Abstract:
An assembly comprised of a case for protecting a mobile wireless phone with a retractable headset device installed in an integral pocket. Openings in the case are provided for extending a connector cable that is plugged into the wireless phone, and for retractably extracting an earphone segment. The earphone cable segment is extracted for use when using the wireless phone in a hands-free scenario, and retracted when the assembly is to be stored.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/188,753, filed Mar. 7, 2000, entitled Integrated Headset-Case; and Ser. No. 60/206,416, filed May 23, 2000, entitled Integrated Headset-Case. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The disclosed invention is classified as a means for storing and managing a hands-free adapter that is used with various types of wireless and cordless phones. Specifically, a variety of methods for attaching a spring-retractable headset or wireless headset to a mobile wireless or cordless phone are described.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of Prior Art  
           [0005]    Advances in miniaturization and optimization of wireless transceiver semiconductors, as well as innovation in digital signal processing have resulted in the reduction of the cost of wireless phone hardware and service. At the same time, the quality of wireless telephony in terms of both ubiquity of service and sound quality is increasing. This cost reduction and simultaneous increase in quality is driving rapid growth in the use of mobile wireless telephony. Users now commonly access wireless telephony service in a wide variety of settings and environments including use in the car, when walking or exercising, at work, and in the home. While wireless mobile telephony is a great convenience, there is often the need to be able to use the service while engaged in an activity that occupies the user&#39;s hands, such as while driving. Hands-free adapters have been created that provide the ability to engage in conversation while using the mobile wireless telephony system when driving. These systems typically involve an external speaker and microphone system. Hands-free headsets have been in use for some time that are comprised of a cable with a connector at one end and an earphone and microphone assembly at the other end. These hands-free headsets are popular because they allow the user to operate the mobile wireless device without using the hands, and also maintain a private conversation. When using the hands-free headset, the phone can be stored in a user&#39;s pocket or attached to the belt with a belt-clip accessory. In addition to belt clips, there are other devices and accessories that allow the user to attach the wireless phone to their body while the phone is or is not in use. One popular accessory for wireless phones are fabric or leather soft cases FIG. 5 that protect the phone from abrasive damage while providing a belt clip, strap, or other attachment system.  
           [0006]    Retractable headsets have been invented that allow the user to manually or automatically retract headset cables into housings for the purpose of eliminating the tangling of headset cables. Wireless personal area network (PAN) systems have appeared that incorporate short range wireless communication transceivers such as Bluetooth technology, provided by Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden. PAN systems allow for a wireless link between a wireless phone and the user&#39;s ear. With both the PAN solution and the retractable headset solution, there remains the inconvenience for the user of having to manage another device in addition to the wireless phone. One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,656 to Thornton, showing a retractable headset that is permanently incorporated into the wireless phone housing. However, headset cables often become snagged and are otherwise in harms way and can be damaged to the point of inoperability. If the headset cable were to cease to function, the phone itself would have to be sent for repair which would greatly inconvenience the user. Furthermore, the size of the mobile phone is permanently increased by the integration of the retraction device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,089 to Chen shows a retractable that is attachable to a wireless phone with a plastic bracket. This attachment scheme requires a separate piece of hardware to further attach the wireless phone to the user&#39;s body. Furthermore, this attachment scheme does not serve to protect the user&#39;s phone from damage, and is not operable with a case that substantially covers and protects the user&#39;s phone housing. In order to implement this design, there must be sufficient mechanical attachment features on the phone. Since there are a number of phone manufacturers in the market, this solution may not be viable for many or all of the various phone models.  
           [0007]    What is needed is an integrated solution that provides for convenient hands-free capability for mobile wireless phone users that doesn&#39;t result in the need to physically keep track of a device in addition to the mobile wireless phone.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention exemplifies a new and unobvious art of an integrated headset case. Briefly and generally, the integrated headset case provides for the ability to removably couple a hands-free earphone/microphone solution to a mobile wireless phone. A hands-free headset device, such as a retractable headset device is integrated into a protective covering case for a wireless phone.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0009]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: (a) to provide an attachment of a hands-free solution to a mobile wireless phone that simultaneously provides a protective covering for the phone. (b) to provide an attachment of a hands-free solution to a mobile wireless phone that simultaneously incorporates a means for attaching the phone to the user. (c) To provide a means for attaching a hands-free solution to a mobile wireless phone that does not require specific mechanical attachment features on the phone. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 shows a conventional headset cable.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the retractable headset.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view from above of a retractable headset mechanism.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 shows an exploded view from below of a retractable headset mechanism.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 shows a variety of soft cases for wireless (cellular) phones.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a retractable mechanism integrated with a soft case.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a retractable mechanism integrated with a soft case with the earphone attached.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 shows a section view of a retractable mechanism integrated with a soft case.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 shows a view of a minimal pocket for holding the retractable mechanism.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 shows a view of a minimal pocket for holding the retractable mechanism.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 shows a soft case with a transparent attachment strap.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a sewn pocket with a cup strap and a strap.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 shows a rear isometric view of a sewn pocket with a cup strap and a strap.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 shows a wireless headset device installed in the integrated headset case. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    1. Describe Existing Non-retracting Headset Assembly.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 shows a conventional headset cable assembly  10 . Headset cable assemblies  10  such as these are used with cordless and wireless phones  50 . Headset cable assembly  10  typically includes an earphone  16 , and a microphone  12 . These components are connected mechanically and electrically by the headset cable  8 . Headset cable  8  is a plastic-coated, wound assembly of conductors and insulators such that earphone  16  and microphone  12  are functionally connected to a connector  4 , which is plugged into a wireless phone  50 . Headset cable assemblies  10  are used by plugging connector  4  into a receptacle in wireless phone  50 , and placing earphone  16  in a user&#39;s ear. Microphone  12  captures the user&#39;s speech because it is spaced away from earphone  16  such that it is in proximity to the user&#39;s mouth. Earphone  16  and microphone  12  may be in separate housings, such as the design shown in FIG. 1, or they may be integrated into one single housing, such as the design shown in FIG. 9. The design and manufacture of headset cable assemblies  10  such as that shown in FIG. 1 are well known in the field of mobile wireless communications and will not be addressed here in further detail.  
         [0026]    2. Describe Retracting Headset Assembly.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 shows an automatically retractable headset device  14  for automatically rewinding headset cable assembly  10 . A connector cable segment  6  with connector  4  attached non-retractably extends from one opening. An earphone cable segment  10  with microphone  12  and earphone  16  extends from a second opening. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show alternate exploded views of retractable headset device  14 , including a top housing  24  and a bottom housing  28  that contain and constrain a slip-ring mechanism for maintaining constant electrical continuity of the circuits in connector cable segment  6  and earphone cable segment  10  regardless of the rotational position of the spool  40 . Top housing  24 , bottom housing  28 , spool  40 , and the release button  44  are manufactured by injection-molding plastic. A printed-circuit board  52  is positioned next to bottom housing  28  and includes the three circular, concentric, conductive traces  60   a, b , and  c . Each of three conductive traces  60  are further connected by conductive traces to connector wire solder connections  68   a, b , and  c  that are soldered to corresponding circuits in connector cable segment  6 . A power spring  32  is used to drive spool  40  to rotate relative to top housing  24  and bottom housing  28  such that earphone cable segment  10  is wound on spool  40 . The three spring wiper contacts  56   a, b , and  c  are attached to spool  40  and aligned so that when spool  40  rotates, spring wiper contacts  56   a, b , and  c  are always in conductive contact with corresponding concentric conductive traces  60   a, b , and  c . The corresponding three circuits on the earphone cable segment  10  terminate at spring wiper contacts  56   a, b , and  c . A ratchet-lock system is controlled by release button  44  that is externally accessible to the user. Spool  40  includes the ratchet teeth  36  that engage with a ratchet arm  38  when earphone cable segment  10  is released by the user, prohibiting spool  40  from rotating. Release button  44  pivots about a release button pivot  46  captured between top housing  24  and bottom housing  28 . Ratchet arm  38  is forced to engage with ratchet teeth  36  by button return spring  48 . Likewise, when the user pulls on earphone cable segment  10  to extract it, the angle of ratchet arm  38  allows it glide over ratchet teeth  36  without engaging. Thus, there is a constant electrical connection made between the functional circuits connected to earphone  16  and microphone  12 , and the corresponding contacts at connector  4 , regardless of where spool  40  is rotationally positioned. The ratchet-lock system allows spool  40  to be stopped and fixed at practically any point in the rotation of spool  40 , that is, the user can extract any length of earphone cable segment  10  and earphone cable segment  10  will stay fixed at that extraction length until release button  44  is pressed to release the ratchet-lock system. Slip-ring designs such as the one described herein are well known in the field of electrical and mechanical design, and specifically, in retractable headset design. With the knowledge that is in the public domain, combined with that included in this disclosure, it would be possible for one skilled in the art of headset design to implement a functional unit.  
         [0028]    3. Describe Phone Case Design.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 shows a variety of soft cases that are commonly available. These cases FIG. 5 are manufactured by sewing together cut materials such as leather, nylon fabric and include leather cases  18  with belt clips  98 , leather or nylon fabric cases with transparent film faces  22 , and neoprene cases  26 . FIG. 5 also shows a flip-type case  30  for wireless phone  50 . FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 show an integrated case  40  with retractable headset device  14  installed in a pocket  84 . Integrated case  40  is manufactured by sewing together cut sections of two-way stretchable woven nylon fabric. Integrated case  40  is constructed so that it is open at the top so that wireless phone  50  can be inserted. A flap  80  that is part of integrated case  40  is pulled over the top of wireless phone  50  and secured with Velcro  96 . This type of construction and manufacturing method is well known in the accessory cover or case design field. FIG. 8, a section view, shows that internal pocket  84  is sewn onto the rear inside surface of integrated case  40 . FIG. 6 shows that pocket  84  is a square section of fabric. Pocket  84  is sewn onto integrated case  40  along the bottom and side edges, is open at the top, and is sized so that retractable headset device  14  can be easily fit into pocket  84  with minimal stretching of pocket  84 . It should be noted that pocket  84  could also be sewn against the outside rear surface of integrated case  40 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 further show that the construction of integrated case  40  with flap  80  over the top, allows for a cable outlet  92   a  opening so that earphone cable segment  10  can extend outside of integrated case  40 . Connector cable segment  6  extends through a cable outlet  92   b  on the other side of integrated case  40 . Connector cable segment  6  is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 as extending down the side of integrated case  40 , where it terminates in connector  4  that is plugged into wireless phone  50 . Integrated case  40  further includes a release button access hole  74  that provides access to release button  44  when retractable headset device  14  is installed in integrated case  40 . FIG. 7 shows that a molded plastic earphone holder  88  is sewn onto the side of integrated case  40 . Earphone holder  88  includes a gap feature that is sized so that the narrow stem of earphone  16  can be fixedly placed into the gap. Earphone holder  88  securely holds earphone  16  when earphone cable segment is  10  is fully retracted, as shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0031]    Integrated case also includes a belt clip  98 , designated by the dotted line in FIG. 6. Belt clip  98  is not shown in detail because the use and design of this feature is well known and so as not to obscure present invention.  
         [0032]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a design for a minimal pocket  84  that contains the retractable headset device  14  when the pocket  84  is attached to the wireless phone  50 . In this embodiment, the pocket  80  is constructed out of a two-way stretchable nylon fabric. There is a rigid backing plate  120  that the strap  100  and the stretchable fabric are attached to. This rigid backing plate  120  is a flat or slightly curved plastic sheet made by injection-molding or thermo-forming plastic. There is a strap  100  that is fed through a metal loop  104  and pulled back onto itself so that the strap  100  may be pulled tight against the wireless phone  50 . The strap  100  is secured with Velcro  96  against itself. The strap  100  is a woven non-stretchable fabric such as woven nylon strapping. There may also be an elastomeric strip  116  along the inside of the strap  100  so that when the strap  100  is pulled tight, there is a large amount of friction between the inside of the strap  100  and the wireless phone  50 . This friction prohibits the pocket  84  system from sliding off of the wireless phone  50 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 shows a minimal pocket  84  design that incorporates a wider strap  100  with a transparent film  108  section that allows visual access to the wireless phone  50  display. The wider strap  100  allows for secure attachment.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 shows a design where the pocket  84  and integrated case  40  are one homogeneous injection-molded part. The material is an injection-moldable elastomer such as Dynaflex, manufactured by GLS Corporation of McHenry, Ill. The design in FIG. 11 may or may not include a plastic transparent film  108  that covers the wireless phone  50  display. The advantage of having the sheet is that the display is protected from being scratched. The transparent film  108  sheet also increases the stiffness of the elastomeric straps  100  that wrap around the wireless phone  50 . In this embodiment where the elastomeric straps  100  fix the integrated case  40  to the wireless phone  50 , the length of each of the elastomeric strap  100  portions of the design is shorter than the total outer section distance around the wireless phone  50 . Therefore the elastomeric straps  100  must be stretched around the wireless phone  50  and fact that they are made of a higher friction elastomeric material, means that the friction of the straps  100  against the phone is high and this prohibits the pocket and integrated case  40  from slipping off of the wireless phone  50 . In the integrated case  40  embodiments disclosed in FIG. 9 through FIG. 12, the retractable headset device  50  is designed with the release button  44  configured on the top of the device, so that the release button access hole  74  in the side of the pocket  84  would not be required.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14 shows a wireless hands-free headset device  54  installed in integrated case  40 . A wireless hands-free headset device  54  is a system that includes a wireless communication link  132  between a base transceiver  124  and an integrated earphone/microphone module  128 . This wireless communication link  132  could be a Bluetooth system as described above, or it could be a 900 Mhz system that is commonly used in cordless phone systems. Both the base transceiver  124  and the earphone/microphone module  128  contain a battery power supply. The base transceiver  124  includes a connector cable segment  6  that plugs into the headset port on the wireless phone  50 . The wireless hands-free headset device  54  is a two-way communication system that functions like a hands-free headset except with no cable. The operation of short range wireless systems such as this are known in the field of wireless communication and will not be described here in detail.  
         [0036]    It should be noted that the disclosed invention of an integrated headset case can be implemented with audio headphones rather than a headset with an earphone and a microphone. An integrated headphone case with a retractable headphone device can be implemented for use with portable audio playback devices such as MP3 players, minidisk players, AM/FM radios, and CD players without departing from the new and unobvious art disclosed above.  
         [0037]    Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.