Abstract:
An apparatus for portable communications including a wireless headset, attachment that mechanically and electrically connects to a cellular phone or other electronic device, and a base unit that includes an attachment interface to connect mechanically and electrically with the attachment to allow the base unit to receive electrical signals from the cellular phone. The base unit wirelessly transmits a representation of an electrical signals received from the cellular phone to the wireless headset. The apparatus may also include a clip to attach the integrated base unit to an article of clothing, such as a belt, worn by a person.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/372,357, filed Apr. 11, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/371,985, filed Apr. 11, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/452,045 filed Mar. 4, 2003. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Considerable advantage and convenience can be realized to users of mobile phones and portable electronic devices if these products can be used “hands free”. A typical solution to hands free operation today is a wired headset, consisting of a speaker mounted in or in close proximity to the ear and a microphone typically located on a wire connecting the speaker to the mobile phone. The headset wire may plug into a standard 2.5 millimeter or stereo audio jack located on the side of the phone or into another type of connector typically located on the bottom of the phone. However, the use of a wire is often inconvenient because it restricts freedom of motion, either because of the length of the wire or interference with motion of the hands or arms. In a vehicle, the wire frequently interferes with release of the seat belt or may become tangled with the seat belt other car fixtures. 
   One method of eliminating the wire is through use of a wireless headset. A wireless headset may include a headset containing a speaker and microphone, such as described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/520,285 for In the Ear Headset. This wireless headset communicates with a base unit, which can be attached to the bottom of the mobile phone. Alternatively, the base unit may be attached to the phone through a short wire that plugs into the base of the phone or onto the standard 2.5 mm jack found on many mobile phones. It would thus be advantageous if the headset, phone, and base devices could be mated in an assembly that provides greater ease of use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, in a first embodiment, an apparatus for portable communications includes (i) a first portable electronic device, such as a headset or audio headphones, that includes a wireless transceiver, (ii) an attachment that mechanically and electrically connects to a second portable electronic device, such as a cellular phone, and (iii) a base unit that includes (a) an attachment interface adapted to connect with the attachment and receive electrical signals of the second portable device and (b) a wireless transceiver to transmit a representation of the electrical signals to the first portable electronic device. 
   The second portable electronic device may also be a mobile phone, MP3 Player, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer, printer, point-of-sale terminal, CD player, or other personal audio device. The electrical signals may be digital representations of audible sounds. 
   In one embodiment, the wireless transceivers communicate through magnetic induction. Alternatively, the communication may use an RF standard such as BlueTooth®. 
   The attachment interface in the base unit may automatically make an electrical connection with the second wireless electronic device. 
   The attachment interface may include a U-shaped notch with optional release mechanism. The attachment interface may further include a pivot or spring to pivot or rotate the second portable electronic device. The attachment, attachment interface, or both may include an electrical connector to enable the second portable electronic device to pivot or rotate relative to the base unit and maintain electrical connection. 
   The base unit may also include a docking interface to dock the first portable electronic device. Additionally, the base unit may include a battery charger to charge a battery associated with the first portable electronic device. The base unit may receive power from the second portable electronic device. The base unit may also include a clip to allow a user to attach the base unit to an article of clothing. The clip may be a removable belt clip. 
   The base unit may be a holster design for docking both the first and second portable electronic devices. 
   In a second embodiment, the apparatus for portable communications includes a first portable electronic device, having a wireless transceiver, and a base unit. The base unit includes two docking interfaces—one for the first portable electronic device and one for a second portable electronic device. The base unit also includes a connector adapted to receive electrical signals of the second portable device and a wireless transceiver to transmit the electrical signals to the first portable electronic device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a person employing the transceiver device and fastener according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of an example embodiment of the transceiver device and fastener of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a mechanical diagram of an integrated base unit used in the transceiver device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the transceiver device and fastener of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a series of views depicting a mechanical connector optionally used to connect a cellular phone to the integrated base unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIGS. 6 and 6A  are mechanical diagrams of the mechanical connector of  FIG. 5  having ring contacts; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of a holster embodiment of the integrated base unit of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the holster embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows. 
   One current method of attaching a integrated base unit to a mobile phone is through a wired dongle consisting of an integrated base unit and wire with a 2.5 mm jack. The base unit consists of a transceiver that enables wireless communication from a cell phone to another wireless device, such as a headset. A wire connects the base unit to the phone, for example, through a 2.5 mm headset jack on the phone. In one instance, the user may attach both the base unit and the mobile phone to his belt using a belt clip, with the two devices interconnected through a wire. However, this implementation is inconvenient for several reasons. For example, the user has two devices on his belt when he may prefer just one device. In addition, to remove the phone from the belt clip requires either removing both the phone and base unit, or disconnecting the two devices. Finally, when storing both devices, it is inconvenient to have to handle two devices, whether or not they are connected. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a new concept for attaching a mobile phone  105  and integrated base unit  110  as conceived according to certain principles of the present invention. The mobile phone  105  may be attached to the integrated base unit  110  that incorporates both a wireless transceiver (not shown) and a belt clip (see  FIG. 2 ). The integrated base unit  110  is thus clipped to a belt  120  of a user  100 , and the mobile phone  105  is then attached to or “hung” on the integrated base unit  110 . In this manner, just a single device is attached to the belt  110  of the user  100  rather than two separate devices. The integrated base unit  110  then communicates to a headset  115 . 
     FIG. 2  shows certain details for one embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone  105  is attached to the integrated base unit  110  (or just base unit  110 ) with an integral belt clip  125 . A wire  130  connects the integrated base unit  110  to the phone  105  to pass audio information from the phone  105  to the integrated base unit  110  for transmission to the headset  115  and, in at least one embodiment, for passing audio information received by the integrated base unit  110  back to the phone  105 . The integrated base unit  110  may include a release mechanism  140  to detach the phone  105  from the integrated base unit  110 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a front view of one embodiment of the integrated base unit  110 , oriented as it would hang on the belt  120  of the user  100 . On the face of the integrated base unit  110  is a U-shaped notch  170  into which a mushroom shaped knob  175 , attached to the back of mobile phone  105 , is inserted. The U-shaped notch  170  may contain a (i) detent  185 , to receive a mating component attached to the mobile phone  105 , or (ii) other mechanical features, such as a raised nub  175 , to insert into a detent attached to the mobile phone  105 , to ensure that the phone does not inadvertently become dislodged from the U-shaped notch  170 . The integrated base unit  110  may also include the release mechanism  140  (note: in  FIGS. 3 ,  140  and  180  need to be swapped) to cause the mobile phone  105  to be released from the detent  185  when actuated by the user  100 . 
   As it is advantageous to minimize the size of the integrated base unit  110 , subassemblies internal to the integrated base unit  110  may be located in certain locations in order to minimize size. For example, the embodiment in  FIG. 3  shows the location of components for a magnetic induction wireless communications system internal to a plastic housing of the integrated base unit  110 . The integrated base unit  110  may include three orthogonally located transducers  145 ,  150 , and  155  positioned to one side of the U-shaped notch  170  and two rechargeable battery cells  165  to the other side of the U-shaped notch  170 . A printed circuit board  180  containing the remaining transducer electrical components may be located above the U-shaped notch  170 . The integrated base unit  110  may include a connector  160  for charging of the batteries  165 , and the wire  130  with the connector  135  that inserts into the 2.5 mm jack of a mobile phone  105 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a side view of the same embodiment. The belt clip  125  for attaching to the belt  120  of the user  100  is provided on the back of the integrated base unit  110 , optionally on the opposite face from the U-shaped notch  170 . A spring pivot  190  enables the base  195  of the belt clip  125  to be pulled away from the back of the integrated base unit  110  to enable the belt  120  to be inserted into the clip  125 . 
   There are many different belt clip designs and knob attachments for mobile phones  110  that are well known to those skilled in the art, many of which can be used as part of this invention. In this embodiment, the release button  140  is provided on the top of the integrated base unit  110  to enable the mobile phone  110  to be removed from the integrated base unit  110  while the integrated base unit  110  remains attached to the belt  120  by the belt clip  125 . 
   In another embodiment, the phone  105  and integrated base unit  110  remain attached, and the release button  140  enables the belt clip  125  to be removed from the remainder of the integrated base unit  110 . Removal of the belt clip  125  enables the integrated base unit  110 , with or without the phone  105  attached, to be removed from the belt  120  while leaving the belt clip  125  attached to the belt  120 . In this manner, the phone  105  and integrated base unit  105  can remain as an integrated unit such that there is no need to unplug the 2.5 mm plug  135  from the phone  105  when removing the phone  105  from the belt  120 . 
     FIG. 5  shows the mobile phone  105  with the mushroom shaped knob  220  provided on its back face. The knob  200  (i.e., attachment) may be permanently built into the phone  105  or attached as an after market product that is “glued”, uses Velcro®, or otherwise attached to a surface of the phone  105 . The knob  200  is shaped such that it fits within the U-shaped notch  170  of the integrated base unit  110 . A round shape for the mushroom shaped knob  200  is advantageous because it allows rotation of the phone  105 , for example, to enable the phone  105  to move in position relative to the integrated base unit  110  when the user  100  is sitting or standing upright. There are many such knobs  200  and belt clips  125  available on the market today to enable a phone  110  to be attached to a belt clip  125 . Many of these designs can be used or be modified for use with this design by those skilled in the art, and no particular design is a necessary feature of this invention. In another embodiment, the phone attachment  200  may be rectangular in shape with a reduced profile that enables the phone  105  to be located in closer proximity to the integrated base unit  110 . The rectangular phone attachment may slide into a channel in the integrated base unit  110 . This would be advantageous to prevent rotation of the phone  110  with respect to the integrated base unit  110 . Other shapes may also be used to provide a method of attachment between the phone and integrated base. 
   At the center of the knob  200  may be a detent  205  that receives a nub  175  ( FIG. 3 ) in the U-shaped notch  170  to help ensure that the phone  105  remains in the U-shaped notch  170  throughout the movements of the user  100 . 
   In another embodiment of the design, the belt clip  125  can be made as part of the integrated base unit  110  and thus is not removable. This may be advantageous because of smaller size, lower cost and simplicity of operation. 
   In another embodiment, the 2.5 mm plug  135  ( FIG. 2 ) may be a connector for attachment to a different mating connector  210  located on the mobile phone  105 , such as is frequently located on the base of the phone  105 . 
   In another embodiment of the design, the integrated base unit  110  may be powered from the phone  105 , thereby eliminating the need for batteries  165  in the integrated base unit  110 . In this embodiment, the interconnect from the phone  105  to the integrated base unit  110  includes a power connection. In another embodiment, the phone power may be used to recharge the batteries  165  contained in the integrated base unit  110 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention, the integrated base unit  110  is charged concurrently with the phone  105  using a phone charger (not shown). In this embodiment, there is no need for a separate charging connector  160  ( FIG. 3 ) on the integrated base unit  110 , and the electrical connection from phone  105  to integrated base unit  110  includes a charging connection. In one such embodiment, the connector subassembly (i.e., plug  135 ) on the wire  130  from the integrated base unit  110  to the phone  110  attaches to the connector  210  at the base of the phone  105 , and the phone charger (not shown) plugs into that connector subassembly. The connector subassembly then distributes power (i) to the phone  105  to charge the phone  105  and (ii) to the integrated base unit  110  to charge the integrated base unit  110 . In a similar embodiment, the phone charger connects to the integrated base unit  110 , and the integrated base unit  110  then distributes and passes the charger current through a cable (not shown) to the phone  105 . This is advantageous in reducing the size of the connector to the phone  105  while maintaining a single charger for use with the phone  105 , integrated base unit  110 , or both, simultaneously. 
   In another embodiment, the mechanical connection that enables the phone  105  to be hung from the integrated base unit  110  also includes an electrical connection that enables audio information to be passed between the two devices  105 ,  110 . One advantage of this embodiment is that no separate wire connection is required. Both electrical and mechanical connections are made simultaneously. When the user  100  removes the phone  105  from the integrated base unit  110 , there is no separate wire  130  to disconnect. If the user  100  desires to maintain the electrical connection when removing the phone  105  from the belt  120 , then both phone  105  and integrated base unit  110  can be removed by disconnecting them from the belt clip  125 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 6A , the wire  130 , attached throughout its length to the side of the phone  105 , connects the 2.5 mm headset jack  107  on the phone  105  to the knob  200 . The integrated base unit connects electrically to the phone  105  through electrical contacts (not shown) contained in the U-shaped notch  170 . The mushroom shaped knob  200  thus contains matching electrical contacts  215 , thereby enabling an electrical connection to be made whenever the user  100  inserts the mobile phone  105  into the integrated base unit  110 . Thus, there is no need for the wire  130  and 2.5 mm plug  135  to connect directly from the phone  105  to the integrated base unit  110 . 
   Electrical connection from the phone  105  to the mushroom shaped knob  200  may be achieved by a variety of means. Alternatively, a wired attachment may be made to alternative connectors or contacts on the phone  105 , or the phone  105  can be manufactured with an integral knob as part of the phone  105 , and the electrical connection  15  therefore made internal to the phone  105 . 
   Continuing with the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 6A , the U-shaped notch  170  contains three spring contacts (not shown) located on the bottom of notch  170 . The knob  200  contains three circular or ring contacts  215  that are placed around the entire circumference of the knob  200 . The three ring contacts  215  provide for an electrical ground, audio input, and audio output. More or fewer contacts may be required depending on the application, the type of electrical devices being used with integrated base unit  110  and the number of signals to be passed between devices. In another embodiment, audio signals, ground, power and digital signals such as RS-232 may be connected between the devices. The electrical signals can be further used to indicate to the phone that the user intends to use the phone in the conventional way. For example, while electrical contact is made, the phone is signaled by the base electronics to operate in headset mode. In this mode the phone&#39;s earpiece and microphone are disabled. When the devices are detached from each other, the lack of electrical signals between the phone and the base indicate to the phone to switch on its earpiece and microphone since the user no longer desires to use the headset. Continuing with this embodiment, when the phone  105  is inserted into the U-shaped notch  170 , the spring contacts (not shown) make electrical contact with the ring contacts  215  on the knob  200 . It is advantageous to have ring, slip, or other rotatable contacts to enable the phone  105  to move relative the integrated base unit  110 , as required, to enable the phone position to accommodate various movements of the user  100 . However, non-rotating contacts and a fixed relative position of the devices may also be used as an alternative embodiment of this invention. 
   It should be understood that this invention is not dependent on any particular wireless technology. For example, alternative technologies such as RF and Bluetooth® may be used instead of magnetic induction. Any wireless technology that requires or allows for a base transceiver to be connected to the phone  105  is encompassed by this invention. 
   It should also be understood that this invention is applicable to devices other than mobile phones  105 . Any personal electronic devices, such as PDAs, MP3 players, portable computers, printers, point of sale terminals, CD players and other personal audio devices may also benefit from this invention. In one embodiment, an MP3 player may be hung from the integrated base unit  110  in the same manner as the cell phone  105 , and stereo audio music wirelessly transmitted from the integrated base unit  110  to a stereo headset. 
   Other features and capabilities may also be incorporated into the integrated base unit  110 . For example, the integrated base unit  110  may contain a primary cell battery, a GPS receiver, additional memory for an MP3 player, a codec, status displays, LEDs, or other such functions and features that would augment the performance of the integrated base unit  110  or electronic device hung from the integrated base unit  110 .  FIG. 7  shows an embodiment according to certain principles of the present invention. A method of attaching the phone  105  to the belt  125  is accomplished through a “holster”  225 . In the holster  225 , a phone  105  is dropped into a holster-like carrying case worn on the belt  120 . The holster  225  may be designed to conform to the shape of a specific make or type of phone  105 . 
   The holster  225  may be made at least in part of plastic or other similar material, and may also be designed to include an integrated base transceiver  230  using the principles of the present invention as described previously. In such a system, the U-shaped notch  170  of the integrated base unit  110  and mushroom shaped knob  200  on the back of the phone  105  may not be required. The integrated base transceiver  230  may be designed into the holster  225  at the bottom of the holster  225  or other such location to provide the desired form factor and size. 
   Electrical connection from the phone  105  to the integrated base unit  110  may be made by a connector  235  in the holster  225  to connect the base of the phone  105 . In this manner, when the phone  105  is placed into the holster  225 , a connection to the integrated base unit  110  is provided without the connection of wires (e.g., wire  130 ) by the user  100 . Alternatively, the method described previously in  FIGS. 6 and 6A  may be used to mechanically and electrically attach the phone  105  to the holster  225 . According to the principles of the present invention as previously discussed, a battery  165  may be included in the holster  225 , or the holster transceiver  230  may be powered directly from the phone  105  through the base connector  235 . 
   In another embodiment of this design, a location for the headset  115  may also be provided in the holster  225  such that the headset  115  may also be inserted into the holster  225  and connected through a second connector  240  to the integrated base unit  110 , thereby enabling charging of a battery (not shown) in the headset  115  from a voltage provided by the integrated base unit  110  or by the phone  105 . 
   The combination of mechanical and electrical interfaces for mechanically and electrically connecting the phone  105  or headset  115  to the base unit  110  or holster  225  may be referred to as a “docking” interface. When the electronic device(s)  105  and  115  are docked, they are mechanically and electrically connected to the base unit  110  or holster  225  and capable of uni- or bi-directional communications with the base unit  110  or holster  225 . It should be understood that the docking interface(s) may include mechanical and electrical connectors discussed above or others suitable for accomplishing the same or similar functions. 
     FIG. 8  is an illustration of the user  100  employing the holster  225 . The phone  105  and headset  115  are mechanically attached to the holster  225 . Either or both may be charged by batteries hidden behind a battery cover  245  in the holster  225  through connectors (not shown) similar to those discussed above. The holster  225  may also include other connectors, such as a connector  215  to receive power through a cable to a car cigarette light socket. Hands-free features may also be provided, such as through deployment of a speaker  250  and microphone  255 . The connector  235  ( FIG. 7 ) to the bottom connector or 2.5 mm jack of the phone  105  allows for these hands-free features. 
   The present system and methods can be used in conjunction with wireless communication systems such as that described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/100,229 filed on Mar. 15, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/004,989 filed on Dec. 3, 2001, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/942,372 filed on Aug. 29, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/301,529 filed on Jun. 28, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/296,229 filed on Jun. 6, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/276,398 filed on Mar. 16, 2001. The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.