Patent Description:
Certain types of electronic communication devices, for example handheld radios, can be operated with one or several connected external electronic components, such as antennas, amplifiers, etc. Usually, these external components are connected to the electronic communication device by means of a cable.

As different external components require different operational parameters to be set in the electronic communication device, the operational parameters of the electronic communication device have to be adapted each time a different external component is connected to the electronic communication device.

Usually, a user of the electronic communication device needs to set these operational parameters by hand in order to ensure a correct functionality of the electronic communication device in combination with the respective external component.

However, this requires a considerable amount of expertise from the user, as the user needs to know the correct operational parameters for every external electronic component used with the electronic communication device. Moreover, setting the correct operational parameters may be a rather time-consuming task.

Documents <CIT> and <CIT> constitute relevant prior art.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic communication device that can be operated in combination with different external electrical components in an easier manner.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by an electronic communication device for radio communication according to the appended claim <NUM>. The electronic communication device comprises a control module and a connector interface. The connector interface is configured to be connected to at least one external electronic device associated with an identification chip with configuration information and/or identification information. The connector interface comprises an information signal line being configured to receive the configuration information and/or identification information. The connector interface is configured to forward the configuration information and/or identification information received to the control module. The control module is configured to evaluate the configuration information and/or the identification information received. The control module is configured to set communication parameters of the electronic communication device automatically based on the configuration information and/or the identification information evaluated.

The present invention is based on the idea to provide all information necessary for setting the communication parameters of the electronic communication device, i.e. the configuration information and/or the identification information, by means of the identification chip.

The configuration information is associated with the communication parameters of the electronic communication device that need to be set in order to ensure the correct functionality of the electronic communication device in combination with the external electronic device. In other words, the configuration information may comprise the communication parameters of the electronic communication device or instructions for the control module to set the correct communication parameters.

The identification information is associated with the particular type and/or model of the external electronic device, wherein the identification information allows for an unambiguous identification of the type and/or model of the external electronic device. Each type and/or model of the external electronic device may be associated with a unique set of communication parameters. Thus, identifying the type and/or model of the external electronic device allows for setting the correct communication parameters.

The electronic communication device or rather the control module receives the identification information and/or the configuration information from the identification chip via the information signal line, evaluates the identification information and/or the configuration information, and automatically sets the communication parameters of the electronic communication device.

Accordingly, there is no need for a user to manually adjust the operational parameters of the electronic communication device, i.e. the communication parameters, by hand. Instead, the communication parameters are set automatically.

Thus, the amount of expertise required from a user of the electronic communication device and the time needed for setting the correct communication parameters is significantly reduced.

The identification chip may comprise the identification information only. Accordingly, the configuration information associated with the respective different types and/or models of external electronic components may be stored in the control module. Thus, the control module may identify the external electronic component, and may set the communication parameters of the electronic communication device accordingly based on the internally stored configuration information.

Alternatively, the identification chip may comprise the configuration information only. Accordingly, the identification chip comprises the communication parameters of the electronic communication device that need to be set or instructions for the control module to set the communication parameters correctly.

It is also conceivable that the identification chip comprises a portion of the configuration information, while the control module comprises a remaining portion of the configuration information. In other words, the configuration information may be split up between the identification chip and the control module.

Alternatively, the identification chip may comprise both the configuration information and the identification information. Thus, the control module may identify the external electronic component based on the identification information and may set the communication parameters based on the identification information and the configuration information saved on the identification chip.

The identification chip may be arranged on or in a cable connecting the external electronic device with the electronic communication device. Particularly, the identification chip may be arranged on or in a cable-side connector, wherein the cable-side connector is configured to connect the cable to the connector interface of the electronic communication device.

Alternatively, the identification chip may be arranged in the external electronic device, particularly in a housing of the external electronic device.

Particularly, the information signal line may be a dedicated signal line that is used by the electronic communication device only for communication with the identification chip. Thus, information received by means of the information signal line exclusively relates to the identity of the external electronic device and/or to the communication parameters being associated with the external electronic device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the electronic communication device is established as a handheld radio. The handheld radio may be mountable to clothing and/or gear of a user. Alternatively or additionally, the handheld radio may be connectable with a stationary docking station, for example a docking station in a vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the connector interface comprises an additional reference connection, wherein the additional reference connection provides a potential reference for the information signal line. More precisely, the reference connection has a predefined potential, such that a consistent reference potential is provided. Particularly, the reference connection may be established as a mass reference.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control module comprises an artificial intelligence module, wherein the artificial intelligence module is configured to determine the communication parameters based on the configuration information and/or identification information. In general, the artificial intelligence module may employ any kind of suitable algorithm in order to determine the communication parameters. For example, the artificial intelligence module may comprise a lookup table. The artificial intelligence module may compare the received configuration information and/or identification information with the lookup table in order to determine the communication parameters.

Particularly, the artificial intelligence module may comprise a machine-learning module that is trained to determine the communication parameters based on the received configuration information and/or identification information.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the control module comprises a memory, wherein the configuration information being associated with the external electronic device is stored in the memory at least partially, particularly completely. Accordingly, the configuration information may be stored centrally in the memory of the control module. Thus, the communication parameters associated with the external electronic device can easily be adapted, if necessary, by updating the configuration information stored in the memory.

Particularly, the configuration information and/or the identification information is static. In other words, the configuration information and/or the identification information does not change over time. Instead, there is a unique correlation between the configuration information, the identification information and the communication parameters. More precisely, there may be a specific set of configuration information and/or identification information for each type of cable and/or for each type of external electronic device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the configuration information and/or the identification information is digital. Accordingly, the configuration information and/or the identification information may be saved within a predefined memory portion having a predetermined number of bits. The number of bits may be optimized such that all necessary information can be stored, but there is no or little unused excess memory. For example, the memory of the identification chip may have between <NUM> and <NUM> bits, particularly <NUM> bits.

Of course, smaller or larger memories up to several megabytes are also conceivable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the configuration information comprises a communication protocol, an amplification factor, a voltage requirement, logical parameters, a microphone gain, a speaker gain, an internal speaker state, a push-to-talk setting, a USB setting and/or a last state of use.

In general, the individual parameters of the configuration information may relate to internal settings of the electronic communication device or to settings of the external electronic device.

The speaker state may relate to an on-state or to an off-state of an internal speaker of the electronic communication device or of the external electronic device.

The communication protocol may be the MAXIM <NUM>-Wire Interface protocol or any other suitable communication protocol.

The configuration information and/or the identification information may be saved on the identification chip in the Java Script Object Notation (JSON) format. The JSON format uses human-readable text in order to store and transmit information. Accordingly, the identification information and/or the configuration information is easily understandable by a user. This is particularly advantageous if the user wants to verify or modify the identification information and/or the configuration information stored on the identification chip.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration information and/or the identification information is at least partially saved in clear text. In other words, at least part of the configuration information and/or the identification information may be saved without prior encryption, such that configuration information and/or the identification information are/is easily accessible.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the security-relevant configuration information and/or security-relevant identification information are/is stored in a dedicated memory portion of a memory of the identification chip. Particularly, the security-relevant configuration information and/or the security-relevant identification information may be encrypted. Alternatively or additionally, the dedicated memory portion may be access-restricted, such that only a user having access rights may be able to access the information in the dedicated memory portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the configuration information and/or the identification information are/is validated by means of a check sum and/or by means of an electronic signature. This way, the correctness and/or the authenticity of the configuration information and/or the identification information can be verified by the control module.

In general, the information signal line may be established as a bidirectional signal line, such that information necessary for transmitting the configuration information and/or the identification information can be exchanged between the control module and the identification chip. For example, address information may be exchanged between the control module and the identification chip by means of the bidirectional signal line.

Particularly, the control module is configured to write configuration information and/or identification information onto the identification chip. Thus, a user may modify the configuration information and/or the identification information on the identification chip, for example if modifications to the communication parameters being associated with an external electronic device are necessary.

According to the invention, the problem further is solved by an electronic communication system. The electronic communication system comprises an electronic communication device described above, and an external electronic device being connected to the connector interface of the electronic communication device by means of at least one cable. The at least one cable and/or the external device comprises an identification chip. The identification chip comprises configuration information and/or identification information being associated with the external electronic device.

Regarding the advantages and further properties of the electronic communication system, reference is made to the explanations given above with respect to the electronic communication device, which also hold for the electronic communication system and vice versa.

The external electronic component may be established as an EUD remote control, as a PPT switch, as an external antenna, as an external loudspeaker, as an external receiver, as an external transmitter, as a GPS device, as an external amplifier, as a headset, as a handset, as a data terminal, as a docking station, as a microphone, etc..

According to an aspect of the present invention, the electronic communication device is the only master device. Accordingly, the electronic communication device is responsible for setting all communication parameters of the electronic communication system, while the at least one external electronic component is operated based on the communication parameters set by the electronic communication device.

<FIG> schematically shows an electronic communication system <NUM> comprising an electronic communication device <NUM> and an external electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic communication device <NUM> is established as a handheld radio for wireless communication. Particularly, the electronic communication device <NUM> is established as a software-defined handheld radio.

The electronic communication device <NUM> may be mountable to clothing and/or gear of a user, or to a stationary docking station, for example a docking station in a vehicle.

The external electronic device <NUM> may be established as an EUD remote control, as a PPT switch, as an external antenna, as an external loudspeaker, as an external receiver, as an external transmitter, as a GPS device, as an external amplifier, as a headset, as a handset, as a data terminal, as a docking station, or as a microphone, etc..

The electronic communication device <NUM> comprises a connector interface <NUM>, and a control module <NUM>. Optionally, the electronic communication device may comprise a display <NUM>.

Therein and in the following, the term "module" is understood to describe suitable hardware, suitable software, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to have a certain functionality.

The hardware may, inter alia, comprise a CPU, a GPU, an FPGA, an ASIC, or other types of electronic circuitry.

The external electronic device <NUM> is connected to the connector interface <NUM> by means of a cable <NUM>.

The cable <NUM> comprises an identification chip <NUM>. It is noted, that the identification chip is not shown in a correct scale in <FIG>, but is enlarged for illustration purposes.

The connector interface <NUM> comprises several communication signal lines <NUM> for communication with the external electronic device <NUM>.

The communication signal lines <NUM> may each be configured for transmitting data and/or audio between the electron communication device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM>, e.g. via USB, LAN, voice over IP, mass-referenced signaling or differential signaling.

The connector interface <NUM> further comprises an information signal line <NUM>. The information signal line <NUM> is a dedicated signal line for communication between the electronic communication device <NUM> and the identification chip <NUM>, as will be explained in more detail below.

Optionally, the connector interface <NUM> may comprise an additional reference connection <NUM>. The reference connection <NUM> has a defined potential, such that the reference connection <NUM> provides a potential reference for the information signal line <NUM>.

The connector interface <NUM> and the cable <NUM> comprise complementing connecting elements, e.g. pins and corresponding jacks, that are configured to connect the communication signal lines <NUM>, the information signal line <NUM>, and the reference connection to corresponding internal wires of the cable <NUM>.

The connector interface <NUM> is connected to the control module <NUM> in a signal transmitting manner.

In general, the electronic communication device <NUM>, or rather the control module <NUM> is configured to automatically set correct communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> based on corresponding information stored in the identification chip <NUM>.

More precisely, the identification chip comprises configuration information and/or identification information associated with the external electronic device <NUM>.

The configuration information is associated with the communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> that need to be set in order to ensure the correct functionality of the electronic communication device <NUM> in combination with the external electronic device <NUM>.

In other words, the configuration information may comprise the communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> or instructions for the control module <NUM> to set the correct communication parameters.

In general, the individual parameters of the configuration information may relate to internal settings of the electronic communication device <NUM> or to settings of the external electronic device <NUM>.

For example, the configuration information comprises a communication protocol to be used for communication between the electronic communication device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM>, an amplification factor needed for amplifying a communication signal received from the external electronic device <NUM> or a communication signal sent to the external electronic device <NUM>, a voltage requirement (i.e. a needed voltage supply for the external electronic device <NUM>), logical parameters for communication between the external electronic device <NUM> and the electronic communication device <NUM>, a microphone gain for the external electronic device <NUM>, a speaker gain for the external electronic device <NUM>, an internal speaker state of the external electronic device <NUM> or the electronic communication device <NUM>, a push-to-talk setting, a USB setting and/or a last state of use for the external electronic device <NUM> or the electronic communication device <NUM>, particularly a last state of use of the electronic communication device <NUM> in combination with the external electronic device <NUM>.

The identification information is associated with the particular type and/or model of the external electronic device <NUM>, wherein the identification information allows for an unambiguous identification of the type and/or model of the external electronic device <NUM>.

The configuration information and/or the identification information be digital. Accordingly, the identification chip <NUM> may comprise a memory having a predetermined number of bits, wherein the configuration information and/or the identification information is stored in the memory.

For example, the memory of the identification chip may have between <NUM> and <NUM> bits, particularly <NUM> bits.

Of course, the identification chip <NUM> may also have smaller or larger memories, particularly a memory with a size of several megabytes.

The configuration information and/or the identification information may be saved on the identification chip <NUM> in the Java Script Object Notation (JSON) format.

Particularly, at least a portion of the configuration information an/or of the identification information may be stored in clear text, i.e. without any encryption.

If there is any security-relevant configuration information and/or identification information, the security-relevant portion of the configuration information and/or identification information may be stored in a dedicated memory portion of the memory of the identification chip <NUM>.

For example, the security-relevant portion of the configuration information and/or identification information stored in the dedicated memory portion may be encrypted.

Alternatively or additionally, the dedicated memory portion may be access-restricted, such that a user needs to have access rights in order to access the security relevant portion of the configuration information and/or identification information.

The identification information and/or the configuration information is forwarded from the identification chip <NUM> to the control module <NUM> via the connector interface <NUM>, more precisely via the information signal line <NUM> of the connector interface <NUM>.

In general, the information signal line <NUM> may be established as a bidirectional signal line, such that information necessary for transmitting the configuration information and/or the identification information can be exchanged between the control module <NUM> and the identification chip <NUM>.

For example, address information may be exchanged between the control module <NUM> and the identification chip <NUM> by means of the bidirectional signal line.

The control module <NUM> is configured to evaluate the configuration information and/or the identification information received from the identification chip <NUM>.

The control module <NUM> may validate the configuration information and/or the identification information by means of a check sum and/or by means of an electronic signature comprised in the configuration information and/or in the identification information.

If the identification chip <NUM> comprises only the identification information associated with the external electronic device <NUM>, the control module <NUM> may identify the type and/or the model of the external electronic device <NUM> based on the identification information.

Each type and/or model of the external electronic device may be associated with a unique set of communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM>. Thus, identifying the type and/or model of the external electronic device allows for setting the correct communication parameters.

In this case, the control module <NUM> may comprise a memory <NUM>, wherein a database of communication parameters associated with different types and/or models of external electronic devices may be stored in the memory.

In other words, the configuration information necessary for setting the correct communication parameters may be stored in the memory <NUM> together with the respective type and/or model of the external electronic device <NUM>.

Thus, the control module <NUM> may identify the external electronic device <NUM>, and may set the communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> accordingly based on the internally stored configuration information.

If the identification chip <NUM> comprises the configuration information associated with the external electronic device <NUM>, the control module <NUM> may directly set the corresponding communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> based on the configuration information.

This is possible, because the configuration information comprises the communication parameters of the electronic communication device <NUM> that need to be set, or instructions for the control module <NUM> to set the communication parameters correctly.

It is also conceivable that the identification chip <NUM> comprises a portion of the configuration information, while the control module <NUM> or rather the memory <NUM> comprises a remaining portion of the configuration information.

In general, the control module <NUM> may employ any suitable algorithm in order to identify the type and/or model of the external electronic device <NUM>, and/or in order to set the correct communication parameters based on the identification information and/or the configuration information.

Particularly, the control module <NUM> comprises an artificial intelligence module, wherein the artificial intelligence module is configured to determine the communication parameters based on the configuration information and/or the identification information.

For example, the artificial intelligence module may comprise a lookup table, wherein the lookup table may comprise the type and/or model of the external electronic device <NUM> and the respectively associated communication parameters.

The artificial intelligence module may compare the received configuration information and/or identification information with the lookup table in order to determine the communication parameters.

As a further example, the artificial intelligence module may comprise a machine-learning module that is trained to determine the communication parameters based on the received configuration information and/or identification information.

Summarizing, the electronic communication device <NUM> described above is configured to automatically set the correct communication parameters for the external electronic device <NUM> connected to the electronic communication device <NUM> based on the configuration information and/or identification information received from the identification chip <NUM>.

Optionally, the control module <NUM> may be configured to modify the configuration information and/or identification information saved on the identification chip <NUM>.

In other words, the information signal line <NUM> may be established such that the control module <NUM> can receive the configuration information and/or the identification information from the identification chip <NUM> and write configuration information and/or the identification information onto the identification chip <NUM>.

Thus, a user may modify the configuration information and/or the identification information on the identification chip <NUM>, for example if modifications to the communication parameters being associated with the external electronic device <NUM> are necessary.

<FIG> schematically shows a second variant of the electronic communication system <NUM>. In the following, only the differences to the variant of the electronic communication system <NUM> described above will be explained, wherein like numerals reference elements having like functionality.

The electronic communication system <NUM> of <FIG> differs from the variant of <FIG> in that the identification chip <NUM> is arranged in the external electronic device <NUM> instead of being arranged in the cable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a third variant of the electronic communication system <NUM>. The external electronic device <NUM> is established as a headset, more precisely as a pair of on-ear speakers.

The external electronic device <NUM> is connected to the electronic communication device <NUM> or rather to the connector interface <NUM> by means of a cable-side side connector <NUM>.

The identification chip <NUM> may be arranged within the cable-side connector <NUM>.

The electronic communication device <NUM> may further be connected to an external computer device <NUM>. The external computer device <NUM> may be established as a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet or as any other type of smart device, or as an EUD remote control.

The external computer device <NUM> may be configured to adapt internal settings of the electronic communication device <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the external computer device <NUM> may be used by a user in order to control the electronic communication device <NUM> and/or the external electronic device <NUM>.

Particularly, the external computer device <NUM> may be used in order to modify the configuration information and/or the identification information saved on the identification chip <NUM>.

It is noted that the external computer device <NUM> may also be used in any other variant of the electronic communication device <NUM> described in the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a fourth variant of the electronic communication system <NUM>. In this variant, the external electronic device <NUM> is established as a handset having a microphone and a loudspeaker.

The identification chip <NUM> may be arranged within the handset.

<FIG> shows a fifth variant of the electronic communication system <NUM>. In this variant, the electronic communication device is connected to the external electronic device <NUM> and to the external computer device <NUM> by means of a cable branch box <NUM>.

The identification chip <NUM> may be arranged within the cable branch box <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sixth variant of the electronic communication system <NUM>. As is illustrated there, the electronic communication device <NUM> may be established as the only master device of the electronic communication system <NUM>.

Accordingly, the electronic communication device <NUM> is responsible for setting all communication parameters of the electronic communication system <NUM>, while the external electronic device <NUM> is operated based on the communication parameters set by the electronic communication device <NUM>.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the respective module(s), utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used.

Claim 1:
An electronic communication device for radio communication, wherein the electronic communication device (<NUM>) comprises a control module (<NUM>) and a connector interface (<NUM>),
wherein the connector interface (<NUM>) is configured to be connected to at least one external electronic device (<NUM>) associated with an identification chip (<NUM>) with configuration information and/or identification information,
wherein the connector interface (<NUM>) comprises an information signal line (<NUM>) being configured to receive the configuration information and/or identification information,
wherein the connector interface (<NUM>) is configured to forward the configuration information and/or identification information received to the control module (<NUM>),
wherein the control module (<NUM>) is configured to evaluate the configuration information and/or the identification information received, and
wherein the control module (<NUM>) is configured to set communication parameters of the electronic communication device (<NUM>) automatically based on the configuration information and/or the identification information evaluated,
wherein the information signal line (<NUM>) is a dedicated signal line that is used by the electronic communication device (<NUM>) only for communication with the identification chip (<NUM>).