IP Library Granted Patent US 8,180,399
Granted Patent B1
US 8,180,399 · App. 13/095,422 · Granted May 15, 2012

Wireless interface extension for mobile devices

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,180,399
App. No.
13/095,422
Granted
May 15, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

A wireless interface extension for mobile devices is provided. The wireless interface extension includes a user interface, a wireless communication link, and a processor. The processor communicates with a mobile device over the wireless communication link and enables a user to use the user interface to interact with at least one user application on the mobile device.

Claims (36)

1. A wireless interface extension for a mobile device, comprising:

a user interface;

a short-range wireless communication link;

a processor configured to:

communicate with the mobile device over the short-range wireless communication link,

enable output of content of an application executing on the mobile device via the user interface, and

determine whether control of the application is directed from either the mobile device or from the user interface of the wireless interface extension based on a user selecting a displayed option that specifies from where control of the application is directed.

2. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein when the processor determines that control of the application is directed from the user interface of the wireless extension, the processor is further configured to receive selection of an option through the user interface to return control of the application to the mobile device.

3. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein when the processor determines that control of the application is directed from the user interface of the wireless extension, the processor is further configured to convert input received through the user interface of the wireless interface extension into a form recognized by the application of the mobile device.

4. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a touch screen configured to output the content of the application and further configured to receive input for control of the application.

5. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a visual output device and an audio output device that are enhanced relative to a visual output device and an audio output device for the mobile device.

6. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the application executing on the mobile device comprises at least one of camera, ring-tone selection, calendar, games, instant messenger, video, web browser, electronic mail, navigation, music, radio, television, and global positioning.

7. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface extension is not a stand-alone component.

8. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the content of the application output via the user interface includes additional content of the application than is available for viewing at one time on the mobile device.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions of an extension connector application that, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, causes the mobile device to:

establish short-range wireless communications between the mobile device and a wireless interface extension; and

communicate content of an application executing on the mobile device to the wireless interface extension for output on the wireless interface extension;

receive a selection of a displayed option from a user that specifies whether control of the application is directed from the mobile device or from the wireless interface extension.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the extension connector application, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, further causes the mobile device to:

communicate the selection of the option to the wireless interface extension.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the extension connector application, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, further causes the mobile device to:

receive control input of the application from a user interface of the wireless interface extension in response to the selection of the option to direct control of the application from the wireless interface extension.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the extension connector application, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, further causes the mobile device to:

receive a control input from the user interface of the wireless interface extension to return control of the application to the mobile device.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the extension connector application, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, further causes the mobile device to:

receive control input of the application from a user interface of the mobile device in response to the selection of the option to direct control of the application from the mobile device.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the application executing on the mobile device comprises at least one of camera, ring-tone selection, calendar, games, instant messenger, video, web browser, electronic mail, navigation, music, radio, television, and global positioning.

15. A wireless interface extension for a mobile device, comprising: a user interface;

a short-range wireless communication link; and

a processor configured to:

communicate with the mobile device over the short-range wireless communication link,

enable output of content of an application executing on the mobile device via the user interface, wherein the content of the application output via the user interface includes additional content of the application than is available for viewing at one time on the mobile device, and

determine whether control of the application is directed from either the mobile device or from the user interface of the wireless interface extension based on a user selecting adisplayed option that specifies from where control of the application is directed.

16. The wireless interface extension of claim 15 , wherein the additional content comprises one or more additional menu options than are available for viewing at one time on the mobile device.

17. The wireless interface extension of claim 15 , wherein the additional content comprises additional map content on a larger navigational map than is available for viewing at one time on the mobile device.

18. The wireless interface extension of claim 1 , wherein the user selects the option using keys or a microphone.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; IBSV LLC; LAYER3 TV, LLC; PUSHSPRING, LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; SPRINTCOM LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC
Reel/Frame 062595/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: T-MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 055604/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 052969/0475 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ISBV LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; LAYER3 TV, INC.; PUSHSPRING, INC.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; CLEARWIRE LEGACY LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 053182/0001 →
GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 041895/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2011
From: KATZER, ROBIN D.; PERSSON, CARL J.; STONE, M. JEFFREY
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 026421/0899 →