Modular cell phone for laptop computers

摘要

A communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer, respectively. A method is also described and claimed.

主权项

1. A communication system comprising:
a cellular phone module comprising:
a microphone for providing audio input;a speaker for providing audio output;a connector for physically connecting the cellular phone module to a laptop computer port;a modem for wirelessly connecting the cellular phone module to the laptop computer; anda keypad for dialing an Internet-based phone call via the laptop computer; and a laptop computer comprising:
a port for physically connecting said cellular phone module to the laptop computer;a network adapter for Internet phone call communication;a microphone for providing audio input during an ongoing Internet-based phone call, while said cellular phone module is physically connected to said laptop computer port;at least one speaker for providing audio output during the ongoing Internet-based phone call, while said cellular phone module is physically connected to said laptop computer port;a modem for wirelessly connecting said cellular phone module to the laptop computer; anda communication bridge, for channeling audio input for the ongoing Internet-based phone call from said cellular phone module microphone to the laptop computer via said modem, and for channeling audio output for the ongoing Internet-based phone call from the laptop computer to said cellular phone module speaker, when said cellular phone module is physically disconnected from said laptop computer port during the ongoing Internet-based phone call, thereby enabling said cellular phone module to continue the ongoing Internet-based phone call wirelessly via said laptop computer,wherein said laptop computer connects to the Internet via said cellular phone module, when said cellular phone module is physically connected to said laptop computer.