This is in contrast to those devices being sold to them by the communication service providers and their suppliers. The key concept behind the Interoperable Mobile Device (IMD) is that of a Mobile Central Processing (MCP) unit with a pre-loaded Mobile Operating System (MOS), with enough input/output slots for adding miniature peripherals and devices to this MCP.

This is a straightforward cloning of the PC architecture. One person might want a camera, one person might want GPS. You get the idea.

Designing an IMD
In this section, I present the concept of an IMD, which is not only simple but is also could be valuable to users who are hooked onto the mobile computing, communication and entertainment experience.

Whenever a user goes to buy this IMD, the user gets a Mobile Central Processing (MCP) Unit, which is preloaded with a Mobile Operating System (MOS). This MCP can have at least 6 USB slots, to which other peripherals or devices can be plugged in.

Once this IMD is purchased, it is now up to the individual user to decide what features he would like to have in his IMD at that point in time. Based on that, the user will have the freedom to purchase only the needed add-on peripherals/devices and then plug into his MCP unit.

Some of the add-on devices which can be plugged into the MCP unit are cell phone unit, music player unit, virtualized storage unit (maybe with its own virtual OS), email unit, GPS unit, wide screen display unit, TV-tuner unit, output beaming projector unit, QWERTY keyboard unit, gaming unit and more.

Shown below in Figure A, is the layout of such an IMD:

FIGURE A


Here's an architectural overview of an Interoperable Mobile Device (IMD). Roll over picture for a larger image.

Shown below are three of the many configuration scenarios which are possible with such an IMD. In Figure B, you can see a device set up for communications, entertainment, and cashless transactions.

FIGURE B


This design is set up for communications, entertainment, and cashless transactions Roll over picture for a larger image.

In Figure C, you can see a design that also has communications and entertainment, but swaps out cashless transactions for business applications.

FIGURE C


This design is more for business users. Roll over picture for a larger image.

And, now in Figure D, we swap out the business applications and add in tracking.

FIGURE D


This variation supports tracking. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Universal compatibility of the Mobile Operating System (MOS)
For the above design to be successful, two aspects are very important. First aspect is the hardware compatibility between the MCP and the miniature peripherals and add-on devices. The second aspect is the universal compatibility of the MOS with the host of add-on device components.

Hence the MOS in the MCP and the software/hardware embedded in the add-on peripherals/devices should conform to internationally accepted interoperability standards. This would ensure that all the known and unknown add-on devices are seamlessly recognized by the MOS in the MCP unit.

Benefit of such an IMD
An IMD will ensure multi-pronged benefits to the users, device developers and also the communication service providers. As shown in few of the many possible configurations iabove, the user now has a completely customized experience of the handheld device and hence a greater emotional connect with the handheld device purchased.