Automobile acoustic unit having integrated cellular phone capabilities

An automobile acoustic unit is provided for installation into an interior of an automobile. The automobile acoustic unit includes an audio source for generating audio signals, a chamber configured to receive and store a cellular phone, and a circuit for controlling and selecting the playback of audio signals from the audio source and signals from the cellular phone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to an automobile acoustic unit, and 
in particular, to an automobile acoustic unit that allows a conventional 
cellular phone to be integrated therewith, and which allows for hands-free 
operation of the cellular phone. 
2. Background Art 
The use of automobile cellular phones has increased significantly. For the 
user's convenience and to enhance safety, many conventional automobile 
cellular phones have been installed in the automobile in a manner to 
provide hands-free operation and use. For example, in FIG. 1, a support 
frame 1 is used to support and stabilize the cellular phone 2 on the panel 
or dashboard 31 of an automobile body 3. Similarly, FIG. 2 illustrates the 
use of a support frame 1 to support and stabilize the cellular phone 2 
adjacent an air-conditioning vent under the dashboard 31. Other cellular 
phones have been installed adjacent the gear box of the automobile. 
Unfortunately, to provide hands-free operation for these conventional 
automobile cellular phones, additional communication equipment, such as 
cords and earphones, will have to be installed. These additional cords and 
earphones cause the interior of the automobile to appear clogged and 
unattractive. More importantly, the combination of the cellular phone and 
these additional cords hinder the driver's operation of the automobile. 
For example, if the cellular phone is installed adjacent an 
air-conditioning vent, the cold air exhaust may be blocked by the phone 
and the cords. If the cellular phone is installed adjacent the gear box, 
the phone and the cords may interfere with the driver's use of the gear 
stick. 
Another drawback associated with the use of conventional automobile 
cellular phones is that these phones typically consume power from an 
internal power source within the automobile. The conventional automobile 
cellular phones are typically attached to a cigarette lighter or other 
separate power source. If the power source of the cigarette lighter is 
used, the cigarette lighter itself cannot be used by the driver. If a 
separate power source is to be installed, the original circuit design of 
the automobile's electronics must be altered, which can be very costly. 
Yet another drawback associated with the use of conventional automobile 
cellular phones is that the sound quality is often unclear or very poor. 
One contributing factor is that the signals are often blocked or otherwise 
impaired by the body of the automobile, since many conventional cellular 
phones are usually provided with their own antennas that will be carried 
with the phone inside the automobile during use. 
Thus, there remains a need to provide cellular phones for use in 
automobiles, which cellular phones are not only convenient to use, but 
which do not hinder or interfere with the driver while enhancing safety 
during use. There also remains a need for a cellular phone which will 
provide improved acoustics and sound quality, and improve the interior 
appearance of the automobile. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hands-free cellular 
phone for use with an automobile which is convenient to use, does not 
hinder or interfere with the driver, and enhances safety during use. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hands-free 
cellular phone for use with an automobile which offers improved acoustics, 
sound quality and performance. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hands-free 
cellular phone for use with an automobile which enhances the appearance of 
the interior of the automobile, and which can be provided at low cost. 
To accomplish the above objectives, the present invention provides an 
automobile acoustic unit that is installed into an interior of an 
automobile. The automobile acoustic unit includes an audio source for 
generating audio signals, a chamber configured to receive and store a 
cellular phone, and a circuit for controlling and selecting the playback 
of audio signals from the audio source and signals from the cellular 
phone. 
In one embodiment of the present invention, the automobile acoustic unit 
includes a body having a front opening, with the chamber provided in the 
body and accessible through the front opening. A signal terminal is 
provided inside the chamber for coupling the cellular phone to the 
circuit. Springs may be provided in the chamber to securely retain the 
cellular phone in the chamber. The circuit includes an audio source switch 
for switching between the operations of the audio source and the cellular 
phone. In addition, a control panel may be coupled to the audio source 
switch to allow for hands-free control of the cellular phone. A socket for 
parallel connection to the signal terminal for on-line communication with 
a notebook computer via the cellular phone, and an earphone jack, may be 
provided on the control panel. 
In another embodiment of the present invention, a hinged cover extends 
across the front opening. The hinged cover may be a front panel having 
control keys provided thereon. 
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a layer of protective 
material may be provided between the chamber and the cellular phone. 
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, an adapter case may 
be configured to be received and stored in the chamber and configured to 
receive a cellular phone which has a different size or configuration as 
the size or configuration of the chamber. 
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding of the 
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not 
limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough 
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to 
one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in 
other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In certain 
instances, detailed descriptions of well-known data processing techniques, 
components, devices and circuits are omitted so as to not obscure the 
description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
The present invention provides an automobile acoustic unit having a chamber 
that can receive and integrate a conventional cellular phone. The chamber 
receives and stores the cellular phone. The cellular phone is connected to 
the control circuit of the audio system of the automobile. In this manner, 
the audio system of the automobile is shared by both the cellular phone 
and the other audio functions (e.g., cassette, radio, CD), so that the 
sound transmission from the cellular phone can be amplified and output via 
the receiver system and the speakers of the audio system, thereby 
providing improved acoustics and sound quality. 
A first non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in 
FIG. 3. An automobile acoustic unit 4 is provided with a body 410 which is 
adapted to be fitted and secured in a cut-out in the dashboard of an 
automobile. The acoustic unit 4 includes a plurality of general control 
press keys 41, a cassette or CD playback outlet 42 through which a 
cassette or CD may be inserted, a radio tuner, and a control panel 43, all 
provided on a front panel 411 of the body 410, and all of which are 
conventional components that can be found in conventional automobile 
acoustic units. The acoustic unit 4 further includes a chamber 44 having 
an opening 412 in the front panel 411. The chamber 44 is configured to 
receive a conventional cellular phone 2. The rear of the chamber 44 has a 
cellular phone signal terminal 45 which is connected to the control 
circuit (shown in FIG. 4) of the automobile acoustic unit 4. The cellular 
phone 2 can be slid into the chamber 44, and has a signal plug socket 21 
for receiving the signal terminal 45. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the control circuit 5 of the automobile acoustic 
unit 4 includes an audio source switch 51 which is coupled to a cellular 
phone I/O interface 52 and a sound signal processor and amplifier 53. A CD 
playback outlet 54, a cassette playback outlet 55, and a radio receiver 57 
are coupled to transmit signals to the audio source switch 51. A 
conventional antenna 58 is coupled to the radio receiver 57 and the 
cellular phone I/O interface 52 to provide radio (i.e., audio) and 
incoming cellular phone signals to the control circuit 5. Speakers 56 and 
an earphone 561 may be connected to the signal processor and amplifier 53 
for outputting sound signals. In addition, a microphone 562 and the 
cellular phone I/O interface 52 are connected to the signal processor and 
amplifier 53 to provide input signals thereto. 
The audio source switch 51 is used to control the signal input source of 
the signal processor and amplifier 53. For example, the audio source 
switch 51 determines whether signals from the radio receiver 57, the 
cassette playback outlet 55, the CD playback outlet 54, or the cellular 
phone (via the signal terminal 45 and the cellular phone I/O interface 52 
) are directed to the signal processor and amplifier 53. The cellular 
phone I/O interface 52 functions to control the reception of the cellular 
phone's input signals from one of various dialing modes or sources, such 
as inputs using remote dialing mode, hand-writing board dialing, voice 
transfer input through voice dialing, press key dialing signal (i.e., 
input by operation panel), or computer on-line wiring. The signal 
processor and amplifier 53 provides input and output volume amplification 
and/or transfer processing. The control panel 43 is coupled to the audio 
source switch 51 and may be used as the key panel for the cellular phone 
2, since the key panel of the cellular phone 2 will be covered and not 
accessible for use when the cellular phone 2 is stored inside the chamber 
44. 
The audio source switch 51 can be provided in the form of a conventional 
microprocessor acting as an analog switch. In addition, the cellular phone 
I/O interface 52 may also be provided in the form of a conventional 
microprocessor. Alternatively, a single microprocessor can be used to 
embody both the audio source switch 51 and the cellular phone I/O 
interface 52. 
In use, the cellular phone 2 is fitted into the chamber 44, with the signal 
terminal 45 connected to the signal plug socket 21 to connect the cellular 
phone 2 to the control circuit 5 of the automobile acoustic unit 4. When 
the antenna 58 receives an incoming signal for the cellular phone 2 
through the cellular phone I/O interface 52, the audio source switch 51 
will stop any audio operation currently taking place (e.g., the CD, 
cassette or radio) and will change over to the output of the cellular 
phone's 2 incoming call alarm. The driver or user can then receive the 
incoming telephone call by using the applicable keys on the control panel 
43 through a remote dial mode, a voice-operated dial mode, or a 
hand-writing board dial mode. The user or driver can conduct a 
conversation through the speaker system 56 of the automobile's audio 
system and the microphone 562 (without using an earphone 561), or through 
the earphone 561 and the microphone 562 (without using the speakers 56). 
At the end of the phone conversation, the audio source switch 51 can 
instruct the acoustic unit 4 to resume the audio operation that had 
previously been interrupted by the incoming call, or query the user for 
further instructions or control. 
FIG. 5 illustrates one example of how the cellular phone 2 can be secured 
inside the chamber 44. A longitudinal groove 442 can be provided in each 
side wall 446 of the chamber 44. One or more cooperating bolts 443 and 
springs 444 are provided in the grooves 442. The springs 444 bias the 
corresponding bolts 443 outwardly against the body of the cellular phone 2 
to stably secure the cellular phone 2 inside chamber 44. Of course, one 
end of the cellular phone 2 is attached to the acoustic unit 4 via the 
connection between the signal terminal 45 and the signal plug socket 21 
(see FIGS. 3 and 6). 
FIG. 6 illustrates another example of how the cellular phone 2 can be 
secured inside the chamber 44. A spring 445 can be attached at one end to 
a slot or groove 447 provided on each side 446 of the chamber 44. The 
other end of the spring 445 is biased outwardly against the body of the 
cellular phone 2 to stably secure the cellular phone 2 inside chamber 44. 
Since cellular phones 2 are now provided in a large variety of shapes and 
sizes, FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention 
which provides an adapter case 7 acting as a placement seat for 
accomodating the different shapes and sizes of the cellular phones 2. 
Specifically, the chamber 44 can be provided in one particular shape and 
size, and different adapter cases 7 can be provided in customized fashion 
for each different cellular phone 2. The signal terminal 45b can be 
provided inside the adapter case 7 for connection to the signal plug 
socket 21 of the cellular phone 2 that is to be fitted inside the adapter 
case 7. A lead or cable L connects the signal terminal 45b to the control 
circuit 5. A spring hook 71 can be provided on a top surface 72 of the 
adapter case 7. Two openings 413 are provided in the acoustic unit 4 at 
the top of the chamber 44 to receive the spring hooks 71. The spring hooks 
71 are pressed downwardly against the top surface 72 by the walls of the 
chamber 44 when the adapter case 7 is inserted into the chamber 44. When 
the adapter case 7 is inside the chamber 44, each spring 71 biases 
outwardly to cause its hooked-shaped end to catch against or engage a 
front edge of one of the openings 413 to securely hold the adapter case 7 
inside the chamber 44. To remove the adapter case 7, the acoustic unit 4 
is removed from the dashboard of the automobile, and the two spring hooks 
71 are pressed downwardly again to release the the spring hooks 71 from 
the openings 413 so that the adapter case 7 can be removed. Thus, the 
acoustic unit 4 of the present invention can be used with virtually any 
model and make of cellular phones, making it practical and versatile. 
To provide privacy during phone conversations, an earphone jack 431 (see 
FIG. 7) can be provided on the control panel 43. Therefore, an earphone 
(not shown) can be plugged into the jack 431 to cut off the sound to the 
speakers 56, while routing the sound to the earphones. Another possible 
feature is to include a parallel cellular phone signal terminal 432 (see 
FIG. 7) on the control panel 43 to bring a notebook or other portable 
computer on-line via the cellular phone 2. 
In addition, the aesthetic appearance of the acoustic unit 4 can be 
improved by providing a dust cap or lid 8, which can be fitted at the 
opening 412 of the chamber 44 (see FIG. 8). The dust cap 8 is hinged along 
an upper edge 81 of the opening 412, and biased to assume a generally 
vertical orientation to cover the opening 412. Before the cellular phone 2 
is inserted into the chamber 44, the dust cap 8 will cover the opening 
412. When the cellular phone 2 is inserted through the opening 412, the 
dust cap 8 is pushed inwardly about its hinge by the cellular phone 2, as 
shown in FIG. 8. The dust cap 8 covers the cellular phone 2 after it has 
been secured inside the chamber 44. To remove the cellular phone 2, the 
user pushes the dust cap 8 upwardly and reaches into the chamber 44 to 
pull out the cellular phone 2. 
FIG. 9 illustrates another non-limiting embodiment of the present 
invention, in which like numerals correspond to like elements in FIG. 3. 
In this embodiment, the opening 412 is provided with a cover 47 which is 
connected to the acoustic unit 4 by a pair of hinges 46. A fastener 48 is 
provided on an internal surface of the cover 47 and is adapted to engage a 
corresponding fastener 49 provided along an upper edge 82 of the opening 
412. Such fasteners 48, 49 are therefore concealed from external view, and 
can be provided in the form of cooperating magnets, male-female 
connectors, cooperating hooks and latches, Velcro.TM. and other 
conventional fasteners. Inside the chamber 44, the signal terminal 45 is 
connected by a cable or lead L to the control circuit 5. The lead L is 
provided in a certain length that is long enough to allow the signal 
terminal 45 to extend outside the chamber 44 to facilitate ease of 
connection with the signal plug socket 21 of the cellular phone 2. 
In use, the signal terminal 45 can be pulled out of the chamber 44 and 
connected to the signal plug socket 21 of the cellular phone 2 in the 
manner shown in FIG. 10. Specifically, the signal terminal 45 has a pair 
of press buttons 451 on either side thereof which are used to control a 
pair of fastening buttons 452 provided on a recessed end portion 453 of 
the signal terminal 45. Pressing the press buttons 451 will cause the 
fastening buttons 452 to be retracted into the recessed end portion 453. 
At this point, the recessed end portion 453 can be inserted into the 
signal plug socket 21. The press buttons 451 are then released to cause 
the fastening buttons 452 to extend outwardly to secure the recessed end 
portion 453 inside the signal plug socket 21. The cellular phone 2, the 
signal terminal 45 and the lead L are then placed inside the chamber 44 
and the cover 47 is secured over the opening 412. Thus, the cover 47 
functions to protect the chamber 44 from dust and other particles, and to 
conceal the cellular phone 2 from plain view, thereby deterring theft. 
The signal terminal used in the chamber 44 of the present invention can 
also be configured so that it can be used with a number of different 
models of cellular phones 2 having different signal plug sockets. FIG. 11 
illustrates a non-limiting example of such a signal terminal-signal plug 
socket connection, in which the signal plug socket is a plug-type socket 
22 and the signal terminal is a plug-type terminal 6. A pair of press 
buttons 61 are provided on each side of the signal terminal 6 to control a 
corresponding pair of spring hooks 611. Pressing the press buttons 61 will 
cause the spring hooks 611 to retract. At this point, the recessed end 
portion 612 of the terminal 6 can be inserted into the signal plug socket 
22. The press buttons 61 are then released to cause the spring hooks 611 
to extend outwardly to secure the recessed end portion 612 inside the 
signal plug socket 22. 
FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which a 
sufficient quantity of a soft layer of protective material 441 is provided 
along the interior walls of the chamber 44 to stabilize and protect the 
cellular phone 2 inside the chamber 44. Any soft material can be provided 
for the layer 441, including but not limited to foam, rubber, sponge and 
leather. The layer of protective material 441 further enhances the safety 
and stability of the cellular phone 2 while it is being deployed inside 
the automobile acoustic unit 4 of the present invention. 
FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention in 
which the operation or front panel 43a of the automobile acoustic unit 4a 
is configured to completely cover the automobile acoustic unit 4a, and 
hence, cover the cellular phone 2 as well. The front panel 43a is 
pivotably connected to the acoustic unit 4a by a pair of hinges 46a. A 
fastener 48a is provided on an internal surface of the front panel 43a and 
is adapted to engage a corresponding fastener 49a provided along a side 
edge 83 of the automobile acoustic unit 4a. Such fasteners 48a, 49a are 
therefore concealed from external view, and can be provided in the form of 
cooperating magnets, male-female connectors, cooperating hooks and 
latches, Velcro.TM. and other conventional fasteners. The cellular phone 2 
may be connected to the signal terminal 45a inside the chamber 44a, and 
stored inside the chamber 44a and also concealed from plain view by the 
front panel 43a. Hence, the front panel 43a provides an acoustic panel 
having an attractive and integrated appearance, and further conceals the 
cellular phone 2 to protect it from theft. 
The front panel 43a may also provide an earphone jack 432a to allow the 
user to engage in a private phone conversation if other people are also in 
the automobile. The front panel 43a may also include a socket 433 that is 
connected in parallel to the cellular phone signal terminal 45a for 
on-line communication with a notebook computer via the cellular phone 2. 
As a result, the automobile acoustic unit 4 of the present invention 
significantly reduces the inconveniences of using a conventional cellular 
phone 2 that is installed inside an automobile, thereby enhancing driving 
safety. In addition, the automobile acoustic unit 4 of the present 
invention provides an integrated acoustic unit while eliminating the 
inconvenience associated with installing a conventional cellular phone 2 
on a solid support panel in the automobile. Further, the automobile 
acoustic unit 4 of the present invention allows the cellular phone 2 to 
use the audio system of the automobile, thereby improving the sound 
quality of the telephone conversation. The automobile acoustic unit 4 of 
the present invention also improves the appearance and comfort of the 
interior of the automobile by providing a neater appearance that is not 
cluttered by excess wires. 
Although certain components have been described above as including certain 
elements, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such 
disclosures are non-limiting, and that different elements, or combinations 
thereof, can be provided for such components without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the present invention. 
It will be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in 
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential 
characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the 
invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but 
rather is to be defined by the appended claims.