ELECTRONIC DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR A MODEM, INTERFACEABLE WITH A COMPUTER AND RELATIVE INTERFACING METHOD

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an electronic device interfaceable with a computer and to an associated interfacing method. In particular, the present invention relates to a modem which can implement a plurality of functions normally only attainable by means of a plurality of devices. The solution typically employed for getting round the growing demand for data and software mobility and portability is saving data only on external media, with the inconvenience that the software installed in the computer in use must be equivalent to or compatible with the software used for creating such files. At the same time, the user must own software licenses for each computer in use, and cannot therefore install such software in third-party machines.

The current state of the art is thus suffering from the fact that software portability does not always keep pace with the increasing level of data portability.

Moreover, this implies a close dependence of the user on a number of computers using the same working environment, or the user has to ensure that the same software package is installed in multiple computers.

The USB communication standard, modems, memories and several software types are known in the art.

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial communication standard that allows different peripherals to be connected to a computer. USB can connect peripherals such as mice, keyboards, solid-state and hard-disk mass memories, image scanners, digital cameras, printers, loudspeakers, microphones and more.

The USB standard has now become the most used connection method for multimedia components, while there are still printers provided with a parallel port for compatibility reasons. The USB 1.0 standard supports connections up to 1.5 Mbit/s, which is an adequate speed for mice, keyboards and other slow devices. The 1.1 version adds the full speed mode, which increases the speed to 12 Mbit/s. The most important innovation of the USB 2.0 standard is an increased transfer speed, as high as 480 Mbit/s. Such high speed allows USB 2.0 to compete with the Firewire communication standard. The development of the USB interface has now come to a new standard, called USB 3.0, which further increases

the transfer speed to 4.8 Gbit/s.

The voltage level of the VBUS, i.e. the cable used for supplying power to low- consumption peripherals in a USB system, is about +5V with a maximum current of 50OmA. The USB system has an asymmetric design, and consists of a single host and multiple peripherals connected according to a tree-like structure through devices called concentrators, or hubs. The USB system supports up to 127 peripherals per host, including the hubs and the host itself. Therefore, the actual total number of connectable devices is considerably smaller. In order to prevent any attenuation which may make the received signal too weak, the cable can be 5m long at most; beyond this limit it is necessary to use one or more active hubs capable of amplifying the signal. The specifications provide for consecutive connection of up to five hubs. According to this standard, the connector also has to carry a signal for supplying power to low-consumption peripherals. High- consumption peripherals must be powered separately. The power limits of this standard must be strictly observed to prevent the host from suffering damage, since the minimum specifications of the USB standard do not provide for overload disconnection. A modem is a device allowing multiple electronic systems (e.g. computers) to communicate with each other by using a common channel (e.g. telephone line, electric line, radio channel, mobile telephone network, etc). This device provides Modulation and DEModulation of the signals sent over the common channel based on the information being transferred.

Modems for cellular network communications are currently available with the GSM/GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA technologies, and will soon be available with the HSUPA and HSOPA technologies as well. De facto, a modem provides support to the communication of a computer or other main device.

Recent developments have allowed to use increasingly fast and reliable networks, technologies and protocols. From GSM to GPRS (2G), to EDGE (2,5G) and finally to the latest UMTS (3G). These transmission protocols provide faster speeds, thus allowing to send and receive larger amounts of data. Modems are already available which use the HSDPA (3.5G) protocol, while modems using the HSUPA protocol are currently being developed. The acronym HSDPA stands for High Speed Downlink Packet Access, whereas the acronym HSUPA stands for High-Speed Uplink Packet Access. These are technologies

which allow to increase the bandwidth of current mobile communication networks up to a maximum speed of 14 Mbit/s. In the near future the HSOPA technology will also become available, the acronym HSOPA standing for High-Speed OFDM Packet Access, providing even higher connection speeds. In computer science, the term "memory" refers to components capable of storing information for a certain time. Data storage and retrieval are fundamental computer functions.

A memory can be abstractly considered to be a finite sequence of cells, wherein each cell contains a finite sequence of bits. Bits are normally handled in eight-bit groups called bytes. Therefore, the physical memory space can be thought of as a sequence of locations, each containing one byte. Each location is identified by a specific address, typically consisting of a positive integer.

Software can be classified according to different characteristics: functionality (word processor, spreadsheet, database, browser, etc), degree of openness (open source or commercial), type of operating system (e.g. Linux, MacOs, Unix or Windows), installable or portable, or type of interface (alphanumerical or graphical).

Software can be divided into four main categories:

- Basic software, in turn subdivided into three categories:

- Operating systems; - Compilers;

- Libraries;

- Drivers;

- Firmware, i.e. software directly contained in the hardware and regulating the internal functions thereof; - Application programs, i.e. software used for supporting an operating system in order to provide additional options.

In the current state of the art, all of the above-mentioned technologies exist in separate devices. When considered individually and performing their specific functions, such separate devices provide solutions to a number of issues, such as high-speed data communication, data storage, data compiling, and so on.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device, in particular a modem, interfaceable with a computer and integrating together many functionalities which are usually only available in a plurality of different devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, in particular a modem, interfaceable with a computer, which offers software portability on different computers and allows said software to be executed on said computer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, in particular a modem, interfaceable with a computer, which allows data and programs to be transferred to a computer based on a user's personal information.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the method and the device as claimed in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description. The device proposed by the present invention, as well as all variations and extensions thereof described below, ensures availability in a single device of a plurality of functions which normally require a plurality of distinct devices connected to a compatible computer or system and a multitude of licenses typically associated with each installation. The device according to the present invention comprises at least: - a communication module for sending and receiving data through an antenna;

- an interface for interfacing with a computer;

- an internal memory comprising software allowing the computer to handle the electronic device;

- processing and control means for processing and controlling the internal functions of the electronic device and the functions for interfacing it with the computer.

The electronic device also comprises a slot for a non-volatile read/write memory. Said memory is accessible to the computer for reading and/or writing data, and comprises at least a second software program adapted to handle functions and/or data different from those required by the device itself to operate and adapted to be transmitted to the computer via the interface.

The second software program may, for example, be an operating system which can be started directly, through the device according to the invention, when the computer is turned on.

Other elements may also be integrated into the device in order to add further functionalities such as, for example, an additional non- volatile memory, a biometric recognition device and an access control device.

Taken individually, these devices have achieved considerable performance levels in relatively small physical spaces, thus allowing to easily assemble a composite device like

the one described herein having reasonably small overall dimensions. The above objects will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the method and device according to the invention, which will refer to the annexed drawing showing an electronic device according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows an electronic device 1, in particular a modem, comprising processing and control means 2, in particular a processor, adapted to handle and control:

- a communication module 11 for sending and receiving data through an antenna 9 thereof, said communication module 11 supporting one or more of the following communication protocols: GSM/GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSOPA; - an internal memory 4 comprising first software code portions allowing the electronic device 1 to be handled by a computer 8 interfaceable with the electronic device 1 through an interface 6, preferably a USB serial interface;

- a slot 5 for a non-volatile read/write memory 7, in particular a flash memory, such as a MicroSD memory. The electronic device 1 may further comprise a module 10 for local connectivity to any devices possibly present within the surrounding environment. Said local connectivity module 10 can support one or more of the following communication protocols: Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, S-ATA, or Firewire. The electronic device 1 may further comprise a biometric recognition device 3 and/or an access control device 12. In particular, said biometric recognition device 3 can identify an individual through a peculiar characteristic thereof, e.g. a fingerprint. The non-volatile read/write memory 7 is accessible to the computer 8 for reading and/or writing data, and comprises second software code portions adapted to handle functions and/or data different from those required by the electronic device 1 to operate and adapted to be transmitted to the computer 8 via the interface 6.

The following will describe a first method for interfacing the electronic device 1 with the computer 8.

When the computer 8 is on, the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 8 through the interface 6 of the electronic device 1 and a respective suitable interface of the computer 8.

When the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 8, the electronic device 1 makes available as a virtual peripheral first software code portions stored in the internal memory 4 of the electronic device 1, and starts a routine adapted to verify if those elements required

by the computer 8 for properly using the device 1 , in particular a driver and an application program, are already present and installed in the operating system of the computer 8. If said elements are not present in the operating system of the computer 8, the computer 8 will transfer the first software code portions required by the computer 8 for recognizing and handling the electronic device 1 from the internal memory 4 of the electronic device 1 to a computer memory of its own.

Once said elements have been installed successfully, the computer 8 can gain access to the non- volatile read/write memory 7 inserted in the appropriate slot 5 of the electronic device 1. In other words, the computer 8 will see the read/write memory 7 as a peripheral disk, just as if it were interfaced with a USB key.

A second method for interfacing the electronic device 1 with the computer 8 will now be described.

When the computer 8 is off, the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 8 through the interface 6 of the electronic device 1 and a respective suitable interface of the computer 8.

When the computer 8 is turned on, the device 1 makes available as a virtual CD-Rom first software code portions stored in its internal memory 4.

Through an appropriate function provided by the BIOS of the computer 8, the computer 8 can be allowed to recognise said virtual CD-Rom as a boot peripheral, thus having access to the software available in the virtual CD-Rom in order to initiate a boot procedure. In the first place, said boot procedure is intended for making the communication module 11 and the non-volatile read/write memory 7 available to the system; in the second place, it is also intended for allowing the system to use second software code portions stored in the nonvolatile read/write memory 7, in particular an operating system stored in the non-volatile read/write memory 7.

As soon as the computer 8 recognises the non-volatile read/write memory 7, it can run a transfer procedure for transferring one or more second software code portions from the non- volatile read/write memory 7 of the electronic device 1 to a computer memory of its own, preferably a RAM (Random Access Memory), via the interface 6. The second software code portions stored in the non- volatile read/write memory 7 may comprise any type of software, in particular: operating systems, compilers, libraries, drivers, firmware, and application programs. The transfer procedure may take place according to different modes:

- automatically, when the transfer procedure is executed by the computer 8 without user intervention;

- manually, when the transfer procedure requires user confirmation before accepting the transfer of one or more of said second software code portions, said confirmation being requested and supplied to the computer 8 through at least one input/output interface of the computer 8;

- semi-automatically, when the transfer procedure transfers one or more of said second software code portions automatically and other second software code portions manually.

In particular, if said one or more second software code portions to be transferred comprise at least one operating system, the transfer will preferably be started immediately by the computer 8, thus by-passing the loading of the operating system probably installed in the computer 8.

The transfer procedure may also be carried out through a remote server. In particular, before executing the transfer procedure the computer 8 sends an instruction to the electronic device 1 so that the latter connects to a remote server, in particular a web server, which comprises information about which software code portions are to be transferred to the computer 8 through said transfer procedure and about whether said portions should be transferred automatically or upon user confirmation. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the computer 8 receives a piece of information from the biometric device 3 of the electronic device 1 and starts a predetermined customized transfer procedure based on such information. In practice, predetermined second software code portions stored in the non- volatile read/write memory 7 will be transferred to the computer 8 depending on which user is using the electronic device 1. In any case, as long as the electronic device ,1 remains connected to the computer 8, the computer 8 can use the non- volatile read/write memory 7 as if it were an additional disk, in particular for reading or writing data different from the data already stored in the nonvolatile read/write memory 7. The features of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof, are apparent from the above description.

A first advantage is that the electronic device according to the invention integrates a plurality of the aforementioned technologies into a single device which can be connected to a computer, thus making a variety of functions available to the user within one physical

object and at the same time.

A second advantage is that the electronic device according to the invention, in addition to allowing data to be saved into a memory accessible to a computer, also allows application programs and even full operating systems to be transferred from said memory to said computer.

Advantageously, the invention allows the operating system to be started directly by the computer, thus by-passing the problem of any use licenses having to be installed in the computer.

A further advantage is that the electronic device according to the invention provides access to software, such as operating systems, applications and data, as well as to a modem device without being by any means bound to a single computer. The user can thus gain access to a fully customized operating system containing data and application software of his/her choice, while at the same time using the connection to a mobile data network through the modem module without being bound to a specific computer. As far as mobile activities are concerned, it is rather apparent how advantageous it is to be able to gain access to multiple functions through a single universal, flexible device and through a single connection, which in turn is the most widespread and flexible one currently available, i.e. USB. The present invention proposes a plurality of solutions to the aforementioned problems, which attain the integration of peripheral devices and interfaces into the peripheral devices themselves. In substance, composite devices are provided wherein peripheral devices are joined together through the communication interface. In short, the various peripheral devices are united together into a single assembly. The apparatus will also comprise software granting access to functions personally requested by the user by using the basic components of any computer.

The user can thus use a plurality of peripheral devices that can be easily connected, when needed, to different computers or systems while still preserving his/her own capability of interaction with said computers or systems, his/her own remote connection capability, and his/her own range of available software, even regardless of the system installed in the computer.

The electronic device and the method for interfacing it with a computer described herein by way of example may be subject to many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea; it is also clear that in the practical implementation of

the invention the illustrated details may have different shapes or be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

For example, one or more second software code portions may even be contained in the internal memory 4 of the electronic device 1, rather than in the non- volatile read/write memory 7.

It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above- described electronic device and to the associated method for interfacing it with a computer, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.