U.S. patent application number 10/359757 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-03 for cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, and pager unit with capability of short range radio frequency transmissions.
Invention is credited to Boesen, Peter V..
Application Number | 20030125096 10/359757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23648854 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030125096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boesen, Peter V. |
July 3, 2003 |
Cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, and pager unit with
capability of short range radio frequency transmissions
Abstract
A cellular telephone system, including a cellular telephone
transceiver unit, an ear piece which receives the voice vibrations
of a user, and a wireless linkage operatively connecting the ear
piece to the cellular telephone transceiver unit, allows a user to
be in a hands-free mode when using a cellular telephone. The
cellular telephone transceiver unit includes a personal digital
assistant and a pager with a vibration module. The ear piece
generally uses a bone sensor along with an air sensor placed in the
external auditory canal of the user to detect the voice vibrations
of the user. Further, a speaker is included in the ear piece to
allow the user to hear incoming data from the cellular telephone
transceiver. The wireless linkage uses low power radio frequency
waves to send and receive signals between the ear piece and the
cellular telephone transceiver unit. Both the ear piece and the
cellular telephone transceiver unit require power which is supplied
by batteries. Both the ear piece and the cellular telephone
transceiver may be recharged by simply placing them in a docking
station.
Inventors: |
Boesen, Peter V.; (Des
Moines, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Family ID: |
23648854 |
Appl. No.: |
10/359757 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10359757 |
Feb 6, 2003 |
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09416168 |
Oct 11, 1999 |
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6560468 |
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09416168 |
Oct 11, 1999 |
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09309107 |
May 10, 1999 |
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6094492 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/569.2 ;
455/100; 455/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/122 20180101;
H04M 1/0256 20130101; H04M 1/6066 20130101; Y02D 70/144 20180101;
H04M 1/0214 20130101; H04R 2420/07 20130101; H04R 1/1016 20130101;
H04M 2250/16 20130101; H04R 2460/13 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801;
H04R 2201/107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/569 ;
455/575; 455/100; 455/351 |
International
Class: |
H04B 001/38; H04B
001/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cellular telephone system comprising: a cellular telephone
transceiver unit; an ear piece adapted to be inserted into the
external auditory canal of a user to convert bone conductive voice
vibrations of voice sound information of the user to electrical
signals; a wireless linkage operatively connecting the ear piece
with the cellular telephone transceiver unit.
2. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the wireless
linkage includes a radio frequency transmitter operatively
connected to the ear piece and a radio frequency receiver
operatively connected to the cellular telephone transceiver
unit..
3. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the ear piece
includes a speaker being adapted to reside within the external
auditory canal of the user.
4. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the cellular
telephone transceiver unit is powered by one or more batteries.
5. The cellular telephone system of claim 4 further comprising: a
docking station for the cellular telephone transceiver unit adapted
to charge one or more batteries of the cellular telephone
transceiver unit.
6. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the ear piece
is powered by one or more batteries.
7. The cellular telephone system of claim 6 further comprising: a
docking station adapted to recharge one or more batteries of the
ear piece.
8. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the ear piece
includes an air conduction sensor being adapted to convert air
vibrations of voice sound information in the external auditory
canal of the user to electrical signals.
9. The cellular telephone system of claim 8 further comprising: a
speech processor operatively connected with the ear piece, the
speech processor being adapted to receive the electrical signals
from the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor and
produce a voice sound signal.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the speech processor obtains a
first sample of the electrical signals from the bone conduction
sensor and a second sample of the electrical signals from the air
conduction sensor and compares the first and second samples to
capture the voice sound information of the user and filter
noise.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the voice sound information of
the user is captured by the wireless linkage.
12. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the cellular
telephone transceiver unit includes a personal digital
assistant.
13. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the cellular
telephone transceiver unit includes a vibration module.
14. The cellular telephone system of claim 1 wherein the cellular
telephone transceiver unit includes a pager.
15. A method of hands-free communication on a cellular telephone
comprising: providing a cellular telephone transceiver unit;
providing an ear piece adapted to be inserted into the external
auditory canal of a user to convert bone conductive voice
vibrations of voice sound information of the user to electrical
signals; providing a wireless linkage operatively connecting the
ear piece to the cellular telephone transceiver unit; providing a
speaker; receiving via a cellular telephone transceiver an incoming
radio signal from an external cellular transmitter; converting an
incoming radio signal to an audible signal which can be heard by a
user via the speaker; receiving via the cellular telephone
transceiver unit the electrical signals from the ear piece as sent
by the wireless linkage; and sending an outgoing radio signal from
the cellular telephone transceiver unit to an external cellular
receiver.
16. The method of hands free communication on a cellular telephone
of claim 14 wherein the wireless linkage includes a radio frequency
transmitter operatively connected to the ear piece and a radio
frequency receiver operatively connected to the cellular telephone
transceiver unit.
17. The method of hands-free communication on a cellular telephone
of claim 14 wherein the ear piece includes an air conduction sensor
being adapted to convert air vibrations of voice sound information
in the external auditory canal of the user to electrical
signals.
18. The method of hands-free communication on a cellular telephone
of claim 14 wherein the cellular telephone transceiver unit
includes a personal digital assistant.
19. A hands-free device adapted for use with a cellular telephone
to permit hands-free operation of the cellular telephone
comprising: an ear piece adapted to be inserted into the external
auditory canal of a user to convert bone conductive voice
vibrations of voice sound information of the user to electrical
signals; and a wireless linkage operatively connecting the ear
piece with the cellular telephone.
20. The hands-free device of claim 18 wherein the wireless linkage
includes a radio frequency transmitter operatively connected to the
ear piece and a radio frequency receiver operatively connected to
the cellular telephone.
21. The hands-free device of claim 18 wherein the ear piece
includes a speaker being adapted to reside within the external
auditory canal of the user.
22. The hands-free device of claim 18 wherein the ear piece
includes an air conduction sensor being adapted to convert air
vibrations of voice sound information in the external auditory
canal of the user to electrical signals
23. A hands-free device adapted for use with a cellular telephone
to permit hands-free operation of the cellular telephone
comprising: an ear piece adapted to be inserted into the external
auditory canal of a user to convert air conductive voice vibrations
of voice sound information of the user to electrical signals; and a
wireless linkage operatively connecting the ear piece with the
cellular telephone.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the cellular
telephone industry, and more particularly to a hands-free cellular
telephone system, including a personal digital assistant with pager
capabilities.
[0003] 2. Problems in the Art
[0004] Conventional cellular telephones, which have become
extremely popular, use high frequency radio waves to transmit and
receive data. They also generate extensive electromagnetic fields.
Such high frequency waves and electromagnetic fields have been
linked to cancer and other serious health problems. There is
therefore a need to protect cellular telephone users from such
potentially harmful effects.
[0005] Additionally, conventional cellular telephones require a
user to hold the telephone and thereby cause the user to lose the
use of that hand for driving or other purposes. Users have
attempted to solve this problem by holding the cellular telephone
in a manner which frees up both of the user's hands. However, this
may cause other problems, such as limiting the user's field of
view, range of motion, or causing discomfort. This presents
potentially hazardous conditions for the user and others. There
exists a need to free up both hands of a user for driving and other
purposes.
[0006] Further, current systems and methods of operating a cellular
telephone in a hands-free fashion have resulted in unsightly
attachments which must be worn by the user. Microphones that are
worn by a user tend to protrude into the facial area of the user
and interfere with the user during times when it is desirable not
to use the cellular telephone such as eating, drinking, and other
day to day activities. Though such microphones may be adjusted and
placed away from the user's facial area or removed during times
when the cellular telephone is not in use, such adjustments are
unnecessarily burdensome. It is therefore desirable to have a
hands-free system capable of being worn by the user at all times
without interfering in the day to day activities of the user.
[0007] Other forms of hands-free operation of a cellular telephone
have placed the microphone away from the user's facial area. Such
placement results in a loss of clarity of the user's voice and
tends to interject other surrounding sounds, such as wind, traffic,
radio, and other voices into the transmission of the user's
voice.
[0008] Currently, cellular phones are beginning to merge with
personal digital assistants for convenience purposes. A user can
use the personal digital assistant and then use the cellular phone
at a separate time. However, the combination typically prevents
simultaneous use because the cellular telephone must be held close
to the user's head, making the personal digital assistant
inaccessible. It is therefore desirable to be able to access the
personal digital assistant while using the cellular telephone.
[0009] There is therefore a need for a hands-free cellular
telephone system which avoids these and other problems.
[0010] 3. Features of the Invention
[0011] A general feature of the present invention is the provision
of an improved cellular telephone system which overcomes the
problems found in the prior art.
[0012] A further feature of the present invention is the provision
of a cellular telephone system which prevents the user's head from
exposure to the potentially harmful emissions of current cellular
telephones.
[0013] A further feature of the present invention is the provision
of a cellular telephone system capable of hands-free operation.
[0014] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of
a cellular telephone system capable of being worn by a user without
interfering in a user's day to day activities.
[0015] A still further feature of the present invention is the
provision of a cellular telephone capable of transmitting a user's
voice while avoiding the transmission of surrounding sounds.
[0016] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of
a cellular telephone system capable of providing hands-free use of
a cellular telephone while maintaining access to a built-in
personal digital assistant.
[0017] A still further feature of the present invention is the
provision of one device which can function as a cellular telephone,
a personal digital assistant, or a pager.
[0018] These, as well as other features and advantages of the
present invention, will become apparent from the following
specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention generally comprises a cellular
telephone transceiver, an ear piece which receives the voice
vibrations of a user, and a wireless linkage operatively connected
between the two. When worn by a user, the ear piece receives the
bone and air conductive voice vibrations transmitted through the
user's external auditory canal and converts them into electrical
signals. These electrical signals are then converted to short range
low frequency radio waves and sent to the cellular transceiver. The
cellular transceiver unit then acts like a cellular telephone, a
personal digital assistant and a pager.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a
cellular transceiver unit which includes a standard telephone
keypad and a display. The display is preferably part of the
personal digital assistant and can tell the user when an incoming
telephone call, e-mail message, or page arrives. The keypad can be
flipped up to reveal the touch screen of the personal digital
assistant to allow the user to keep track of appointments, phone
numbers, and other personal, and business information. The personal
digital assistant can also use the cellular connection to access
the internet and other sources of information. This allows the user
to respond to e-mail messages, check stock prices, book hotels and
perform a variety of other tasks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing a user wearing the
cellular telephone system of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ear piece unit of the
cellular telephone system of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ear piece unit of
FIG. 2 taken through the external auditory canal of the user.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transceiver unit of the
cellular telephone system of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the transceiver unit of FIG.
4.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transceiver unit with
the cellular telephone interface flipped up to reveal the personal
digital assistant of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] The present invention will be described as it applies to its
preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention
be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the
invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0028] Now, referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the
cellular telephone system 10 as worn by a user. The user wears the
ear piece 12 and the cellular transceiver unit 14. The cellular
transceiver unit 14 may be worn on the user's belt 16, though it is
also possible to store the cellular transceiver unit 14 in a number
of other areas which may be convenient for the user, such as a
shirt pocket, coat pocket, or vest pocket.
[0029] As seen in FIG. 2, the ear piece 12 includes an external ear
canal portion 20 having a bone conduction sensor 22 in contact with
the external auditory canal epithelium of the user, an air
conduction sensor or microphone 46, and a speaker 24. A casing 26
is also provided, having an ear attachment portion 28 and a fitting
portion 30 that connects the ear attachment portion 28 with the
bone conduction sensor 22, the air conduction sensor 46, and
speaker 24. The ear attachment portion 28 is contoured to
comfortably fit into the angle between the ear auricle and the
temporal bone of the skull of the user and is preferably made of a
lightweight aluminum or plastic material. It can be appreciated
that the primary purpose of the ear attachment portion 28 is to
secure the ear piece 12 in proper position. The fitting portion 30
is integral with the ear attachment portion 28 and is reinforced
with a flexible wire 32 so that the ear piece 12 may be adapted to
fit the user and maintain the bone conduction sensor 22 and the air
conduction sensor 46 in their proper positions with the external
auditory canal 34 of the user.
[0030] As is best shown in FIG. 3, the ear piece 12 should be fit
so that the bone conduction sensor 22 is in contact with a portion
of the external auditory canal 34 near the bony-cartilaginous
junction. It is preferred that the bone conduction sensor 22 rest
against the posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal
34, with the flexible wire 32 of the fitting portion 30 shaped to
bias the bone conduction sensor 22 into position. Fitting the
device and calibrations may be performed by the user or with the
assistance of a physician or an audiologist/audiology
technician.
[0031] The bone conduction sensor 22 is a piezoelectric
accelerometer of standard construction and may be obtained from
Endevco Industries, among others. Other pick-ups that can be used
with the present invention include, but are not limited to, those
of the magnetic type, electric condenser type, IC type, and
semiconductor type. All are well-known in the art.
[0032] The external ear canal portion 20 is formed so that the bone
conduction sensor 22 may be inserted into the external auditory
canal 34 of the user and nonocclusively contact against the
posterior superior wall of the bony canal. The bone conduction
sensor 22 is intended to pick up, as the voice signals, the
vibrations of the upper wall of the external auditory canal 34 at
the time of uttering the voice sounds. When the user utters voice
sounds, these sounds reach the mastoid bones. These sound
vibrations in the external auditory canal portion in contact with
the bone sensor 22 are then processed.
[0033] In addition to the bone conduction sensor 22, the external
ear canal portion 20 also includes an air conduction sensor or
microphone 46. Like the bone conduction sensor 22, the air
conduction sensor 46 is of standard construction and may be
obtained from various hearing aid manufacturers, such as ReSound,
Siemens AG, and Oticon with numerous small air microphones
available which would process sound from air transmission.
[0034] A resilient member 36 is preferably positioned between the
air conduction sensor 46 and the bone conduction sensor 22 in such
a manner that the external sound collected by the air conduction
sensor 46 will not be transmitted to the bone conduction sensor
22.
[0035] Additionally, the inner ear portion 20 also includes a
speaker 24. The speaker 24 is of a type well known in the art and
common in the hearing aid industry. The speaker 24 is positioned
directly in line with the tympanic membrane to facilitate clear
transmissions while maintaining a low power output.
[0036] A circuit portion 38 transmits the electrical signals from
both the bone conduction sensor 22 and the air conduction sensor 46
to a speech processor 40. The bone conduction sensor 22 and the air
conduction sensor 46 are both tuned to receive frequencies within
the range of audible human speech, approximately 50 to 8000
Hertz.
[0037] The speech processor 40 is of a conventional construction
used in many hearing aids and employs a digital processing scheme
to package the voice signal for transmission across a wireless
linkage. The speech processor 40 will be programmed to extract
similarities from air and bone transmission, comparing the
similarities in signal and then transmitting via a wireless linkage
to a cellular telephone transceiver or other receiving device. The
speech processor 40 also filters out through band pass filters 42
sounds outside the frequency of normal human speech.
[0038] The speech processor 40 samples a portion of the electrical
signals of voice sound information from the air conduction sensor
46 and a portion of the electrical signals of voice sound
information from the bone conduction sensor 22.
[0039] The speech processor 40 then transmits the selected voice
signal to an ear piece transceiver 4. The ear piece transceiver 4
is preferably a wireless radio frequency transceiver well known in
the art which includes a multi directional antenna 70.
[0040] The ear piece transceiver 4 sends the voice signal to the
cellular transceiver unit 14. The ear piece transceiver 4 also
receives incoming signals from the cellular transceiver unit 14 and
sends them to the speaker 24.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the cellular transceiver unit 14 appears
like the front of a normal cellular telephone and is worn by the
user via a clip 72 which is secured to the user's belt. The
cellular transceiver unit 14 uses a conventional cellular
transceiver to provide cellular communications. The cellular
transceiver unit 14 includes a standard twelve key keypad 50, other
function buttons 54, and a display 52. The cellular telephone
display 52 is preferably an LCD display incorporated as part of a
personal digital assistant such as the current Palm Pilot.RTM.
series of devices using the Palm OS.RTM., Windows CE.RTM., or other
operating system, though separate displays may be used for the
personal digital assistant and the cellular telephone display
52.
[0042] Further, the cellular transceiver unit 14 includes
componentry which is common in the art. As shown in FIG. 5, the
cellular transceiver unit 14 receives the relatively low powered
radio frequency (RF) signals from the ear piece transceiver 4 via
an RF local area network antenna 60, processes the signal and
transmits an amplified RF signal through the conventional cellular
transceiver. Further, the cellular transceiver unit 14 receives
incoming data through a cellular linkage antenna 62 and transmits
this to the ear piece transceiver 4 using the low powered RF
signals. The cellular transceiver unit 14 may transmit or receive
using analog or digital technology.
[0043] The cellular transceiver unit 14 is also equipped with a
personal digital assistant portion 64. To access the personal
digital assistant portion 64, a user presses an access button 66 to
flip up the keypad 50 or the entire cellular telephone interface.
The personal digital assistant portion may also appear on the
opposite side of the cellular transceiver unit 14. The keypad 50
flips up via two hinges 56 on top of the cellular transceiver unit
14. With the personal digital assistant portion 64 exposed, a user
can enter commands using a traditional stylus or the user's finger.
Personal digital assistant buttons 68, which are common in the art,
allow the user to access various functions of the personal digital
assistant. The personal digital assistant is operatively linked to
the cellular transceiver to provide a linkage with which the
personal digital assistant may access the internet or other
services. The personal digital assistant allows the user to keep
track of appointments, phone numbers and other personal and
business information. The personal digital assistant also allows
the user to receive and send e-mail messages, browse the internet
for stock prices, hotel reservations, and a perform a variety of
other tasks. Additionally, an access port, 72 is included on the
bottom of the cellular transceiver unit 14 to allow the user to
connect a keyboard, another cellular phone, another personal
digital assistant, or other peripherals.
[0044] Both the cellular transceiver unit 14 and the ear piece 12
require power. This power is supplied by one or more conventional
rechargeable batteries 58 which may include a vibration system to
alert the user to an incoming call, page or e-mail. A separate
vibration module 72 may be included which would operatively connect
to the cellular transceiver unit 14. Further, both the ear piece 12
and the cellular transceiver unit 14 include contacts 74 which
allow the user to simply place them in a docking station so as to
be electrically connected to the docking station. The docking
stations are conventional and are such that they remain connected
to a power source such as a typical wall outlet The docking station
may be able to power both the ear piece 12 and the cellular
transceiver unit 14 at the same time.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
conventional cellular transceiver may be adapted to operatively
connect the ear piece 12 to an existing cellular telephone.
[0046] A general description of the present invention as well as a
preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth
above. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention
pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional
variations in the methods and systems described which fall within
the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of
the invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *