A new Google patent application published by the US Patent & Trademark Office reveals that they're working on a possible hybrid Chromebook that incorporates a mini smartphone. For years tech companies like Apple have patented ideas related to future notebooks incorporating built-in cellular connectivity for data and even incorporating media players to double as a trackpad. Yet Google's patent goes that one step further adding a built-in smartphone and dock. Businessmen, who are on the road a lot or students that need their smartphones always charged, may find Google's future hybrid device irresistible.
Google's Patent Background
People often travel with small computers, such as notebook computers, for mobile access to their data files and applications. People also often travel with cell phones, for cellular communication. It is thus of advantage to have one assembly that combines the notebook computers with the cell phone.
Google Invents a Chromebook with Built-In Smartphone
Google's invention relates to a future notebook/Chromebook with a built-in Android smartphone. Aspects of Google's invention relate to a notebook computer that includes a small cell phone which can be detached from the notebook computer and used in private quiet conversation.
When the cell phone is attached or otherwise in communication with the notebook computer, the notebook computer enables voice over IP, instant messaging, and other communication applications; and if the notebook computer includes a camera, then the call phone further enables video conferencing.
As such, embodiments of the present invention provide a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, with a cell phone that "pops out" of the computer for use as a standalone handset for private conversations. Moreover, there is a seamless transition with no interruption of cellular service when the cell phone is detached from or re-attached to the computer.
In Google's patent FIG. 1 noted above we're able to see a simplified block diagram of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly. Additionally we're able to see a communicator including a modem to communicate over a wireless network, a pouch to physically attach the communicator to the notebook computer. We're also able to see that there's a connection indicator to indicate arrival of an incoming phone call from the wireless network when the communicator is attached to the notebook computer (#160 above), wherein the communicator is operative to receive the incoming phone call whether it remains attached to the notebook computer or whether it is subsequently detached from the notebook computer.
Further aspects of Google's present invention relate to enabling and powering an amplifier of the notebook computer when the cell phone is attached to the notebook computer, regardless of whether the notebook computer is in a normal power mode or in a power saving mode such as standby mode, hibernate mode, sleep mode or turned off. The amplifier is used to provide speaker output for a phone call, and to indicate that a call is incoming, or such other call status.
Google's patent FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart of a method for operation of a notebook computer and cell phone assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Google filed their patent application with the US Patent Office in January of this year. Aspects of this invention were designed in 2009 and incorporated into this patent. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
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