Method and apparatus for disabling the RF functionality of a multi-function wireless communication device while maintaining local functionality
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for disabling the communication functionality (i.e., disabling the transmission and/or reception of RF signals) of an integrated device, while still providing access to the local functionality of such device. A control and select function, such as a switch that is implemented by hardware or software or a combination thereof, is provided in an integrated device to allow the end user of the device to access the local data processing functionality of the device, even while the wireless communication functionality of such device is disabled.
1. An integrated mobile device that provides local functionality and communication functionality, comprising:
a first power supply;
a computing unit, coupled to the first power supply;
a second power supply;
a radio communication unit coupled to the second power supply; and
a switch, coupled to the second power supply, adapted to selectively couple the radio communication unit to the second power supply, to provide first and second modes of operation, wherein the first mode of operation enables the computing unit and the radio communication unit, and the second mode of operation disables the radio communication unit and enables the computing unit.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the radio communication unit provides cellular communication between the mobile device and an external entity.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the computing unit comprises:
a data storage area to store information; and
a processor, coupled to the data storage area, to retrieve the information.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the information includes random access information.
5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the information includes read-only information.
6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the information includes multimedia information.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the computing unit is adapted to provide data communication functionality between the mobile device and an external entity in response to the radio communication unit being unit being enabled.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the external entity comprises an adaptive array base station.
9. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing platform, are adapted to cause said computing platform to perform a method comprising:
coupling a user operated computing unit to a first power supply;
coupling a radio communication unit to a second power supply;
selectively coupling the radio communication unit to the second power supply to provide first and second modes of operation;
where the first mode of operation enables the computing unit and the radio communication unit;
where the second mode of operation disables the radio communication unit and enables the computing unit.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where selectively coupling the radio communication unit includes disabling access to sending wireless signals from the radio communication unit while maintaining access to receiving wireless signals from the radio communication unit.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access to sending wireless signals comprises sending a software command that results in a portion of the radio communication unit ceasing operation.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access to sending wireless signals comprises disabling a local oscillator of the radio communication unit.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access to sending wireless signals comprises disabling at least an operation of an antenna coupled to the radio communication unit.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access to sending wireless signals comprises disabling the access in response to selection of a soft key on a device integrally comprising the radio communication unit and the user-operated computing unit.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access to sending wireless signals comprises disabling the access in response to activation of a mechanical trigger on a device integrally comprising the radio communication unit and the user-operated computing unit.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 ,
where instructions stored thereon that, if executed by said computing platform, are further adapted to cause said computing platform to perform the method where disabling the access in response to activation of a mechanical trigger comprises disabling the access to sending wireless signals in response to depressing of a button on a device integrally comprising the radio communication unit and the user-operated computing unit.