Accessory device for mobile host device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an accessory device for a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows walkie-talkie communication between an accessory device and a mobile host device as well as control by the accessory device of functions of the mobile host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows simplified speed dial control of a mobile phone host device. In other embodiments, accessory devices provide walkie-talkie communication with a mobile host device and provide positioning information to a mobile host device so that an application on the mobile host device can track locations of a plurality of accessory devices. These and other embodiments are more fully disclosed herein.

1 . An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device, the accessory device comprising:
 a communication channel operable to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device;   a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the processor operable to execute a plurality of applications; and   an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor, the input assembly configured to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising an output unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the output unit configured to output an output data based on a user activation of at least the first input element. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the output unit further comprises a speakerphone. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of data. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication channel is further configured to transmit both data and voice communication. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication channel is configured to interface with one or more additional accessory devices. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the host device. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the input assembly is further configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user's opposing thumb and fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication channel further comprises a wireless data connection including at least one of a Bluetooth connection, an Infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a WiMAX connection. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the storage unit comprises a removable memory unit including one selected from a group of a SD memory card, a mini-SD memory card, a micro-SD memory card, and a compact flash card. 
     
     
         11 . A method for configuring an accessory device, the method comprising:
 providing a communication channel configured to transmit data bi-directionally between a host device and the accessory device;   providing a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store one or more data;   disposing on one or more surfaces an input assembly comprising a plurality of input elements configured to receive human input through manipulation of the input elements, wherein at least one of the input elements is further configured to be selectively mapped to one or more functions of the host device; and   providing an accessory processor communicatively coupled to the storage unit, the communication channel, and the input assembly, wherein the accessory processor is configured to execute the one or more data.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein disposing the input assembly on one or more surfaces further comprises disposing at least a first input assembly configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user's opposing thumb and fingers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the communication channel further comprises configuring the communication channel to transmit data and voice communication. 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling a plurality of host devices, the method comprising:
 providing an accessory device comprising:
 a communication channel configured to transmit data bidirectionally between the plurality of host devices and the accessory device, 
 a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of data, 
 an input assembly comprising a plurality of input elements, at least a first input element being configured to be selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device, and 
 a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel and the input assembly, wherein the processor is operable to process one or more data; and 
   actuating at least the first input element to control at least a first selectively mapped function of the host device using the communication channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the input assembly to include at least a first input assembly comprising at least the first input element, the first input element being located on a first surface; and
 wherein the first input assembly is further configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of the human user's opposing thumb and fingers.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the accessory device further comprising providing an output unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the output unit configured to output an output data based on a user activation of at least one input element. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the output unit further comprises providing a speakerphone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the communication channel to transmit both data and voice communication. 
     
     
         19 . The accessory device of  claim 14 , wherein providing the accessory device further comprises configuring the communication channel to interface with one or more additional accessory devices. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory device of  claim 14 , wherein providing the accessory device further comprises providing a global positioning system (GPS) unit communicatively coupled to the processor, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the host device. 
     
     
         21 . An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device, the accessory device comprising:
 a communication interface operable to utilize a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device;   wherein the accessory device is configured to, through the communication interface:
 allow data transfer between the accessory device and the host device over the bi-directional communication link to facilitate control of one or more functions of the host device by the accessory device and; 
 allow walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device and the host device over the bi-directional communication link. 
   
     
     
         22 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a processor communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the processor operable to execute one or more applications.   
     
     
         23 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 an output unit configured to output a warning indication when the accessory device is near an out-of-range distance from the host device for walkie-talkie communication.   
     
     
         24 . The accessory device of  claim 23 , wherein the output unit comprises at least one of a speaker and a display. 
     
     
         25 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , wherein the bi-directional communication link includes at least one of a Bluetooth connection, an Infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection and a WiMax connection. 
     
     
         26 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , wherein the accessory device is configured to allow walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device and one or more additional accessory devices. 
     
     
         27 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the host device. 
     
     
         28 . The accessory device of  claim 22 , further comprising an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor, the input assembly comprising one or more input elements being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection. 
     
     
         29 . The accessory device of  claim 21 , wherein the host device is a mobile phone, the accessory device comprising a plurality of speed dial buttons for controlling the host device to initiate a call to a telephone number associated with a select speed dial button. 
     
     
         30 . The accessory device of  claim 29 , further comprising an output unit including a speaker. 
     
     
         31 . An accessory device kit comprising a plurality of accessory devices for interfacing with a mobile phone host device, the mobile phone host device operable to execute an interfacing application configured to interface the mobile phone host device with each of the plurality of accessory devices, each accessory device of the plurality of accessory devices comprising:
 a communication interface operable to utilize a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the mobile phone host device to allow walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device and the mobile phone host device over the bi-directional communication link; and   a global positioning system (GPS) unit, the GPS unit configured to transmit positioning data of the accessory device to the mobile phone host device to enable the application of the mobile phone host device to track locations of each of the plurality of accessory devices.   
     
     
         32 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31 , wherein each of the accessory devices further comprise:
 a processor communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the processor operable to execute one or more applications.   
     
     
         33 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31 , wherein each of the plurality of accessory devices further comprise:
 an output unit configured to output a warning indication when the accessory device is near an out-of-range distance from the mobile phone host device for walkie-talkie communication.   
     
     
         34 . The accessory device kit of  claim 33 , wherein the output unit comprises at least one of a speaker and a display. 
     
     
         35 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31 , wherein the communication interface is configured to allow, through the bi-directional communication link, data transfer between an accessory device of the plurality of accessory devices and the mobile phone host device to facilitate control of one or more functions of the mobile phone host device by the accessory device. 
     
     
         36 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31 , wherein the mobile phone host device is operable to display on a map a location of one or more of the accessory devices based on the positioning data. 
     
     
         37 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31 , wherein each of the plurality of accessory devices is operable to allow walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device and others of the plurality of accessory devices. 
     
     
         38 . The accessory device kit of  claim 31  wherein at least one of the plurality of accessory devices is configured to store the interfacing application and to transmit the interfacing application to the mobile phone host device for installation on the mobile phone host device. 
     
     
         39 . A method comprising:
 utilizing a bi-directional communication link between an accessory device and a mobile host device;   enabling walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device and the host device over the bi-directional communication link; and   enabling data transfer between the accessory device and the host device over the bi-directional communication link to facilitate control of one or more functions of the host device by the accessory device.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 outputting a warning through an output unit when the accessory device is near an out-of-range distance from the host device for walkie-talkie communication.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 enabling walkie-talkie communication between the accessory device one or more additional accessory devices.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 transmitting GPS positioning data of the accessory device to the host device.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 transmitting GPS positioning data of the accessory device to the one or more additional accessory devices.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the second operating mode further allows controlling the mobile host device to initiate a call to a telephone number associated with a select speed dial button provided on the accessory device.