Haphone, LLC

Mopad Advantages

Mopad’s modularization and specific module variations provide a number of advances over current mobile phones and other personal audio devices.

Hands-Free Carriage

Mopad provides hands-free carriage similar to that of a watch and/or necklace. Mopad modules are designed to be unobtrusive, comfortable and non-interfering with the user’s movements.

Hands-Free Operation

Mopad provides hands-free operation as the normal mode. I.e., the user does not need to locate or connect any additional components in order to enjoy hands-free operation.

Quick Audio Access

With the necklace, necktie or any of the other upper body mounts, earphones are readily available and can be easily and quickly put in place or removed. The ability to both place and remove earphones quickly means that not only do users have quick access to incoming calls, but they have that ability without having to block the sounds of the external world anymore than is necessary. (This is in contrast with many headsets which, because they are slow to remove, must, in practice, be worn even while not engaged in a phone call.)

Quick Manual/Visual Access

Incoming phone calls and short messages can be quickly screened through the wrist remote. Even outgoing calls can be quickly placed from the wrist remote by selecting the number from a scrolling contact list. Other personal audio functions (e.g., music play) are also quickly accessible through the wrist remote.

Off-Person Operation

Not only does Mopad improve on-person operation, it also improves off-person operation. Current personal audio devices aren’t conveniently accessible when off-person. (What mobile phone user hasn’t found themselves desperately running for their distantly ringing mobile phone at some point?) Mopad meets the off-person use need well through stationary mounts and remotely connected phones.

Situational Morphing

Mopad has a unique and powerful ability to adapt to different situations. By changing mounts and/or remotes, a Mopad system can adapt to adapt to different user modes (sitting, standing, walking, driving), different activities (working, relaxing, exercising, sleeping) and different occasions (casual, formal). For all situations, the core personal audio functions are available and highly usable.

Because current personal audio devices do not adapt to different situations, users end up selecting the lowest common denominator solution – the handset. A speakerphone works well when the user is near it, but is unavailable while the user is away from it. Similarly, a neck phone works well for many situations, but doesn’t work well when the user is exercising or wants the phone off their person. However, handsets excel in no single situation, but provide acceptable usability most of the time.

Mopad beats both the situational best solutions (speakerphones, neck phones, etc.) and the lowest common denominator solution (the handset) by providing dynamic reconfiguration (morphing). Thanks to Mopad’s modularization, the user is able to simply swap mounts and/or remotes to best suit their new situation.

Stylization

Over the past five years, style has become an important part of the appeal of mobile phones and other personal audio devices. However, this form of stylization has not allowed significant personalization. Personal stylization has largely been limited to changing skins and adding various dongles.

Mopad brings a quantum leap in stylization to personal audio devices. With Mopad, the same audiocore can be presented in the form of a necktie for a CEO, or in the form of a fashionable necklace or vest for his teenage daughter. Not only does Mopad make stylization personalized – it makes stylization dynamically adaptable. Simply by exchanging mounts, modifying mounts (e.g., by exchanging necktie swaths), or by swapping differently styled remote controls, the user can meet the needs and mood of the moment or occasion.

Audio Integration

Mopad’s modular design works well not just for mobile telephony, but for all personal audio applications: cordless telephony, short range radio, music playing. This strong multiple audio application support derives from Mopad’s basic conveniences: quick manual/visual control (crucial for voice applications) and hands-free carriage and operation (crucial for music playing).

Because Mopad works well for individual audio applications, it also works well for integration of these applications. Thus, users who want access to multiple applications are able to get it without having to carry multiple devices. And even users who are only marginally interested in multiple applications are likely to find Mopad’s support for audio integration desirable because Mopad makes extra audio applications effectively “free” in terms of device encumbrance. (This effect is similar to that of playing music or videos on a computer. Because the function is effectively “free”, even marginal-interested users find it desirable.)

Personal Application Support

Because Mopad provides a good wearability solution, and because it integrates well with other personal devices (through its local wireless link) and with off-person devices (through the wireless link and through stationary mounts), Mopad is a good platform for a number of personal electronic applications. Such applications include: identification, health monitoring, location services, electronic payment services, etc. While these applications already exist today, their encumbrance-cost is too high for most users. But as with audio integration, Mopad supports these applications for “free” – i.e. without additional encumbrance, and thus substantially broadens their appeal.