(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2005/0135393 A1
`Benco et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`US 20050135393A1
`
`(54) PERIPHERAL HUB FOR MOBILE PHONES
`
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 370/408
`
`(76) Inventors: David S. Benco, Win?eld, IL (US);
`Sanjeev Mahajan, Naperville, IL (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`PATTI & BRILL
`ONE NORTH LASALLE STREET
`44TH FLOOR
`CHICAGO’ IL 60602 (Us)
`_
`(21) Appl' NO"
`(22) Filed,
`'
`
`10/742’154
`Dec 19 2003
`’
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. H04L 12/28
`
`57
`(
`)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Embodiments of the method and system provide a system
`that provides for interfacing a data capable mobile phone to
`peripheral devices. The system may have: an internal bus in
`the mobile phone; a peripheral hub operatively connected to
`the internal bus; a plurality of peripheral devices operatively
`connected to the peripheral hub; and the peripheral hub
`respectively functionally coupling the peripheral devices to
`the mobile phone. The method is implemented by the
`system.
`
`MOBILE SWITCHING CENTER
`(MSCI
`102
`
`CALL
`CONTROLLER
`103
`
`l__l
`
`PUBLIC SWITCHED
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`(PSTN)
`
`PERIPHERAL
`HUB
`12°
`
`A
`
`MOBILE
`PHONE
`112
`
`O00 O00 000
`
`WIRELINE STATION
`‘I08
`
`MOUSE
`126
`
`I
`
`KEVBOARD
`I14
`
`Page 1 of 8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 3
`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`MOBILE SWITCHING CENTER
`(MSC)
`102
`
`CALL
`CONTROLLER
`103
`
`PUBLIC SWITCHED
`TELEPHONE NETWORK
`(PSTN)
`‘04
`
`F
`
`1
`
`VLR
`116
`
`E
`$1.:
`
`WIRELINE STATION
`108
`
`MOBILE
`PHONE
`112
`
`g
`
`BASE STATION
`
`PERIPHERAL
`HUB
`110
`
`12B
`
`124
`
`Page 2 of 8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 3
`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`PRINTER
`22a
`
`MONITOR
`222
`
`KEYBOARD
`224
`
`MOUSE
`22a
`
`_
`
`'————
`
`-
`
`_
`PRINTER
`CABLE
`225
`
`SECOND
`
`END
`:33
`
`INTERFACE
`CABLE _
`2:0
`
`momma KEYBOARD
`CABLE
`CABLE
`221
`22: .
`
`.
`
`MOUSE
`CABLE
`221
`
`"
`
`‘y
`
`PERIPHERAL
`
`W U
`
`
`
`" O 210
`
`P511
`DBZS-PARALLEL HD15 MONITOR
`PORT
`PORT
`CONNEC‘I'OR p512
`250
`252
`254 CONNECTOR
`250
`
`U53 - B
`"6
`E w
`:3 [:1 lg] [EJ_‘|
`
`[5551384
`BPIN
`FIRE WIRE
`
`260
`
`moans
`STATION
`212
`Hm /
`
`END
`231
`
`INTERNAL
`
`Bus \
`2"
`
`_ 2
`
`\
`BUS
`CONNECTOR
`232
`
`[5551394
`4P|N
`
`FIRE WIRE
`2a:
`
`B
`Us ‘A
`n4
`
`‘
`
`HARDWAREISOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY MODULE
`:10
`
`DEW“
`CONTROLLERS
`272
`
`c o A ITY TO
`“"JLR’L km,
`INSTALL DRIVERS
`274
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`
`240
`
`Page 3 of 8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 3
`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`PROVIDING A INTERNAL BUS IN THE MOBILE
`PHONE
`
`‘'
`
`PROVIDING A PERIPHERAL HUB HAVING AN INPUT
`AND AT LEAST ONE OUTPUT
`302
`
`‘
`
`OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE INTERNAL BUS
`To THE INPUT OF THE PERIPHERAL HUB
`303
`
`V
`PROVIDING ONE OR MORE IIO INTERFACE DEVICE
`CONTROLLERS IN THE PERIPERAL HUB
`S04
`
`é
`
`PROVIDING STORAGE AND MEANS TO INSTALL
`DRIVERS FOR THE PERIPHERAL DEVICES
`CONNECTED TO THE PERIPHERAL HUB
`305
`
`I
`
`OPERATIVELY CONNECTING AT LEAST ONE
`PERIPHERAL DEVICE TO THE AT LEAST ONE
`OUTPUT OF THE PERIPHERAL HUB
`306
`
`V
`
`INTERWORK WITH THE INTERNAL BUS OF
`THE MOBILE PHONE TO EXCHANGE DATA
`
`‘"0 CONTROL 'NFORMAT'ON Wm‘ “E
`MOB'LE CPU LE- ""ERFACE DEV'CE
`CONTROLLERS INSIDE THE PERIPHERAL HUB
`TO THE MOBILE CPU
`307
`
`i
`
`DIRECT CONTROL AND DATA FROM THE
`INTERNAL BUS TO THE MOBILE PHONE TO
`THE CORRESPONDING INTERFACE DEVICE
`CONTROLLER
`308
`
`FIG.3
`
`Page 4 of 8
`
`

`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`PERIPHERAL HUB FOR MOBILE PHONES
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to Wireless telephony
`in general, and, more particularly, to a method and system
`that provides an interface for a data capable mobile phone.
`The interface provides an operable connection betWeen the
`mobile phone and an external peripheral device, such as a
`keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, etc.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The general concept of connection of external
`peripheral devices to a computer is Well knoWn. Portable
`computers, such as notebook computers and laptop comput
`ers, are popular and Widespread devices that provide a user
`With mobile computing poWer in a small, lightWeight por
`table package. Although portable computers are very ef?
`cient mobile computing devices, they also can be used in
`non-mobile computing environments. For example, one
`common device that enables a user to use a portable com
`puter as a “replacement” for a desktop computer is a docking
`platform. A docking platform (such as a docking station or
`a port replicator) facilitates the use of a portable computer
`With components that are usually considered non-portable
`and associated With the desktop computer system, such as
`desktop computer peripherals and netWork connections.
`[0003] Docking platforms are typically used to interface
`portable computers to other portable, desktop or non-por
`table electronic peripherals, such as computer monitors,
`optical disk drives, full-siZe keyboards, pointing devices
`such as trackballs or mice, digital cameras, and other
`devices. Many types and styles of docking stations have
`been developed to interface With portable computers.
`[0004] The current generation of mobile phones (also
`referred to as mobile handsets, mobile terminals, personal
`data assistances, etc.) supports packet data Wireless access.
`With groWing acceptance of mobile data applications and
`groWing complexity of data capable mobile phones it is
`feasible that users may eventually Want to use the data
`capable mobiles as computing platforms. When the data
`capable mobile phones are used as computing platforms,
`many applications are feasible, such as sharing, With an
`audience, a presentation off a company intranet or doWn
`loaded to the data capable mobile phone. This Would be
`greatly facilitated if the data capable mobiles could connect
`to external audio/visual/data peripheral devices much like a
`personal computer. HoWever, current mobile phones are
`unable to interface With external peripheral devices.
`
`[0005] Thus, there is a need for an interface that is an
`operable connection betWeen the mobile phone and an
`external peripheral device, such as a keyboard, mouse,
`monitor, printer, etc.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0006] The folloWing summary of embodiments of the
`invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some
`of the innovative features unique to the present invention
`and is not intended to be a full description. A full apprecia
`tion of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by
`taking the entire speci?cation, claims, draWings, and
`abstract as a Whole.
`
`[0007] In general terms, an embodiment of the present
`system is a system that provides for interfacing a data
`capable mobile phone to peripheral devices. This embodi
`ment of the system may have: an internal bus in the mobile
`phone; a peripheral hub operatively connected to the internal
`bus, the peripheral hub having I/O ports; a plurality of
`peripheral devices operatively connected to the I/O ports of
`the peripheral hub; device controllers in the peripheral hub
`for respectively the I/ O ports; and the peripheral hub respec
`tively functionally coupling the peripheral devices to the
`mobile phone.
`
`[0008] In another embodiment the peripheral hub may
`have: an input operatively connectable to an internal bus of
`the mobile phone; an input that is an I/O port operatively
`connectable to an internal bus of the mobile phone; at least
`one peripheral device output that is an I/O port; a function
`ality module operatively connected to the input and to the at
`least one peripheral device output, the functionality module
`having I/O interface device controllers for the I/O ports;
`Wherein the functionality module separates at least one
`peripheral interface from the internal bus of the mobile
`phone and makes the at least one peripheral interface
`available on the at least one output.
`
`[0009] In a further embodiment of a system for interfacing
`a data capable mobile phone to at least one peripheral
`device, the system may have: an internal bus in the mobile
`phone; a bus connector on the mobile phone, the bus
`connector operatively connected to the internal bus; a
`peripheral hub having an input that is an I/ O port and at least
`one output that is an I/O port; an interface cable having a ?rst
`end releasably connectable to the bus connector and a
`second end operatively connected to the input of the periph
`eral hub; at least one peripheral device releasably connect
`able to the at least one output of the peripheral hub; and a
`functionality module operatively connected to the input and
`to the at least one output, the functionality module having
`I/O interface device controllers separating at least one
`peripheral interface from the internal bus of the mobile
`phone and making the at least one peripheral interface
`available on the at least one output.One embodiment of the
`present method for interfacing a data capable mobile phone
`to at least one peripheral device, may have the steps of:
`providing a internal bus in the mobile phone; providing a
`peripheral hub having an input that is an I/ O port and at least
`one output that is an I/O port; operatively connecting the
`internal bus to the input of the peripheral hub; providing an
`I/ O interface device controller respectively for each I/O port
`in the peripheral hub; storing and installing drivers for
`peripheral devices connected to the peripheral hub; opera
`tively connecting at least one peripheral device to the at least
`one output of the peripheral hub; interWorking With the
`internal bus of the mobile phone to exchange data and
`control information With a CPU of the mobile phone; and
`directing control and data from the internal bus of the mobile
`phone to a corresponding interface device controller for a
`respective peripheral device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] The accompanying ?gures, in Which like reference
`numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements
`throughout the separate vieWs and Which are incorporated in
`and form part of the speci?cation, further illustrate the
`
`Page 5 of 8
`
`

`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`present invention and, together With the detailed description
`of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the
`present invention.
`
`[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrative of a
`mobile sWitching center, base station and mobile phone for
`use With the present method and system.
`
`[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram illus
`trative of the peripheral hub according to one embodiment of
`the present method and system.
`
`[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a very general ?oW chart of
`logical operational steps that may be folloWed in accordance
`With one embodiment of the present method and system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0014] The particular values and con?gurations discussed
`in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited
`merely to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention
`and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
`[0015] Methodologies of the present method and system
`may include at least one of: to provide external access to the
`internal bus of the data capable mobile phone; for an
`external peripheral hub that connects to the internal bus of
`the data capable mobile phone; for an external peripheral
`hub to provide at least one of standard PC peripheral
`connectors, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, super VGA moni
`tor (HD 15 PIN), parallel printer cable (IEEE 1284 cable),
`and USB port; for an external peripheral hub to provide
`drivers needed to access the devices connected to the hub,
`like printer driver for the printer attached; to provide means
`for the mobile to access the needed drivers from the hub.
`
`[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 is depicted for at
`least one mobile terminal (also referred to as a mobile phone
`or mobile station) of a plurality of mobile terminals opera
`tively connected to a communication netWork. Although the
`present system and method may be used any type of system
`(Wired and Wireless, for example), the subscriber may typi
`cally be a mobile subscriber Who uses a mobile terminal
`(also referred to as mobile phone, a cell phone, mobile
`handset, car phone). The system (or communication net
`Work) 100 may have a mobile sWitching center (MSC) 102.
`The system may be, or may be part of, one or more of a
`telephone netWork, a local area netWork (“LAN”), the
`Internet, and a Wireless netWork. In the depicted embodi
`ment, a public sWitched telephone netWork (PSTN) 104 is
`connected to the MSC 102. The PSTN 104 routes calls to
`and from mobile users through the MSC 102. The PSTN 104
`also routes calls from and to Wireline stations 106. The MSC
`102 may also be connected to one or more base stations (BS)
`110. Each of the base stations 110 communicates With
`mobile terminal(s) 112 in its service area. The PSTN 104
`generally can be implemented as the WorldWide voice tele
`phone netWork accessible to all those With telephones and
`access privileges (e.g., AT&T long distance netWork).
`[0017] Each of the mobile terminals 112 may have a home
`location register (HLR) 114 Where data about each of the
`mobile terminals 112 resides. Some of the mobile terminals
`112 may be remotely located from their home location, and
`in that case, a visiting location register (VLR) 116 is set up
`locally for each mobile terminal 112 that is visiting in its
`service area. HLR 114 can be implemented as a permanent
`SS7 database utiliZed in cellular netWorks, such as, but not
`
`limited to, for example, AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone
`System), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communica
`tions), and PCS.
`[0018] HLR 114 may be utiliZed generally to identify/
`verify a subscriber, and also contains subscriber data related
`to features and services. HLR 114 is generally utiliZed not
`only When a call is being made Within a coverage area
`supported by a cellular provider of record, but also to verify
`the legitimacy and to support subscriber features When a
`subscriber is aWay from his or her home area. VLR 116, on
`the other hand, may be implemented as a local database
`maintained by the cellular provider Whose territory is being
`roamed. Mobile terminal 112 may be implemented as a
`cellular device, personal communication device, short mes
`sage service device or Wireless communications device (e. g.,
`a Wireless personal digital assistant).
`
`[0019] The mobile terminal 112 may also be utiliZed as a
`computing platform by the connection of a peripheral hub
`120. Aplurality of peripheral devices, such as monitor 122,
`printer 126, keyboard 124, and mouse 128, are also con
`nected to the peripheral hub 120. In general, a respective
`peripheral device of the plurality of peripheral devices may
`be one of: mouse, trackball, monitor, keyboard, printer,
`scanner, digital camera, storage device, digital video cam
`era, joystick, speaker, audio system, video display device,
`microphone, etc.
`
`[0020] The present system alloWs the mobile phone 112
`(or other similar portable devices) to be easily and conve
`niently used in a non-mobile computing environment. Thus,
`for example, the mobile phone 112 may be used as a
`replacement for a desktop computer. The peripheral hub 120
`alloWs use of the mobile phone 112 With input/output
`devices (such as, monitor 122, printer 126, keyboard 124,
`and mouse 128) that are usually considered non-portable and
`associated With a desktop computer system.
`
`[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, a system is depicted for
`interfacing a data capable mobile phone 212 to a plurality of
`peripheral devices, such as, monitor 222, printer 226, key
`board 224, and mouse 228. The mobile phone 212 may have
`an a internal bus 234 that carries peripheral interfaces, and
`may have a bus connector 232 that is operatively connected
`to the internal bus 234.
`
`[0022] Aperipheral hub 210 may have an input 236 and a
`plurality of peripheral device outputs. In the embodiment
`depicted in FIG. 2, for example, the outputs may be DB25
`parallel port connector 250, HD15 connector 252, six pin
`mini DIN (PS/2) connector 254 and 256, IEEE 1394 six pin
`connector 260, IEEE 1394 four pin connector 262, USB-A
`connector 264, and USB-B connector 266. Other types of
`outputs and connectors may be used With the peripheral hub
`210. Also as depicted in FIG. 2, the monitor 222 is con
`nected to the HD15 connector 252 by monitor cable 221, the
`printer 226 is connected to the DB25 parallel port connector
`250 by printer cable 225, the keyboard 224 is connected to
`the PS/2 connector 254 by keyboard cable 223, and the
`mouse 228 is connected to the PS/2 connector 256 by mouse
`cable 227.
`
`[0023] An interface cable 230 may have a ?rst end 231
`releasably connectable to the bus connector 232 and a
`second end 233 operatively connected to the input 236 of the
`peripheral hub 210. A functionality module may be opera
`
`Page 6 of 8
`
`

`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`tively connected to the input 236 and to the outputs 250, 252,
`254, 256, 260, 262, 264, and 266. The functionality module
`270 separates at least one peripheral interface from the
`internal bus 234 of the mobile phone 212 and makes the at
`least one peripheral interface available on one of the outputs
`250, 252, 254, 256, 260, 262, 264, and 266. The function
`ality module 270 may also have functionality to recognize
`peripheral devices connected to the peripheral hub. The
`functionality module 270 may also have device controllers
`272 for the I/O ports supported by the peripheral hub. The
`functionality module 270 may also have functionality 274 to
`store and install drivers for the peripheral devices connected
`to the peripheral hub 210. PoWer may be supplied to the
`peripheral hub 210 by poWer source 240.
`
`[0024] A mobile phone 212 may support a standard bus
`234 similar to the PCI bus used by personal computers. This
`bus 234 may provide architecture for the external device
`controllers (like parallel, serial, USB port controllers) to
`connect and interact With the CPU inside the mobile 212.
`The interface cable 230 may connect the standard bus 234
`inside the mobile 212 With the device controllers 272 in the
`peripheral hub 210.
`
`[0025] An interface cable 230 may consist of all the
`connections necessary to access the data and control bus of
`the CPU inside the mobile. It may be very similar to the bus
`connectors for a laptop to the docking station With the
`exception that it Would be a cable instead of connectors that
`interlock into each other. In an alternative embodiment it
`may also be connectors that interlock into each other.
`
`[0026] FIG. 3 is a general block diagram depicting an
`embodiment of the present method. In very general terms,
`the method has the steps of: providing a internal bus in the
`mobile phone (step 301); providing a peripheral hub having
`an input and at least one output (step 302); operatively
`connecting the internal bus to the input of the peripheral hub
`(step 303); providing one or more i/o interface device
`controllers inside the peripheral hub (step 304); providing
`storage and means to install drivers for the peripheral
`devices connected to the peripheral hub (step 305); opera
`tively connecting at least one peripheral device to the at least
`one output of the peripheral hub (step 306); operatively inter
`Working With the internal bus of the mobile phone to
`exchange data and control information With a CPU of the
`mobile phone to interface device controllers inside the
`peripheral hub to the CPU (step 307); directing control and
`data from the internal bus of the mobile phone to a corre
`sponding interface device controller in the peripheral hub
`(step 308).
`[0027] Thus the improved method and system alloW data
`capable mobile phones to be connected to external audio/
`visual/data peripheral devices much like a personal com
`puter. The present system and method may be used With
`non-mobile phones, as Well as, other mobile devices. Also,
`different types of data storage devices may be used With the
`present method and system. For example, a data storage
`device may be one or more of a magnetic, electrical, optical,
`biological, and atomic data storage medium.
`
`[0028] The method and system of the present invention
`may be implemented in hardWare, softWare, or combinations
`of hardWare and softWare. In a softWare embodiment, por
`tions of the present invention may be computer program
`products embedded in computer readable medium. Portions
`
`of the system may employ and/or comprise a set and/or
`series of computer instructions Written in or implemented
`With any of a number of programming languages, as Will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`
`[0029] The embodiments and examples set forth herein are
`presented to best explain the present invention and its
`practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in
`the art to make and utiliZe the invention. Those skilled in the
`art, hoWever, Will recogniZe that the foregoing description
`and examples have been presented for the purpose of
`illustration and example only. Other variations and modi?
`cations of the present invention Will be apparent to those of
`skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims that
`such variations and modi?cations be covered. The descrip
`tion as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
`the scope of the invention. Many modi?cations and varia
`tions are possible in light of the above teaching Without
`departing from the scope of the folloWing claims. It is
`contemplated that the use of the present invention can
`involve components having different characteristics. It is
`intended that the scope of the present invention be de?ned
`by the claims appended hereto, giving full cogniZance to
`equivalents in all respects.
`
`We claim:
`1. A system for interfacing a data capable mobile phone
`to peripheral devices, comprising:
`an internal bus in the mobile phone;
`
`a peripheral hub operatively connected to the internal bus,
`the peripheral hub having I/O ports;
`
`a plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected to
`the I/O ports of the peripheral hub;
`device controllers in the peripheral hub for respectively
`the I/O ports; and
`the peripheral hub respectively functionally coupling the
`peripheral devices to the mobile phone.
`2. The system according to claim 1, Wherein the periph
`eral hub further comprises:
`
`an input operatively connectable to the internal bus of the
`mobile phone;
`
`at least one peripheral device output that is an I/O port;
`and
`
`a functionality module having I/O interface device con
`trollers for the I/O ports operatively connected to the
`input and to the at least one output, the functionality
`module separating peripheral interfaces from the inter
`nal bus of the mobile phone and making respective
`peripheral interfaces available on respective outputs of
`the peripheral hub.
`3. The system according to claim 2, Wherein the periph
`eral hub has a plurality of peripheral device outputs, and
`Wherein a respective peripheral device output of the plurality
`of peripheral device outputs is one of; DB25 parallel port
`connector, HDlS connector, six pin mini DIN (PS/2) con
`nector, IEEE 1394 six pin connector, IEEE 1394 four pin
`connector, USB-A connector, and USB-B connector.
`4. The system according to claim 1, Wherein the func
`tionality module further comprises functionality to recog
`niZe peripheral devices connected to the peripheral hub.
`
`Page 7 of 8
`
`

`
`US 2005/0135393 A1
`
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the a
`plurality of peripheral devices are operatively connected to
`the peripheral hub, and Wherein a respective peripheral
`device of the plurality of peripheral devices is one of:
`mouse, trackball, rnonitor, keyboard, printer, scanner, digital
`camera, storage device, digital video camera, joystick,
`speaker, audio system, video display device, and micro
`phone.
`6. Aperipheral hub for interfacing a data capable mobile
`phone to at least one peripheral device, comprising:
`
`an input that is an I/O port operatively connectable to an
`internal bus of the mobile phone;
`
`at least one peripheral device output that is an I/O port;
`
`a functionality rnodule operatively connected to the input
`and to the at least one peripheral device output, the
`functionality rnodule having I/O interface device con
`trollers for the I/O ports;
`
`Wherein the functionality rnodule separates at least one
`peripheral interface from the internal bus of the mobile
`phone and makes the at least one peripheral interface
`available on the at least one output.
`7. The system according to claim 6, Wherein the periph
`eral hub has a plurality of peripheral device outputs, and
`Wherein a respective peripheral device output of the plurality
`of peripheral device outputs is one of; DB25 parallel port
`connector, HD15 connector, siX pin rnini DIN (PS/2) con
`nector, IEEE 1394 siX pin connector, IEEE 1394 four pin
`connector, USB-A connector, and USB-B connector.
`8. The system according to claim 6, Wherein the func
`tionality rnodule further comprises functionality to recog
`niZe peripheral devices connected to the peripheral hub.
`9. A system for interfacing a data capable mobile phone
`to at least one peripheral device, comprising:
`
`an internal bus in the mobile phone;
`
`a bus connector on the mobile phone, the bus connector
`operatively connected to the internal bus;
`
`a peripheral hub having an input that is an I/O port and at
`least one output that is an I/O port;
`
`an interface cable having a ?rst end releasably connect
`able to the bus connector and a second end operatively
`connected to the input of the peripheral hub;
`
`at least one peripheral device releasably connectable to
`the at least one output of the peripheral hub; and
`a functionality rnodule operatively connected to the input
`and to the at least one output, the functionality rnodule
`having I/O interface device controllers separating at
`least one peripheral interface from the internal bus of
`the mobile phone and making the at least one peripheral
`interface available on the at least one output.
`10. The system according to claim 9, Wherein the periph
`eral hub has a plurality of peripheral device outputs, and
`Wherein a respective peripheral device output of the plurality
`
`of peripheral device outputs is one of; DB25 parallel port
`connector, HD15 connector, siX pin rnini DIN (PS/2) con
`nector, IEEE 1394 siX pin connector, IEEE 1394 four pin
`connector, USB-A connector, and USB-B connector.
`11. The system according to claim 9, Wherein the func
`tionality rnodule further comprises functionality to recog
`niZe peripheral devices connected to the peripheral hub.
`12. The system according to claim 9, Wherein a plurality
`of peripheral devices are operatively connected to the
`peripheral hub, and Wherein a respective peripheral device
`of the plurality of peripheral devices is one of: mouse,
`trackball, rnonitor, keyboard, printer, scanner, digital carn
`era, storage device, digital video camera, joystick, speaker,
`audio system, video display device, and microphone.
`13. A method for interfacing a data capable mobile phone
`to at least one peripheral device, comprising:
`
`providing a internal bus in the mobile phone;
`
`providing a peripheral hub having an input that is an I/O
`port and at least one output that is an I/O port;
`operatively connecting the internal bus to the input of the
`peripheral hub;
`providing an I/O interface device controller respectively
`for each I/O port in the peripheral hub;
`storing and installing drivers for peripheral devices con
`nected to the peripheral hub;
`
`operatively connecting at least one peripheral device to
`the at least one output of the peripheral hub;
`
`interWorking With the internal bus of the mobile phone to
`exchange data and control information With a CPU of
`the mobile phone; and
`
`directing control and data from the internal bus of the
`mobile phone to a corresponding interface device con
`troller for a respective peripheral device.
`14. The method according to claim 13, Wherein the
`peripheral hub has a plurality of peripheral device outputs,
`and Wherein a respective peripheral device output of the
`plurality of peripheral device outputs is one of; DB25
`parallel port connector, HD15 connector, siX pin rnini DIN
`(PS/2) connector, IEEE 1394 siX pin connector, IEEE 1394
`four pin connector, USB-A connector, and USB-B connec
`tor.
`15. The method according to claim 13, Wherein the
`method further comprises recogniZing peripheral devices
`connected to the peripheral hub.
`16. The system according to claim 13, Wherein a plurality
`of peripheral devices are operatively connected to the
`peripheral hub, and Wherein a respective peripheral device
`of the plurality of peripheral devices is one of: mouse,
`trackball, rnonitor, keyboard, printer, scanner, digital carn
`era, storage device, digital video camera, joystick, speaker,
`audio system, video display device, and microphone.
`
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