Patent Publication Number: US-2005143140-A1

Title: Portable communications device

Description:
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/404,160, filed Apr. 1, 2003, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Alexander Graham Bell was awarded U.S. Pat. No. 174,465 for a telephone in 1876. Over the next century, telephones became smaller and easier to operate. Cellular phones originated in 1947, when researchers looked at crude mobile (car) phones and realized that by using small cells (range of service area) and reusing frequencies they could increase the traffic capacity of mobile phones. By 1987, cellular telephone subscribers exceeded one million. Personal Communication Services (PCS) differ from cellular in that they use a different radio frequency and generally use all-digital technology for transmission and reception. Portable communications devices continue to improve.  
      Notwithstanding these improvements, however, the most popular portable telephones have several drawbacks, especially if the user is using the device while conducting other activities. For example, using a cellular phone when operating a motor vehicle can be dangerously distracting. Most cellular phones require one hand of the user to hold the phone close to the user&#39;s face and ear. Further, when dialing the number or answering the phone, the user must use his or her sight to identify specific buttons to be pressed to answer or place the call, whichever the case may be.  
      Furthermore, modem telephones have become sufficiently portable that “multi-tasking” while talking on the phone has become desirable and commonplace. Various activities can be conducted while talking on the phone, such as cooking, cleaning, driving, walking the dog and sports activities, to name just a few. However, having to hold the phone hinders most of these activities. Further, it is desirable to increase the number and type of activities that can be easily accomplished while talking on the phone.  
      It is known in the art to provide a wrist carried telephone that is operable without removal from the user&#39;s wrist and examples of the same are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,414 (Alameh et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,253 (Charlier et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,149 (Weatherill). These patents also disclose earpieces that are worn by the user to obviate the need to hold the handset next to one&#39;s head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,873 (Itakura et al.) discloses a wristwatch-type communication device suitable for use in a radio paging receiver. U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,184 (Fernandez-Martinez) discloses a bracelet telephone that includes a terminal mounted to a bracelet. A ring shaped part couples to one finger of the user and supports an earphone connected by an electric cable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,757 (Carroll et al.) discloses a wristwatch-type device with a retractable earbud and a microphone.  
      One disadvantage of the devices disclosed above is that the earpiece may become lost or broken, thereby requiring the user to replace the entire device. Such an approach is undesirably expensive and wasteful if the base unit is still operable. Another disadvantage of the above-noted devices is that their keypads are often too small for average sized fingers to operate efficiently and are arranged in an awkward location on the devices. The above-described devices also suffer from the drawback that they are not entirely “hands-free.” For example, many of the earpieces disclosed above must be wired to the main unit. The connecting wires may become tangled or interfere with the user&#39;s movement.  
      Many modern cellular or portable phones are now configured with headsets. The advantage of these headsets, of course, is that they free up the user&#39;s hands to accomplish other tasks. While practical, however, these headsets are perceived by many users as unsightly, and many users feel awkward or even foolish when wearing them in public.  
      It is desirable to have an improved portable communications device that overcomes all of the drawbacks noted above.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a portable communications device having a base that can be worn on the user&#39;s wrist, a wireless earpiece that can be concealed when worn, and a novel audio link that allows the earpiece to communicate with the base. Each audio link is programmed to communicate with any base unit of the present invention but with only one earpiece. As a packaging concept, the audio links and earpieces can be packaged and sold together, and the base units are sold separately. Thus, the present invention offers modular capabilities. If an earpiece is lost, the user simply purchases another earpiece along with a new audio link, rather than having to replace the entire unit.  
      Devices in accordance with the present invention may be used while performing most tasks without interference. Sudden or abrupt movements do not present a problem. Thus, sports such as basketball, golf, weightlifting and the like can all be easily performed while using devices in accordance with the present invention.  
      In one form thereof, the present invention provides a portable communications device. The device includes a base having a viewing window, a port and a keypad. An earpiece is associated with the base. An audio link is detachably received in the port and the audio link communicably links the earpiece to the base when the audio link is installed in the port.  
      In a preferred form, the base of the communications device includes a camera. The camera can take the picture of the person talking into the device and transmit the same to the display of another user using another device. The other device can be in accordance with the present invention or any other telephone.  
      In another preferred form, the keypad of the communications device is formed of a series of keys disposed about the periphery of the base. More preferably, the keys are positioned in the sequence 0, *, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, # when read sequentially around the periphery of the base. This matches the key sequence used on old rotary dial phones and serves a familiar sequence of numbers that users can access by feel without having to look at the numbers. Furthermore, as noted above, many prior art wristwatch-type communications devices have a rectangular array of keys that are too small to conveniently access by average size fingers. By placing the keys around the outside periphery of the base unit, the keys can be formed larger and are thus more easily accessible and usable without looking at them.  
      In another preferred form, the communications device further includes an accessory that can be connected to the base. In one embodiment, the accessory is a charger to which the base can be docked and which can be inserted into a cigarette lighter (adapter) of an automobile. More preferably, the base includes an auxiliary key pad or even a keyboard that can be used in parallel with or in lieu of the keys provided on the base. In another embodiment, the accessory can be configured to be inserted into a standard 120 VAC electrical outlet.  
      Another key advantage of the present invention is that the earpiece includes both the speaker that transmits sound to the user and the microphone that transmits the sound of the user&#39;s voice to the base, which in turn transmits a signal to another device. On the other hand, the circuitry that operates the device is housed in the base, such that the earpiece can be made small and inconspicuous. When the earpiece is worn, the microphone extends slightly downward and forward of the user&#39;s ear lobe, which for the average user represents a distance of only 4-5 inches to the center of the user&#39;s mouth. Thus the microphone can easily pick up the user&#39;s voice from this distance, yet is not easily detectable by passersby. Thus, a user may be communicating with a device according to the present invention while conducting other activities. Yet, there are no unsightly headsets or other items that may make the user feel uncomfortable using the device in a public setting. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above-mentioned and other advantages of the present invention, and the manner of obtaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a base unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an audio link exploded away from the base;  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a circuit board that is housed centrally in the base unit of  FIG. 1  and also illustrates the audio link locked into place within the base;  
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the base unit of  FIG. 1  which illustrates dual batteries and compartments therefore;  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the base shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention which shows a base unit like that shown in  FIG. 1  that can be docked to the accessory;  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an accessory in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an earpiece in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship to the user&#39;s ear (shown in phantom) when worn;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the base shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are top views illustrating the packaging concept in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
      Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 4  and  8 , the communications device  10  of one preferred embodiment includes base  20  and audio link  22  that is detachably mountable in port  24  and earpiece  52  (see  FIG. 7 ). Base  20  includes a face  25  on which camera  26  and display window  28  are provided as shown. Optionally, a cover that flips open (not shown) may be provided for face  25 . Base  20  also includes a bezel  30  which is angled relative to face  25  and on which is provided a keypad  32  made up of several keys  34  disposed about the periphery of base  20 . Conveniently, keys  34  are positioned on bezel  30  in the sequence 0, *, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, # when read sequentially. This sequence is the same as provided on older rotary telephones and is familiar to many users. Alternatively, the keys may be arranged in any of a variety of sequences. By placing the keys  34  on the angled bezel  30  at the outside periphery of base  20 , the size of keys  34  is maximized so that in turn the user may easily access them by feel. The angle on which keys  34  are positioned also helps in this regard. Base  20  also includes a wristband  36  as is known in the art. Auxiliary keys  38  and  40  are provided on the side of base  20  and can perform any number of functions to operate the portable communications device as required.  
      Turning now to  FIG. 2 , base  20  includes in the illustrated embodiment a middle section  42  disposed centrally in base  20 . Section  24  includes a small circuit board  44  that includes various integrated circuit (IC) chips  46  and other componentry  48  such as resistors, capacitors and the like. Port  24  leads to a cutout section  50  in board  44  to communicably receive audio link  22 . The engagement of audio link  22  into cutout  50  can be a snap-fit engagement as is known in the art, such that audio link  22  is detachably mountable into port  24 . Once engaged with board  44 , audio link  22  allows the base  20  to communicate with earpiece  52  (see  FIG. 7 ) as described in more detail below. A smaller plate  54  is connected to board  44  and includes sockets  56  that receive legs (not shown) from camera  26 , such that camera  26  can communicate its signal to board  44 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 3 , the bottom of base  20  includes dual compartments  58  that receive batteries  60 . The batteries may be configured in series to provide power to the portable device or may be configured such that one battery serves as a back-up. When the first battery expires, the display  28  may illuminate a signal so that the user knows to replace it. Meanwhile, the portable device  10  may be operated with the back-up battery, thereby avoiding the user not being able to operate the device when the first battery expires.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates an accessory  60  to which base  20  may be docked. Accessory  60  includes a male connector  62  that is matingly and detachably received in opening  64  formed at the bottom of base  20 . Accessory  20  includes an auxiliary keypad  66  which could be arranged as a standard keyboard for a portable personal computer. Keypad  66  can be configured with larger keys than base  20  and is therefore easier to operate, especially when in a vehicle. Accessory  60  also includes adaptor plug  68  which fits into a standard cigarette lighter or accessory outlet in an automobile. Neck  70  is illustrated as a flexible member that can be bent in all directions and expanded about its longitudinal axis by pulling on it, thereby allowing the user of device  10  to position base  20  optimally in its particular surroundings.  
      Turning now to  FIG. 6 , accessory  72  includes a receptacle section  74  which allows base  20  (shown in phantom) to be docked thereto in the same fashion described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . Accessory  72  is desired for rechargeable base units  20 . Accessory  72  may be plugged into a wall outlet  76  which will cause base  20  to recharge.  
      With reference to  FIG. 7 , a novel earpiece  52  of an embodiment o the present invention can be appreciated. Earpiece  52  includes a flexible housing  78  that fits around the back of the user&#39;s ear  80  (shown in phantom). Housing  78  should fit comfortably behind the user&#39;s ear, much like a large hearing aid. Housing  78  is preferably stuffed with soft foam or other material to give it a soft, comfortable feel. It is also desirable to form the outer surface of housing  78  with a material that is comfortable when worn against the skin and there are a wide variety of materials that perform suitably in this regard, such as cotton or synthetic cloth, plastics, rubber, and the like. A small battery  82  is provided in housing  78  and powers microphone  84  and speaker  86 , which are described in more detail below.  
      Wire  88  connects speaker  86  to housing  78  and allows sufficient flexibility such that the user may position speaker  86  behind his or her tragus  90  of ear  80 , thereby at least partially concealing speaker  86 . Wire  88  may be made up of a metallic core around which is wrapped soft material that feels smooth to the skin and is thus comfortable to the wearer. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many suitable materials for wire  88 . Advantageously, earpiece  52 , when worn by the user, is almost totally concealed. Only a portion of the speaker  86  projects beyond the user&#39;s tragus  90  and the microphone extends only slightly beyond the user&#39;s ear lobe (lobule)  92 .  
      One advantage of the embodiments incorporating the present invention relates to the specific means the earpieces  52  are configured to communicate with the audio links  22  and the packaging of the same. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , base  20  is packaged in package  100  whereas audio link  22  and earpiece  52  are packaged together in package  102 , separate from package  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, audio link  22  is programmed or configured to only communicate the earpiece  52 , with which it is packaged. This can be done by selecting a specific frequency or coding scheme known in the art. On the other hand, audio link  22  can communicate with any base  20  manufactured in accordance with the illustrated embodiment. Optionally, earpiece  52  may be configured with a small pager button that when depressed, communicates a signal to audio link  22 , which in turn causes an audible signal to be emitted from base  20  when audio link  22  is inserted therein. A misplaced base  20  can thereby be easily located.  
      Thus,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a method of manufacturing and packaging portable communications devices  10  from a plurality of bases  20 , a plurality of earpieces  52 , and a plurality of audio links  22 , any one of the plurality of audio links being detachably mountable to any one of the plurality of bases. The method includes the steps of first selecting a first audio link  22  from the plurality of audio links and selecting a first earpiece  52  from the plurality of earpieces  52 . As noted above, the first audio link  22  is programmed to communicate with all bases  20  when mounted thereto. One or both of the first earpiece  52  and the first audio link  22  are programmed such that the first earpiece  52  is communicably linked to the first audio link  22 , but cannot communicate with any other audio link  22 . The previous steps are then repeated for the remainder of the plurality of audio links and earpieces, thereby generating a plurality of pairs of associated earpieces and audio links (package  102 ). Again, the bases  20  are packaged separately in package  100 . Thus, one can combine any package  102  with any package  100  to produce an activated portable communications device  10 , as shown with reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  
      While a preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention has been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.