Patent Abstract:
An improved rearview mirror mounted telephone system mounted in a vehicle comprises a rearview mirror assembly having a housing and a reflective member associated with the housing in such a manner as to enable said reflective member to properly function as a rearview mirror; and an RF transceiver mounted to, within or on the rearview mirror assembly for providing a communication link with the rearview mirror assembly. The RF transceiver may be in communication with a portable telephone when the portable telephone is connected to the RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may be a cellular telephone transceiver.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/801,370, filed on Mar. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,728,375, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/481,219, filed on Jan. 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,765, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/075,685, filed on May 11, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,162, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/335,008, filed on Nov. 7, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,503, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/012,382, filed on Feb. 2, 1993, now abandoned. The entire disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to telephones and more particularly to mobile cellular telephones for motor vehicular use. 
   Current mobile telephones are patterned after home and office equipment and are difficult to locate in motor vehicles. The crowded condition, which exists in vehicle interiors, results in a need for concepts in mobile telephones which can save space in the vehicle interiors. Moreover, the current telephone locations cause safety concerns. For example, the current locations on instrument panels and consoles require the driver to divert his attention from the road when utilizing the telephone and the telephones may impact, or be impacted by, the driver or passenger in a collision situation. The current locations are further deficient in that they fail to accommodate a wide range of vehicle designs and sizes. In some cases, the equipment designs have required substantial vehicle modifications to accommodate the equipment within the vehicle and these modifications have increased new model investment costs as well as manufacturing costs. 
   One improved method of locating a mobile telephone in a motor vehicle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,273 wherein the telephone is mounted in the sunvisor of the vehicle. This location is an improvement over the instrument panel and console locations in the sense that the driver need not substantially divert his/her eyes from the road. However, the extremely close proximity of the telephone controls to the eyes of the driver can create focusing problems, especially when the driver is using vision correction devices such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to the provision of an improved mobile telephone system. More particularly, this invention is directed to the provision of a mobile telephone system which allows the driver to maintain a good view of the road while operating the telephone and which is located at a distance from the driver&#39;s eyes to allow easy focusing on the controls of the telephone. 
   This invention is further directed to the provision of an improved mobile telephone system which is inexpensive and which does not require any modification of the motor vehicle interior to accommodate the telephone system. 
   This invention is further directed to the provision of an improved portable telephone. 
   The invention relates to both a method and an apparatus for providing improved mobile telephone service. 
   The improved methodology relates to an improved method of providing mobile telephone service for a motor vehicle of the type including a windshield and a power source positioned in the motor vehicle. According to the invention methodology, an electrical connection to the power source is provided proximate the upper central region of the windshield and a telephone is electrically connected to the electrical connection. This methodology positions the telephone in an area that is readily visible by the driver, does not obstruct the driver&#39;s vision, and allows easy focusing on the telephone controls. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the motor vehicle further includes an inside rearview mirror positioned proximate the upper central region of the windshield, and the step of providing an electrical connection on the rearview mirror to the power source comprises providing an electrical connection to the power source. This methodology utilizes the existing rearview mirror to form the foundation for mounting the telephone. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the telephone is portable and includes external electrical connectors and the step of providing an electrical connection on the rearview mirror to the power source comprises providing connector means on the top of the rearview mirror for electrical connection to the telephone connectors. This methodology conveniently positions the portable telephone on top of the rearview mirror in electrical connection with the vehicular power source. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the step of providing an electrical connection to the power source further includes providing a socket on the rearview mirror including the electrical connectors, and the step of removably electrically connecting a portable telephone to the electrical connectors comprises positioning the portable telephone in the socket with the electrical connectors of the telephone connected to the electrical connectors of the socket. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the step of providing a socket on the rearview mirror comprises providing a holster sized to receive the portable telephone and positioning the holster on the rearview mirror. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the portable telephone further includes a battery and the method includes the further step of providing means on the rearview mirror to recharge the battery. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the step of providing a means on the rearview mirror to recharge the battery includes providing a pocket in the rearview mirror sized to receive the battery and providing an electrical connection in the pocket to the vehicular power source so as to electrically connect the vehicular power source to a battery inserted in the pocket. 
   According to a further feature of the invention methodology, the method includes the further steps of providing a separate speaker/microphone, providing an elongated flexible extension member, providing an input jack on the rearview mirror, positioning the speaker/microphone on one end of the elongated flexible extension member, and plugging the other end of the elongated flexible extension member into the input jack. 
   The invention further provides a mirror assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a windshield and a power source positioned within the vehicle. The invention mirror assembly includes an inside rearview mirror adapted to be secured within the vehicle in a position proximate the upper central region of the windshield, a telephone on the mirror, and means establishing electrical connection between the telephone and the power source with the telephone mounted on the mirror. 
   In one embodiment of the invention mirror assembly, the telephone is removably mounted on the mirror by mounting means including a holster secured to the top of the mirror and defining a socket for receipt of the mobile telephone. 
   In further embodiments of the invention mirror assembly, at least one of the components of the telephone is built into the casing of the mirror. 
   According to a further feature of the invention mirror assembly, the mirror assembly further includes means for recharging the battery of the portable telephone. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the recharging means includes a pocket opening in the top of the mirror and sized to receive the battery. 
   According to a further feature of the invention mirror assembly, the mirror assembly further includes a separate speaker/microphone and means for physically and electrically connecting the speaker/microphone to the mirror with the speaker/microphone positioned remote from the mirror and proximate the driver of the vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the connecting means includes a flexible cable connected at one end to the mirror and mounting the speaker/microphone at its other, free end. 
   The invention also provides an improved portable or personal telephone. The improved portable telephone of the invention comprises an outgoing message microphone member, an incoming message speaker member, and means operative to vary the spacing between the members. This arrangement allows the microphone and speaker members to be positioned relatively close to each other for compactness to improve the portability and stowability of the telephone, and allows the microphone and speaker to be selectively spaced further apart to facilitate association of the microphone member with the mouth of the user and association of the speaker member with the ear of the user. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the telephone includes a housing, the microphone member is mounted in the housing, and the telephone further includes means operative to move the speaker member to a stored position proximate the housing and an operative position spaced from the housing. The operative means may comprise, for example, an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the housing and mounting the speaker member at its other end. 
   These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary schematic view of a motor vehicle employing the invention mobile telephone system; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary view of the motor vehicle of  FIG. 1  looking forwardly from the driver&#39;s seat; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a mirror assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the invention mirror assembly looking from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle; 
       FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the invention mirror assembly looking forwardly from the driver&#39;s seat; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are end and top views, respectively, of the invention mirror assembly; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a holster employed in the invention mirror assembly; 
       FIGS. 9–13  are detailed views of a personal telephone according to the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a view showing the use of the invention personal telephone; 
       FIG. 15  is a cutaway view of a motor vehicle illustrating various ways in which the audio system of the vehicle may be utilized to receive incoming telephone calls; 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic view showing an arrangement for providing privacy for incoming telephone calls; 
       FIGS. 17–23  illustrate a microphone that may be utilized in association with the invention telephone and further illustrating various ways in which the microphone may be mounted within the vehicle; 
       FIGS. 24–27  illustrate embodiments of the invention in which the telephone is built into and forms a permanent part of the rearview mirror assembly; and 
       FIGS. 28–31  illustrate an alternate arrangement for mounting the invention personal telephone in the vehicle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The invention mobile telephone system is intended for use in a motor vehicle of the type including a windshield  10 , an instrument panel  12 , a steering wheel  14 , a pair of sunvisors  18 , a headliner  20 , A pillars  22 , and a trunk  24 . 
   A suitable power supply, such as, for example, a transceiver  26 , is positioned in the trunk  24  and coacts with an external antenna  28  to process outgoing and incoming telephone calls in a known manner. 
   The invention provides an inside rearview mirror assembly  30  to facilitate the provision of a mobile telephone system in the vehicle. Mirror assembly  30  includes an inside rearview mirror  32 , a bracket assembly  34 , and a speaker/microphone assembly  36 . 
   Mirror  32  includes a hollow casing  38  and a mirror glass  42 . Casing  38  includes a top wall  38   a , a front wall  38   b , a bottom wall  38   c , end walls  38   d , and a rim  38   e . Rim  38   e  coacts with the main body of the casing to position mirror glass  42  at the rear face of the mirror. 
   An elongated slot  38   f  is provided in top wall  38   a  of casing  38 , a battery charging pocket  38   g  opens in top wall  38   a  on one side of slot  38   f , and an input jack  38   h  opens in top wall  38   a  on the other side of slot  38   f . Rear wall  38   b  includes a raised mounting portion  38   i  to facilitate securement of the mirror to the upper central region of the windshield  10  as, for example, by a bracket  46  adhesively secured at one end to the windshield and pivotally secured at its other end to the mirror. Alternatively, and in a known manner, the mirror may be secured to the windshield header. 
   A power cord  48  is connected at one end to transceiver  26  and passes at its other end through an opening  38   j  in the front wall  38   b  of the mirror casing. After passing through the opening  38   j , the power cord  48  splits electrically to form a series of parallel bundled leads  48   a  which emerge from the casing through slot  38   f . A series of contacts  49  are provided at the bottom of pocket  38   g  and these contacts are suitably connected via power cord  48  to a source of power such as the vehicle battery. It will be understood that jack  38   h  is also suitably powered through cord  48 . 
   Bracket assembly  34  includes a bracket  50 , a holster  52 , and an angle plate  53 . Bracket  50  includes a pair of arm portions  50   a  each defining a slot  50   b , a cross bar portion  50   c  joining the arm portions  50   a , and journals  50   d . Bracket  50  is mounted for adjustable movement on casing  38  by a pair of screws  54  passing through slots  50   a  for threaded engagement with nuts  56  slidably positioned in slot  38   f  so that, by selective loosening and tightening of screws  54 , the bracket may be adjustably positioned along the length of the slot, may be adjustably positioned transversely of the slot (as seen in dashed outline A in  FIG. 7 ), and may be positioned in a canted relation with respect to the slot (as seen in dashed outline B in  FIG. 7 ) by positioning one screw  54  relatively forwardly in one slot  50   a  and the other screw  54  relatively rearwardly in the other slot  50   a.    
   Holster  52  has a generally U configuration in cross section and includes a front wall  52   a , side walls  52   b  and  52   c , a bottom wall  52   d , and a front wall  52   e  coacting to define a socket  60 . Rear wall  52   e  is in the form of a lip or a rim extending only partially across the width of the holster and having a vertical height that is only a minor fraction of the vertical height of the walls  52   a ,  52   b , and  52   c . A plurality of contacts  62  is provided at the bottom of socket  60 . Holster  52  includes lugs  52   f  coacting with screws  64  and journals  50   d  to mount the holster for pivotal movement on bracket  50 . Coil springs  66  are connected at their respective ends to the holster and to the bracket and act in a known manner to resist pivotal movement of the holster  52  relative to the bracket. The holster normally assumes the generally upright position seen in  FIG. 6 , but may be selectively pivoted rearwardly against the bias of spring  66  to facilitate insertion of a portable telephone  70  into the holster. Bundled leads  48   a  extend through an opening  52   g  in the front wall  52   a  of the holster for respective electrical connection to contacts  62 . 
   Angle plate  53  includes journal portions  53   a  and an angle plate portion  53   b . Angle plate  53  is positioned with its journals  53   a  positioned immediately inboard of respective bracket journals  50   d . Nylon inserts or bushings  71  are received in journals  53   a  and threaded inboard ends  64   a  of screws  64  are threaded into bushings  71 . Screws  64  further include a shoulder  64   b  so that tightening of the screws has the effect of clamping bracket journals  50   d  inwardly against angle plate journals  53   a  so as to maintain angle plate portion  53   b  in any angular position to which it is adjusted. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the position of angular adjustment of angle plate portion  53   b  determines the precise angular position in which holster  52  is maintained by springs  66 . 
   Speaker/microphone assembly  36  includes an elongated flexible cable  67 , a plug  68  on one end of cable  67  to allow the cable to be plugged into input jack  38 , and a speaker/microphone  69  mounted on the other, free end of cable  67 . The invention mobile telephone system may be used with or without the speaker/microphone assembly  36 . 
   The invention portable telephone  70  includes a housing  72  of generally rectangular configuration, a battery  74  adapted to be removably positioned in a cutout  72   a  in the housing and including a plurality of contacts  76  to facilitate recharging of the battery, an outgoing message microphone  78  mounted in the housing, a power switch  80  mounted in the housing, a plurality of outgoing call pushbuttons  82  mounted in the housing and coacting with circuit board means (not shown) within the housing to generate outgoing telephone signals corresponding to the selected pushbutton sequence, a digital display  84  to display outgoing calls and other telephone functions, a volume control  86  mounted at the top of the housing, an arm  88  pivotally mounted at 90° to the housing for movement between a compact stowed position (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) in which the arm is positioned in a recess  72   b  in the housing and an extended operative position (as seen in  FIG. 9 ) in which the arm is pivoted upwardly to position the free end  88   a  of the arm in spaced relation to the housing, an incoming message speaker  92  mounted on the free end  88   a  of arm  88  and positioned in a housing recess  72   c  with arm  88  in its stowed position, and an antenna  94  telescopically mounted in arm  88 . Optionally, a pocket clip  96  may be secured to the housing by a screw  98 . Alternatively, clip  96  may be adjustably secured to the housing by a spring (not shown) positioned within the housing. 
   In the use of the invention telephone  70  as a portable or personal telephone, and as best seen in  FIG. 14 , the telephone may ordinarily be conveniently stowed (as, for example, in the pocket  100  of a shirt  102  worn by a user) with the arm  88  in its lowered or stowed position. The telephone may be readily prepared for use as a personal or portable telephone by moving the arm  88  to its extended position so as to space the speaker  92  from the microphone  78  by a distance corresponding to the distance between the mouth and ear of a user so that the speaker  92  is positioned proximate the user&#39;s ear when the microphone  78  is positioned proximate the user&#39;s mouth. Antenna  94  may be selectively moved telescopically relative to arm  88  to fine tune the radio reception. 
   In the use of the invention personal telephone as part of the invention mobile telephone system, antenna  94  is moved to its stowed position within arm  88 , arm  88  is moved to its stowed position relative to the housing, clip  96  (if present) is removed, and the telephone is inserted into holster  52  to position external contacts  104  on the bottom of the housing  72  of the telephone as well as the contacts  76  on the bottom of battery  74  in respective electrical communication with contacts  62  at the bottom of the socket  60  defined by the holster  52 . Alternatively, the telephone may be mounted in the holster with the arm  88  in its raised position and/or clip  96  may remain on the housing and overlap the back of the holster. A light  105  mounted on the mirror casing is lit when the telephone has been positioned in the holster and electrical connection has been established with the transceiver  26 . Screws  54  may be selectively loosened and tightened to adjust holster  52  on mirror  32  (longitudinally along slot  38   f , transversely of slot  38   f , or obliquely with respect to slot  38   f ) to a position that is comfortable and convenient for use by the driver or a front seat passenger, and holster  52  may be pivoted rearwardly against the resistance of spring  66  to facilitate insertion of telephone  70  into the holster. 
   As the telephone slides into the holster, a rib  52   f  on holster side wall  52   c  slides into a groove on the telephone housing to positively locate the telephone relative to the holster and, as the telephone reaches its bottom position within the holster, the flexible upper portion  52   g  of front wall  52   a  snaps into engagement with a transverse groove  72   d  in the telephone housing to preclude inadvertent displacement of the telephone from the holster. The telephone is now ready for use as the mobile telephone ingredient of the invention mobile telephone system. 
   When used as a mobile in-car telephone, the portable telephone  70  is powered via the electrical connection between the telephone contacts  76  and  104  and the holster contacts  62  whereby the telephone is connected to and powered by the transceiver  26  via the power cord  48 . In operation, depression of power button  80  actuates the system, depression of outgoing call push buttons  82  selects the outgoing call which is displayed in the digital display window  84 , the volume is adjusted by selective actuation of volume control  86 , microphone  78  serves as the outgoing message microphone, and speaker  92  serves as the incoming message speaker. It will be understood that, with the telephone positioned in the holster, the battery  74  secured to the telephone housing will receive a constant “trickle” charge from the vehicle power system via battery contacts  76  engaging holster contacts  62 . 
   When speaker/microphone assembly  36  is plugged into jack  38   h , the speaker/microphone  69  cooperates with the outgoing message microphone  78  to provide the outgoing message capability of the system and cooperates with incoming message speaker  92  to provide the incoming message capability of the system. The incoming message may thus be delivered with a stereo effect if incorporated with the car audio system or external speaker. Alternatively, the internal circuitry of the system may be arranged such that insertion of the speaker/microphone assembly into the input jack  38  has the effect of cutting out the outgoing message microphone  78  and/or the incoming message speaker  92 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the flexible cable  36  enables the speaker/microphone  69  to be selectively positioned proximate the driver&#39;s head so as to readily pick up the driver&#39;s voice for outgoing message purposes and provide an incoming message signal that is readily discernable by the driver&#39;s ear. 
   As a further alternative arrangement, and as best seen in  FIG. 15 , the incoming message signal may be transmitted to the driver via the existing motor vehicle audio system.  FIG. 15  illustrates various locations where speakers might be placed within the vehicle interior (including instrument panel mounts, door mounts, roof mounts, pillar mounts and rear package shelf mounts) so as to selectively deliver the incoming message to various portions of the vehicle utilizing the existing motor vehicle audio system.  FIG. 15  also illustrates that the transceiver, rather than being mounted in the luggage compartment of the vehicle according to the usual practice, may be mounted at other locations in the vehicle such as, for example, under the hood adjacent the vehicle battery  110 . 
   A further alternative arrangement is seen in  FIG. 16  wherein the jack  38   h  is utilized to receive a cord connected to a headset  114  worn by the driver so as to provide privacy with respect to incoming messages. That is, the system would be wired such that the driver, wearing the headphone set, would hear the incoming messages but the incoming messages would be inaudible to any other occupants of the vehicle. 
     FIGS. 17–23  illustrate further alternative arrangements whereby a clip-on microphone  120  may be utilized in combination with the mirror mounted telephone to facilitate the receipt of incoming messages or the transmission of outgoing messages. The microphone  120  in each case may be connected to a cord  116  plugged directly into the telephone, or may be connected to a cord  118  connected to jack  38   h . The microphone  120  may be clipped over the upper edge of the sunvisor, clipped over the lower edge of the sunvisor, clipped over the upper edge of the door glass of the vehicle door, clipped over or attached to interior trim moldings of the vehicle, or clipped onto the clothing of the driver or other occupant. The microphone may also be utilized in combination with a headband  122  wherein the microphone is clipped into an aperture  122   a  in one end of the headband for direct contact with the ear of the user. The microphone is preferably a two-part construction including the microphone  120 , wired to the phone or to the jack on the mirror, and a spring clip  126  including a clip portion  126   a  for fitting over the appropriate element of the motor vehicle or article of clothing and rippled prong portions  126   b  arranged to coact with a series of sets of rippled holes in the upper face of the microphone to selectively position the clip relative to the microphone in a wide, medium or close setting relative to the main body portion of the microphone depending upon the element of the motor vehicle or article of clothing to be engaged. 
   The battery charger feature of the mirror may be utilized to charge a spare battery  74  while the mobile telephone system is in use (with the primary battery secured to the telephone housing receiving a trickle charge via the contacts in the holster) or may be used to recharge the primary battery  74  of the portable telephone when the mobile telephone system is not in use. It will be understood that when the battery  74  is positioned in the pocket  38   g , the external battery contacts  76  communicate with a source of power, such as, for example, the vehicle battery, via the contacts  49  and the power cord  48 . A light  110  on the mirror casing is lit when a battery is positioned in pocket  38   g  and is undergoing charging. 
   The internal circuitry of the portable telephone is preferably arranged such that the transceiver built into the portable telephone is bypassed when the portable telephone is positioned in the holster  52  for use as a part of the invention mobile telephone system so that the incoming and outgoing signals are routed directly to the transceiver in the trunk of the vehicle where the 0.6 watt outgoing signal of the portable telephone is amplified to a 3 watt signal for transmission over the antenna  28 . Alternatively, the telephone circuitry may be arranged such that the outgoing and incoming signals pass through the built-in transceiver in the portable telephone and are suitably amplified for transmission purposes utilizing the external antenna. The system may be operated on either an analog or digital basis and the portable telephone may have voice actuation features whereby the telephone responds in a known manner to voice commands from the driver or passenger. 
   Although the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a portable telephone which is removably mounted on the mirror, the invention is also applicable to an arrangement in which some or all of the components of the telephone are built into the mirror as a permanent part of the mirror assembly. Several arrangements in which the telephone is built into the mirror are shown respectively in  FIGS. 24 ,  25 , and  26 . 
   In the arrangement of  FIG. 24 , the mirror frame  38  includes an outstanding portion  38   a  housing the keypad of the telephone so that the keypad occupies the normal gap or space between the existing sunvisors  18 . The keypad is preferably tilted rearwardly to increase ceiling clearance and to better face the operator. The other controls/components of the telephone are built into the mirror casing along the upper edge of the casing on opposite sides of the upstanding portion  38   a  and along the left side of the mirror casing where the microphone  78  and power switch  80  are housed. 
   In the arrangement of  FIG. 25 , all of the telephone control/components are built directly into the mirror casing with all of the telephone components positioned either in the left portion of the mirror casing (the microphone  78 , speaker  80 , and volume control  82 ) or along the upper edge of the mirror casing (the keypad and the other telephone controls). Positioning of the volume and power controls on the left edge of the mirror casing allows these controls to be pushed without disturbing the position of the mirror. 
   In the arrangement of  FIGS. 26 and 27 , the casing is enlarged to define a lefthand extension portion  38   b  housing the keypad as well as the microphone  78 , power switch  80 , and volume control  82  and the remaining telephone controls are positioned along the upper edge of the mirror casing. Specifically, the “SEND,” “RECALL,” and “END” controls are positioned along the top of the mirror casing and are preferably arranged to be actuated by a squeezing action, as seen in  FIG. 27 , rather than a pushing action so as to minimize the possibility of inadvertently moving the mirror and upsetting the preestablished rear vision field provided by the mirror. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 28–31 , the invention personal telephone may also be mounted in the vehicle utilizing a holder  130  suitably secured to the inside of the windshield  10 . Holder  130  includes a holder body  132 , a pair of wire arms  134  slidably and rotatably mounted in tubular bosses  132   a  formed along the rear vertical edges of the opposite sides of the holder body, and a pair of suction cups  136  arranged to grip the windshield and each including a lug  136   a  pivotally receiving an upper cranked end  134   a  of a respective arm  134 . Holder body  132  is sized to define a pocket to receive the telephone  70  with the side edges of the telephone positioned within the respective side walls  132   b ,  132   c  of the holder body and the lower end of the telephone supported on a bottom or shelf portion  132   d  of the holder body. Cups  136  are preferably positioned on the windshield in a location such that the lower face of the bottom shelf  132   d  of the holder body rests on top of the instrument panel  12  of the vehicle with rubberized treads  132   e  on the lower face of the bottom shelf securely gripping the upper face of the instrument panel. As best seen in  FIG. 28 , the holder  132  is preferably positioned proximate the central lower region of the windshield so as to position the telephone proximate the central lower region of the windshield immediately above the upper surface of the instrument panel. A cable  138  is plugged at one end into telephone jack  72  and is plugged at its other end into a suitable jack in the instrument panel connected to the vehicle electrical power system. 
   The invention telephone system will be seen to provide many important advantages. Specifically, the invention system positions the mobile telephone at a location that is readily accessible to the driver, that allows the driver to keep his vision focused primarily on the road while using the telephone, that allows “hands free” operation whereby the driver may keep both hands on the steering wheel when utilizing the telephone, and that allows the driver to achieve sharp focusing with respect to the indicia displayed on the face of the telephone. The mirror mounted location also minimizes the possibility that the telephone system will cause or exacerbate injury in a collision scenario. Further, the invention mobile telephone system does not require any modification of the vehicle to accommodate the system but rather the vehicle manufacturer may, depending on the build order of the particular vehicle, either supply the vehicle with a standard rearview mirror assembly or with the invention rearview mirror assembly. The plug-in speaker/microphone assembly further enhances the system by increasing the message receiving and transmitting capability of the system and yet does not pose any safety risk since it will be readily moved out of the way in a collision scenario. The invention further provides an improved personal or portable telephone which is extremely compact, to facilitate stowage of the telephone in small spaces such as shirt pockets, suitcases, briefcases, purses, etc., and yet which may be readily expanded to provide proper and comfortable spacing between the outgoing message microphone and the incoming message speaker. 
   The invention telephone system further readily provides original equipment installation or after-market installation, may be voice actuated, may be digital or analog, and may include a radio mute feature whereby the radio is automatically muted in response to incoming or outgoing calls. The invention telephone system also allows the telephone to be provided with two batteries, with one battery at all times secured to the telephone housing, and receiving a trickle charge when the telephone is positioned in the mirror holster, and the other battery positioned in the pocket  38   g  for charging from the vehicle power system. With this arrangement, when the telephone is removed from the holster for portable usage, the battery attached to the telephone housing is fully charged, and the spare battery is also fully charged so that, during portable usage, the battery secured to the housing can be exchanged when depleted for the spare battery and, if desired, the depleted battery may then be placed in the pocket  38   g  so as to be charging while the spare battery is utilized to power the telephone. 
   Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1