Multi Mode Mobile Computing Device

Abstract

A multi mode mobile computing device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a communication processor configured to facilitate wireless voice and data communication when the device is in a communication mode and an application processor configured to execute at least one computing application when the device is in a computing mode. The device further includes a configuration module configured to switch from the computing mode to the communication mode in response to user input of at least part of a telephone number.

1 . A multi mode mobile device configured to switch between a communication mode and a computing mode, the device comprising:
 a communication processor configured to facilitate wireless voice and data communication when the device is in the communication mode;   an application processor configured to execute at least one computing application when the device is in the computing mode; and   a configuration module configured to switch from the computing mode to the communication mode in response to user input of at least part of a telephone number.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the application processor functions as a master processor and the communication processor functions as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the application processor is deenergized when the device is in the communication mode to enable the communication processor to function as the master processor. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the application processor is associated with a processor local bus (PLB), the device further comprising a PLB bridge processor configured to enable the communication processor to function as the master processor when the device is in the communication mode and to enable the communication processor to function as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the communication processor is associated with a memory bus communicating with one or more memory devices, and wherein the PLB bridge processor is configured to bridge the memory bus to the PLB. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one peripheral hardware component connected to the PLB. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the communication processor is further configured to access the at least one peripheral hardware component when the device is in the communication mode. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one peripheral hardware component includes at least one of a touch panel controller and a storage interface. 
   
   
       9 . A multi mode mobile device configured to switch between a communication mode and a computing mode, the device comprising:
 application processing means for executing at least one computing application when the device is in the computing mode;   communication processing means for facilitating wireless voice and data communication when the device is in the communication mode; and   means for switching the device from the computing mode to the communication mode in response to user input of at least part of telephone number.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the application processing means functions as a master processor and the communication processing means functions as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the application processing means is deenergized when the device is in the communication mode to enable the communication processing means to function as the master processor. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the application processing means is associated with a processor local bus (PLB), the device further comprising a PLB bridge processing means for enabling the communication processing means to function as the master processor and the communication processing means to function as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the communication processing means is associated with a memory bus communicating with one or more memory devices, and wherein the PLB bridge processing means comprises means for bridging the memory bus to the PLB. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one peripheral hardware component coupled to the PLB. 
   
   
       15 . A method for operating a multi mode mobile device in a computing mode and a communication mode, the method comprising:
 executing at least one computing application by an application processor in the computing mode;   switching from the computing mode to the communication mode in response to user input including at least a part of a telephone number; and   facilitating wireless voice and data communication using a communication processor in the communication mode.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the application processor functions as a master processor and the communication processor functions as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the application processor is deenergized when the device is in the communication mode to enable the communication processor to function as the master processor when the device is in the communication mode. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the application processor is associated with a processor local bus (PLB), the method further comprising using a PLB bridge processor to enable the communication processor to function as the master processor and the communication processor to function as a peripheral processor when the device is in the computing mode. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the communication processor is associated with a memory bus communicating with one or more memory devices, the method further comprising using the PLB bridge processor to bridge the memory bus to the PLB. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising using the communication processor to access the at least one peripheral hardware component when the device is in the communication mode.