WO2002003663A2

WO2002003663A2 - Retractable hands free device

Info

Publication number: WO2002003663A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert James Donaldson
Original assignee: Robert James Donaldson
Priority date: 2000-07-06
Filing date: 2001-07-05
Publication date: 2002-01-10
Also published as: WO2002003663A3; AU2001286158A1; WO2002003663A8

Abstract

An audio or audio/video device including an audio or audio/video apparatus and an integral hands free apparatus.

Description

HANDS FREE APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to provision of portable audio or audio/video devices that include an integral electric cable allowing personal hands free operation of the device. In a preferred form the invention relates to the provision of a mobile phone including such an integral hands free capability but should not be seen to be limited to mobile phones.

BACKGROUND ART

Personal hands free sets for use with portable audio or audio/video devices such as portable radios, CD players, DVD players, micro-disk players, cassette players, mobile phones and like devices are well known. Essentially such hands free sets comprise an electronic cable which supports an earphone and, in some cases, a microphone arrangement which allows the user to operate the device without requiring the user manipulate the controls on the body of the device.

With portable devices such as compact disc players, DVD players, micro-disk players, and cassette players there may be little use for a microphone, but for mobile phones and the like devices, the inclusion of a microphone is usually essential. Compact disc players, DVD players, micro-disk players, and cassette players have play/rewind/fast forward options that can be operated via the hands free system.

Existing hands free sets have a number of difficulties. These primarily centre around loss or ease of use issues. As existing hands free sets are invariably accessories for portable electronic devices, they are prone to becoming separated from a device and ultimately lost. The ubiquitous loose cable type hands free set also includes the risk that the cable is easily tangled or caught, which results in the set being prone to damage or falling into disuse through inconvenience in its use.

In the case of mobile telephones, there is increasing evidence that the microwave radiation emitted by the mobile phone antenna causes health problems. The use of hands free sets is represented by mobile phone manufacturers/industry as being able to minimise the perceived risk from the microwave radiation. It would therefore be an advantage to increase the ease of use of hands free sets in order to provide increased incentives for users to use the hands free sets.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which goes some way to meet the deficiencies in prior art devices or at least offers the public a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

Accordingly in one aspect the invention provides an audio- or audio/video-based device including an audio or audio/video apparatus and an integral hands free apparatus.

Preferably the audio or audio/video apparatus is a telecommunications connection apparatus, compact disc player, DVD player, micro disc player, cassette player, or radio apparatus.

Preferably the device is a mobile telephone. Preferably the integral hand free apparatus includes a retractor and a cable supporting an earpiece, the retractor being capable of allowing reciprocal movement of the cable.

Preferably the retractor connects the cable to the audio or audio/video apparatus.

Preferably the retractor is a spring loaded, braked and ratcheted, wheel.

Preferably, the integral hands free apparatus includes a cable supporting an earpiece and a switch, the switch being capable of controlling the audio or audio/video device.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a mobile telephone including a telecommunications connection apparatus and an integral hands free apparatus, the hands free apparatus including:

a cable supporting an earphone and, optionally, a microphone, the cable being capable of connecting the earphone and optional microphone to the telecommunications connection apparatus; and

a retractor for the cable, the retractor being integral with the mobile phone and capable of:

(i) allowing the cable to extend to, and be releasably held at, a desired deployed position, and,

(ii) retracting the cable to a retracted position. DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of reference to the preferred example shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 Shows a schematic perspective view from one side of a mobile phone in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 Shows a schematic perspective view from another side of the mobile phone of figure 1 according to the invention; and

Figure 3 Shows a schematic cross sectional plan view of the mobile phone as shown in figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed broadly to an audio or audio/video device, which includes, as an integral part of that device, an electric cable and earpiece connection allowing hands free use of the device.

In its preferred form, the invention relates the provision of a hands free system for use with mobile phones and similar mobile devices, the hands free system including an electric cable supporting an earpiece and, optionally, a microphone allowing use of a mobile phone in a hands free manner.

The electric cable, microphone and earpiece would be able to be dispensed, rewound, and stored, within the body of the mobile phone or like audio device. In other words, the cable would be reciprocally moveable into and out of the body of the device but would maintain contact with the device to allow audio communication. While the integral hands free system will be described herein with reference to a mobile phone, which is its preferred application, it will be understood that the invention could equally be applied to other portable audio or audio/video devices for which it would be desirable to have a hands free facility. For example, compact disc player, DVD player, micro disc player, cassette player, or radio apparatus could be included as desired.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a schematic representation of a mobile phone 1 including a body 2 having a screen 3 and dial buttons 4. With general reference to the mobile phone 1 when in use, the body 2 of the mobile phone 1 has a top end 5 and a bottom end 6, sides 7, 8, and front face 9a and back face 9b.

With reference to Figure 1 , an earpiece 1 0 is shown situated within a recess 1 1 . The earpiece 10 and recess 1 1 are located on side 7 of mobile phone 1 , adjacent to the top end 5.

With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a brake release switch 1 2 located on side 8 of mobile phone 1 towards end 6. As can also be seen, brake release switch 1 2 is positioned adjacent to the back face 9b for reasons which will be discussed in reference to Figure 3 below.

With reference to Figure 3, a schematic cross section substantially through line AA of mobile phone 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is depicted. As shown in figure 3, the earpiece 10 is positioned near the top end 5 and the brake release switch 1 2 is positioned toward the bottom end 6 of mobile phone 1 .

It will be readily apparent that the telecommunication connection apparatus of the mobile phone have been omitted from Figure 3 as the intention of the Figure is to show the workings of the retractable hands free apparatus set within the body 2 of the mobile phone 1 . The mobile phone will, of course, include standard telecommunications connection apparatus as will be known in the art. Any suitable apparatus for connection could be used as desired by the manufacturer.

In its preferred form, the workings of the hands free system will lie beneath the telecommunication connection workings of the phone itself. It is for this reason the cross-sectional view along line A-A and brake release 1 2, are towards the back face 9b of mobile phone 1 . As will be readily apparent, should it be desired to position the workings of the hands free system above the telecommunications connection apparatus or to the side of it, then this could also be done. Positioning the hands free apparatus outside the body of the phone is less preferred as, while it could be made integral with the phone, it would impact on aesthetics and is likely to be impracticable in use. The apparatus could, for example, catch on clothing. This option while less preferred is possible however.

The conduit 1 6 (shown in Figure 3) is preferably lying on an incline from the centre line of the body 2 to the line AA shown in Figures 1 and 2. This will result in earpiece 10 being positioned centrally in the body 2 which is desirable from a practical and an aesthetic view point. The brake release switch 1 2 must connect with the spring loaded wheel 1 7 see (Figure 3) as is discussed further below.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the earpiece 10 lies in a retracted position within the recess 1 1 . The earpiece will be of known construction and, as shown in Figure 3, includes an earphone 1 3 attached to a body portion 1 4 which is preferably made of a plastics material. The body portion 14 is adapted to house the connection between the electric cable 1 5 and the earphone 13. The body portion 14 is also shaped to allow ease of earpiece removal from recess 1 1 by the user.

The electric cable 1 5 may be constructed in any suitable manner as will be known in the art. It is preferred that the cable 1 5 be of the metallic core type and, for example, a copper wire sheathed in an insulating plastics material could be used as is standard for such devices.

As also seen in Figure 3, the mobile phone 1 includes an internal conduit 1 6 lying within the body 2 of mobile phone 1 along side 7. The conduit 1 6 continues within body 2 of mobile phone 1 to bend around the spring loaded wheel 1 7. The cable 1 5 also supports microphone 18 which, when the hands free system is in its fully retracted position (as is shown in Figure 3) will lie within conduit 1 6 adjacent bottom end of 6 of the mobile phone 1 . The brake release switch 1 2 is adapted to release the brake on the spring loaded wheel 17 which will automatically rewind the cable 1 5 back into the body 2 of mobile phone 1 through conduit 1 6.

In general terms, the cable 1 5 of the hands free apparatus is deployed and retracted via a simple lightweight, spring loaded, braked, ratcheted, single wheel, as indicated at 1 7 in Figure 3, contained within the body of a mobile phone. This. system acts as a retractor for the cable 1 5 and also links the earpiece 1 0 to the telecommunication connect apparatus (not shown) of the mobile telephone. Such earpiece devices are well known in the art.

The use of the spring loaded brake and ratcheted single wheel

17 allows the cable 1 5 and microphone 1 8 to be withdrawn through the conduit 1 6 by simply pulling on earphone 10. The cable 1 5 would be locked in the desired deployed position via a ratchet mechanism (not shown) within the spring loaded wheel 1 7 engaging itself. On releasing the brake, by pressing brake release switch 1 2, the spring loaded mechanism contained within the spring loaded wheel 1 7 would automatically rewind the cable (and microphone and earphone) within the conduit 1 6 of mobile phone 1 .

As will be readily apparent to a skilled person,, the spring loaded, braked, ratcheted single wheel (indicated at 1 7 in Figure 3) could be replaced by any suitable form of wind/rewind device as would be known to a skilled person in this particular art. The desirable features are that the retractor device is reliable and allows the cable 1 5 to be deployed rapidly and easily from the body 2 of mobile phone 1 to a desired length and position. Once at the desired position, the cable 1 5 would need to be securely, but releasably, held. Ease of rewind, from the cables desired deployed position to a retracted position, is also a desirable feature.

Electrical contact will be maintained between the spring loaded wheel 1 7 and the telecommunication connection apparatus via suitable mechanical or electrical contact devices allowing communication with the user, as would also be known to a person skilled in this art. The electrical contact between the wheel 1 7 and the telecommunication connection apparatus (not shown) may also allow the movement of the cable 1 5 to answer/end communication by the user. This could be achieved by a variety of options as would be known to a skilled person. By way of example only, motion sensors situated adjacent to the spring loaded wheel 17 could be used. Alternative systems not involving cable movement such as pre-programmed "touch sensitive" buttons could also be used. Locating such buttons on the earpiece or the cable may be a viable option, depending on the circumstances. Such options are not intended to be limiting and are optional alternatives only. As will be readily apparent, connection between the cable 1 5 and the telecommunication apparatus need not be via the wheel 17 directly although this is preferred.

As will be readily apparent, if the device is a compact disc or DVD player or like device, the cable would connect the earpiece to the disc playing apparatus within the disc player. The cable may also support a play/stop/fast forward/rewind switch and volume control switch as well. Again, such options are not intended to be limiting .

The conduit 1 6 (as shown in Figure 3) needs to be capable of retaining the cable 1 5, microphone 1 8 (if present), and at least part of the ear piece 10 when the hands free system is in its stored, fully retracted position (as is schematically shown in Figure 3) . If the microphone 1 8 was replaced by a play/rewind/forward switch (for a portable CD/cassette player) then conduit 1 6 need to be capable of housing this as is readily apparent. The conduit 1 6 thus serves to channel the cable and microphone to/from the wheel 1 7 when the cable is being dispensed or rewound.

The foregoing describes the invention including a preferred form thereof. Alterations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1 . An audio or audio/video device including an audio or audio/video apparatus and an integral hands free apparatus.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the audio or audio/video apparatus is a telecommunications connection apparatus, compact disc player, DVD player, micro disc player, cassette player, or radio apparatus.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the audio or audio/video is a telecommunications connection apparatus and the device is a mobile telephone.

4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the integral hands free apparatus includes a retractor and a cable supporting an earpiece, the retractor being capable of allowing reciprocal movement of the cable.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the retractor also connects the cable to the audio or audio/video apparatus.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the retractor is a spring loaded, braked and ratcheted, wheel.

7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the integral hands free apparatus includes a cable supporting an earpiece and a switch, the switch being capable of controlling the audio or audio/video device.

8. An audio or audio/video based device substantially as herein described and with a reference to the accompanying drawings shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3. A mobile telephone including a telecommunications connection apparatus and an integral hands free apparatus, the hands free apparatus including:

(1 ) a cable supporting an earphone and optionally a microphone, the cable being capable of connecting the earphone and optional microphone to the telecommunications connection apparatus; and

(2) a retractor for the cable, the retractor being integral with the mobile phone and capable of allowing the cable to extend to and be releasably held at a desired deployed position and retracting the cable to a retracted position.

0. A mobile telephone substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings shown in Figure 1 , 2 or 3.