Automatic sensing of communication or accessories for mobile terminals

Claim 1

A mobile communication device comprising: a.) a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals; b.) a modem operatively connected to said transceiver; c.) a configurable system interface comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, said system interface having a default configuration corresponding to a default mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external phone accessory, and a communication configuration corresponding to a communication mode of operation for connecting said mobile communication device to an external communication terminal capable of data, fax and/or voice communications, wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said transceiver according to a first mapping in said default mode and according to a second mapping in said communication mode; d.) a control unit operative in said default mode of operation to enable use of a connected phone accessory and in said communications mode to enable data, fax and voice communications by a connected communications terminal via said modem; and e.) wherein said control unit is operative to change said system interface from said default configuration to said communication configuration in response to receipt of a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from said connected communication terminal.

Claim 10

A method for configuring a system interface for a mobile communication device comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, that alternately connects to an external communication terminal or an external phone accessory comprising: a.) placing said system interface in a default configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to circuits within said mobile communication device according to a first mapping to enable use of said mobile communication device with a connected phone accessory; b.) receiving a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from an external communication terminal attempting to initiate a communication session for a data, voice or fax communication requiring a modem; and c.) placing said system interface in a communication configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said circuits within said mobile communication device according to a second mapping in response to receipt of said first predetermined input signal to enable communications by said external communications terminal via said modem.

Claim 11

A method for configuring a system interface for a mobile communication device comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and a switching circuit, that alternately connects to an external communication terminal or an external phone accessory comprising: a.) placing said system interface in a default configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to circuits within said mobile communication device according to a first mapping to enable use of said mobile communication device with a connected phone accessory; b.) receiving a first predetermined input signal on a data input circuit of said system interface from an external communication terminal attempting to initiate a communication session for a data, voice or fax communication requiring a modem; and c.) placing said system interface in a communication configuration wherein said switching circuit connects said contacts to said circuits within said mobile communication device according to a second mapping in response to receipt of said first predetermined input signal to enable communications by said external communications terminal via said modem.