FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of smartphone computing usage, more specifically in the field of divisional distributing of smartphone computing abilities and even more specifically in the field of multi-client remote divisional distribution of smartphone computing resources.

BACKGROUND

The first decade of the millennium curved the path towards a cloud-based computing world, and as a consequence, showed numerous technologies designed to enhance and complete cellular computing power.

While cloud-based computing kept growing regarding data and media storage, communication, and availability, powerful computing was decentralized. At the beginning of the 2020s, the smartphone has become one of the most powerful computing devices.

Over the past few years, the evolution of mobile computing technology has not only increased work productivity. Over time, the laptops got sleeker, and the phones got smarter. As a result, the computing arsenal converged and became simpler, lighter, and more powerful — especially on the smartphone side. This is not the often-cited fact that today's smartphone is more powerful than the mainframe computer NASA used to send astronauts to the moon, or that today's smartphones are faster than most of the mid-'80s supercomputers and even faster than the computer onboard the Orion spaceship NASA is currently testing to go to Mars. For the purpose of this specification, it is simply noted that most smartphones are significantly faster than most of the laptops carried around.

The basic background fact related to this specification is that most smartphones have more computing powers than consumed by regular use patterns.

Some attempts were made towards the usage of such excess computing availabilities.

W02010121423 describes a method for desktop computer application of an intelligent mobile phone, and an adapter for implementing the desktop computer application thereof are provided. The digital data of the display graphic interface of the intelligent mobile phone is converted into the input signal of a standard display by the data conversion module and transmitted to the standard display or TV set with high resolution through the data output interface. And then, a keyboard, mouse, and other standard I/O peripherals are connected to the intelligent mobile phone by wired or wireless connection means. Meanwhile, two switchable operating interfaces are configured in the intelligent mobile phone, in which, one interface is in the PHONE style adapted for mobile phone, and the other is in the desktop operating style adapted for desktop computer. Thereby, the intelligent mobile phone is applied as a desktop computer.

KR20110003076 discloses a method characterized in that a smartphone and a mobile PC (hereinafter referred to as a smartphone) are coupled to a docking station to charge the smartphone and use the smartphone as a desktop PC. The docking station according to the present invention, the image output unit, audio input and output unit, USB device unit (control keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.), the power supply unit, communication control unit (including wired and wireless) is attached to the smartphone desktop and provide a docking station that can be used like a PC.

US10635296 describes a method of presenting an application on both an auxiliary device and a primary device, the method comprising: presenting the application as a set of user interface elements on the primary device in a pointer-sensitive display that presents an application space comprising a primary application portion and responsive to a request to partition the application between the primary device and the auxiliary device expanding the application space to add, to the primary application portion an auxiliary application portion. For a user interface element of the application choosing the auxiliary device to display the user interface element, and selecting a location and a presentation of the user interface element within the auxiliary application portion and for the primary device, rearranging the primary application portion of the primary device according to the presentation of the user interface element on the auxiliary device to create a first configuration of the primary application portion.

As shown, there are numerous technologies designed to allow the share of smartphone computing abilities among other computers, docking stations, and the like, or allowing distant use of such abilities while in standby or charging mode. However, there is still a need for a way to efficiently allow usage of smartphone capabilities by distant users without affecting the regular use of it and without the need for other costly and high- performance client-side equipment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, economic apparatus (PhoneSlice hub) allowing a user to consume a portion of the computing resources of a remote computing device, namely a smartphone, without affecting the functionality or the regular use of said smartphone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a software application (PhoneSlice App) designed to be operated on a remote computing device, namely a smartphone, allowing for the multi-task performance of several applications by multiply users at different times or at the same time, using entirely separate channels of input, output, communication, memory, and processing functions.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus that contains only basic and minimal input, output, and communications modules (software, firmware, and hardware) for performing and completing all computing tasks on the source remote computing device, namely the smartphone; including but not limited to IOS and Andriod Operating Systems.

It will be emphasized that the name smartphone in this application refers to any handheld computing device with computing and communication facilities. In this document, the terms slicing, partitioning, and divisional distributing are used interchangeably to describe the main feature of remote use of shared computing resources of a handheld computing device without eliminating or affecting the regular usage of said device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 Depicts an exemplary system according to the present invention. The PhoneSlice hub (200) comprises input (300) and output (400) modules and a communication module (600). Said communication module allows the exchange of input and output with a remote (520) or locally (510) connected computing device, allowing to consume computing resources of said computing device by the hub user, through a dedicated divisional software (PhoneSlice App) that allows multiple usages of said computing resources including maintaining the full functionality of the source computing device. The input module (300) allows connecting input devices such as a mouse (310) or a keyboard (320) using a USB, Comm, wireless, or any other connection. The output module allows connecting an output device such as a monitor (410). The communication module allows to connect to the internet, cloud, router hub, or any other network connection via Wi-Fi or Lan (610), or directly to the source computing device (510) via USB, BT, or Wi-Fi ports.

Fig.2. Depicts examples of optional input and output components to be connected to said hub and, through it, to the source computing device. The examples include but are not limited to Speaker (420), camera (330), microphone (340), scanner (350), storage/disk/memory (220), and printer (440).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described by way of example only. It is stressed that the particulars explained are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken makes apparent, to those skilled in the art, how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, devices, items or products, etc., described herein, as these may vary as the skilled artisan will recognize. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The following exemplary embodiments may be described in the context of exemplary devices or methods for ease of description and understanding. However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described products and methods and may be adapted to various applications without departing from the overall scope of the invention. All ranges disclosed herein include the endpoints. The use of the term "or" shall be construed to mean "and/or" unless the specific context indicates otherwise.

The present invention is a system and method that comprises an apparatus and an application for remote using partial computing resources of a remote computing device such as a smartphone.

For the purpose of this description, the apparatus will also be called 'hub' or 'PhoneSlice hub', and the application will also be called 'PhoneSlice app', or 'app'. The remote computing device, usually a smartphone, will also be called the source device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the app is software, while in others, it is firmware.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises input, output, and communication modules. The communication module allows for bidirectional flow of data between the hub and the source device. The input and output modules allow for using the sliced computing resources by the hub user. Every concurrent user of the smartphone will require a PhoneSlice hub with the basic peripherals (e. g. monitor, keyboard and mouse) as well as credentials configured in the central PhoneSlice App.

It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the modules as described herein comprise the necessary hardware and firmware or software for the purpose of using the source computing resources through the hub.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the communication modules include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN. VPN or other cable or radio frequency communication allows connecting to a local or remote network.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the communication module allows communication by directly or indirectly connecting to the internet or other widespread communication network (Phone, satellite, or other).

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the input modules include a mouse and keyboard, and the output module includes a screen or a monitor. In other embodiments, the input modules can also include a joystick, controller, camera, microphone, touchpad, scanner, or other sensors, and the output module includes a printer, speakers, earphones, or others.

The hub of the present invention could be a close apparatus with all hardware (i.e., input, output, and communication) built-in or could have a basic plug and play device for each or some of the available hardware. Such plug-and-play device could be of any known interface such as, but not limited to USB, COMM,

I/O, HDMI, or wireless-based interfaces.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the app used for the PhoneSlice is installed on top of the source operation system (mostly but not limited to IOS or Android), yet in other embodiment, it could be running 'under' the OS and control the divisional distribution between one or more operating systems.

The PhoneSlice of the present invention could allow for different permissions granted by the main source user, namely the smartphone user, to the PhoneSlice hub users.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the PhoneSlice app allows the hub user to install, remove, and access programs, applications, and data.

In some embodiments, the PhoneSlice app creates user profiles for allowed PhoneSlice users and can restrict or otherwise limit the nature of the PhoneSlice use of RAM, storage, Communication volume, or CPU, as well as access to locally stored or installed applications available on the smartphone.

The PhoneSlice app includes a secure login and identification\authentication module allowing for different users and different permissions and, in some embodiments, controlling both ends users' security. In some embodiments, the login and identification module is user-based. In others, it is hub-based or combined. It could be decided if different users are allowed from the same hub, or an identified user could use different hubs.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the hub also comprises a memory module. Said memory module allows for local storage of data or the purpose of complete profile data storage. In these embodiments, the login module of the app can communicate and reinstall the entire hub-user computing environment upon any session.

It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the hub and app as described herein allows for different permission as well as different methods of slicing. It could be used for creating different sorts of GUI and other interfaces for different needs and purposes.

As it will be understood for those skilled in the art, the basic features of the present invention are a hub and a PhoneSlice app. The hub is designed to allow bidirectional communication with the source computing device wherein the app allows using a 'slice' of the computing resources without affecting the regular use of the source device as a phone, internet-connected, or computing device. The method of the present invention is based on the high-performance nature of present days' smartphones or other mobile computing devices (e.g., The A14

Bionic chip used in the iPhonel2 is capable of completing 11 TOPS (Trillion Operations per Second). The Snapdragon 865 AI Engine in the Android Smartphone can perform 15 TOPS).

A remote PhoneSlice user profile could include a specific GUI, pre-installed apps, and saved data. The user profile could be granted specific permissions in terms of share of the sliced computing power, including RAM or storage capacity, the volume of communication, or accumulated or specified work time. Each hub user could design their own desktop, work environment, apps, and data storage in accordance with the permissions granted.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes a plurality of users and/or a plurality of hubs. The source phone holder can limit or adjust the PhoneSlicing divisional share of each computing resource by means of size, volume time, or otherwise.

In some embodiment, the source user could limit or otherwise control the temporary availability of specific computing resources or even deny the phone slicing use. Such limits or denial could be temporary or permanent.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the app is designed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of each remote user and the ability to login and download or remove any data related to their user profile. EXAMPLES OF USABILITY OF THE INVENTION

The system of the present invention could replace any traditional personal computer or laptop merely by the use of a slice or a portion of the computing resources of a Smartphone.

The PhoneSlice hub, comprising of input, output, and communication modules, allows a user to launch the PhoneSlice app off a pre-authorized remote smartphone and select any previously installed smartphone app to run in the background. Alternatively, the user could install or remove apps in accordance with the pre-determined permissions.

By using any external I/O peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other connected to the PhoneSlice hub, the hub user can launch the PhoneSlice app off a pre-authorized remote smartphone and select any previously installed computing app to run in the background.

• Example #1: Within the PhoneSlice app via the PhoneSlice hub, the user could launch a web browser and access a website for a cloud-based provisioned virtual workstation (such as Microsoft Windows virtual desktop- WVD). Such Virtual Machines remote desktops services (AKA azzure virtual desktops AVD) are offered publicly by Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and others and privately or intra-organizational by organizations in private and the public sectors. This browser-based session to a virtual machine runs in the background via the PhoneSlice app and is presented on a large size display monitor, with controls via a full-size keyboard and a mouse.

This use case could prove cost-efficient, especially but not limited to organizations wherein a large percentage of employees are given a company- paid Smartphone, a PC, and/or a laptop. The PhoneSlice architecture eliminates the need for a PC and, in some cases, could also eliminate the need for a laptop\tablet. This solution takes advantage of the smartphone, which is already ubiquitous, to allow for full computer capabilities.

• Example #2: Productivity applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel installed on the smartphone as local\native apps can be run in the background via the PhoneSlice app; the user uses these apps with the peripherals connected to the PhoneSlice hub, e.g., a full screen (TV or monitor), external keyboard and mouse.

• Example #3: Educational institutions for young children could be provided with the PhoneSlice solution to students at an economical value where the actual smartphone host is a simulator running on the educational organization on-premises or cloud-based 'mainframe' system. Alternatively, the young student could PhoneSlice a smartphone they either already own, or a member of their household owns.

• Example #4: Families with children who do not have a personal computer or a laptop for each child will benefit from the PhoneSlice patent. A child\student in the family will be able to 'tap' into one of the smartphones in the house and use a slice of its computing power to act as their personal computer while the family member who owns the phone continues to use their smartphone as they normally would. Only the PhoneSlice app is required on the "host" phone. Another child\student in the family could do the same using either a new family phone as a resource or the same phone that is already sliced\used. Should one of the parents leave the house's WiFi environment, the child will be able to continue to work as long as that smartphone has internet connectivity. Using the PhoneSlice app, the parent will be able to monitor what the child is working on.

In the examples above, the smartphone simultaneously operates with its full functionality; apps launched outside of the PhoneSlice app are displayed and controlled with the smartphone, while those launched inside of the PhoneSlice app are displayed and controlled via the PhoneSlice hub connected display screen.