U.S. patent application number 09/800529 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for integrated headset-case for wireless phones.
Invention is credited to Hughs, Louis S., Janik, Craig.
Application Number | 20010035242 09/800529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26884436 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hughs, Louis S. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Integrated headset-case for wireless phones
Abstract
An assembly comprised of a case for protecting a mobile wireless
phone with a retractable headset device installed in an integral
pocket. Openings in the case are provided for extending a connector
cable that is plugged into the wireless phone, and for retractably
extracting an earphone segment. The earphone cable segment is
extracted for use when using the wireless phone in a hands-free
scenario, and retracted when the assembly is to be stored.
Inventors: |
Hughs, Louis S.; (Incline
Village, NV) ; Janik, Craig; (Los Altos Hills,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP
1755 EMBARCADERO RD
PALO ALTO
CA
94303-3340
US
|
Family ID: |
26884436 |
Appl. No.: |
09/800529 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60188753 |
Mar 13, 2000 |
|
|
|
60206416 |
May 23, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 ;
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 1/1033 20130101;
H04R 2499/11 20130101; H04B 1/088 20130101; H04B 1/3888 20130101;
H04M 1/15 20130101; H04M 1/6058 20130101; H04R 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 ;
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 065/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A case for an electronic device comprising in combination, a
removable pliable cover, a pocket for removably containing a
hands-free device, an opening in said cover for accessing said
hands-free device earphone and connector.
2. The electronic device in claim 1 wherein said device is a
wireless phone and said earphone assembly includes a
microphone.
3. The case in claim 1 wherein said pliable cover includes a flap
for covering an opening through which a wireless phone is
installed.
4. The case in claim 1 where said pliable cover includes an opening
for accessing a release button.
5. The case in claim 1 wherein said hands-free device is a wireless
headset.
6. The electronic device in claim 1 wherein said device is a
portable audio playing device and said hands-free device is a
stereo headphone.
7. The removable pliable cover in claim 1 wherein said cover
includes a belt clip.
8. The removable pliable cover in claim 1 wherein said cover is
fabricated out of leather.
9. The removable pliable cover in claim 1 wherein said cover is
injection-molded out of elastomeric material.
10. The removable pliable cover in claim 1 wherein said cover is
comprised of segments of two-way stretchable nylon fabric.
11. A method for using a hands-free device with an electronic
device: a. Covering a electronic device with a pliable case. b.
Installing a retractable headset device in a pocket in said pliable
case. c. Extracting an earphone cable segment from said retractable
device. d. Listening to the audible output of said earphone cable
segment.
12. The electronic device in claim 11 wherein said electronic
device is a wireless phone and said earphone assembly includes a
microphone.
13. The case in claim 11 wherein said pliable cover includes a flap
for covering an opening through which a wireless phone is
installed.
14. The case in claim 11 wherein said pliable cover includes an
opening for accessing a release button.
15. The case in claim 11 where in said hands-free device is a
wireless headset.
16. The electronic device in claim 11 wherein said device is a
portable audio playing device and said hands-free device is a
stereo headphone.
17. The removable pliable cover in claim 11 wherein said cover is
fabricated out of leather.
18. The removable pliable cover in claim 11 wherein said cover is
injection-molded out of elastomeric material.
19. The removable pliable cover in claim 11 wherein said cover is
comprised of segments of two-way stretchable nylon fabric.
20. A system for using a mobile wireless phone without holding said
phone in close proximity to the ear, comprising in combination, a
portable wireless phone, a pliable case for covering said wireless
phone, a pocket integral to said case with openings for extending a
connector segment and an earphone cable segment, a retractable
headset device for listening to the audible output of said wireless
phone, where said retractable device is placed in said pocket.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/188,753, filed Mar. 7, 2000, entitled Integrated
Headset-Case; and Ser. No. 60/206,416, filed May 23, 2000, entitled
Integrated Headset-Case.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The disclosed invention is classified as a means for storing
and managing a hands-free adapter that is used with various types
of wireless and cordless phones. Specifically, a variety of methods
for attaching a spring-retractable headset or wireless headset to a
mobile wireless or cordless phone are described.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0005] Advances in miniaturization and optimization of wireless
transceiver semiconductors, as well as innovation in digital signal
processing have resulted in the reduction of the cost of wireless
phone hardware and service. At the same time, the quality of
wireless telephony in terms of both ubiquity of service and sound
quality is increasing. This cost reduction and simultaneous
increase in quality is driving rapid growth in the use of mobile
wireless telephony. Users now commonly access wireless telephony
service in a wide variety of settings and environments including
use in the car, when walking or exercising, at work, and in the
home. While wireless mobile telephony is a great convenience, there
is often the need to be able to use the service while engaged in an
activity that occupies the user's hands, such as while driving.
Hands-free adapters have been created that provide the ability to
engage in conversation while using the mobile wireless telephony
system when driving. These systems typically involve an external
speaker and microphone system. Hands-free headsets have been in use
for some time that are comprised of a cable with a connector at one
end and an earphone and microphone assembly at the other end. These
hands-free headsets are popular because they allow the user to
operate the mobile wireless device without using the hands, and
also maintain a private conversation. When using the hands-free
headset, the phone can be stored in a user's pocket or attached to
the belt with a belt-clip accessory. In addition to belt clips,
there are other devices and accessories that allow the user to
attach the wireless phone to their body while the phone is or is
not in use. One popular accessory for wireless phones are fabric or
leather soft cases FIG. 5 that protect the phone from abrasive
damage while providing a belt clip, strap, or other attachment
system.
[0006] Retractable headsets have been invented that allow the user
to manually or automatically retract headset cables into housings
for the purpose of eliminating the tangling of headset cables.
Wireless personal area network (PAN) systems have appeared that
incorporate short range wireless communication transceivers such as
Bluetooth technology, provided by Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden.
PAN systems allow for a wireless link between a wireless phone and
the user's ear. With both the PAN solution and the retractable
headset solution, there remains the inconvenience for the user of
having to manage another device in addition to the wireless phone.
One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,082,656 to Thornton, showing a retractable headset that is
permanently incorporated into the wireless phone housing. However,
headset cables often become snagged and are otherwise in harms way
and can be damaged to the point of inoperability. If the headset
cable were to cease to function, the phone itself would have to be
sent for repair which would greatly inconvenience the user.
Furthermore, the size of the mobile phone is permanently increased
by the integration of the retraction device. U.S. Pat. No.
5,832,089 to Chen shows a retractable that is attachable to a
wireless phone with a plastic bracket. This attachment scheme
requires a separate piece of hardware to further attach the
wireless phone to the user's body. Furthermore, this attachment
scheme does not serve to protect the user's phone from damage, and
is not operable with a case that substantially covers and protects
the user's phone housing. In order to implement this design, there
must be sufficient mechanical attachment features on the phone.
Since there are a number of phone manufacturers in the market, this
solution may not be viable for many or all of the various phone
models.
[0007] What is needed is an integrated solution that provides for
convenient hands-free capability for mobile wireless phone users
that doesn't result in the need to physically keep track of a
device in addition to the mobile wireless phone.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention exemplifies a new and unobvious art of
an integrated headset case. Briefly and generally, the integrated
headset case provides for the ability to removably couple a
hands-free earphone/microphone solution to a mobile wireless phone.
A hands-free headset device, such as a retractable headset device
is integrated into a protective covering case for a wireless
phone.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0009] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present
invention are: (a) to provide an attachment of a hands-free
solution to a mobile wireless phone that simultaneously provides a
protective covering for the phone. (b) to provide an attachment of
a hands-free solution to a mobile wireless phone that
simultaneously incorporates a means for attaching the phone to the
user. (c) To provide a means for attaching a hands-free solution to
a mobile wireless phone that does not require specific mechanical
attachment features on the phone.
LIST OF DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a conventional headset cable.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the retractable
headset.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view from above of a retractable
headset mechanism.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view from below of a retractable
headset mechanism.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a variety of soft cases for wireless (cellular)
phones.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a retractable mechanism
integrated with a soft case.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a retractable mechanism
integrated with a soft case with the earphone attached.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a section view of a retractable mechanism
integrated with a soft case.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows a view of a minimal pocket for holding the
retractable mechanism.
[0019] FIG. 10 shows a view of a minimal pocket for holding the
retractable mechanism.
[0020] FIG. 11 shows a soft case with a transparent attachment
strap.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a sewn pocket with a cup
strap and a strap.
[0022] FIG. 13 shows a rear isometric view of a sewn pocket with a
cup strap and a strap.
[0023] FIG. 14 shows a wireless headset device installed in the
integrated headset case.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] 1. Describe Existing Non-retracting Headset Assembly.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a conventional headset cable assembly 10.
Headset cable assemblies 10 such as these are used with cordless
and wireless phones 50. Headset cable assembly 10 typically
includes an earphone 16, and a microphone 12. These components are
connected mechanically and electrically by the headset cable 8.
Headset cable 8 is a plastic-coated, wound assembly of conductors
and insulators such that earphone 16 and microphone 12 are
functionally connected to a connector 4, which is plugged into a
wireless phone 50. Headset cable assemblies 10 are used by plugging
connector 4 into a receptacle in wireless phone 50, and placing
earphone 16 in a user's ear. Microphone 12 captures the user's
speech because it is spaced away from earphone 16 such that it is
in proximity to the user's mouth. Earphone 16 and microphone 12 may
be in separate housings, such as the design shown in FIG. 1, or
they may be integrated into one single housing, such as the design
shown in FIG. 9. The design and manufacture of headset cable
assemblies 10 such as that shown in FIG. 1 are well known in the
field of mobile wireless communications and will not be addressed
here in further detail.
[0026] 2. Describe Retracting Headset Assembly.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows an automatically retractable headset device 14
for automatically rewinding headset cable assembly 10. A connector
cable segment 6 with connector 4 attached non-retractably extends
from one opening. An earphone cable segment 10 with microphone 12
and earphone 16 extends from a second opening. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
show alternate exploded views of retractable headset device 14,
including a top housing 24 and a bottom housing 28 that contain and
constrain a slip-ring mechanism for maintaining constant electrical
continuity of the circuits in connector cable segment 6 and
earphone cable segment 10 regardless of the rotational position of
the spool 40. Top housing 24, bottom housing 28, spool 40, and the
release button 44 are manufactured by injection-molding plastic. A
printed-circuit board 52 is positioned next to bottom housing 28
and includes the three circular, concentric, conductive traces 60a,
b, and c. Each of three conductive traces 60 are further connected
by conductive traces to connector wire solder connections 68a, b,
and c that are soldered to corresponding circuits in connector
cable segment 6. A power spring 32 is used to drive spool 40 to
rotate relative to top housing 24 and bottom housing 28 such that
earphone cable segment 10 is wound on spool 40. The three spring
wiper contacts 56a, b, and c are attached to spool 40 and aligned
so that when spool 40 rotates, spring wiper contacts 56a, b, and c
are always in conductive contact with corresponding concentric
conductive traces 60a, b, and c. The corresponding three circuits
on the earphone cable segment 10 terminate at spring wiper contacts
56a, b, and c. A ratchet-lock system is controlled by release
button 44 that is externally accessible to the user. Spool 40
includes the ratchet teeth 36 that engage with a ratchet arm 38
when earphone cable segment 10 is released by the user, prohibiting
spool 40 from rotating. Release button 44 pivots about a release
button pivot 46 captured between top housing 24 and bottom housing
28. Ratchet arm 38 is forced to engage with ratchet teeth 36 by
button return spring 48. Likewise, when the user pulls on earphone
cable segment 10 to extract it, the angle of ratchet arm 38 allows
it glide over ratchet teeth 36 without engaging. Thus, there is a
constant electrical connection made between the functional circuits
connected to earphone 16 and microphone 12, and the corresponding
contacts at connector 4, regardless of where spool 40 is
rotationally positioned. The ratchet-lock system allows spool 40 to
be stopped and fixed at practically any point in the rotation of
spool 40, that is, the user can extract any length of earphone
cable segment 10 and earphone cable segment 10 will stay fixed at
that extraction length until release button 44 is pressed to
release the ratchet-lock system. Slip-ring designs such as the one
described herein are well known in the field of electrical and
mechanical design, and specifically, in retractable headset design.
With the knowledge that is in the public domain, combined with that
included in this disclosure, it would be possible for one skilled
in the art of headset design to implement a functional unit.
[0028] 3. Describe Phone Case Design.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a variety of soft cases that are commonly
available. These cases FIG. 5 are manufactured by sewing together
cut materials such as leather, nylon fabric and include leather
cases 18 with belt clips 98, leather or nylon fabric cases with
transparent film faces 22, and neoprene cases 26. FIG. 5 also shows
a flip-type case 30 for wireless phone 50. FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 show
an integrated case 40 with retractable headset device 14 installed
in a pocket 84. Integrated case 40 is manufactured by sewing
together cut sections of two-way stretchable woven nylon fabric.
Integrated case 40 is constructed so that it is open at the top so
that wireless phone 50 can be inserted. A flap 80 that is part of
integrated case 40 is pulled over the top of wireless phone 50 and
secured with Velcro 96. This type of construction and manufacturing
method is well known in the accessory cover or case design field.
FIG. 8, a section view, shows that internal pocket 84 is sewn onto
the rear inside surface of integrated case 40. FIG. 6 shows that
pocket 84 is a square section of fabric. Pocket 84 is sewn onto
integrated case 40 along the bottom and side edges, is open at the
top, and is sized so that retractable headset device 14 can be
easily fit into pocket 84 with minimal stretching of pocket 84. It
should be noted that pocket 84 could also be sewn against the
outside rear surface of integrated case 40.
[0030] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 further show that the construction of
integrated case 40 with flap 80 over the top, allows for a cable
outlet 92a opening so that earphone cable segment 10 can extend
outside of integrated case 40. Connector cable segment 6 extends
through a cable outlet 92b on the other side of integrated case 40.
Connector cable segment 6 is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 as
extending down the side of integrated case 40, where it terminates
in connector 4 that is plugged into wireless phone 50. Integrated
case 40 further includes a release button access hole 74 that
provides access to release button 44 when retractable headset
device 14 is installed in integrated case 40. FIG. 7 shows that a
molded plastic earphone holder 88 is sewn onto the side of
integrated case 40. Earphone holder 88 includes a gap feature that
is sized so that the narrow stem of earphone 16 can be fixedly
placed into the gap. Earphone holder 88 securely holds earphone 16
when earphone cable segment is 10 is fully retracted, as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0031] Integrated case also includes a belt clip 98, designated by
the dotted line in FIG. 6. Belt clip 98 is not shown in detail
because the use and design of this feature is well known and so as
not to obscure present invention.
[0032] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention, but merely providing illustration of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. FIG. 9 and FIG.
10 show a design for a minimal pocket 84 that contains the
retractable headset device 14 when the pocket 84 is attached to the
wireless phone 50. In this embodiment, the pocket 80 is constructed
out of a two-way stretchable nylon fabric. There is a rigid backing
plate 120 that the strap 100 and the stretchable fabric are
attached to. This rigid backing plate 120 is a flat or slightly
curved plastic sheet made by injection-molding or thermo-forming
plastic. There is a strap 100 that is fed through a metal loop 104
and pulled back onto itself so that the strap 100 may be pulled
tight against the wireless phone 50. The strap 100 is secured with
Velcro 96 against itself. The strap 100 is a woven non-stretchable
fabric such as woven nylon strapping. There may also be an
elastomeric strip 116 along the inside of the strap 100 so that
when the strap 100 is pulled tight, there is a large amount of
friction between the inside of the strap 100 and the wireless phone
50. This friction prohibits the pocket 84 system from sliding off
of the wireless phone 50.
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a minimal pocket 84 design that incorporates a
wider strap 100 with a transparent film 108 section that allows
visual access to the wireless phone 50 display. The wider strap 100
allows for secure attachment.
[0034] FIG. 11 shows a design where the pocket 84 and integrated
case 40 are one homogeneous injection-molded part. The material is
an injection-moldable elastomer such as Dynaflex, manufactured by
GLS Corporation of McHenry, Ill. The design in FIG. 11 may or may
not include a plastic transparent film 108 that covers the wireless
phone 50 display. The advantage of having the sheet is that the
display is protected from being scratched. The transparent film 108
sheet also increases the stiffness of the elastomeric straps 100
that wrap around the wireless phone 50. In this embodiment where
the elastomeric straps 100 fix the integrated case 40 to the
wireless phone 50, the length of each of the elastomeric strap 100
portions of the design is shorter than the total outer section
distance around the wireless phone 50. Therefore the elastomeric
straps 100 must be stretched around the wireless phone 50 and fact
that they are made of a higher friction elastomeric material, means
that the friction of the straps 100 against the phone is high and
this prohibits the pocket and integrated case 40 from slipping off
of the wireless phone 50. In the integrated case 40 embodiments
disclosed in FIG. 9 through FIG. 12, the retractable headset device
50 is designed with the release button 44 configured on the top of
the device, so that the release button access hole 74 in the side
of the pocket 84 would not be required.
[0035] FIG. 14 shows a wireless hands-free headset device 54
installed in integrated case 40. A wireless hands-free headset
device 54 is a system that includes a wireless communication link
132 between a base transceiver 124 and an integrated
earphone/microphone module 128. This wireless communication link
132 could be a Bluetooth system as described above, or it could be
a 900 Mhz system that is commonly used in cordless phone systems.
Both the base transceiver 124 and the earphone/microphone module
128 contain a battery power supply. The base transceiver 124
includes a connector cable segment 6 that plugs into the headset
port on the wireless phone 50. The wireless hands-free headset
device 54 is a two-way communication system that functions like a
hands-free headset except with no cable. The operation of short
range wireless systems such as this are known in the field of
wireless communication and will not be described here in
detail.
[0036] It should be noted that the disclosed invention of an
integrated headset case can be implemented with audio headphones
rather than a headset with an earphone and a microphone. An
integrated headphone case with a retractable headphone device can
be implemented for use with portable audio playback devices such as
MP3 players, minidisk players, AM/FM radios, and CD players without
departing from the new and unobvious art disclosed above.
[0037] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
* * * * *