WO2007057514A1

WO2007057514A1 - Communications device arrangement and its use as a data-transfer link

Info

Publication number: WO2007057514A1
Application number: PCT/FI2006/050472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tapani Hyvönen; Juha Reima
Original assignee: Iqua Oy
Priority date: 2005-11-15
Filing date: 2006-10-31
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: FI20051162A0; FI20051162L

Abstract

This publication discloses a communications device arrangement, which comprises at least a communications device, which comprises a body (3, 4), a power supply (8), a transmitter/receiver (6) for creating a wireless data-transfer connection between the communications device and at least one other device, and a detachable ear hook (2) for suspending the device from a person's ear, which ear hook (2) includes elements for attaching it to the communications device and in which the communications device comprises at least one connector (6) for at least feeding a charging current to the power supply (8) of the communications device. According to the invention, the attachment part (11) of the ear hook (2) is formed to cover at least partly the communications device's at least one connector (6), in such a way that the connector (6) is protected when the ear hook (2) is attached.

Description

Communications Device Arrangement and its Use as a Data-Transfer Link

The present invention relates to a communications device arrangement, according to the preamble of Claim 1, which comprises at least a wireless microphone/earphone combination, and a hook for suspending the device from a person's ear.

The invention also relates to the use of a communications device as a data-transfer link, for example, for transmitting music files or other data.

Communications devices of this kind are generally referred to as hands-free devices. They are used as an accessory to mobile telephones and communicators, for receiving and sending calls. The device usually comprises an earphone and a microphone, as well as often a sound- volume control. In wireless devices, there is in addition a power supply, a power switch, and a charging connection for charging the battery, as well as of course elements for transmitting a signal to the mobile telephone and for receiving a signal coming from the mobile telephone. Wireless devices have the advantage of ease of use, because the device is not dependent on the location of the telephone and no difficult lead is required between the hands-free device and the telephone. The telephone manufacturer's data-transfer protocol, or some general data-transfer protocol, for example BLUETOOTH™, ZigBee, WLAN (e.g., IEEE 802.1 la/b/g), or ultrawideband (UWB), can be used between the communications device and the telephone.

In their mechanical construction, hands-free devices and headsets for landline telephones are reminiscent of each other. They include an earphone, which is located in the body of the device, a microphone, which is located either in the body or in a separate arm, and usually a hook to fit the device to the ear. In landline operation, a separate frame supported on the head may also be used. The device can be connected to the telephone by a wired or wireless connection. The greater comfort in use of wireless devices has made them increasingly popular. For a wireless connection, the device must have its own power supply and of course a connection for charging the power supply. Because particularly a device attached to the ear must be quite light, its battery must necessarily be small. Even though the device's power requirement is small, the battery must be recharged relatively frequently. One way to charge the battery is to use the mobile telephone's charger and its connection. In this case, the connector will be reasonably small and its socket arranged in the communications device will be relatively well protected.

Headpieces and hands-free devices are disclosed in publications US2003/0147545. EP 0690654, and WO 97/27721. Publication WO 204/098079, for its part, discloses a media player system, in which the media player can communicate wirelessly with several media devices.

The use of wireless hands-free devices has previously been limited to only telephone traffic and thus their sound-reproduction properties are insufficient, for example, for listening to music. However, with the aid of a wireless connection, music, radio programmes, or other data can be easily transferred from a modern media telephone, computer, or media player, while a good level of sound reproduction can be achieved, for example, with the aid of Bluetooth' s Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. The communications device should then be able to be connected to a high-quality sound- reproduction apparatus. Usually, there is no such connection in hands-free devices, but in some devices a mini USB connector is used to connect the device to a charger. However, a mini USB connector requires quite a lot of space in a small communications device, so that part of the socket of the connector will protrude disturbingly form the device and can be liable to damage and dirtying. The term mini USB connector refers to a connector, the electromechanical properties of which are in accordance with the description in the USB Implementation Forum's document 'USM 2.0 Specification Engineering Change Notice (ECN) #1: Mini-B connector. Date: 10/20/2000'.

The invention is intended to create a communications device, in which at least the device's power connector and preferably also its data connector are protected.

The invention is also intended to create a communications device, with the aid of which it is possible to transfer at least audio data wirelessly from a data source to a sound- reproduction device. The invention is based on forming a protective case for the device's power and/or data connector from the ear hook of the device.

Further, the invention is based on the communications device including at least one adapter to be connected to its data connection, with the aid of which the communications device can be connected to at least one audio device.

More specifically, the communications device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 1.

Considerable advantages are gained with the aid of the invention.

In the device according to the invention, the charging/data connector is completely protected, at least when the device is in use. Because the protective case of the connector is combined with the ear hook, the case cannot be lost as easily as a separate protective cover, because the device cannot be used as a hands-free device without the hook. If a mini-USB connector is used as the connector, it will be possible, with the aid of the communications device to transfer data between many different kinds of device. For example, high-quality headphones can be connected to the device for listening to music, in which case the greatest benefit will be obtained from the radio of a media telephone, or from an MP3 player. With the aid of the Bluetooth™ connection, the device can be used to transfer data, for instance from a computer to stereo equipment, or a home theatre, or simply to headphones, thus providing in an apartment a wireless audio connection to many different sources of music. Further, in the system it is possible to transfer call data in telephone operation, such as the names of incoming callers, and data from the telephone's number archive or call-data archive, such as addresses or email addresses. There can be simple browsing keys in the device for browsing these data. The browsing keys can also be in the connector unit of the communications device, to which a display can also be attached for processing these data. With the aid of a separate display and a few operating keys, it will be already possible to implement quite comprehensive functions, for instance for managing music files. The external case of the device is made smooth and simple, permitting the quite free implementation of ideas associated with good usability and attractive appearance in design. As only a few separate components are required, the body of the device and the other mechanical components can be manufactured economically, thus allowing many software and electronic functions to be incorporated in the device, without its price rising too much.

With the aid of the invention, it is possible to implement an assembly corresponding to a hands-free car kit for installation in a vehicle. This device is also combined with hands- free device suspended on the ear, so that the driver has both devices at the same time and need not choose between different kinds of device, or purchase two separate devices. The devices to be installed in the vehicle and their components can be installed rapidly and easily without tools and can also be detached and moved to another vehicle, for example, when a car is traded in for a new one.

In the following, the invention is examined with the aid of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a top view of one communications device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the communications device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the communications device of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows the communications device together with an accessory according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows the communications device together with an accessory according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows the accessory of Figure 5. Figure 7 shows one hands-free car kit implemented with the aid of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a second hands-free car kit implemented with the aid of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show one communications device according to the invention, in a hands- free operation form. In this form of operation, the device comprises two main components, an ear hook 2 and a wireless communications device 1. The ear hook 2 is preferably a closed oval loop, the first end of the loop being a wider ring, which lies around the base of the ear. The opposite end of the loop curves to form a protective case for the connector of the device. The ends of the loop of the ear hook 2 end in the protective case and the loop is bent in such a way that the end opposite to the communication device's connection lies in the centre of the loop and thus, when the loop is around the ear, this end coincides more or less with the auditory canal. The use of the closed loop attaches the ear hook 2 securely and reliably to the ear. As such, the invention is not restricted in all embodiments to a loop-like ear hook, but hook solutions too, for example, like those in the publications referred to in the introduction to the application, can be used.

The assembly of the device is shown in Figure 3, the actual communications device consisting of two body components, a lower body 3 and an upper body 4. In the lower body 3 there are installation spaces for the electronics unit 5, which comprises among other things a mini-USB connector 6, a loudspeaker 10, and a transmitter/receiver for creating a data-transfer connection with other devices, usually with a mobile telephone. In addition, there are spaces in the lower body 3 for a microphone with its case 7, a battery 8, and sound-volume control buttons 9. An answer switch 13 for telephone operation is integrated in the upper body 4. When placed opposite to each other, the upper and lower bodies 3, 4 form a unified case, from which only the USB connector 6 protrudes. The upper body 4 can be attached to the lower body 3, for instance using a press-fit claw attachment. It is advantageous for the attachment to be openable, if it is wished to service the device and, for example, change its battery. Other methods too, such as screws or adhesive, can be used to assemble the device, but a claw-operation quick fit is cheap to construct as part of the body pieces, in which case the attachment elements are formed during the manufacture of the pieces, which can be easily attached to each other by pressing them onto each other.

As can be seen from the assembly Figure 3, the device's mini-USB connector 6 remains protruding slightly from the body 3, 4 of the device, hi order to protect the connector 6, a protective case 11 for the connector is formed in the ear hook 2. The protective case 11 and the ear hook 2 are attached to the body 3, 4 using a claw press fit or similar. Once the hook 2 is in place, the entire structure of the device is unified and closed and all the fragile components are protected by the case 11 formed by the body components 3, 4 and the ear hook 2. Thus the case 11 forms a protector for the attachment part of the ear hook and for the connector. The device therefore has no protruding parts that could catch on clothes, for example.

In its simplest embodiment, the device's USB connector is used only for charging the device's battery. When doing this, the ear hook 2 is detached from the device and USB connector is pushed Into the USB connector of a table charger, or the charger's USB connector is attached to the connector. The USB also permits a more versatile use of the communications device and some other embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following.

In the solution of Figure 4, the communications device is used as a link, for example, for transferring audio data coming from a mobile telephone or some other music source to high-quality headphones 12. Figure 4 shows only the connector 12 of the headphones, the actual headphones can be selected according to the intended purpose, ranging from small ear-bud earphones up to cup headphones covering the entire ear, depending on whether the headphones are used when moving outdoors or, for instance, when listening to music indoors. Nowadays many different telephones are available which include a radio, MP3 player, or some other audio device. In order to exploit their properties, high- quality headphones giving a stereo effect are required. If, according to the invention, the headphones are connected to the wireless communications device, the actual telephone need not be connected to the headphones and the use of the headphones will be considerably more comfortable. The small communications device can easily be left, for instance, to hang freely, or can be attached by a clip to anywhere on the user's clothing. Indoors, the device can be used, for example, through the Bluetooth™ connection of a computer, or to a similar data-transfer connection, in which case the music files will not need to be transferred to a separate sound-reproduction apparatus. On the other hand, the device can be used to create a wireless headphone connection to sound-reproduction equipment.

Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of the invention. In the embodiments described above, a USB connector is used for the headphones. However, audio devices such as headphones often only use a conventional jack, which has two connector surfaces for transferring an analog signal. For headphones, for example, to be able to be connected to the communications device using their own jack, according to one embodiment there is in the device according to the invention an adapter 14, in which there is a male USB connector 17 for connection to the communications device and a socket 15 for a jack for the headphones or similar. The jack can be, for instance, a widely used standard construction 3.5-mm jack. In this embodiment, it will be noted one special feature of the invention, i.e. that the USB connector 6, 17 is used in the communications device for transferring an analog signal, instead of a digital one. Thus it is possible to obtain in the device the output of the analog signal through the jack 15 and at the same time charging power for the battery through the communications device's USB connector 6. Here, the analog output is required for, among other things, the fact that in order to operate the headphones require an analog signal. The actual adaptor comprises a body component 18, a male mini-USB connector 17 fitted to it, a socket for a jack 15, and a suspender clip 16. When the adapter 14 is attached to the communications device, the suspender clip 16 forms, together with the lower body 3 of the communications device, a surface or hook, with the aid of which the communications device can be attached to the edge of a pocket, a belt, or similar.

Figures 7 and 8 show a hands-free car kit for using the invention in a vehicle. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the arrangement comprises a loudspeaker packet 18 to be connected to the cigarette lighter (12 or 24-V outlet) of the vehicle, to which a cable 19 connects an adapter 20, to which the communications device can be attached.

Operating keys can be located in the adapter 20 for accepting or rejecting received calls, adjusting sound volume, or other functions. The adapter can be installed permanently or preferably, for example, using Velcro or adhesive tape, in which case it can be easily removed from the vehicle. This system has the advantage that it can use a loudspeaker of higher quality and with greater volume, requiring greater power, than would be possible in operation depending solely on the power supply of the communications device. In addition, charging of the communications device during operation can be added to the arrangement. An additional advantage is also cost saving, which is achieved when the same communications device can be used both as a hands-free device and as a car kit hands-free device. There is also the advantage that the user can transfer a current call from the earphone hands-free to the car kit hands-free simply by detaching the ear hook from the communications device and connecting the device to the car kit. In the solution of Figure 8, the communications device is fitted to the loudspeaker device 18 connected to the vehicle's power supply, to which it is connected using a known connector 21, as in the loudspeaker packet described above. In this embodiment, the communications device is attached to the loudspeaker packet 18 and the microphone used is a special microphone suitable for use in a vehicle. By using a separate microphone it is possible to improve the quality of the outgoing sound, as the microphone can be adapted to the operating conditions. This may not necessarily be possible in the actual communications device, because the microphone must be designed to operate sensitively at a short distance. In vehicular use, the requirements set for the microphone are different, because it must then be able to distinguish speech from possibly even loud background noise.

In the examples described above, there is cabling between the loudspeaker unit and the microphone/adapter. Similarly the communications device has been envisaged as being attached permanently to either the adapter or the loudspeaker system. Within the scope of the invention, these permanent connections can be replaced with a wireless connection. Similarly it is possible to use several microphones or loudspeakers, if for instance it is wished to ensure good audibility and microphone reception in the entire vehicle for both the passengers and the driver. In addition, in the communications device there can be a memory unit for recording data and a display. If, in addition to these, for example, music-file control and selection functions are arranged for the volume and reception keys, the device can form an audio device, in which music files can be loaded, for instance through a computer and especially through a mobile telephone. The loading of data can be performed using a wireless connection or a connector. The memory unit and the necessary keys and display can also be located in a separate device to be attached to the connector of the communications device.

Above, a mini-USB connector has been used as the device's charging and telecommunications connector. This is indeed a particularly advantageous embodiment, with the aid of which both power and data transfer can be implemented. However, it is obvious that combined power and data transfer can be implemented through the same multi-purpose connector, using other multi-contact connectors, for example, a conventional charger connector or a Firewire (1394) connector. In principle, there can be several connectors, but for example with the aid of a USB connector it is already possible to implement a considerable number of functions, so that it may be unnecessary to fit other connectors to the device.

Wireless connection is most easily implemented using a radio frequency. However, it can be envisaged that the connection is implemented in other ways too, for instance using an infrared link. The device's transmitter/receiver can be an integrated device or consist of separate transmitter and receiver components. The adapters, earphones, and other devices to be connected directly to the connectors of the device, to be fitted to the communications device should be preferably designed in such a way that when the devices are connected to each other at least the connector of the communications device is protected. In the examples above, the communications device's microphone and earphone are in the body component of the device. Alternatively they could be located in the ear hook. The connection between the ear hook and the device would then be formed through the connector of the communications device. The ear hook can be locked to the device using a normal shape-locking push-fit connector, or for instance using a simple locking tongue released by a press button. The essential aspect is that the locking is easy to use and reliable. Instead of an accumulator battery a dry cell can be used as the power supply, or more advantageously a fuel cell or a charging generator based on motion. The power supply must be selected according to the implementation of the other functions in the device and how large the current and voltage and thus the power requirement is. A suitable connector will be required to fill a fuel cell with fuel, and must be protected from dirt and mechanical damage, just as an electrical connector must.

Claims

Claims:

1. Communications device arrangement, which comprises at least a communications device, which comprises a body (3, 4), a power supply (8), a transmitter/receiver (6) for creating a wireless data-transfer connection between the communications device and at least one other device, and a detachable ear hook (2) for suspending the device from a person's ear, which ear hook (2) includes elements for attaching it to the communications device and in which the communications device comprises at least one connector (6) for at least feeding a charging current to the power supply (8) of the communications device,

characterized in that the attachment part (11) of the ear hook (2) is formed to cover at least partly the communications device's at least one connector (6), in such a way that the connector (6) is protected when the ear hook (2) is attached.

2. Communications device arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the communications device comprises at least one data connector for transferring at least audio data to at least one audio device.

3. Arrangement according to either Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the communications device comprises at least one multi-purpose connector (6) for transferring at least a charging current and data.

4. Arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the communications device comprises one connector, which is a USB multi-purpose connector.

5. Arrangement according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises an adapter (4) to be connected to at least one connector (6) of the communications device, in which adapter there is a connector (15) for an analog audio output.

6. Arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that the connector (15) of the adapter (14) is a standard jack-and-socket connector.

7» Arrangement according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the communications device comprises a microphone and/or an earphone.

8. Arrangement according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the ear hook (2) comprises a microphone and/or an earphone.

9. Arrangement according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a memory unit, to which data can be loaded through a wireless connection or through the connection of the communications device.

10. Arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized in that the arrangement comprises elements for processing the data in the memory unit and preferably a display.

11. Arrangement according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the memory unit is in the communications device.

12. Arrangement according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the memory unit is a separate accessory, which is attached to the connector of the communications device.

13. Arrangement according to any of Claims 1 - 12 in the form of a car kit hands-free device, which comprises at least one loudspeaker (18), characterized in that the arrangement also comprises at least an adapter for connecting the communications device to the car kit hand-free arrangement.

14. Arrangement according to any of Claims 1 - 13 in the form of a car kit hands-free device, which comprises at least one loudspeaker (18) and at least one separate microphone (22), characterized by a connector for connecting the communications device to the loudspeaker (18).

15. Use of a USB connector for supplying power to a wireless communications device and for transferring at least analog data, such as music data.

16. Use of a USB connector for supplying power to a wireless communications device and for transferring at least caller information.