U.S. patent application number 10/636656 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for interoperable am/fm headset and wireless telephone device.
Invention is credited to Baranowski, Robert, Berg, Roger William.
Application Number | 20040029541 10/636656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24040615 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040029541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baranowski, Robert ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Interoperable AM/FM headset and wireless telephone device
Abstract
An AM/FM radio receiver is integrated with a wireless phone
unit. Preferably, a wireless headset communicates with the
integrated unit to selectively provide both commercial radio audio
and wireless telephony. A microphone unit allows the user to
conduct a wireless telephone call from the headset.
Inventors: |
Baranowski, Robert; (San
Diego, CA) ; Berg, Roger William; (Carlsbad,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
24040615 |
Appl. No.: |
10/636656 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10636656 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
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09512799 |
Feb 25, 2000 |
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6658267 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/28 20130101; H04M
1/6066 20130101; H04B 1/3805 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04W
88/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/130 |
International
Class: |
H04B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An integrated commercial radio receiver and wireless telephone
device comprising a phone unit including: a broadband AM/FM radio
signal receiver; a wireless telephone transceiver for communicating
with a wireless telephone system; and a transmitter for selectively
transmitting a commercial radio signal from said radio signal
receiver or an incoming audio signal of a wireless telephone call
to a headset unit.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is a wireless
transmitter.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is an FM radio
transmitter.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said headset unit comprises an FM
demodulator for demodulating an FM signal transmitted from said
transmitter of said phone unit.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said headset unit comprises: a
microphone for transducing spoken utterances of a user as an
outgoing audio signal of said wireless telephone call; and a
transceiver for transmitting said outgoing audio signal to said
wireless telephone transceiver for transmission to said wireless
telephone system.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said headset unit comprises a
stereo decoder for decoding said commercial radio signal
transmitted by said phone unit, when said commercial radio signal
is in stereo.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said phone unit further comprises
a user input device for selecting a commercial radio station that
is tuned by said radio receiver.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said user input device further
controls a frequency at which said transmitter communicates with
said headset unit.
9. A method of integrating a commercial radio receiver and a
wireless telephone device into a common unit including providing a
broadband AM/FM radio signal receiver and a wireless telephone
transceiver for communicating with a wireless telephone system
within a single unit.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising selectively
transmitting a commercial radio signal from said radio signal
receiver or an incoming audio signal of a wireless telephone call
to a headset unit.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting is performed
wirelessly.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting is performed with
an FM radio transmitter.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising demodulating an FM
signal transmitted from said FM radio transmitter with an FM
demodulator of said headset unit.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: transducing spoken
utterances of a user as an outgoing audio signal of said wireless
telephone call with a microphone unit; and transmitting said
outgoing audio signal to said wireless telephone transceiver for
transmission to said wireless telephone system.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising stereo decoding said
commercial radio signal transmitted by said phone unit, when said
commercial radio signal is in stereo, with a stereo decoder in said
headset unit.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting a
frequency at which said transmitter communicates with said headset
unit.
17. An integrated device having a commercial radio receiver and a
wireless telephone device comprising: broadband receiving means for
receiving commercial AM/FM radio signals; and wireless telephone
transceiver means for communicating with a wireless telephone
system; wherein said broadband receiving means and said wireless
telephone transceiver means are integrated into a common unit.
18. The device of claim 17, further comprising means for
selectively transmitting a commercial radio signal from said
broadband receiving means or an incoming audio signal of a wireless
telephone call from said wireless telephone transceiver means to a
headset unit.
19. The device of claim 18, further comprising: means for
transducing spoken utterances of a user as an outgoing audio signal
of said wireless telephone call; and means for transmitting said
outgoing audio signal to said wireless telephone transceiver means
for transmission to said wireless telephone system.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein said means for selectively
transmitting comprise a radio transmitter, said device further
comprising means for selecting a frequency at which said radio
transmitter communicates with said headset unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of consumer
wireless communications and consumer electronic audio products.
Specifically, the present invention relates to the fields of
wireless telephony and AM/FM radio. More specifically, the present
invention relates to the field of wireless headsets for portable
electronic devices such as wireless and cellular telephones, where
the headset can be used for both listening to audio programming and
interfacing with a wireless or cordless telephone unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wireless electronic products provide users with tremendous
freedom. For example, with portable radio tuners, users can listen
to their favorite music or other audio programming in their cars,
while exercising or virtually anywhere. Similarly, wireless
telephones allow subscribers to make and receive telephone calls
from virtually any location within a service area. As a result
subscribers can, for example, make use of time spent traveling to
conduct telephone calls and need never waste time looking for a
phone to place a call.
[0003] An emerging technology allows headphones to wirelessly
receive an audio signal from an audio signal source without a
wire-line connection to the audio signal source. This allows the
user to move around freely within a range of the audio signal
source and still enjoy the audio programming being provided through
the headphones.
[0004] In another field, cordless and wireless telephony similarly
allow users to make and receive telephone calls from anywhere
within a range of the cordless base set or within a wireless
service area. Some cordless phones also make use of a headset. For
example, a headset, e.g., a pair of headphones or an ear-piece
secured to or on one the user's ears, may be wired to a cordless
telephone handset to allow the wearer to hear the incoming audio
signal of a phone call. A microphone mounted on the headset allows
the user to speak in response and, thereby, conduct a telephone
call. The same arrangement may be available with a wireless or
cellular telephone handset.
[0005] The use of headsets for listening to audio programming and
for conducting wireless or cordless telephone calls have now
converged. In a related patent application, U.S. Ser. No.
08/950,833, filed Oct. 15, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety), it was suggested that a single pair of headphones
could be used for both enjoying audio programming from an audio
signal source and conducting a cordless telephone call. However,
problems remain integrating, into a single pair of headphones, the
functions of providing high quality audio programming and
conducting a telephone call. For example, when conducting a
telephone call, the user must be provided with a microphone into
which he or she can speak.
[0006] In light of these difficulties, consumers are typically
presented with mutually exclusive sets of portable electronic
wireless products. Users that want the functionality of an AM/FM
tuner and a wireless phone must buy two separate products, and the
user must manage which of these products is currently active. For
example, when listening to an FM radio station with a headset
connected to an AM/FM radio tuner and a telephone call is received,
the user must remove the headset and bring the telephone unit up to
his or her ear and mouth to conduct the phone call conversation.
Similarly, if a user has finished a phone call and wants to listen
to music or other audio programming, he or she must put away the
telephone unit and place the headset for the radio tuner on his or
her head.
[0007] Consequently, there is a need in the art for a system and
method of more conveniently providing users with the functionality
of both a radio tuner and a wireless telephone unit without
requiring user effort to manage and switch between two entirely
separate devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to meet the
above-described needs and others. Specifically, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a system and method of more
conveniently providing users with the functionality of both a radio
tuner and a wireless telephone unit. Additionally, it is a further
object of the present invention to provide such a system without
requiring that the user manage and switch between the use of two
entirely separate devices.
[0009] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may
be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these
materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages
of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the
attached claims.
[0010] The present invention may be described as an integrated
commercial radio receiver and wireless telephone device. The
invention may be embodied as a phone unit including a broadband
AM/FM radio signal receiver; a wireless telephone transceiver for
communicating with a wireless telephone system; and a transmitter
for selectively transmitting a commercial radio signal from the
radio signal receiver or an incoming audio signal of a wireless
telephone call to a headset unit. Preferably, the transmitter is a
wireless FM radio transmitter.
[0011] The headset unit preferably includes a microphone for
transducing spoken utterances of a user as an outgoing audio signal
of the wireless telephone call; and a transceiver for transmitting
the outgoing audio signal to the wireless telephone transceiver for
transmission to the wireless telephone system as part of a wireless
telephone call. Preferably, the headset unit includes an FM
demodulator for demodulating the FM signal transmitted from the
transmitter of the phone unit. Additionally, the headset unit
preferably includes a stereo decoder for decoding the commercial
radio signal transmitted by the phone unit, when the commercial
radio signal is in stereo.
[0012] The phone unit may also include a user input device for
selecting the commercial radio station that is tuned by the radio
receiver. The user input device may also be used to control the
frequency at which the transmitter of the phone unit communicates
with the headset unit.
[0013] The present invention also encompasses the method of making
and operating the device described above. For example, the method
of the present invention encompasses integrating a commercial radio
receiver and a wireless telephone device into a common unit by
providing a broadband AM/FM radio signal receiver and a wireless
telephone transceiver for communicating with a wireless telephone
system within a single unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention
and are a part of the specification. Together with the following
description, the drawings demonstrate and explain the principles of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless phone unit according
to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a headset according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the wireless microphone unit
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention will now be explained. Under the principles of the
present invention, a commercial radio receiver and a wireless
telephone are integrated into a single unit. While this can be
accomplished for purposes of the present invention using entirely
separate circuits for the radio receiver and telephone transceiver
functions, the present invention also provides a preferred method
and apparatus in which circuitry is shared between the phone and
the radio receiver to render the device as compact and efficient as
possible.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention includes a phone
unit (100; FIG. 1) and a headset unit (200; FIG. 2). The phone unit
(100) is preferably a wireless telephone unit that receives
wireless telephone calls. The phone unit (100) also receives
commercial broadband AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency
Modulation) radio signals via a broadband AM/FM receiver.
[0020] The phone unit (100) wirelessly transmits a wireless
telephone signal or a radio signal selectively to the headset unit
(200). Consequently, with the headset unit (200), a user can listen
to a radio broadcast or conduct a wireless telephone call.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the phone unit (100) has an input
signal path for receiving both FM and AM commercial broadcasts. An
FM antenna (101) receives radio signals transmitted in the FM
range, i.e., 87.5 and 107.9 MHz. A filter (102) filters the
incoming signal. A low noise amplifier (103) then amplifies the FM
signal. Similarly, an AM antenna (108) receives AM radio signals
transmitted in the AM range, i.e., 530 and 1700 KHz. A filter (109)
filters the incoming AM signal, and a low noise amplifier (110)
amplifies the signal. While the AM and FM signal reception paths
are illustrated separately in FIG. 1, it will be understood by
those in the art, that a single antenna and a single input signal
path could be used to receive both AM and FM signals.
[0022] In order to receive a particular AM signal, the user
operates a user input device (130) to tune the AM receiver. The
user input device (130) may include a switch, a keypad, a series of
buttons, a dial or any other device with which the user can
indicate his or her desired signal selection. The user input device
(130) is connected to a microprocessor (115) which receives a
signal from the user input device (130) indicating the AM station.
The microprocessor (115) controls a phase locked loop circuit (113)
appropriately to drive a voltage controlled oscillator (112) at the
appropriate frequency.
[0023] The signal from the oscillator (112) is fed to a mixer (111)
and multiplied with the incoming AM radio signal. The output of the
mixer (111) is a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) signal for
the AM radio station designated by the user through the user input
device (130). This signal is filtered in filter (114) and then
demodulated in an AM demodulator or envelope detector (116).
[0024] The result is a baseband signal that is used to control or
modulate the output of a voltage controlled oscillator (119). The
oscillator (119) is driven by a phase locked loop circuit (118) to
produce an FM carrier signal at a frequency of preferably 400 MHz
or more used to communicate from the phone unit (100) to the
headset unit (200). Alternatively the frequency used to communicate
from the phone unit (100) to the headset unit (200) could be less
than 400 MHz, for example in the FM broadcast band (100 MHz). The
baseband signal from the AM demodulator (116) is used to modulate
the output of the oscillator (119) to provide a modulated FM signal
carrying the audio of the desired AM radio station.
[0025] This signal is passed through a mixer (122) to a filter
(123) and amplifier (126). The amplifier (126) is connected to an
antenna for transmitting the signal at the designated FM frequency
to the headset unit (200) of FIG. 2. As will be described in more
detail below, the headset (200) receives the FM signal from the
phone unit (100) and tranduces the signal through the speakers of
the headset (200) so that the user can listen to the designated AM
radio station.
[0026] A similar signal path allows the user to listen to a
broadcast FM radio signal. Again, the user inputs an indication of
the frequency of the FM station he or she wishes to listen to with
the user input device (130). The user input device (130)
accordingly signals the microprocessor (115) which drives a phase
locked loop circuit (107) accordingly.
[0027] The phase locked loop circuit (107) controls a voltage
controlled oscillator (106) to output an appropriate signal to a
mixer (104). The mixer (104) mixes the output of the oscillator
(106) with the incoming FM signal from the amplifier (103). In this
way, the mixer (104) tunes the signal for the particular FM radio
station the user has designated through the user input device
(130). The output of the mixer (104) is a modulated IF signal for
the particular FM radio station selected by the user.
[0028] When the user has used the user input device (130) to select
reception of a commercial broadcast FM signal and designated the
station to be received, the switch (124) is closed. Consequently,
the IF signal output by the mixer (104) is filtered by the filter
(105) and then passed to the mixer (122).
[0029] The microprocessor (115) drives the phase locked loop
circuit (118) to control the oscillator (119) to output a signal
which is at the FM frequency, e.g., 400 MHz or more, that is used
to communicate from the phone unit (100) to the headset (200) minus
the intermediate carrier frequency of the incoming FM radio signal
when output by the mixer (104).
[0030] This oscillator signal from the oscillator (119) is mixed
with the IF signal from the mixer (104) by the mixer (122). The
output of the mixer (122) is then filtered (123), amplified (126)
and transmitted to the headset (200) via the antenna (125).
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, an FM antenna (201) is used to receive
the signal transmitted from the phone unit (100). The incoming
signal is filtered in a filter (202) and amplified by a low-noise
amplifier (203). The signal at the frequency used for communication
from the phone unit (100) to the headset unit (200), e.g., 400 MHz
or more, is tuned using the mixer (204) and voltage controlled
oscillator (206). A phase locked loop circuit (207) controls the
oscillator (206).
[0032] The output of the mixer (204) is a modulated FM signal that
may be carrying an AM or FM radio station received by the phone
unit (100) as described above. The output of the mixer (204) is
again filtered in a filter (205) before being demodulated in a
broadband FM demodulator (208).
[0033] Because all broadband FM demodulation occurs in the headset
unit (200), significant savings in broadband FM demodulation
hardware are achieved. This off-loading of demodulation
responsibility from the phone unit (100) to the headset unit (200)
results in the two units sharing circuit functionality. Doing so
eliminates the redundancy of having duplicate broadband FM
demodulation hardware, thereby reducing the size and cost of the
phone unit (100).
[0034] The output of the demodulator (208) is provided to a stereo
decoder (209) to separate the left and right audio signals, if
present. If the incoming signal is mono and not stereo, the decoder
(209) outputs the signal on both left (L) and right (R)
channels.
[0035] The left (L) and right (R) channel signals are provided to
speakers (not shown) that are worn at the user's ears. Through the
speakers, the user can listen to either the AM or FM radio station
indicated using the user input device (130), received by the phone
unit (100) and transmitted wirelessly to the headset (200). In the
preferred embodiment the communication between the phone unit (100)
and the headset (200) is wireless as described above. However, a
wire connection could alternatively be provided between the phone
unit (100) and the headset (200).
[0036] Having described the use of the present invention to receive
a commercial AM or FM radio broadcast, the use of the invention in
conducting wireless telephone calls will now be explained. An
incoming wireless telephone signal is received by the code division
multiple access integrated circuits (CDMA IC's) (121) of the phone
unit (100). The incoming audio signal of the wireless phone call is
transmitted to the codec (120). After processing by the codec
(120), the incoming audio signal of the wireless telephone call is
used to modulate the signal output by the voltage controlled
oscillator (119). The oscillator (119) is driven by the phase
locked loop circuit (118) at the carrier frequency used for
communication to the headset unit (200).
[0037] The resulting modulated FM signal carries the incoming audio
signal of the wireless telephone call being conducted by the user.
As before, the modulated FM signal is then filtered (123),
amplified (126) and transmitted to the headset (200) via the
antenna (125).
[0038] Moving again to FIG. 2, the headset (200) antenna (201)
receives the signal from the phone unit (100). The signal is tuned,
filtered and demodulated as described above. As the incoming audio
signal of the wireless phone call is not likely a stereo signal,
the stereo decoder (209) outputs the same signal to both the left
(L) and right (R) channels. The user is then able to hear the
incoming audio of the wireless telephone call.
[0039] To fully conduct the wireless telephone call, the user must
have a microphone into which to speak in response to the incoming
audio of the other party to the phone call. Under the principles of
the present invention, a microphone unit, shown in FIG. 3, can be
incorporated into the headset unit (200) or may be a separate
unit.
[0040] If incorporated into the headset (200), the microphone may
be on a moveable extension so that it can be retracted when not in
use, i.e., when the user is listening to a commercial radio
broadcast. For example, the microphone may be on a telescoping,
collapsible, flexible or rotating extension.
[0041] The circuit of the microphone unit (300) is shown in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 3, the microphone (301) transduces the spoken utterances of
the user into an electronic audio signal to be used as the outgoing
audio signal of a wireless telephone call. The signal is amplified
in the amplifier (302) and then used to modulate the output of a
voltage controlled oscillator (304) which is being driven by a
phase locked loop (303). The phase locked loop (303) drives the
oscillator (304) to output a carrier wave at the frequency used for
communication from the microphone unit (300) to the phone unit
(100). This carrier signal is then modulated by the microphone
signal.
[0042] The modulated signal is output by the oscillator (304) to an
amplifier (305). The amplified signal is then transmitted via
antenna (306) to the phone unit (100).
[0043] The outgoing audio of the wireless telephone call is
received in the phone unit through the FM antenna (101). The signal
is filtered (102) and amplified (103). The microprocessor (115)
controls the phase locked loop circuit (107) to drive the voltage
controlled oscillator (106) to output a signal that corresponds to
the frequency used to communicate from the microphone unit (300) to
the phone unit (100). When this signal is mixed with the signal
from the amplifier (103) by the mixer (104), the signal from the
microphone unit (300) is tuned and provided to the filter
(105).
[0044] In this mode, the switch (124) is open. Thus, the signal
from the microphone unit (300) is passed to an FM demodulator
(117). Because the demodulator (117) is only used to demodulate
signals from the microphone unit (300) it need not be an expensive
broadband demodulator, but only need cover the possible range of
signals used by the microphone unit (300) when transmitting to the
phone unit (100).
[0045] The demodulated signal is sent from the demodulator (117) to
the codec (120) and, from there, to the CDMA IC's (121). The CDMA
IC's (121) transmit the microphone signal to the wireless telephone
infrastructure as the outgoing audio signal of the wireless
telephone call being conducted by the user.
[0046] When an incoming telephone call is received, the user can be
notified by a signal from the phone unit (100) to the headset that,
for example, produces a ringing or other alert sound in the
speakers of the headset. The headset (200) may include a user input
device, such as a switch or button (not shown) that can be actuated
to activate the microphone unit (300) and take the incoming
call.
[0047] Additionally, if no call is incoming and the user activates
the microphone unit (300), the phone unit (100) may initiate a
phone call and provide a dial tone to the speakers of the headset
(200). The present invention may also include a voice recognition
system with which the user can speak the name, number or
designation of a party to be called into the microphone (301) and
have the phone unit (100) recognize the command and place the call
appropriately. Alternatively, a numeric keypad may be provided on
the headphones with which the user can dial a party to be called,
as well as a remote control or a keypad on the phone unit.
[0048] Additionally, the user may use the user input device (130)
to specify the frequency at which the phone unit (100) and the
headset unit (200) communicate. This allows the user to select a
frequency that does not interfere and is not interfered with by any
other transmissions or radio signal emissions in the user's
area.
[0049] The user has several choices in controlling the state of the
device such as whether it is receiving broadcast AM/FM radio or
waiting for a telephone call with the radio off. The user will be
able to use the device of the present invention in any of the
following six modes:
[0050] 1) radio on, phone off--maximizes phone unit battery
life;
[0051] 2) radio on, phone on--allows incoming calls;
[0052] 3) radio on, phone in conversation--allows the user to
transmit received radio into a call;
[0053] 4) radio off, phone on--waiting for call only;
[0054] 5) radio off, phone in conversation--conducting a normal
voice call; and
[0055] 6) radio off, phone off.
[0056] Some further description is needed for two of these modes,
specifically numbers 2) and 3).
[0057] 2) Radio On, Phone On:
[0058] This mode allows a user to listen to commercial broadband
radio while monitoring for incoming telephone calls. When a
telephone call is received, an audible alert can be mixed through
PPL (118) and VCO (119) into the commercial radio's audio signal,
thus alerting the user that a call is pending. If there is no
response after the first notification, the headset unit (200) could
first vibrate, via a small rotating motor with counterweigh (not
shown), then sound a loud ringer not shown to try to get the user's
attention in responding to the incoming call. Upon answering, the
radio audio is muted, and resumes when the phone call is ended.
[0059] 3) Radio On, Phone in Conversation
[0060] While in a call, a user could interrupt the audio coming
from the headset microphone (300) and replace it with commercial
audio from the AM/FM receiver in phone unit (100). While in this
mode, the user can select to also listen to the AM/FM commercial
radio in the headset speakers, or listen to the incoming telephone
audio. This option could be used to place a telephone call on
"hold." An additional audio notification, such as a periodic beep,
can keep the user aware that a phone call is in progress but
perhaps on "hold", even though AM/FM commercial audio is played in
the headset speakers.
[0061] The preceding description has been presented only to
illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching.
[0062] For example, the user input device (130) may be located on
the headset (200) for controlling which signal (or signals) is
received. The user input device (130) can, of course, also be used
to control the answering or initiation of a wireless telephone
call.
[0063] The preferred embodiment was chosen and described in order
to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application. The preceding description is intended to enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the following claims.
* * * * *