U.S. patent application number 11/058103 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for system and method for providing an adapter module.
Invention is credited to Holmes, David William James, Mohamed, Ibrahim, Nelson, Thomas Edwin East, Schmitt, Edward D..
Application Number | 20050197168 11/058103 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26712876 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050197168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holmes, David William James ;
et al. |
September 8, 2005 |
System and method for providing an adapter module
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments include a system and method for adapting a
wireless device, such as a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or other
Bluetooth-enabled device to a hands-free car kit or similar system.
The adapter module is physically configured so that it can be
inserted directly into the cradle in place of the phone. Once
inserted into the cradle, the adapter module makes electrical
contact with the connector in the cradle with a matching connector
on one side of the adapter module. The mated connectors provide
power to the adapter module and bi-directional communications
between the adapter module and the hands-free car kit. The adapter
module includes circuitry for communicating with the
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device and the hands-free car kit in order
to exchange communications signals between the Bluetooth-enabled
mobile device and the hands-free car kit.
Inventors: |
Holmes, David William James;
(Sammamish, WA) ; Schmitt, Edward D.; (Gresham,
OR) ; Mohamed, Ibrahim; (Bothell, WA) ;
Nelson, Thomas Edwin East; (Sammamish, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP/AWS
P.O. BOX 1247
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1247
US
|
Family ID: |
26712876 |
Appl. No.: |
11/058103 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11058103 |
Feb 14, 2005 |
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10036151 |
Dec 31, 2001 |
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6889065 |
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60300842 |
Jun 25, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/569.1 ;
455/569.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6091 20130101;
H04M 2250/02 20130101; H04B 1/3883 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/569.1 ;
455/569.2 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. An adapter module, for use with a wireless device and a
hands-free car kit having a cradle, comprising: communication logic
for adapting said hands-free car kit to at least some capabilities
of telecommunications devices; and a housing that substantially
encloses said communication logic, wherein said housing is
conformed to mate with the cradle of the hands-free car kit and
mates with the cradle in place of the wireless device.
27. The adapter module of claim 26, further comprising a connector
for providing electrical power to the mobile device.
28. The adapter module of claim 26, further comprising a fastener
for holding the mobile device.
29. The adapter module of claim 28, wherein said fastener is a
button.
30. The adapter module of claim 28, wherein said fastener is a
clip.
31. The adapter module of claim 26, further comprising an adapter
cradle for holding the mobile device.
32. An adapter module for use with a hands-free car kit having a
cradle and a Bluetooth-enabled wireless device, comprising:
communication logic for adapting said hands-free car kit to at
least some capabilities of telecommunications devices; Bluetooth
logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard
to wirelessly exchange communication signals with a
Bluetooth-enabled device; wherein the adapter module is capable of
backward communication with a non-Bluetooth-enabled wireless
device.
33. An adapter module, for use with a hands-free car kit having a
cradle and a wireless device, comprising: wireless communication
logic to wirelessly exchange communication signals with the
wireless device; communication logic for adapting the hands-free
car kit to at least some capabilities of telecommunications
devices; and a housing that substantially encloses the wireless
communication logic and the communication logic.
34. The adapter module of claim 33, further comprising: an adapter
connector for transferring electrical power from the hands-free car
kit to the adapter module and for exchanging communication signals
between the communication logic in the adapter module and the
hands-free car kit.
35. The adapter module of claim 33, further comprising: control
logic communicatively coupled to the wireless communication logic
and the communication logic, wherein the control logic provides
control signals to the wireless communication logic and the
communication logic to control the exchange of communication
signals between the wireless device and the hands-free car kit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/300,842, filed Jun. 25, 2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to adapters
for coupling to wireless communicating devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In order to participate in wireless telecommunications more
easily while driving, many drivers have endured considerable
expense in terms of time, money and effort, to have a hands-free
car kit professionally installed in their vehicles. The primary
advantage to the hands-free car kit is that users can carry on a
conversation without having to hold a mobile handset to their ear.
This frees up the hand that otherwise would have been holding the
handset to perform other tasks, such as driving the car. The
hands-free car kit may even provide other advantages such as
superior reception and sound quality as compared to the handset
alone.
[0004] In a typical usage scenario, the user dials a phone number
on their mobile handset to place a call, or receives a call from
another user. The user places the handset into a special cradle
which has been customized for physically holding that handset and
for providing electrical connections to a microphone, speakers and
possibly an antenna, as may be associated with the hands-free car
kit. In many cases, the cradle and related electrical connections
are adapted to only one handset model or a small number of closely
related handsets. The very limited number of phones that a
hands-free car kit can work with becomes a problem when the user
desires to change to a new or different mobile phone handset. The
user may want to change their handset because it offers better
features, is associated with a different wireless service provider
desired by the user or for any other reason.
[0005] Newer phones have historically been smaller and differently
shaped from existing phones, again giving rise to incompatibility
with previously installed hands-free car kits. Other concurrently
offered mobile handsets tend to have different physical and
electrical characteristics. Previously installed hands-free car
kits can be replaced with newer or different hands-free car kits
associated with a replacement handset. Unfortunately, replacement
of the existing hands-free car kit would involve considerable
expense in terms of time, money and effort, not only to install the
replacement hands-free car kit, but to remove the existing
hands-free car kit. It would be desirable to be able to reduce the
time, money and/or effort associated with replacing a previously
installed hands-free car kit when the user replaces the handset
matching the existing hands-free car kit with a newer or different
handset that is substantially incompatible with the existing
hands-free car kit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the adapter module where in
one embodiment of the invention the adapter module is adapted to
communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled
mobile device substantially according to the Bluetooth
specification.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows an adapter module including a plan view of the
adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter
module is adapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit,
and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to
the Bluetooth specification.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows an adapter module where in one embodiment of
the invention the adapter module is shown with an alternative
physical configuration adapted to communicate with both a
hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device
substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of
the adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the
adapter module is shown with an alternative physical configuration
adapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of
the adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the
adapter module is shown with an alternative physical configuration
adapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of
the adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the
adapter module is shown with an alternative physical configuration
adapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of
the adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the
adapter module with an alternative physical configuration adapted
to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification.
[0013] FIG. 8 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of
the adapter module where in one embodiment of the invention the
adapter module with a power charging cord in alternative physical
configuration adapted to communicate with both a hands-free car
kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according
to the Bluetooth specification.
[0014] In the drawings, the same reference numbers identify
identical or substantially similar elements or acts. To easily
identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the
Figure number in which that element is first introduced, e.g.,
element 102 is first introduced and discussed with respect to FIG.
1.
[0015] Note that the headings provided herein are for convenience
and do not necessarily affect the scope or interpretation of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Aspects of the invention overcome many of the limitations
described in prior and current hands-free car kits and provide
additional benefits by creating a unique adapter using a
Bluetooth-enabled adapter module to support Bluetooth enabled
mobile devices without requiring the device to physically and
electrically match a cradle in an existing hands-free car kit. The
adapter module establishes a communications link with a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device such as a mobile telephone handset
or the like, using communications protocols established under the
Bluetooth standard.
[0017] In one embodiment an adapter module is provided which fits
into a cradle of a hands-free car kit. The adapter module is
physically configured so that it can be inserted directly into the
cradle in place of the phone. Once inserted into the cradle, the
adapter module makes electrical contact with the connector in the
cradle with a matching connector on one side of the adapter module.
The mated connectors provide power to the adapter module and
bi-directional communications between the adapter module and the
hands-free car kit. From the perspective of the hands-free car kit,
the adapter module emulates the communication style of a compatible
device.
[0018] The adapter module contains a Bluetooth chip or chipset for
communicating with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, which is
defined to include any Bluetooth-enabled device used for
communications. The Bluetooth-enabled mobile device may have an
integrated Bluetooth capability added during manufacture or may be
upgraded to contain the Bluetooth capability after manufacture. In
any case, the adapter module exchanges digitized information, such
as digitized spoken words, with the Bluetooth-enabled mobile
device, thereby allowing users to carry on a conversation with a
remote user via the user's hands-free car kit and their now
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.
[0019] Embodiments of the invention described herein provide an
adapter module for adapting a hands-free car kit to a
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, allowing all Bluetooth-enabled
mobile devices to utilize an existing or otherwise incompatible
hands-free car kit. Presently available and presently installed
hands-free car kits only work with a very limited number of mobile
devices. The invention enables such hands-free car kits to work
with any Bluetooth-enabled mobile device. Significantly mitigating
the associated costs of acquiring a compatible hands-free car kit
in terms of time, money and effort with upgrading to any
Bluetooth-enabled phone. Once an embodiment of the invention is
installed with a hands-free car kit, any number of future
substitutions of different Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices will
incur no additional cost regarding the hands-free car kit, because
the hands-free car kit in combination with the adapter module will
be compatible with all such Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices and
other such Bluetooth-enabled devices. Embodiments of the invention
thereby make it easier for a user to upgrade as often as they
choose to better Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, or change to
more cost-effective Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices.
[0020] "Bluetooth" refers to a set of specifications designed to
standardize wireless transmission between a wide variety of
devices, such as personal computers ("PCs"), cordless telephones,
headsets, printers, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), etc.
Bluetooth acts as a "virtual cable," whereby a computer can
automatically use a mobile telecommunications device (such as a
mobile cell phone) to send data wirelessly, such as exchange
e-mail, transmit data to a fax machine, etc. Under the Bluetooth
specification, Bluetooth devices will operate in a part of the
electromagnetic spectrum that most countries, including the United
States, have agreed will remain unlicensed. The Bluetooth
transceiver operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The Bluetooth
spectrum ranges from 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz, thus yielding 83.5
MHz of allocated bandwidth which includes a 2 MHz lower guardband,
a 3.5 MHz upper guard band and 78 1 MHz channels in the available
78 MHz between the guardbands for communications. Bluetooth
operates using frequency hopping spread spectrum, where data
packets are spread across the Bluetooth Spectrum at a nominal rate
of 1,600 hops per second to lessen interference and fading.
According to the Bluetooth specification, Bluetooth devices are
slated to operate their antennas, for example having zero
directional gain, at one of three different maximum antenna power
levels, i.e., 1 mW, 2.5 mW and 100 mW. The nominal link range is 10
meters, and the gross data rate is 10 Mbps, although increases may
be possible.
[0021] Details on Bluetooth may be found at
http://www.Bluetooth.com, http://www.palowireless.com, "Bluetooth
Revealed", Miller & Bisdikian, Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, and
"Bluetooth Demystified", Muller, McGraw-Hill, 2001, and in
particular, "Specification of the Bluetooth System," version 1.1:
http://www.Bluetooth.com/developer/specification/sp-
ecification.asp.
[0022] The following description provides specific details for a
thorough understanding of, and enabling description for embodiments
of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand
that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other
instances, well known structures and functions have not been shown
or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
description of the embodiments of the invention. While aspects of
the invention are described herein as employing the Bluetooth
protocol, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
aspects of the invention are equally applicable with other
communication protocols and standards, including wireless
networking protocols such as IEEE 802.11, contactless smart cards,
IrDA standards, Home RF, etc.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, an adapter module 100 is shown. The
adapter module 100 contains a connector 102 for physically and
electrically mating with a corresponding connector in a cradle of a
hands-free car kit (shown elsewhere). Note that the invention is
not limited to electrical communications, other forms of
communications, such as optical communications are also envisioned.
The connector 102 is also connected to hands-free communication
logic 104. The hands-free communication logic 104 contains
circuitry for exchanging digitized or analog voice signals,
depending on the type of hands-free car kit is being used, with the
hands-free car kit through the connector 102. The hands-free
communication logic 104 is adapted for communication with a
particular hands-free car kit or set of hands-free car kits. The
number of different adapter modules 100 corresponds to the number
of different hands-free car kit communication styles. The
hands-free communication logic 104 exchanges voice signals with
voice codec logic 106 which converts the voice signals into an
encoded speech format for exchange with radio codec logic 107. In
one embodiment the voice codec logic 106 converts analog signals
into a digital form before converting them into an encoded speech
format. The radio codec logic 107 exchanges the voice signals with
the voice codec logic 106 and Bluetooth logic 108. The radio codec
logic 107 exchanges a bit stream of digitized voice signals with
the Bluetooth logic 108. Note that the radio codec logic 107 is
shown separate from the Bluetooth logic 108 for illustration
purposes. The radio codec logic 107 may be considered as part of
the Bluetooth logic 108.
[0024] Analogous to the hands-free communication logic 104, the
Bluetooth logic 108 contains circuitry for wirelessly exchanging
digitized voice signals with an external device, e.g., the
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification. The Bluetooth logic 108 performs
encryption and decryption of the voice signals under the Bluetooth
specification for wireless communications. The Bluetooth logic 108
may include an antenna suitable for communications under Bluetooth
specification or may be operatively coupled to an external antenna.
Bluetooth chips and/or chipsets are expected to be available in
commercial quantities from Ericsson (Sweden), Motorola (Illinois),
and Nokia (Finland), among others. The hands-free communication
logic 104, the voice codec logic 106, the radio codec logic 107,
the Bluetooth logic 108 and a user control interface 112 are
connected to and controlled by control logic 110. The control logic
110 may include a central processing unit (known as a "CPU") and
memory, which in one embodiment is flash memory. The user control
interface 112 includes buttons, visual indicators such as LEDs
and/or lights and associated drivers and logic to receive input
from the user and display status conditions back to the user, in
general, to provide the interface between the user and the adapter
module 100. For example, the user control interface 112 may, for
example, indicate successful adapter module 100 and hands-free car
kit mating, power on-off or the establishment of communications
with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or other device. In another
embodiment, the adapter module 100 is not limited to voice signals,
but is adapted to exchange voice and/or data signals, e.g., for
exchanging data with other parts or contents of the vehicle capable
of exchanging data.
[0025] By way of example, in one embodiment, a user driving her
vehicle may make or accept a phone call with a friend on the user's
Bluetooth-enabled mobile telephone handset. The user speaks into
the microphone associated with the hands-free car kit and the
user's voice is digitized and transmitted from the hands-free car
kit through the connector 102 on the adapter module 100 to the
hands-free communication logic 104. The hands-free communication
logic 104 interfaces with the hands-free car kit and passes the
digitized voice signals to the voice codec logic 106, which in turn
creates encoded speech with the voice signals, and passes the voice
signals to the radio codec logic 107. The radio codec 107
translates the encoded voice signals into a bit stream
representation and sends the voice signals to the Bluetooth logic
108 under control of the control logic 110. The Bluetooth logic 108
takes the digitized voice signals and passes them wirelessly, and
substantially according to the Bluetooth specification, to the
user's Bluetooth-enabled device, which transmits the digitized
voice signals to the user's friend via the wireless and possibly
other networks to the friend's telephone.
[0026] The friend vocally responds to the user and the friend's
voice is transmitted to the user's Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.
The Bluetooth-enabled mobile device passes the friend's digitized
voice signals to the Bluetooth logic 108 in the adapter module 100
substantially according to the Bluetooth specification. The
Bluetooth logic 108 passes the digitized voice signals to the radio
codec logic 107 in a bit stream format. The radio codec logic 107
transforms the voice signal bit stream into an encoded voice signal
format passes the voice signals to the Voice Coded logic which
decodes the voice signal and passes it to the hands-free
communication logic 104. The hands-free communication logic 104
transmits the digitized voice signals through the connector 102 in
the format expected by the hands-free car kit. The hands-free car
kit plays the friend's vocal response on speakers connected to the
hands-free car kit.
[0027] In one embodiment the adapter module 100 enables backward
compatibility of this invention such that two users can use the
hands-free car kit, one user with a Bluetooth-enabled device, the
other with a non-Bluetooth handset for which the hands-free car kit
had originally been purchased.
[0028] In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, an
adapter module 200 is shown. As described herein, the adapter
module 200 contains the connector 102 for physically and
electrically mating with a corresponding cradle connector 204 in a
hands-free car kit cradle 206. Signals are exchanged between
adapter module 200 and the hands free car kit cradle 206 via the
mated connectors 102, 204. The signals move in a bi-directional
fashion across the mated connectors 102, 204. Electrical power is
also provided to the adapter module 200 through the mated
connectors 202, 204.
[0029] The user, or others, can easily install the adapter module
200 into the cradle 206 by inserting the adapter module 200 into
the cradle 206 with the adapter module connector 102 facing the
cradle connector 204, and pushing the adapter module 200 closer to
the cradle connector 204 until a physical and electrical connection
between the connectors 102, 204 is made, resulting in the
connectors 102, 204 being mated. The adapter module connector 102
is brought into alignment with the cradle connector 204 in order
for mating to occur. The invention is not limited to any one
particular embodiment for ensuring that the connectors 102, 204 are
properly aligned in order to be mated. For example, the adapter
module 200 may be physically keyed so that misorientation is not
possible, likewise, the connectors 102, 204 may also be keyed. The
connectors may also be made symmetrical so orientation is less
important. Markings can be placed on the surface of the adapter
module 200, and corresponding instructions included in an
accompanying manual, to guide the user in making a proper
connection. In one embodiment one or more small lights, such as an
light emitting diode (known as an "LED") is controlled by the user
control interface 112 in the adapter module 200 and placed on a
surface of the adapter module opposite the connector 102. One of
the small lights indicate that a proper connection has been made
and the setup is working.
[0030] An alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIG. 3 is shown as an adapter module 300. In general, alternatives
and alternative embodiments described herein are substantially
similar to previously described embodiments, and common elements
are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant
differences in construction or operation are described in detail.
The adapter module 300 in this embodiment is shaped similarly to
the mobile handset that the hands-free car kit cradle 206 was
designed to receive in order to prevent items, such as a different
mobile device, from being inserted into the cradle. This provides
an indication to the user and others that the cradle is in use and
they should not attempt to force objects into it and provides a
cleaner appearance. In this or other embodiments, the adapter
module 300 may have various markings such as those described herein
as well as one or more trademarks and/or other symbols as desired
such as trademarks of the manufacturer and a Bluetooth trademark as
an indication of Bluetooth compatibility. In this or other
embodiments the adapter module may contain an antenna portion 304
which functions to aid the adapter module to communicate with a
Bluetooth-enabled device.
[0031] In a second alternative embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 4, an adapter module 400 is shown. In one
portion, the adapter module 400 in this embodiment is shaped
similarly to the mobile handset that the hands-free car kit cradle
206 was designed to receive in order to prevent items, such as a
different mobile handset, from being inserted into a cradle 206.
The adapter module contains an antenna portion 404 which functions
to aid the adapter module to communicate with a Bluetooth-enabled
device. As described herein, the adapter module 400 contains the
connector 102 for physically and electrically mating with a
corresponding cradle connector 204 in a hands-free car kit cradle
206. The user, or others, can easily install the adapter module 400
into the cradle 206 by inserting the adapter module 400 into the
cradle 206 with the adapter module connector 406 facing the cradle
connector 204, and pushing the adapter module 400 closer to the
cradle connector 204 until a physical and electrical connection
between the connectors 102, 204 is made, resulting in the
connectors 102, 204 being mated. The adapter module 400 further has
a clip 410 for holding the user's Bluetooth enabled device having a
compatible protrusion for the convenience of the user.
[0032] In a third alternative embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 5, an adapter module 500 is shown. In one
portion, the adapter module 500 in this embodiment is shaped
similarly to the mobile handset that the hands-free car kit cradle
206 was designed to receive in order to prevent items, such as a
different mobile handset, from being inserted into a cradle 206.
The adapter module 500 contains the antenna portion 504 which
functions to aid the adapter module to communicate with a
Bluetooth-enabled device. The adapter module 500 further has a
button 510 for holding the user's Bluetooth-enabled device having a
compatible clip for the convenience of the user.
[0033] In a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 6, an adapter module 600 is shown. In one
portion, the adapter module 600 in this embodiment is shaped
similarly to the mobile handset that the hands-free car kit cradle
206 was designed to receive in order to prevent items, such as a
different mobile handset, from being inserted into a cradle 206.
The adapter module contains an adapter cradle portion 604 which
forms a new cradle to hold a Bluetooth-enabled device for the
convenience of the user. The user places their Bluetooth-enabled
mobile device into the adapter cradle portion 604. In one
embodiment, no connectors are used to connect the handset to the
adapter cradle portion 604 because the handset and the adapter
cradle portion 604 use wireless communications substantially
according to the Bluetooth specification. In an alternative
embodiment a dummy connector is used to better hold the
Bluetooth-enabled mobile device in place. In yet another
embodiment, the adapter module contains a connector for providing
electrical power to the Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.
[0034] In a fifth alternative embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 7, an adapter module 700 is shown. In one
proximal portion 702 with respect to the hands-free car kit cradle
206, the adapter module 700 in this embodiment is shaped similarly
to the mobile handset that the hands-free car kit cradle 206 was
designed to receive in order to prevent items, such as a different
mobile handset, from being inserted into the cradle 206. The
adapter module also contains an adapter cradle portion 704 which
forms a new cradle to hold a Bluetooth-enabled device for the
convenience of the user. The user places their Bluetooth-enabled
mobile device into the adapter cradle portion 704 as described in
relation to FIG. 6, however, the adapter cradle portion 704 may be
at any angle with respect to the cradle 206. In one embodiment the
adapter cradle portion 704 is on a pivot connected to the proximal
portion 702. In an alternative embodiment the adapter cradle
portion 704 is connected by a telescoping mount to the proximal
portion 702. In yet another embodiment the adapter cradle portion
704 is on a flexible mount connected to the proximal portion 702.
In still another embodiment the adapter cradle portion 704 is on a
hinged mount connected to the proximal portion 702.
[0035] In a sixth alternative embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 8, an adapter module 200 is shown. The adapter
module contains an additional power charging cord 808, not shown in
FIG. 2. The power cord 808 receives electrical power from the
hands-free car kit through the mated connectors 102, 204. The
electrical power is carried through the adapter module 200 to the
power charging cord 808 which itself has a connector portion 810
for connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or other
Bluetooth-enabled device and for providing electrical power to such
handset or device.
[0036] The advantages of the invention combine to overcome or
mitigate a number of shortcomings of prior hands-free car kits as
well as provide additional benefits. For example, embodiments of
the invention overcome the problem of users having to replace
existing or incompatible hands-free car kits because they have
acquired, or wish to acquire, a new Bluetooth-enabled mobile
device, by giving such incompatible car kits a Bluetooth
communications capability with the adapter module. This allows any
Bluetooth-enabled device to communicate through an adapter module
compatible with any particular hands-free car kit. Thus the
invention overcomes the need to replace an installed hands-free car
kit because the user wants a different mobile device. Embodiments
of the invention mitigate the problem of the associated time, money
and effort required to have an existing hands-free car kit removed
and a replacement hands-free car kit professionally installed in
their vehicles, by providing an adapter module for the existing
hands-free car kit so it no longer requires replacement. In one
embodiment it is expected that users could quickly and easily
install the adapter module by sliding it into their existing
hands-free cradles. It is also expected that the adapter module
will be considerably less expensive than replacing a hands-free car
kit, thereby reducing the amount of time, money and effort required
to gain a compatible hands-free car kit for their Bluetooth-enabled
device.
[0037] Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that while
adapter modules are described herein in combination with Bluetooth
communications, the invention may employ any wireless communication
standard or device. Such a standard or device may have less
functionality and be cheaper to implement than the described
adapter module. Aspects of the invention can be embodied in a
special purpose computer or data processor that is specifically
programmed, configured, or constructed to perform one or more of
the computer-executable instructions explained in detail herein.
Indeed, the term "adapter module", as used generally herein, refers
to any of the above devices, as well as to any data processor. Data
structures and transmission of data particular to aspects of the
invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.
In general, while hardware platforms such as stationary and mobile
devices are described herein, aspects of the invention are equally
applicable to nodes on the network having corresponding resource
locators to identify such nodes. Further, although embodiments of
the invention have primarily been discussed in the context of an
adapter module for retrofitting hands free car kits for use with
mobile devices having short range wireless networking capabilities,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosed
innovations are equally applicable to adapting hands free car kits
to conform with many other capabilities of various mobile
devices.
[0038] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of
"including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural
number also include the plural or singular number respectively.
Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above", "below,"
and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall
refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular
portions of this application.
[0039] The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the
invention are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above
for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the invention
provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily
the system described herein. The various embodiments described
herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and
other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed
description.
[0040] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various
aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. For example,
while only one aspect of the invention is recited as embodied in a
computer-readable medium, other aspects may likewise be embodied in
a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the
right to add additional claims after filing the application to
pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the
invention.
[0041] Incorporated by reference herein are all above references,
patents, or applications and the following U.S. patent
applications, which are assigned to the assignee of this
application: patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled,
Apparatus For Providing Power And Wireless Protocol Capability To A
Mobile Device, Such As A Wireless Phone, filed ______, 2001
(attorney docket no. 10194-8003US); and patent application Ser. No.
______, entitled, System and Method For Providing An Adapter
Module, filed ______, 2001 (attorney docket no. 10194-8004US).
Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ
the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and
applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of
the invention. These and other changes can be made to the invention
in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms
used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly
defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention
encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of
practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.
* * * * *
References