it to another suitable application running on the processor 124.

8 is a block diagram illustrating an accessory module 102 in which accessory device 114 includes a music player 800, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The accessory module 102 including the music player 800 is initialized as described above with reference to FIG. 7. The music player 800 includes one or more audio processors 802 that convert stored audio files into analog signals. In one embodiment, the music player 800 includes an audio processor 802, a memory device 804 and an audio circuit 804. The audio processor 802 is a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware (convert audio files such as MP3 or WMA files into analog audio signals) for conversion. Before the audio signal is amplified or provided to the audio jack 808, it is processed by an audio circuit.

Headphones or external speakers are plugged into the audio jack 808. In some cases, the audio signal can be routed back to the portable device assembly and provided through a speaker or audio jack on the portable device assembly.

9 is a block diagram of accessory module 102 in which accessory device 114 includes a GPS receiver 900 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. After the accessory module 102 is secured to the portable device assembly, the accessory device 102 is initialized as described below with reference to FIG. 7. The GPS receiver 900 processes the signal received from the satellite to obtain location information. The location information is formed into data packets within the data frame and sent to the accessory interface application via the interface connection 120. The accessory interface application decodes the frame and provides the location information to a suitable application running on the processor 124.

10 is a block diagram of accessory module 102 in which accessory device 114 includes a user interface 100. After the accessory module 102 is secured to the portable device assembly, the accessory device 102 is initialized as described above with reference to FIG. 7. The user interface may include an output device such as a visual display or a speaker, and may also include an input device such as an optical sensor, a fingerprint reader, a keypad, a keyboard, a joystick, a touch pad or a microphone. In one embodiment, signals are exchanged via the connection interface 12. This may include output data provided via the output device, or input data input by the user to the input device according to the user interface.

11 is a block diagram of accessory module 102 in which accessory device 114 includes an external memory drive 1100. After the accessory module 102 is secured to the portable device assembly, the accessory device 102 is initialized as described with reference to FIG. 7. The memory drive 1100 is configured to perform read and write operations on an external memory medium such as, for example, a memory card, a disk, or a flash memory device. Thus, files and data in the portable device assembly are transferred to or withdrawn from an external memory medium.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing accessory module 102 performed within a portable device assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Steps 1202, 1204, and 1206 may be performed in a different order than that represented in FIG. 12. For example, step 1204 may be performed after step 1206 or concurrently with step 1206.

In step 1202, an initialization process is performed. In one embodiment, communication is initiated between accessory applications, an accessory module type is recognized, and a suitable accessory driver is loaded or verified. An example technique for performing step 1202 is described below with reference to FIG. 13.

In step 1204, a control signal is sent to the accessory module via the connection interface. In one embodiment, one or more control frames are generated and transmitted according to the interface standard via a connection made between the module interface and the assembly interface.

In step 1206, the data signal is exchanged with the accessory module via the connection interface. In one embodiment, one or more data frames 600 are received from an accessory module, where the accessory device includes a sensor or input device, or other device that provides data to the accessory module. If the accessory device is an output device such as a visual display or a speaker, one or more data frames are transmitted via the connection interface to the interface circuit of the accessory module.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an initialization procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, steps 1302-1312 provide an exemplary method of performing step 1202 of FIG. 2. This method is performed by executing software code in the processor 124 of one embodiment.

At step 1320, a connection to the portable device assembly of the accessory module is detected. In one embodiment, a clock signal is provided to the CLK pin of the accessory module in response to a non-dectection of the effective battery identifier via the battery ID pin. The clock signal is input to the interface circuit of the accessory module to initialize and transmit a command frame including a device identifier (device ID). Once the device ID is received, the accessory application detects whether a valid accessory module is connected to the portable device assembly.

In step 1304, the accessory module type is identified. In one embodiment, the device ID is used to determine the classification of a particular device connected to the device or portable device assembly. The device ID is also used to identify the accessory driver corresponding to the accessory module.

At step 1306, it is determined whether the accessory driver has been loaded. Once the accessory driver is loaded, the method continues to step 1204. Otherwise, the procedure continues at step 1308, determining whether the accessory driver has been stored locally.

In step 1308, memory in the portable device assembly is retrieved for the accessory driver recognized in step 1304. The accessory driver is found, and the accessory driver is loaded at step 1312. If the accessory driver has not been stored locally, the method continues to step 1310.

In step 1310, an accessory driver is retrieved. In one embodiment, an accessory driver is retrieved from memory 704 of the accessory module. The load driver command frame is sent to the interface circuit, and using the data frame, the accessory driver is downloaded from the memory 704 to the memory of the portable device assembly. In some cases, accessory drivers can be downloaded to a personal computer or other external device using a cable or wireless connection. In addition, the accessory device may be downloaded via a wireless channel provided by a computer system in another environment.

At step 1312, the accessory driver is loaded into the accessory interface application 500. As described above, in one embodiment, the accessory interface application is a Java application and the accessory driver is a Java applet. Other types of driver and interface applications can be used.

Thus, in one embodiment, a portable communication device system includes a portable communication device assembly 104 and a plurality of accessory modules 102, 302, which include different accessories and perform different functions. The user selects an accessory module with a suitable function to expand the capacity of the portable communication device. According to the interface standard, data and control signals are exchanged via the interface connection between the accessory module and the portable device assembly.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention to the described embodiments. Accordingly, various changes and modifications can be made to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Further, the detailed description of this specification does not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (24)

A wireless communication device (100) comprising a removable battery module (102) and a portable device assembly (104), comprising: a battery (120) for supplying power; A battery terminal 406 arranged to connect with a battery contact 306 on the portable device assembly 104 when the detachable battery module 102 is attached to the wireless communication device 100; An attachment device for securing the removable battery module to the portable device assembly (104); An accessory device 114 that provides additional functionality to the wireless communication device, wherein the accessory device 114 includes an accessory driver 502 that is transferable to the portable device assembly 104, and the portable device assembly 104. Is characterized in that it activates communication between the accessory device 114 and the portable device assembly 104 using the accessory driver 502. A module interface arranged to connect an assembly interface on the wireless communication device when the detachable battery module is attached to the wireless communication device, And the module interface is configured to exchange signals between the wireless communication device and an accessory device of the removable battery module. The method of claim 1, The accessory device comprises a sensor, The sensor is selected from the group consisting of optical sensor, radiation sensor, motion sensor, levitation particle sensor, magnetic sensor, direction sensor, smoke detector, mold detector, carbon monoxide detector and combinations thereof. Removable battery module. The method of claim 1, And the accessory device comprises at least one of a camera, a music player, a GPS receiver, a memory device, a user interface and a visual display. The method of claim 1, And the accessory device (114) comprises at least one of a memory integrated circuit device and a hard drive memory device. The method of claim 1, And the module interface electrically connects the accessory device and the device circuit of the wireless communication device. The method of claim 1, And the module interface comprises a plurality of electrical contacts configured to connect an assembly interface of a wireless communication device for signal exchange between an accessory device and a device circuit of the wireless communication device. The method of claim 1, And the module interface is a wireless interface configured to wirelessly exchange signals between an accessory device and a device circuit of the wireless communication device. The method of claim 1, And a memory device configured to store said accessory driver (502) transferable to said wireless communication device. Portable communication device assembly 104; And A plurality of replaceable battery modules, each battery module 102 is attached to the portable communication device assembly 104 to form a portable communication device, each battery module 102 is: A battery terminal 406 for connecting with a battery contact on the portable communication device assembly to power the portable communication device; An accessory device 114 of one of a plurality of available accessory devices, wherein the accessory device 114 includes an accessory driver 502 that is transferable to the portable communication device assembly 104, and the portable communication device assembly 104. An accessory device (114) characterized by activating communication between the accessory device (114) and the portable communication device assembly (104) using the accessory driver (502); An attachment device for securing each battery module to the portable communication device assembly; And A connection interface for exchanging signals between the portable communication device assembly and the accessory device Portable communication device system comprising a. The method of claim 9, The plurality of accessory devices comprises a sensor accessory module, each sensor accessory module including a sensor, Wherein said sensor accessory module comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a radiation sensor, a motion sensor, a levitation particle sensor, a magnetic sensor, a direction sensor, a smoke detector, a mold detector, a carbon monoxide detector and combinations thereof. Portable communication device system. The method of claim 9, And the accessory device comprises a memory accessory module, wherein the memory accessory module comprises a memory device. delete delete delete delete delete A method for managing communication between a wireless communication device and a battery module 102 detachable from the wireless communication device, the method comprising: When the battery module is attached to the wireless communication device, supplying power from the battery module to the wireless communication device through a battery terminal (406) of the battery module in contact with a battery contact of the wireless communication device; Responsive to a request from the wireless communication device, retrieving an accessory driver 502 from a module memory 704 contained within the detachable battery module 102, wherein the accessory driver 502 is an accessory device 114. Retrieving communication between the wireless communication device and the wireless communication device; Transmitting control signals from the wireless communication device to the battery module; Receiving at least one control signal of the control signals at an accessory device (114) included in the battery module; And The accessory device providing additional functionality for the wireless communication device Communication management method comprising a. The method of claim 17, The transmitting of the control signal includes transmitting the control signal to one of a user interface of the accessory device and a visual display of the accessory device. The method of claim 17, When the removable battery module is attached to the wireless communication device, providing power from the removable battery module to the wireless communication device; Transmitting a device identifier from the accessory device included in the detachable battery module to the wireless communication device; In response to receiving the device identifier and the accessory driver, transmitting a control signal from the wireless communication device to the accessory device; And Receiving data from an accessory device of the removable battery module in response to a transmitted control signal Communication management method comprising a. The method of claim 19, And the retrieving step is responsive to a determination in the wireless communication device that the accessory device has not been loaded into the wireless communication device. The method of claim 17, When the battery module is connected to a wireless communication device, further comprising performing an initialization procedure, wherein the initialization procedure is: Detecting a connection of the battery module to the wireless communication device; Receiving a device identifier from the battery module; And Identifying the type of battery module based on the device identifier Communication management method further comprises. The method of claim 21, The initialization procedure is as follows: And retrieving an accessory driver from an accessory device in the battery module. The method of claim 19, Sensor data collected by the sensor device in the accessory device, image data collected by the camera in the accessory device, audio data from a music player in the accessory device, location information from a GPS receiver in the accessory device, And at least one of data stored in a memory device in the accessory device. The method of claim 23, wherein And said sensor device is selected from the group consisting of optical sensor, radiation sensor, motion sensor, levitation particle sensor, magnetic sensor, direction sensor, smoke detector, mold detector, carbon monoxide detector and combinations thereof.

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